Scream Me a Dream

Monday, November 22, 2010
6:45 am

They both heard the alarm go off, but as he usually did in the morning he buried his face into the pillow to block out the sound and let Soya crawl over him to turn it off. He heard her quiet groan of not wanting to wake up, before she started off the bed. As he did most mornings when she started to leave him, he grabbed the fabric of her shirt and pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her tightly, burying his face in the side of her neck.

“Don’t leave, it’s warm.” He murmured, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck, his lips quirked up at the sound of her soft giggle. He lips moved from her neck to the soft cushion of her lips, kissing her softly.

“No, no, no.” She laughed, kissing him one last time before squirming out of his arms, causing him to groan. “Don’t start anything you can’t finish,” she laughed before moving out of the bed, his arm dropping onto the empty space of the mattress. “I have to go get Aida ready.”

Ville let her go, turning and watching her stumble out of the room, before burying his face into the pillow with a grin, before it slowly disappeared when Soya’s words finally entered and processed through his head.

“Vittu.” he muttered, throwing the covers off him and getting off the bed. He didn’t have to leave the room, only look across the hall to see Soya leaning against the door jamb her arms crossed over her chest. “Soya?”

She turned and gave him a weak smile. “I can’t believe I forgot.”

“It’s going to take some getting used to.” He nodded, as she crossed over to him, hugging his waist.

“I don’t like that I have to get use to it.” She shook her head, before kissing the center of his chest, tilting her head up to look at him. “Happy birthday.”

Ville groaned. “I was hoping you’d forget.”

“That I can’t forget.” She laughed.

“Well in honor of my birthday, let’s go back to bed, finish what I started.” He smirked.

Soya shook her head. “No, since I’m up early I might as well get started with my day.”

Ville narrowed his eyes as he felt her unwrap her arms, watching her start towards the bathroom, “You are up to something.”

“I am.” Soya sang with a grin. “Don’t you have to get to breakfast with your parents?”

“And you’re coming with me.” Ville pointed out.

“I am not.” Soya laughed. “I talked to your mother yesterday and let her know I wouldn’t be able to make it.”

“When did you talk to my mother?” Ville asked for a frown.

“That would be when you were playing with your guitar.”

“My playing around with my guitar is what’s going to keep a roof over your head.” He teased with a smirk in her direction causing her to laugh.

“Oh Ville.” She said her voice pitying, yet held the light teasing lilt to it. “I love you for thinking you have more money than me.”

Ville laughed, shaking his head. He knew that with the money Soya inherited from not only her father but her grandparents, she easily had much more money than him; surprisingly that wasn’t a sore point with him. He knew that even if they were both dirt poor, money was never and would never be an issue.

“After you go to breakfast what are you going to be doing?” she asked, leaning back against the closed door of the bathroom.

Ville thought of the cupcakes he had in the plastic carrier in the refrigerator before shrugging. “I have some errands to run, then probably come back here and work a bit.”

“Do me a favor then.” Soya said with a grin. “Set your alarm for four o’clock.”

Ville frowned. “Why?”

“That way if you ignore it, the sound of your alarm going off every ten minutes will pull you out of your work with enough time for you to shower and get ready in the clothes I’ll set out for you.”

Ville blinked. “I can’t even choose my own clothes on my birthday?”

“Oh, kultaseni,” Soya laughed. “You gave up the right to choose your own clothes when you asked me to marry you” she laughed at him one more time before opening the door to the bathroom. “Four Valo!”

“I got it.” He muttered, watching the door close and going back to the bedroom. He looked at the clock on nightstand and figured he might as well dress and go to his parents for breakfast. Dressing in a pair of jeans and a grey long sleeved shirt from the pile on the floor, pretty sure it was clean before grabbing his wallet and phone off the nightstand. He stuffed his wallet into his pocket and called a cab to come pick him up before sticking that in his pocket too and going to the bathroom, opening the door.

“Hey, I’m going to go now. Do you want me to take any laundry over to my parents? I think it’s starting to pile up!”

