Page 68 of Guarded from Corruption

“Okay. What’s the surprise?”

“Well, I’d hoped to have a few more minutes to get it all ready, but—” Jade actually bounces with excitement. “This will be okay, too.”

She grabs my hand and tows me into the living room, then tugs me down onto the couch. Once I’m seated, I realize what she’s wearing and ask with a chuckle, “Is that a Wolverine T-shirt you have on?”

“Yup.” Another grin. “It goes with the theme.” Leaning down, she gives me a quick kiss. “Now, stay here while I get everything.”

I love seeing this side of Jade. In the past, I’d get glimpses of it—when I’d visit Shea and the three of us would hang out together, there would be these moments when Jade would completely let her guard down. Like when we all went to the arcade and she gleefully beat me in Skee-Ball, complete with a little victory dance. Or that night when I took Shea and Jade out for dinner and Jade laughed so hard at one of Shea’s jokes, she snorted soda out of her nose.

After a few minutes of Jade rummaging through the kitchen, then another several trips into the bedroom, she calls out, “Okay. Close your eyes until I tell you to open them.”

Though my curiosity is growing by the second, I obediently keep my eyes shut as I listen to Jade moving around me. I can hear her setting things on the coffee table; soft clinks and soft rustling, and I tease her, “Can I open my eyes yet?”

“Not yet.” She frames my face with her hands and kisses me. “One more minute.”

Finally, after what feels like much more than a minute, Jade says, “Okay. You can open your eyes now.”

The first thing I see is her glowing face; so pretty and pleased as she watches me eagerly. “Look.”

Dragging my eyes away from her, I do.

And it’s perfect.

The coffee table is covered with all my favorite snacks—Cool Ranch Doritos and peanut M&Ms and those frozen burritos I know are terrible, but like anyway. There’s a bucket filled with ice and frosty bottles of Stella, my favorite beer. In the center, a delicious-looking pizza is steaming, topped with pepperoni and mushrooms and olives—once again, all my favorites.

“Dante gave me the recipe,” Jade explains. “I don’t know if it’s as good as when he makes it, but I tried.”

“It looks amazing, hun.”

“And look.” Jade gestures at the TV. The opening credits to the new X-Men movie, which is still in theaters, is paused on the screen. “I asked Matt to help. So we could watch one of your favorite movies.”

My heart is doing this funny thing—squeezing and expanding at the same time—and my throat feels thick.

“I got you this, too.” She reaches under a pillow on the armchair and hands a slim package to me. “A gift. I remember you talking about this one time. I had to search to find it, and I hope I didn’t get it wrong, but…”

My nose prickles as I peel off the wrapping.

Then I realize what Jade bought, and my voice disappears.

It’s the X-Men comic my dad and I searched for back when I was a kid. The one when Jean Grey turns into Phoenix. I had told Jade about it one time; how I loved collecting comics when I was young, that it was a special thing my dad and I would do together. And I told her I always wanted this comic.

“You said it was the most important one,” Jade says quietly. “That you loved how she turned into the Phoenix. I know it’s not the same as getting it with your dad. But I thought…” She swallows and looks at me with nervous eyes. “I wish I could have met your parents. But I was just thinking… giving you this, maybe it would be a little like having your dad here? With us?”

Ah, shit.

Tears I haven’t shed in years press behind my eyes. I suck in a deep breath.

“Did I mess up?” Her teeth worry her lower lip. “Was it a bad idea?”

I set the comic book aside carefully and draw Jade into my arms, settling her on my lap. “No, sweetheart. You didn’t mess up. I love it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I brush my lips across hers. “I’m absolutely sure.” Holding her gaze, I continue, “My dad would love this. He’d love you. Both my parents would. So much.”

There’s a sheen of tears in Jade’s eyes as she gazes at me. “I’d love them, too. I do love them. Because they’re still here. They’re a part of you.”

Emotion swells up so fast, I’m breathless with it. Hugging Jade to my chest, I press kisses to the top of her head while I try to rein everything in. Finally, I manage, “I love you, Jade. With all my heart.”

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