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Amelia sighed dejectedly. It was the first day of summer and here she was swinging alone on the porch of her grandmother’s house. How lame could things get? She cursed her parents, who had decided to take a prolonged trip through Europe and still thought seventeen was too young to spend an entire summer alone. Not that she didn’t love Nana Mel. She adored her and her old cozy cottage, with its brick exterior, its wraparound porch and its blooming garden. It spoke of fairies and other mythical joys, it was the perfect haven for a little girl, but the trouble was that Amelia was no longer a little girl. Boredom began to gnaw away at Amelia, causing heavy lids to close over misty gray eyes. A small nap would be fine until Nana Mel got back from the hairdressers.

Loud thuds coming up the wooded steps awoke Amelia. Somehow she ended up laying down, covered by the porch swing's throw blanket. For a split second she thought it was her Nana, but as she formed a greeting she saw it was a rather tall man, dressed in faded, ripped jeans and a grease stained shirt. Apparently he hadn’t seen her, for he was now knocking smartly on the door.

“Nana Mel, it’s Caleb, I'm here to get your grocery list.” His voice was a deep baritone, which brought an odd flutter to Amelia’s chest.

He must be who Nana was going on about earlier, the nice boy who fixes things around the house and brings her groceries. For some reason Amelia had expected someone younger, less impressive. She could only see his side profile but she could tell he was extremely attractive and didn’t seem to look like a nice boy at all, no indeed. She heard him sigh in resignation and closed her eyes quickly just in case he saw her.

And see her he did. As he turned, his eyes landed on a bundle of blankets, bare feet sticking out of the end, and a sleeping face covered by rioting blonde curls. Quieting his step he walked over to her, squatting down so his face was eye level with hers. Her felt her breath on his face and smiled, detecting its uneven pattern. A lop sided grin appeared on his face; she was awake.

“Well, I’ve heard of beautiful fairies in these gardens but I never thought one would be so big.” Caleb watched the small muscles in her mouth twitch slightly in her effort not to smile.

His fingers reached out to pull the covers from her shoulders, appreciating the smooth creamy skin her soft yellow tank top revealed. With a shocked gasp she sat up, how dare he be so forward! Caleb stayed in his squatting position, taking in her slim figure. She was tiny. Normally he didn’t like thin girls, he preferred some curves but she was just so cute, all sleepy eyed and outraged. He couldn’t help but be attracted to her.

“Well now, where are those fairy wings?”

Amelia rolled her eyes, trying to keep from melting under his charm and his irresistible face. He was better looking than she had thought. Dark, unkempt hair that swept the collar of his shirt, Bright blue eyes framed by ridiculously long and thick lashes. He had a strong jaw, a chin her mother would have dubbed manly, that was softened by boyish dimples and the most kissable lips that she’d ever seen. Amelia thought it best to ignore his playful banter.

“I assume you’re here for Nana Mel?” she raised her brow loftily at him, giving no indication of her odd, instant attraction towards him.

“She’s at the hairdressers, and I don’t know when she will be back. May I take a message, Mr….?”

He faked a pained look as his hand rubbed over his heart “I see tis’ no fairy at all, but an ice queen upon her throne.”

Caleb waited a beat, his lopsided grin slowly spreading again, causing her heart to flip.

“What can I do to melt that ice?”

Blue eyes twinkled as he watched her heart shaped face struggle to stay mad at him. He knew his own prowess with the opposite sex, none of them could stay angry against his boyish charm. It was to much a contrast to his devil may care looks, it drove them crazy.

He spoke again before her perfectly lush lips could form any words.

“Just tell her Caleb stopped by and to just come on over anytime she needs me.”

He reached his hand out to cup her chin, thinking how his big hand could easily break her, he kept his hold gentle

“That goes for you too Miss Ice, just hit me up anytime you need to melt a little.”

He winked at her shocked face as he stood up from his squatting position, and started walking away, chuckling at her choked gasps.

Amelia was still steaming hours later as she changed into her hot pink pajama shorts and long gray tee-shirt with a display of 'new kids on the block'. It was really a nightgown from her child hood. It was only five but she didn’t plan on going out. Nana was still gone, which worried her a bit, a hairdresser appointment took only an hour but knowing Nana she went visiting. She was tying her hair up in a messy ponytail, disobedient curls escaping the confinement of the elastic band, when she heard the door open and close. Nana was home.

“Nana Mel! Where have you been all day.” Amelia chimed as she came darting down the stairs, laughter in her voice.