Soya laughed as she stuck her head out from behind the curtain. “I’ll do it tomorrow Ville, don’t make your mother do our laundry.”

“She’s happy to do it, plus it’s my birthday.” He grinned.

Soya rolled her eyes, knowing he was going to be using that as an excuse all day. “I’ll do it tomorrow, send your parents my love.”

“I will.” Ville nodded.”See you later?”

“Most likely.” Soya laughed pulling the curtain around the tub again.

“Love you!” he said closing the door after hearing the ‘I love you too’.

He started down the stairs, and went into the kitchen, grabbing the cupcake carrier he’d stuck in there nearly four hours before. He pulled on his grey pea coat that Soya had worn the day before, wrapped a black scarf around his neck and pulled his beanie over his head. He absently grabbed gloves, not really thinking he’d need them but knew his mother would ask for them, stuffing them in his coat pocket before leaving the house.

He climbed into the cab already waiting for him, giving him the address to his parent’s house. He was about half way there when his phone rang. Grabbing it out of his pocket, he looked at the caller ID grinning when he saw his friends name. He didn’t even get the ‘hello’ out, before he was assailed with five voices yelling ‘happy birthday’ to him.

“Happy birthday Ville, from everyone here at High Voltage.” Kat laughed.

Ville couldn’t help but laugh. “Thanks Kat.”

“So how’s your birthday so far?” Kat asked.

“Just got up about a half an hour ago, I was practically kicked out of my home though.” Ville said, thinking Soya was a bit too eager to get him to his parents. “I’m on my way to my parents for breakfast.”

“Any presents?” Kat asked.

“Not as of yet.” Ville laughed.

“All right, now that your birthday stuff is out of the way, what’s this about you having a girlfriend? When you were in LA last, you weren’t even seeing any one that I know of.”

“Uh, I wasn’t. I started seeing her in August.” Ville admitted, only to be met by silence on the other end. “If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t meet her in August; I just started dating her in August but we got engaged in October.”

“Ville!!” Kat squealed, “You better start explaining mister!!”

Ville laughed. “I met her before the band really took off; we lost touch after she moved to New York. She came to our concert in May and well…”

“The rest is history.” Kat finished for him; he could hear the smile in her voice.

“How did you know I had a girlfriend? Did Bam tell you?” Ville asked.

“Well your fiancé called me.”

Ville blinked. “She what? Wait, she called herself my girlfriend?”

“She called a few days ago, said she was in a relationship with you and that she had some questions for me and if I could call her back. But since I get at least one girl a month in here claiming to be your girlfriend and I had no idea you were seeing any one let alone getting married, I wanted to make sure it was legit. Her name is Soya right?”

Ville nodded, before remembering Kat couldn’t see him. “Yes, her name is Soya; why’d you take her claim more seriously than any other?”

“She said she got my number from Linde, and she hoped that was okay. She just seemed more sincere, I don’t know, she sounds adorable though.”

Ville laughed and nodded, “Yes, my Soya is quite adorable. Did she say what questions she had for you?”

“No,” Kat laughed. “She didn’t, just that she had some. Why?”

Ville frowned, wondering what Soya could have wanted to ask Kat. “I don’t know, she’s up to something.”

“Well it is your birthday.” Kat reminded.

“Are you going to call her back?”

“Well now that I know she really is your fiancé, yes I am. And don’t think you’re getting away with not letting me meet her. I’ll be in the area next month Ville, I expect to meet her.”

“I would love for you to meet her.” Ville said truthfully.

“I also expect a wedding invitation.” Kat laughed. “No way in hell would I miss you getting married.”

“You’re already on the list.” Ville laughed.

“Well I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your birthday I’m going to call that girl of yours and then head home. Have a great day Ville!”

“Thanks Kat.” Ville grinned, saying goodbye, before hanging up and switching his phone for his wallet and handing the driver his fare before getting out of the car and walking up his parent’s walkway, the cupcake carrier hitting the side of his leg as he walked.

