Chapter 63: Chapter 63

My birthday is on the first of June, which means that it is only a day away at this point. My hair has now grown out to be almost one inch long. Although there isn't enough to show just yet, it's still there. Mark and I have become even more close recently, and in light of this, we have increased the number of dates we go on that take place outside of the venues we previously attended.

We packed a lunch and had a picnic at the highest point of our hike. We went to a community pool with Abby and Charlie, where they gave Lexi her first swim lesson when she was six months old. It was adorable to see how she reacted when she got into the water. We've had a lot of quality time together, both with just the two of us and with our respective friends and families.

I've already told Mark that I don't want a party, so instead we're just going to go on a short bike ride around the area and eat lunch somewhere along the way. I instructed him not to get me anything, but he insisted on getting me at least one thing regardless. I caved in and mocked him while rolling my eyes at his pleading.

The contract was signed on the day that exactly corresponded to my birthday. My father has already drafted a new one, with the first page almost appearing to be an exact replica of the previous one. Mark is starting to get a little anxious, and to tell you the truth, so am I. I have no idea whether or not we will get caught, but if we do, John is going to lose his cool and freak out. The events of tomorrow are completely unknown to me.

"Ready to go?" Mark inquires as he enters the living room, where I am currently occupying my time by randomly surfing the channels on the television.

"Yep." I recommend getting out of your seat and turning off the lights as well as the television.

"Should I give the gift first or go biking?" He makes a request to get into the vehicle.

"Biking. I'm getting antsy. My response is to buckle up.

"Got it." As he drives away from the apartment complex, he flashes a grin.

After driving for a short distance, we stop in the parking lot of the park and then exit the vehicle to begin preparing our bicycles for riding. As cliche as it may sound, we go on a picnic along a path that is partially shaded and colorful, and we stop for a break near a pond.

"What did you bring me?" I inquire of Mark as he unfolds a blanket that he had brought along in the basket.

"Food." He says this in a sarcastic tone.

"Ah, my favorite." I smirk.

"There are times when you can be quite irritating." Mark hands me a sandwich that he just took out of the bag and says. "Here, have this," he says.

"Likewise." As I take my first bite, a grin spreads across my face.

"But you still love me." He gives a friendly smile before pulling out his sandwich and biting into it himself.

"Likewise again." Before offering his retort, he lets out a chuckle and takes a swallow.

"Is that the only thing you have to say?" He asks.

I'm going to say "likewise," so I'm going to bite my lip and get ready to say it. I turn my head to look at Mark and notice that he is rolling his eyes and laughing again.

"I acknowledge that I was wrong." He makes the comment in a sarcastic tone before taking a swig from his water bottle. I let out a chuckle as I grab the carrots that he has cut up and take a bite out of one of them in order to annoy him.

After we have finished our lunch, we ride our bikes back to the car and repack them inside the trunk.

"At this very moment." Mark breaks into a grin as we get back into the car and drive away from the parking lot.

I groan and ask, "Why?"

"If you don't want a present, why not?" He asks.

I shrug. "For the simple reason that I have no requirements."

"C'mon, now. It's a lot of fun to surprise people with gifts you've gotten for them. He argues his case.

"Yeah I guess." Again, I gave a shrug.

"Well, I bet you're going to really enjoy this one." He gives us a grin as we make the right turn onto a road that is lined with trees and has a limited number of homes or other buildings. "Please shut your eyes right now." Mark says this to me as I cover my eyes with my hands and feel the car turn left just before it comes to a stop. When I hear the door open, my first thought is that Mark is coming to assist me with whatever problem I'm having. It appears that my presumption was correct because all of a sudden I am being directed in the opposite direction for some inexplicable reason. "Alright, crack them open." Mark says standing behind me.

As soon as I open my eyes, I notice a house. "I think I've seen this before." After cocking my head to the side, I turn my attention to Mark.

When my grandmother passed away a few years ago, I inherited her house, which had previously belonged to her. He shows a grin.

"What was I supposed to do with that information?" I inquire, curious about the following statement he will make.

"I really don't know, but let's go inside anyway," she said. He says moving quickly forward while dragging me along with him.

Just by entering the living and dining room area, we can already tell that it is completely furnished, and I am in love with the colors and the way it looks like a home already. "Wow!" I smile walking in more.

"You like it?" Mark inquires as he approaches from behind and places his arm around my shoulders.

"You're right, this is very lovely." As I turn to face him, I can't help but break out in a grin.

"So it wouldn't bother you to live here, would it?" Mark asks.

As I look over to him with a shocked expression on my face, my eyes widen. "So you're saying this is actually our home?" I inquire with a feeling of tearing in my eyes.