Nana just being home brought back some cheer to her mood. The cheer was quickly dispelled as she halted suddenly at the last step. Standing there, with grocery bags and her nanas purse was that infuriating Caleb. For the first time she took in how tall he was. He towered over her grandmother, who was a tall lady at 5’9. Amelia felt like a dwarf at 5’4.

“Oh! Hello dear! Look what I found, a nice strapping lad to enjoy dinner with us.”

She couldn’t see his face but she knew he would be smirking with that cocky smile of his,

“Dinner? With us? But Nana Mel, it’s my first night here. Shouldn’t we eat alone, catch up on old times?”

Melanie looked at her granddaughter with disapproving brown eyes. She may have been old but she was still sharp. She noticed the high color on the cheeks of Amelia and the insolent tone of her voice in regards to their guest. It wasn’t like the girl to be so blunt and rude.

“Lia, we have all summer for catching up. I already invited Mr. Caleb over for dinner for helping me with the groceries. Wasn’t that nice of him? Now run along and get dressed.”

Amelia blushed ten times redder as she remembered her attire. She saw Caleb leer at her from around the side of the bags he held.

“Nah, no need to change on my account Amelia, you look just fine.”

He enjoyed the view of her bare thighs, the creamy paleness again appealing to him, it was such a contrast to the overtly tan girls he was used to seeing.

“Cute shirt by the way,” he called after her as she darted back up the stairs, ponytail bouncing between her shoulder blades.

Caleb was setting the bags on the island counter when Mel asked him with an air of innocence, “So, Caleb it seems you may have met my lovely Lia?”

He looked over at her, noting that despite her age she was still rather good looking. Tall, lean and fit but with obvious curves. Her hair was dyed a bright red and done in a dramatic beehive style that somehow made her more elegant than it tacky. Her face was almost smooth looking due to makeup, yet it was applied so it appeared she was wearing none at all.

“Yes Ma’am, met the girl this afternoon, she was sleeping away on the swing.”

He leaned his hip against the counter, dimples winking at her, “So when are you going to tell her we’re getting married?”

Mel laughed loudly, a nice and earthy sound.

“You Rascal, don’t go trying to butter me up. You’re already invited to dinner now.”

Caleb pouted as he walked over to her, taking her hands in his, “When will you believe I love you? I waste away hour by hour in my big lonely house thinking of nothing but you.”

She swatted his hands away, a pleasant blush on her cheeks, but boy if the boy didn’t get her old blood pumping.
“Ok, you can stay for desert too.

Now set the table, since Amelia is taking her time.” Caleb smiled a triumphant smile, he got what he wanted. He had known by the peaches that it was cobbler night.

She looked at herself in the mirror as she was about to apply a touch of mascara. She wore a black turtleneck and slightly baggy jeans that covered her feet entirely. Let him leer at her now, he couldn’t see an inch of her skin, she thought smugly. The perv, the stunningly attractive, annoyingly charming, perv.

“Well, I’d better go help Nana cook for the brute.”

Amelia breezed into the kitchen, taking in the cozy scene of Nana Mel chopping up peaches, and Caleb smacking seasonings onto the ham.

“Anything I can do to help Nana?”

She felt like an intruder in her own grandmothers house, it made her furious. She glared daggers at Caleb as he stared at her, seeming to look at her the same way as earlier even though she was completely covered.

“Yes Lia, cut up those potatoes, we’re going to mash them.” Mel spoke without looking up, a secret smile on her face, knowing Amelia would have to stand right next to Caleb.

After awhile of bumping and easy joking Amelia felt herself relax and she forgot she was ever even irritated with Caleb, as he knew she would. As she began to chop some carrots, the heat from the ham in the oven began to make her sweat under her heavy black turtleneck. Without thinking she tore it off, forgetting the reason of it being on. In her own world, cutting carrots, she jumped when Caleb’s hands rested on sink, one on each side of her, locking her in.

She felt his chest brush against her back as he leaned to whisper in her ear, “So, it seems the queen is melting.”

His warm breath and intimate tone cause her to involuntarily shiver, bringing a deep chuckle for him, “Or perhaps not.”
She turned quickly, almost hitting his chin with the back of her head.

“Caleb!”

Her eyes scanned the kitchen.

“Nana Mel could be back any second!”

His brows raised and he leisurely reached a hand up to arrange the hair over the soft exposed skin of her shoulder.

“Didn’t you hear her? She forgot she needed baking soda, she’s run to the market.”

Calm eyes looked into her panicked ones. He was to close, too dangerous, too potent, Amelia couldn’t think.

“Don’t…touch me. I don’t like it.”

He laughed and only leaned back slightly, keeping her trapped by him still.

