The Gift- Complete

32

Lydia pov

I woke up at 7am and ran into my dad's room. Linda was in with him, both sleeping thankfully. I jumped on him waking him up

"Ugh" was all he managed to say as I giggled

"Guess what day it is" I said in a sing song voice

"Hmmm....let me think....Christmas?" He asked jokingly

"Dad" I whined rolling my eyes

"OK OK. Happy birthday baby girl" he said bringing me in for a hug and showering me with love. Linda and Mason were still asleep when we went downstairs to get breakfast. I was gonna open my presents when everyone was awake

For breakfast, there was an entire feast. Pancakes and waffles. Toast and croissants. It was wonderful. I ate my way through, getting ice cream all round my face making Arthur chuckle and pass me a napkin to wipe my mouth

"There's the birthday girl" i heard my brother say as he walked into the dining room half dressed. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek

"Happy birthday darling" Mason said sitting next to me.

"Not getting dressed today?" I asked. He just ruffled my hair and began to eat like a pig. Not long after, Linda walked downstairs.

"Happy birthday Lydia-Rose" she said walking around the table and giving me a kiss and a hug

"Thanks" I said smiling. I havnt had the most wonderful of birthday pasts. The ones in the orphanage were forgotten. The year my father left we didn't have any money so mama was working all day. And even when father was with us, he would often forget my birthday. Mason was the only one who made it special. Mama always tried but she was just too tired and busy

"Here's your present" Daddy said as Linda sat next to him opposite me. I smiled widely as I opened the boxes. He had got me a gorgeous new dress. It was casual but super pretty. And then he handed me an envelope. I opened it and sat on shock

"What is this?" I asked with tears in my eyes

"Figured you might be missing texas. So we are going for 5 days. 2 days of travelling and the other 3 I have rented a place very near where you used to live. You can do whatever you'd like. Happy birthday princess" he said smiling. I started crying and went to give him and Linda both a hug

"This is awsome" Mason said looking at the tickets

"Thank you" I whispered to daddy as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He cupped my face and wiped my tears

"Anything for you" he said making me smile. I sat back down and Mason gave me his present

"Figured you could wear it tonight" he said as i opened the box. It was a necklace

"Is this what I think it is?" I asked in shock

"Mamas necklace" we said at the same time

"But she was buried in it. Oh god don't tell me you dug her up" I said scared

"No No. I promise she's still resting in peace I didn't disturb her. Its not the exact necklace. I had a replica made. Look at the back" he said. I turned it around and saw the same words engraved as what was on mama

Whatever it takes

I read it out as a tear slipped my eye

"Mama was gifted the necklace by her brother, our uncle. He passed before we were born but they were close. He worked to get people out of mafias. Once they'd had enough he would do everything he could so they could escape and start a new life. He allowed himself to be shot so an ex mafia man and his family could run away. He was the distraction. Mama never took the necklace off. This is amazing thank you" I said as I hugged my brother

"Excited for the party tonight?" Linda asked. I was starting to get used to her. She was kind to me. Didn't get on as much with mason but it was a start

"Very. I've never had a birthday party before" I said giddy

"Never? Was that your first party aswell mase?" Dad asked

"Nah. I'm a boy. And our grandparents are imbeciles so they treated me nicer than they did Lydia" Mason relied. I just shrugged off the sympathetic looks

"It's fine though really. I'm getting a party now and I'm very excited" I squealed making Dad chuckle. Our happiness was ruined when we heard a bang followed by a loud scream of a maid. We all stopped and froze. Dad got out his gun and stood up slowly putting his finger to his lips

He then pointed to the door which leads to the servents rooms on the top floor. Me and Linda went to leave but Mason got out a gun which I didn't know he had and stood with Dad

"Mase. Come on" I whisper yelled. Dad came over to me as I started trying to reach for Mason

"Shhh. Shhhh. I won't let anything happen to him. Now go" he ordered. He kissed my head and wiped my tears as i tried to hold in my sobs. Linda dragged me from the dining room and into the passageway. We went up many stairs and ended up in the servants rooms. It was deathly silent. They had all locked their doors which was understandable so we just sat on the floor as I let silent tears roll down my face. Linda sat next to me and hugged me as i cried

I heard 2 more loud gunshots making me jump and then I stopped crying from shock. And I just sat frozen still

"It's alright" Linda whispered stroking my hair. But she quickly shut up when we heard the door to the servents quarters being opened. We both stood and watched the corner waiting for a figure to jump out and shoot us. We could hear his footsteps. Slow but loud

And then, a man stood infront of us. He was at one end of the hall and us the other. We stayed sat down as he walked slowly over to us

"Up" he barked. Me and Linda quickly stood up. He came closer to me and started stroking away my tears as I refused to make eye contact

"Pretty pretty pretty" he said as he moved onto Linda. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her forceful as she cried and struggled for the mam mam release her. I kicked his leg and pushed him off the crying woman

"You brat" he yelled making me jump. Me and Linda could take him down easy. He didn't even have his gun in his hands. It was still in his holster. He came up to me and pinned me to the wall, kissing my neck. I looked at Linda for help but she just cried. And then, she did the thing I thought even she wasn't capable of. She ran. Down the passageway that went back to the dining room, leaving me as he started to move his hands up my dress. I was stuck with no one to help me...

A/N

Sorry its been so long. I've just been unusually tired. It's the Easter holidays so hopefully more episodes although they doesn't seem the case so far. Sorry again. 1245 words