"Yes." He shows a grin. "And we can change anything that you want," the speaker continued.

"I have no desire to make any adjustments." I declare that I am going to investigate my new location more.

On the first floor, there is a bathroom, kitchen, dining room that can also be used as a kitchen, and two bedrooms that are all fully furnished and perfect. On the second level, there are two bathrooms, one of which is connected to the master bedroom, and one of which is just out in the open. There are also four bedrooms, one of which is the master bedroom, and a more compact living space, all of which are ideal. The living room and the master bedroom both feature complete furniture arrangements. The remaining three bedrooms are not finished and are currently awaiting the addition of an individual's distinctive touch.

"Mark, are you completely certain that this item belongs to us?" I inquire while keeping my expectations at a reasonable level.

"I have no doubts whatsoever. Now, just to be absolutely sure, would you say that you enjoy it here? He asks while seizing both of my hands.

"I have no doubt in my mind that I adore being here." I say giving Mark a hug. "Also, I am completely certain that I love you." I say still hugging him.

"I feel your pain, Alyanna. I do."

John ought to arrive around the same time. Maddy is currently away at her sister's house, which ensures that she won't stumble upon us while she's here and become suspicious. My dad, Mark, and I are currently seated in the living room of my dad's house, where we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of John.

The doorbell rings just as I'm bouncing my leg, and I jump when I hear it. My dad gets up to get it and walks John. Mark is the one who is in possession of the contract due to the fact that John instructed him to bring it so that it could be perfect. Since I am now nineteen years old, I am entitled to receive my inheritance.

John takes a seat as Mark pulls the contract out of his pocket and places it on the table. The process of making it official and signing it is carried out in relative hush as we all take turns. When John finally gets it back, he laughs devilishly to himself. "Well, thank you Chris for having the audacity to bet on this, thank you Alyanna for marrying my son, and thank you Mark for being such a trustworthy and devoted employee throughout the years." He smirks standing up.

What he said to Mark has left me completely dumbfounded. Mark is not just an employee; he is actually his son. Mark has already started speaking before I even have a chance to stand up and say something. "I'm not a loyal employee dad." Mark says getting John's attention.

"What exactly are you going on about?" John has expressed interest in visiting with us once again.

"Take a look at the bottom of the last page of the contract, which is just above our wigs." Mark utters in a grave tone.

John goes to the very end of the book and starts reading. I can recite it word for word in my head. "What?!" He exclaims, completely taken aback. "How is it even possible?"

You have just signed a contract stating that Alyanna and I are allowed to keep the business a secret from you. Mark asserts that they are still strong and will not back down.

John rips the contract up in such a childish manner, and then he smirks over to us thinking that he has won. "Remember when you were the one who said we should make a copy or two," the person to whom the question was directed said. I am saying this while holding up both copies, which have been signed and are authentic.

"You will be hearing from my attorneys," they said. John huffs.

"So you want to take legal action because you coerced one of your closest friends into betting his shares," I heard you say. "I'm not surprised." When a parent forces their own son to marry a woman he has only just met. When you were the one who had the lack of intelligence to sign four contracts without first reading them. You certainly have a compelling argument there. I say this with full conviction, knowing that there is no way he could possibly win.

"Fine. You come out on top this time." After that, he storms out, and I'm betting that we won't be seeing him very frequently in the future.

As my dad and Mark and I embrace each other and cheer in joy, I turn to them. I can't tell you how proud I am of you for standing up to your father, Mark. I give him a tight squeeze before moving on to embrace my father.

"And that last part about the whole court situation was handled really well by you," the judge said. Mark responds while simultaneously giving a quick hug to my dad.

"I did a good job of being a bystander." My grandfather says, poking fun at himself in the process.

"Oh yes dad. You are the most excellent onlooker. I chuckle giving him a hug.

After we had enjoyed a delectable meal that Marlee had prepared for us, we toasted our success by cutting a cake that had been purchased in Marlee's honor.

Mark and I departed later that evening, after engaging in conversation and watching a movie. "This is easily one of the most memorable birthdays in history." As we make our way back to the apartment, I can't help but crack a smile.

"Good." Mark says, sighing. "So..." he begins to say. When do you plan to move into the house, if at all?

He wants me to take a quick look.

"As soon as our bags were packed," she said. I let out a sigh as I look out the window at the clear night sky.

The following week, all of us were prepared with everything we required and desired, and we were able to fit all of our belongings into my father's car, Mark's car, and my car. With the assistance of my father and Maddy, we were able to unpack everything in just one day. After a long and eventful day, we unwound and took pleasure in our brand-new abode.