“You’re a liar, little Amelia, you enjoy it very much when I touch you. I can tell you see.”

His fingers trailed across her shoulders to the base of her collar bone where a heart shaped gem hung from a necklace, she felt her pulse quicken. His disarming smile appeared at the same moment.

“Ah, you see, your heart is a give away. When I get close, or say something that excites you, your heart makes your pendent jump.”

He pushed the heart away and leaned his head down to kiss where it had been. Her pulse went spastic.

“C…Ca…Caleb.” her voice came out as a stammering whisper.

He leaned back releasing her completely, his eyes turned to a stormy blue, his face had lost it’s boyish charm, replaced with a look of savage intensity.

“and when I touch you it beats like a caged bird.”

Her breathing started to return to normal but Caleb’s sounded raspy, he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I was wrong, you’re not an ice queen. You’re a scared little bird, you’ll be my little bird before the weeks out.” He said it with such certainty that Amelia couldn’t even respond.

“Heelllooooo I am back kids, how’s the ham coming?”

They both jumped at Nana Mel’s voice, Caleb stepped back a little more and his boyish smile was back.

“My Love! You’ve returned, how I’ve missed standing next to your beauty!”

Both women rolled their eyes and ignored his antics.

“Lia, I am glad to see you’ve removed that sweater, I was beginning to worry. It’s so hot out. You’re flushed I see, probably over heated.”

Both youths missed the knowing gleam in her eye, and the full box of baking soda in the cupboard as she put the new one away.

After the incident, dinner went smoothly, if not with a bit of tension. Amelia learned a good deal about Caleb. She found out he was nineteen, lived on his own next door. He rode a motorcycle and liked painting. He had an unpleasant past, which she was surprised he spoke so honestly about to Nana. He left shortly after dinner, spouting off some nonsense about Nana Mel breaking his heart for not giving him a much needed kiss goodnight.

Soon after both girls went to bed, thinking of him. One thinking he was perfect match for her little Lia, despite his rocky past in gangs and drinking. He was reformed now and they all had a past, didn’t they? The other despairing over why she was so excessively drawn to such an obnoxious man. As she slept, he invaded her dreams, causing her to wake up in a dark mood.

“Damn his black soul!” she muttered as she put on a dark brown bikini.

Grabbing up her I-pod she went out into the back yard to layout and try to get a tan.

Her foot was tapping to the beat of some random Indie band when suddenly she felt a cold drop of some unknown substance land on her stomach. Her eyes flew opened as she shrieked, her vision was blocked by an unwelcome figure holding sun screen.

“I saw you laying out here, turning pink. I thought I’d bring this over to you so you don’t ruin your beautiful skin.”

He stuck his finger into the white puddle of sunscreen that was now on her belly button and wiped it on her nose.

“I think I know how to take care of myself Caleb, and as it happens I am trying to get a tan.”

His brows furrowed, “No, I don’t think that’ll do. You’re better this way.”

Rolling her eyes Amelia reached for her towel to wipe up his mess.

“Lia, my little bird, you can put it on and rub it in, or I can. Either way, it’s going to be on you.”

Her jaw dropped opened and inside she seethed with rage, but she knew he was serious and Nana wasn’t home to protect her. Sulking she held out her hand for more sunscreen.

“Ah, now there’s a good little sparrow.”

Self consciously she lathered it on, fully aware that he didn’t once take his eyes off her, it was unsettling and made her insides go all butterfly action on her.

“Happy now oh bossy one?”

Caleb stood, thinking a minute but then shook his head slowly, “No,no, it won't do, you need it on your back as well. On your stomach.”

Amelia debated arguing, but shrugged her shoulders and decided against it. He would get his way in the end, this she knew. The silence was defining as she waited for his reaction, chewing on her lower lip. He was going to be disgusted by her, she knew it. Everyone was when they saw it, and when they found out how she got it they looked at her like the worst kind of monster. Tears pricked her eyes; she didn’t want him to think that. Despite him annoying her, she liked him desperately, she just hated admitting it. Suddenly she felt him gently touch the long thick scar that ran from her shoulder blade to the base of her spine, rubbing in the sunscreen as he went.

“What happened Amelia?” his voice was as soft as his touch, it all confused her.

“How can you look at it, much less touch it Caleb? It’s disgusting.”

She felt his lips press against it in the middle of her back.

"Because it's part of you, and you’re perfect.”

She snorted, it was watery with tears, “If you knew you’d detest me, think I am a monster.”

He reached down and lifted her small frame into his lap and wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumb.

“Tell me little birdie, your keeper will comfort you through the storm.”