XxxxxxX

“Hello?” Soya asked breathlessly as she pulled her dark blue skinny jeans over her hips and searched her side of the closet for a shirt.

“Is this Soya?” a feminine voice asked.

“Yes, this is she.” Soya said, finding a purple knit cowl necked sweater and pulled it over her head, dropping the phone in the process. “Sorry, who is this?” Soya asked, recovering the fallen phone.

The woman on the other line laughed, before responding. “This is Kat Von D; you called me a few days ago.”

“Right!” Soya laughed. “Sorry, I’m in the process of getting dressed to go finish some things up for Ville’s party, which was another reason I had called, to see if you’d want to make the trip up here.”

Kat laughed. “I would have loved too! I’m sorry I couldn’t call back sooner, I didn’t even know Ville was seeing anyone so you understand if I called him first just to make sure.”

Soya laughed as she kneeled down on the floor to scrounge through her shoes, “Very much understandable, I tend to forget that a lot of his friends in the states don’t know about us. We’ve somewhat holed up in Helsinki the last couple of months.”

“You said you had some questions.” Kat reminded.

“I did.” Soya nodded, finding a pair of purple flat soled half calf boots. She got up and sat on the bed to pull them on, balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder. “I was wondering if there was any way you’d be willing to give Ville a tattoo.”

“No hesitation, yes.” Kat laughed. “Does he know about it though?”

Soya nodded slowly. “Somewhat, I accidently talked him out of getting it when he mentioned it a couple of months ago and I’m going to tell him tonight that I want him to get it, but I would love it if you were the one to do it and I know Ville would love it as well.”

“I would love too.” Kat said immediately. “I’ll be in the area next month; if you want we can do it then. I’ll try and bring my kit down, I doubt it’ll make it through airport security, if not I’m sure I won’t have trouble borrowing someone’s.”

“Oh, you’ve made my day Kat.” Soya laughed as she stood up and walked back to the closet taking out her box full of purses and clutches. Ville was right about her addiction, it was getting out of control, she thought as she started searching for a purple clutch she knew she had.

“Always my pleasure to ink that man!” Kat laughed. “I have to say, you’re a pleasure to talk to Soya.”

Soya laughed as she found the purple clutch she’d been looking for at the bottom of the box, pushing the box back into the closet she stood. “Am I? I’m a bit frazzled at the moment.”

“With planning Ville’s party?”

“That’s been easy, surprisingly,” Soya laughed as she transferred everything from her larger purse into her clutch. “Ville distracts himself with his music that surprising him with a birthday party is the easy part, it’s making sure everyone is doing their part in keeping it quiet and keeping Ville from finding out about his presents. He’s been poking around all week.” Soya shook her head in amusement as she left the bedroom.

“You’re not keeping his present in his tower are you?”

Soya laughed. “No, the tattoo I’m keeping to myself until later tonight, another Linde is keeping for me, and the last I’ve hidden in the last place he’d look.”

“Where’s that?”

“In my box filled with purses in the closet. He likes to ignore that box like I ignore the porn under the bed.” Soya laughed.

Kat laughed. “At least now you know where to find your presents when that time rolls around.”

Soya nodded in agreement as she went into the kitchen and grabbed an apple form the fruit bowl in the refrigerator. “Very true.”

“All right, I’ll let you get back to finishing up for tonight, thank you for the invite; I wish I could be there.”

“I wish you could too, I can’t wait to meet you Kat.”

“You’re so sweet, really I can’t wait to meet you either. I’ll see you next month all right?”

Soya bit her lip, before stopping Kat from hanging up. “One more thing Kat.”

XxxxxxX

Ville leaned up against the wall of the office building, looking at the floor beneath his feet waiting for the familiar click clacking of her shoes. Sure enough not two minutes later, he heard it only for it to stop when she caught sight of him. When he turned to look at the girl, he wasn’t at all shocked to see the look of surprised mixed with hurt in her eyes, but her little glare did make him inwardly wince.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, still standing in the middle of the empty hall, her hands gripping the two pink straps of her backpack.

