Her Wish Come True
POV: Derek
I have known Jess for a very long time, our families were very close. I knew her better than anyone knew her. Lex might have been her best friend but I was her oldest friend. We played together when she was in diapers and I was a year older. She used to tell me all the time one of her goals in life so when Lucien announced that we would be going on dates while we were up here at the retreat, I felt this was a perfect idea to fulfill her greatest wish. What I had not anticipated what that Grand Pretre was the one to set every date up so when I had heard that, I was totally bummed. Lucien gave me hope again when he said that Grand Pretre knew about my desire to set something special up for Jess. I was equally lucky that the spot where she wanted to go for this activity was close by. I would need to go buy her the outfit that I had pictured her in when she described what her greatest wish was. I wanted to be the one to give her the experience of a lifetime. When Meldon volunteered to assist me with the setup, I was pumped about it. We were getting ready to go in town for the supplies and Jess’s outfit so that it would be the most perfect date for Jess. We called for the carriage to take us to the little town a few miles away. While we waited, Meldon cleared his throat, “So what is this date that you’re especially setting up for her.” I smiled, “There’s a waterfall with a spring not too far from here, it’s a short carriage ride away. Jess has always wanted to go there but because her father is a diplomat, he never had the time to take her. I’m going to take her there.” Meldon nodded, “I know that place. They say if you bring a witch coin with you and throw it in there, your wish should come true. Are you going to give her a witch coin?” I smiled and winked at Meldon and he nodded once in understanding.
After a few hours, we came back from the shopping trip. Meldon went ahead to the Lycan Falls to set up the environment to my specifications so that Jess would have the most perfect experience there. I hopped out of the carriage with packages that I had bought for Jess. It was time for me to bring them to her so that she could get ready for the date. I went straight to her room but I had heard some giggling behind her door and Alexandra speaking to Jess. I didn’t want to listen in but I heard Jess say, “I don’t know what to tell him about the other date he asked me out on Xan. I don’t want to hurt him by turning him down.” I heard Alexandra sigh, “Don’t turn him down then.” Alesha spoke, “But isn’t the Run the time that two lycans mate? Is Derek ready for a commitment like that? He flirts with Xan in front of you Jess, I don’t think he’s ready.” Alexandra spoke, “I think you should just suggest a normal date for now and tell him to ask you on a Run once he knows what he wants. He cannot expect you to mate with him for life if he’s one foot in and one foot out. He’s very capable of understanding that, I think.” I couldn’t argue with what Lex said and I didn’t want Jess to feel the pressure of going on a Run with me now that she had turned of age. I would bring it up with her tonight and tell her that we could just go out to dinner one night. I would ask Blake to send someone to guard Lex for that night. I had a friend who had a high-end restaurant in Tarn that I could take her to. Regardless, that date would pale in comparison to the one I had planned for her tonight.
I knocked on the door and Litha answered, she blushed from embarrassment and muttered, “It’s Derek.” Lex came to the door, “Hi there, you’re way early.” I shook my head, “I told her I’d bring the appropriate outfit for her to wear. Did you forget Lex?” She smiled, “I nearly forgot. Did you want to give it to her yourself? She’s getting her hair done.” I shook my head, “I don’t want to ruin the surprise of how she looks.” I handed her the bag with all the packaged things inside, “I will come to get her in an hour and a half.” She took the bag and then nodded, “Cool, I’ll let her know.” She went to close the door but I put my hand on the door, “Can I talk to you a bit alone?” She looked back at Litha and handed her the bag but she was hesitant to come out to see me. I sighed, “I’m not here to flirt, promise.” She nodded, “Okay, Litha, I’ll be right back. Give that to Jess and let her know it is from Derek.” She closed the door behind her and we walked down the hall a bit. She turned to me, “What’s up?” I drew in a deep breath, “I have to confess that I heard what you ladies were talking about.” She simply stated, “Oh.” I shook my head, “To be honest, I’m glad I heard. I want to let you know that I still want to take her out but I’d like your help.” She smiled, “Sure what do you need?” I looked at my feet, “Would you help her to understand that I don’t want to pressure her to go out on a Run? When I asked her that, I hadn’t realized she was of age and I never want to pressure anyone to mate with me for life. I want to be sure like you said.” She patted my shoulder and kissed my cheek, “I will gladly help you with that Derek but I need to get back so I can give you a more beautiful date tonight.” I chuckled, “No amount of makeup would make her any more beautiful than she already is.” She simply smiled, squeezed my hand, and walked over to the room they were getting ready in.
An hour and a half later, I was standing in front of Jess’s room once again. I had been informed an hour ago that Meldon had set everything up according to my plan. I was holding a bouquet of white roses and was in a white tuxedo. I was nervous but I knew I had to knock eventually. I inhaled deeply and exhaled a long breath then knocked. Lex opened the door and smiled, “She’s ready for you and I must say the dress you chose is gorgeous.” Jess stepped out of the room and she was wearing a flowing pink ball gown, white gloves, her hair was up which helped to accent the diamond necklace that I chose for her. Lex did her makeup to match but it was minimal that only accented her already natural beauty. I could feel the heat rising in my face and I was suddenly nervous for the first time in my life taking a lady out on a date. I smiled at her, “You look so beautiful Jess.” Her eyes widened, she blushed and meekly said, “Thank you.” I handed her the bouquet, “These are for you, you can bring them or you can leave them here.” She smiled and handed them to Lex. Lex took them from her, “I’ll put them in water. Have a good time you two.” I offered her my arm and she took it hesitantly. She smiled up at me, “Where are we going?” I chuckled a little, “Are you impatient? We’re going for a little ride in an open carriage.” She sighed happily, “That sounds lovely.”
I escorted her out to the open carriage and helped her inside, she smiled as we went on our way. I wrapped my hand around hers and she turned a bright red but she smiled. I had instructed the driver to send us on the scenic route through the enchanted forest. She smiled at the scenery as we saw the fireflies dancing in the scenery in the dark and the glow mushrooms. She looked over at me as I was staring at her enjoying the sights in her innocent wonder, “What are you looking at?” I squeezed her hand, “You enjoying the ride. It’s such a beautiful sight, Jess. I don’t think you know just how amazing you really are.” She looked away, “What brought that on?” I chuckled, “I’m just being honest and I felt like this was the perfect time to tell you what I think of you.” We started to slow as we came upon Lycan Falls. She finally realized where we were and she gasped then looked up at me with her eyes widened, “You remembered.” Tears welled up in her eyes as the lights that Meldon had set up illuminated the picnic blanket with the basket sitting on to the side. I had also hired a string quartet to provide some music to make it more magical. She turned to me and a single tear rolled down her cheek, “I can’t believe you made my wish come true.” I wiped the tear from her face, “I’d do more for you, Jess. You need to know."
