Exton

Laila meets Ramji at the door as he walks across the yard. She tries to take a bag from his arm, but he refuses to let her even look inside them. Stoney grins as he takes the bags from Ramji, holding them up where Laila cannot peek inside, and disappears into the kitchen.

The Rider says nothing, refusing to answer her questions. He suddenly kisses her and walks away, leaving her standing in the middle of the living room. Laila blinks once, twice, before she even realizes he is gone. Alise stares after the men and she shrugs as Laila takes Gracie from her mother's arms.

The women listen to the sounds from the kitchen. Every time one of them tries to enter, they find themselves blocked by Stoney's large frame. Please Chaton, this is Ramji's gift to Laila. He wants it to be as much of a surprise as possible. Divert her?

Alise smiles and tells Laila, quietly, that Ramji is creating something special. Laila smiles and stops trying to see into the kitchen. The smells that begin to filter out are mouthwatering. It isn't long before chocolate begins to sweeten the air.

Soon enough, Stoney is calling the family in for dinner. Alise's roses have been moved to a shelf so nothing would happen to them. The table now holds plates of pasta with chicken and seafood, salad, and a platter in the center piled with small chocolate cupcakes, strawberries, and whipped cream. The children's eyes light up, but Stoney and Alise set the rules firmly in place. Dinner first, dessert after. The little ones subside, finding the pasta just as much fun, if not more.

Halfway through dinner, Ramji excuses himself. He returns with a flat 8"x10" box. The Rider sets it aside, waiting until her curiousity could no longer be contained.She sets her fork down, opening her mouth to ask about it.

Ramji shakes his head. "When dinner is done."

The little ones giggle, Tomas smiling broadly, garlic butter dripping off his chin.. "Lala, be good. Soon pressies."

Laila tries to hide her smile, remembering how Tomas was made to wait for his presents at their birthday. She sighs dramatically and begins to eat. Tomas nods, then goes back to picking up single strands of pasta and sucking them into his mouth, noisily. He giggles as the strand slaps his chin.

Tara rolls her eyes and tries to eat as daintily as possible. When they get their cupcakes, Tara picks hers apart, eating the cupcake in small pieces as Tomas squashes his, eating the flat mass with delight. Stoney grins, disappearing into the kitchen for a wet cloth as Alise finishes her own meal. Laila lays her fork across her plate, looking up to find Ramji's eyes on her, expression hidden behind his Hunter's mask.

He moves her plate to the kitchen, bringing her a damp cloth for her fingers. Still the box stays out of reach until she has wiped her hands, and the cloth taken away. Her patience wearing thin, Lalia bites her lower lip, waiting. Ramji lays the box carefully before her and she waits, refusing to touch it until he could wait no longer.

Minutes tick past until Tomas blurts out. "Open pressie! Lala! Is okay now!"

Laughing, Laila unties the ribbon, opening the lid. Folding back the tissue she sees the pale turquoise of soft fabric first, the the sparkle. The chain shimmers as she lifts it. A small heart of red stone chips floats on the chain, matching the earrings. Ramji rises and sets the necklace in place around her throat, making sure the catch closes properly.

"The shawl is to keep you warm, when I... cannot. The heart is to remember who would give his for yours." He lifts her hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss to the now soft skin. Smiling, he tells her, "You still smell of the creme Star created for you."