“I’m still on the list to pull you out of school.” Ville said with a shrug. “I thought since it’s my birthday and all we could go get lunch.”

He watched as Aida bit her lip, looking behind her shoulder towards her classroom, obviously hesitating.

“Really?” He asked, with a teasing grin. “You’d rather go back to class then go out to lunch with me? And here I was thinking you thought I was cool.”

He watched as Aida tried to hide her smile, before looking down and giving him a small nod, walking forward, towards him.

“We can go wherever you want.” Ville said as he led her out of the school. She eyed his hand with a frown, causing him to look down at the cupcake carrier he still had in his hand.

“It’s your birthday.” She said, looking up at him.

“And I’m giving you the option of where we can go get lunch.”

Aida sighed as they stepped outside, she looked around and shrugged. “I don’t care. It’s cold though.”

Ville nodded. “Winter’s coming fast. Want to go to our coffee shop? I’ll get you a hot chocolate and some soup, warm you up a bit?”

“All right.” Aida nodded.

“Soya still dresses like she lives in New York.” Ville said with a smile down at Aida as he led her towards the coffee shop they tended to frequent in the mornings. “She’s going to freeze if she doesn’t get heavier coats.”

Aida shrugged, causing Ville to sigh as he opened the door. “Go grab a table; I’ll put in our order all right?” At Aida’s nod, he walked up to the counter, ordering a coffee and a hot chocolate along with two bowls of soup. He scanned the restaurant finding Aida at a table near the window, moving over to her and setting the carrier down on the table. She looked at it, before looking back at him.

“You know you’re just as stubborn as your sister.” Ville noted crossing his arms on the table and leaning towards her.

“Where is Soya?” Aida asked with a frown.

“She…doesn’t know I’m here.” Ville admitted. “I came because everything that happened last night…sucked.”

Aida shrugged. “Like Soya said, I can’t stay with you, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine Aida.” Ville said softly. “Soya and I always assumed your mother would give us time to talk to you and…I don’t know; make the transition of going back to Sipoo easier for you. We never wanted it to be like it was last night Aida.” He saw Aida shrug again and avoid eye contact, only for both of them to look up when the waitress set their food and drinks on front of them, both of them thanking her before she walked away.

Ville watched as Aida picked up her spoon and started swirling it in her soup. “We didn’t want you to leave Aida but this type of situation; it’s not something Soya could control and certainly not me. I don’t want you going home tonight thinking Soya and I don’t want you in the tower with us.”

“Why can’t I just stay with you?” Aida asked quietly. “If you do want me, why can’t I just be there until you guys leave?”

Ville sighed. “Because Aida, you’re not ours to keep. I hate that this is the situation, but it is. You belong home with your mother.”

“I don’t really belong there.” Aida muttered.

“You know what I mean though.” Ville said softly. “You know, after you left, Soya cried herself to sleep.”

Aida chewed on her lip. “So did I.”

Ville inwardly groaned his heart breaking just a bit more at her words. “We’re all hurting here Aida. We’re all so use to our weird little routine that we’ve picked up that now that we don’t have that it’s off putting. It’s going to take some getting used to.”

“I still don’t see why I can’t just stay with you.” Aida muttered, dropping her spoon onto the table next to her bowl and leaning back in her chair.

“You act like you’ll never see us again. I’m sure that Soya is going to do whatever is possible so that we can at least see you a couple of days a week. Just because you’re not staying with us anymore, doesn’t mean we’re just going to act like you don’t exist. Whether you like it or not Aida, you’ve become a large part of my life and we both know just how much Soya loves you and cares for you. Just know that had it been up to us, we would have kept you, no hesitation.”

Aida chewed on her lip before talking. “Even if it meant taking me to New York with you when you guys left?”

Ville gave her a small smile before nodding, he knew himself and he knew Soya. “It would have been discussed.”

Aida nodded still chewing on her bottom lip thinking and processing before pointing towards the carrier. “What’s that?”

