[Gerard] This is Monroeville, Baby. [Way] :Ch1:

“Hey, Emily!” Nate sounded. I removed my head from Gerard’s shoulder as I looked up at him.

“Can I help you?” I replied across the fire.

“Presents?”

I shook my head. “I don’t like opening presents in front of other people, you should know that!”

Gerard’s thumb made small circles on my bare arm as he talked to Mikey about random things. I paid no mind to his conversation.

“I want to see what you got!” Nate started… again.

“Kelly, shut up your fiancé!” I said with a laugh.

“We just wanna see your presents!” Kelly said. I looked over to the foldable poker table sat up that held my presents.

“Not right now.” I told her when I turned back to her.

“Gerard!” Kelly whined.

“I want to see them, too.” Gerard told me, turning away from poor Mikey.

My mouth dropped. “Not you too!” I whined.

“Yes, me too.” He said with a light laugh.

“Emily,” Dad started. I looked over to him. My father looked like he was going insane as he walked towards me.

“Yeah, Papa?”

“We need to get going. I’m so sorry we wouldn’t stay longer.” I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

“Mama?” I asked, looking over at her. “What’s going on?” I asked in Italian.

“Nothing you need to worry about, dear.” She replied in English. I sulked a bit as the three members of my family gave me hugs, each looking just as sad.

“Don’t worry about it,” Mom told me again. “Have a good birthday and don’t worry about it.” I nodded into the hug she had me placed in and they left. I watched them walk off without another word.

“Presents? Please?” Kelly asked, jumping up and down in her chair

.I looked at her, then Nate, Gerard, Amanda, and then finally Bob. They all had the same expressions on their face, wanting me to open my gifts. Apparently they got me something they thought was really nice, other wise they wouldn’t have this reaction.

“Fine.” I huffed, giving in.

“Yay!” Kelly said, jumping up with everyone right behind her to get their gift.

“I go first!” Amanda said, handing me a box. I took off the silver wrapping paper, throwing it into the fire and then I opened the box. Inside was a poster of The Sex Pistols, signed by Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious, Steve Jones, and Paul Cook. It looked to be original. My jaw dropped as I saw this priceless discovery.

“How did you-” I started.

“Get it?” Amanda asked with a smirk.

“It was my Mom’s. She gave it to me, and you know I don’t really prefer them, so I decided to give it to you.” A smile erupted on my face.

“Thank you so much!” I exclaimed.

“You’re welcome.” She replied. I put the poster gently back in the box. I had to frame it later.

“My turn!” Frank said, jumping up to get in front of me. He held out his hand, and in it was a small jewelry case like box. I smiled at him, taking the box and I opened it. Inside were several guitar picks. “I found them around.” He said with a laugh. I laughed back.

“Thanks, Franks.”

I put the gift down beside me, as Frank sat down.

“Here.” Keelee said, extending a small check like box to me. I took it with a smile and opened it. Inside were coupons, each having different ‘favors’ on them. I laughed as I read them. “Thought you could put them to use.”

The first one had a coupon for a massage. Maybe they would come in handy.

“Thank you Keelee. I may put Gerard to work tonight.” I said with a laugh.

“Hey!” Gerard said, blowing out smoke. I smiled innocently at him. He couldn’t help but smile.

“You know you love me.”

“That I do.” He replied casually.

“Who’s next?” I asked. Gerard and Mikey’s parents, Donna and Donald handed me a gift. I smiled at them before opening the box, throwing the blue paper in the fire.

After the box was free of wrapping paper, and I opened the box, I saw several cartons of Marlboro cigarettes. I laughed, thanking them. This is a really good gift. Quickly, I opened on of the cartons and took out a pack, and then a cigarette. I lit it, letting the smoke calm my nerves.

“Here ya go!” Ray said, handing me a card, a handmade on at that. I opened the card, and it said:

Happy birthday Em! For your birthday I give you Gerard!

Ray

The card had a stick figure version of me and Gerard having sex. I laughed and showed Gerard. He did the same as I thanked Ray. “It’s a very thoughtful gift.”

“Let’s just hope she gets some great use out of it!” Kelly teased, reading the card that was being passed around.

The next gift was from Mikey, who had gotten me an MCR shirt. Bob gave me a water gun, some water balloons, and several cans of silly string.

Next was Kelly and Nate’s turn. “You are going to need this.” Kelly said as I started opening the medium sized box. Once open, I saw several packages of condoms. I quickly closed the box and covered my mouth, stifling a smile.

“What?” Gerard asked. I shook my head, now laughing.

“Are you serious?” I asked Kelly and Nate.

“They were too small for Nate.” Kelly put simply. “We stocked up and found out they were too small.” Gerard took the box and saw what was in it. He couldn’t help but laugh also. “They’re too small for me, Kell.” Kelly laughed.

“Are you sure?”

“You’ve never seen my dick size!” Kelly and Gerard laughed while I grabbed my side in hysterics.

“Ok…ok…” I said, calming down.

“Who’s next?” I asked. Amanda held me a gift. “It’s from your parents and sister.” I nodded, taking the gift and opened it. It was a simple gift, something totally expected from them. It was some kitchen utensils, an obvious subliminal message from Mom saying to cook and eat more. I laughed at that thought and looked around.

“Is that everyone?”

“No, I have yet to give you yours. It’s on the bus.” I nodded. “Hey, Nate, can you get this stuff of Emily’s in the car while I go get her present?”

“Sure.” Nate replied, standing up. Gerard did to, while I stood with him. I followed him, hand in hand into the bus.

“Stay here.” Gerard sat, leaving me in the ‘living’ area. He went into the back where his bunks were and came out with something in his hands that were behind his back. “I have two things for you.” He said with his eyes down. “First, is this…” He handed me a piece of paper and I looked at it. The drawing Gerard drew simply took my breath away. It was one of me and under it, it read:

I give you my heart.

I smiled and pulled his chin up to kiss him. He smiled into the kiss and then broke away. “What’s the other thing?” I asked. Gerard pulled out a box and opened it. Inside was one of the most beautiful necklaces I’ve ever seen. I gasped. “Gerard…”

He lightly laughed. “Just say you’ll never take it off.”

“I’ll never take it off!” I repeated his words excitedly as I let him clip the necklace on me. I kissed him after the necklace was securely on. “I love you.” I told him.

“Oh, God, Emily. You have no idea how much I love you.” Gerard responded.