Amelia gave in and wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head on his broad hard chest. Memories of the night bombarded her, and she recounted them to Caleb in excruciating detail.

From how it started with her going to a guy she liked party. He was worldly and 20, very exciting to a girl of 14 years old. She had snuck out and stole her dad's car, her crush was her obsession, she’d do anything and he thought she was 16. Well, she got smashed, he lured her up to his bedroom and took much advantage of her state and took her virginity. Amelia didn’t see Caleb’s rage and clenching of his jaw at that fact, she just continued her watery story assuming his tightening hold was to comfort her and she relished it knowing he’d push away from her when it was over. Isn’t it what she wanted? She then went to tell him how she stumbled back to her dad's car alone, head swimming, got in and started to drive. She wasn’t five minutes from home when it happened, she was so far gone she fell asleep at the wheel, swerving into the other lane she hit a minivan, causing her to fly out of the windshield, a huge jagged piece of glass piercing and tearing her back in a split second as she went. She couldn’t walk for months.

“Oh, Amelia, I am so sorry. Don’t let him make you feel like a monster, he took advantage of you. I could never detest you for that.”

He was stroking her cheek, Amelia couldn’t take it, she scrunched her eyes shut, trying to shut out the floods of tears to come. Making choking noises she tried to tell him the rest.

“That’s…That’s not it at all Caleb, the other car I hit…had a little five year old girl in it. She died Caleb, I killed a child!” She sobbed freely now, she hadn’t told anyone the story in such a long time, and the emotions were still raw, and always would be.

Slowly she calmed down, her sobs little hiccups now. She realized she was still in Caleb’s arms.

“Aren’t you going to tell me how horrible I am? Push me off of you and walk away?”

Her head was hung low now, waiting for his rejection, a rejection that never came.

“Oh, little birdie, my poor tortured little sparrow.”

He lifted her face with his fingers beneath her chin. Her eyes, light gray from tears looked into his confused and he kissed her. Not the gentle kiss of someone consoling another, but a deep rough kiss. His fingers worked into her hair and pulled her head back as he continued to ravage her lips.

On a little mewing moan Amelia threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself to him, new tears streaming down her face. After a moment he tore his mouth away, and rested his forehead on hers, trying to even out his breath.

“Never say things like that about yourself again, you’re not a monster, or despicable or horrible. I won’t have you insulting my girl. You were a child, and made a horrible mistake but that doesn’t make you horrible.”

He lay down on the blanket that was covering the grass her still in his arms and told her in depth about his own troubled past, how he had robbed and shot an old man when he was sixteen. Luckily the man hadn’t died, but he was close. He told her of his years in the juvenile correction system since he was twelve and ended up in a foster home. All of the traits Amelia thought were annoying about him melted away as he told her his story; he became more dear and dear to her. It was growing dusk when they finished talking; he had wrapped them up like a burrito in the blanket to fight the chill.

“So, Keeper, tell me you said I was your girl, did you mean it?”

She was looking down at him, her hair billowing down around them like a privacy curtain.

He smiled his crooked smile, “Yeah, you where my girl the moment I laid eyes on you pretending to sleep on the porch swing. I told you, you’d be my little bird by the week's end.”

His eyes laughed at her, Amelia tickled his ribs in retaliation, and before they knew it they were rolling around laughing and goofing together. Nana Mel smiled, looking at them out of the window; she knew her instincts were still working.

They had a volatile passionate relationship over that summer, full of fights and the ever sweet making up. Through it all their love grew stronger, and it was an odd thing indeed to see them anywhere without the other. Summer ended too soon, and they stood at the airport terminal, clinging to each other with despair in their eyes.

“I don’t want to leave you!”

He smiled down at her, putting on a brave face.

“It’s time I let my little bird go, her wings have healed.”

She swatted his chest.

“I don’t want to fly away; I want to stay captive in your arms forever!”

“You’ll find someone new” he fought the numbing pain that thought brought.

“I don’t want anyone else. I’ll come back next summer, and every summer until I graduate. Will you wait for me?”

Caleb looked deeply into her eyes, his girlfriend, the love of his life, his bird, his ice queen, his mythical fairy was begging him to do exactly what he wanted to do. He’d do anything for her.

“I will wait for you to fly back to me forever Amelia.”

With a cry of joy she jumped into his arms, and they spun in haphazard circles together until both became dizzy and fell in a heap together in the presents of gawking people tittering about kids these days. Unlike most kids those days however both kept their promises to each other, and the day Amelia turned eighteen they were wed, and she moved into Caleb’s house next to her grandmother's.

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