“Ah, after Soya went to sleep I finished your cupcakes.”

“You did?”

“There were still enough left to share with your class, I figured you’d want them.”

“Thank you.” Aida sighed. “Ville?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry about how I acted last night.”

Ville nodded. “You were upset; I understand it Aida but I think you should call Soya, let her know you’re sorry. You really hurt her feelings last night.”

“I will tomorrow.”

Ville blinked. “Or tonight.”

“I can’t tonight.” Aida said with a roll of her eyes before taking a sip of her cooled hot chocolate.

“Why not? I think Soya would like to hear from you.”

“Because of your party.” Aida said with another roll of her eyes setting her mug down.

Ville stared at her for a minute, causing Aida’s eyes to widen and her hands to slap over her mouth. “Soya’s planning a party for me?”

Aida shook her head, slowly uncovering her mouth. “No.”

“You just said ‘your party’. What else do you know?”

“Nothing!” Aida said shaking her head much more quickly. “I think I need to get back to school now.”

Ville checked his phone for the time before nodding, “Fine, you get off easy this time. Let’s go.” Ville picked up the cupcake carrier as Aida shouldered her backpack before they left the coffee shop and headed back towards Aida’s school.

The trip back to the school was silent, he knew that Aida was processing what he’d told her and he would let her. She was a lot like Soya in that she liked thinking things through before she acted or said anything. He stopped her from walking as they reached the steps and handed her the cupcake carrier before crouching down in front of her.

“You know that Soya and I love you right?” Ville asked tilting his head in question. “That’s not something that you have to question.”

“I know.”

“Don’t do anything stupid Aida.” Ville said. “No ideas of running away and finding your way back to the tower. I’m not going to willingly give up our field trips pikkuinen, we’ll still take our trips, just let Soya and I figure it out all right?”

Aida sighed. “Fine.”

“All right.” Ville smiled. “Now give me a hug and get back to class.” Aida’s small arms wrapped around his neck, hugging him tightly, before he kissed the top of her head and sent to up the steps. “Hey Aida.”

Aida stopped and turned. “Yes?”

“Are you sure you can’t give me any more information about this party?”

Aida just grinned before turning again and running up the rest of the steps and into the school. Ville shook his head and called a cab to take him back home.

Once he was home, he called Soya’s name to see if she was home as he picked up the mail from the spot by the door, looking through the bills and fan letters that got dropped in his slot, smiling when he saw a few fan made birthday cards mixed in, before throwing them onto the counter and grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

He called Soya’s name once more and when he didn’t receive an answer he pulled his phone out and set his alarm for four as he’d promised her, heading up the stairs. Before going into his studio, he leaned against the doorjamb of the bedroom, his eyebrow rising at the clothes Soya had set for him on the bed.

Black jeans and a black long sleeved shirt, but instead of his converse, he knew she wanted him to wear his dress shoes as they were also sitting on the bed next to the pressed shirt.

“What are you up to Soya?” Ville muttered to himself, while he now knew she was planning him a party, he had to wonder just how big the party she had planned was. “I said no party, and what does she do, she throws a party. I’ve created a monster.” He muttered to himself, taking a sip of his water as he rolled his eyes at his fiancé before walking over to his studio.

He took a quick glance at Aida’s corner before settling himself on the couch, setting his water down on the table and picking up his guitar and strumming it, not bothering to open the notebook that sat on the table in front of him.

XxxxxxX

Soya rushed into the tower, her heels clicking loudly as she closed the door quickly behind her not wanting the cold to come in.

“Ville!”

“Soya?”

“Please tell me you’re ready.” She muttered as she walked up the steps, heading directly into the studio, only to stop surprised when she found him dressed and ready sitting on the couch his guitar settled on his lap.

“Surprised?” Ville asked with a smirk looking up at her as he set his guitar back on its stand.

“Yes, I am, I thought I’d walk in on you laying here still in only your boxers with that blasted guitar.”

“I promised you I’d set my alarm for four and change, so I set my alarm and changed.” Ville shrugged, standing and walking over to her, kissing her cheek. “Let me just grab my wallet and we’ll go.”

“No, no, you don’t need your wallet, dinner is my treat tonight.” Soya said grabbing his hand and tugging him away from their bedroom and towards the stairs.

They reached the bottom of the stairs, Soya handing him his grey pea coat he’d left resting on the couch. As he shrugged on his coat he drank her in, black and ivory lace peep toe heels, crocheted tights covered her legs and while he couldn’t see the dress she wore, she wore a form fitting black trench coat that hit her knees. She was definitely the best birthday present that he couldn’t wait to unwrap, he thought as she pulled open the door, pulling an ivory scarf out of her pocket and wrapping it around her neck.

“Not in New York anymore love.” He said wrapping his own scarf around his neck and letting Soya lock the door behind her as she hadn’t let him grab his keys either.

“I’ll need to get heavier winter coats.” Soya said letting Ville wrap his arm around her shoulders as they made their way to her car. “Luckily I found this coat in the back of my closet at the flat.”

“Is that where you changed?” Ville asked, letting her go, opening the car door and ducking inside, watching amused as Soya rushed around the car before ducking into the driver’s side herself, muttering to herself as she turned the car on and turned on the heater. “So you changed at your flat?” he asked again as she backed out of her space.

“Mmm, I did, I still have a few dresses over there and I kept this one over there.”

“Soya.” Ville started, wanting to tell her that he knew about the party.

“Hmm?” Soya asked looking over at Ville with a small smile.

Ville rolled his eyes at himself before answering. “I’m glad we’re going to dinner tonight, thank you.”

Soya gave a quite chuckle and nodded. “It’s fine, how was your day?”

“Good, I got a call from Kat this morning.” Ville said, looking over at her, wondering if she’d give anything away. “She said you had called her.”

“I did. I had called to invite her out for your birthday, I also called Bam, he didn’t answer but I left him a message, he never got back to me though.”

“He’s coming out in December according to Jussi, as is Kat.”

“She told me when she called me back.” Soya nodded, sending him a smile. “I also talked to her.”

“She said you wanted to ask her some questions.”

Soya nodded. “Hmm, I did, Josef is thinking of getting a tattoo and I wanted to ask her some general questions. He’s thinking of getting it done at High Voltage and I wanted to see if we could get an appointment before we have to start our rehearsals.”

Ville narrowed his eyes on her, surprised at how easily she could lie. “I thought you guys couldn’t get tattoos done right before rehearsals.”

“We shouldn’t, we can though. Really, we should be getting anything done at all but that hasn’t stopped any of the dancers before.” Soya shrugged. “He doesn’t want anything big either.”

“What’s he getting?” Ville asked, determined to catch Soya in her lie, he really wanted to know why she had called Kat.

Soya shrugged. “Not sure, he really hasn’t decided, but he has a few ideas. He loves Kat’s work though and watches LA Ink religiously.”

“So you were just asking general questions.”

“I was.” Soya nodded as she stopped at a light and looked at him. “Would you like to hear our entire conversation Ville?”

“No,” Ville said slowly. “I’m just curious; you also introduced yourself to her as my girlfriend.”

“Mmm, didn’t think I should be the one to give her to news about our engagement. Not my place.”

“I wouldn’t have been mad had you done it.”

“I know.” Soya nodded, “But again, she’s your friend to tell.”

“And soon she’ll be yours.”

“I really can’t wait to meet her; I wish she could have come down.”

“She’ll be down next month; we’ll grab dinner with her. So what else did you talk about?” Ville asked with a smirk.

“We talked about how you were in bed Ville.” Soya said with a roll of her eyes, causing Ville to laugh.

“Did you tell her how wonderful I was in bed?”

“Eh, you’re okay.” Soya teased, sticking her tongue out at him, before parking the car. Ville looked around, having been distracted by his conversation.

“We’re at Tavastia.” He stated, he knew she was holding a party for him, but he had thought that Soya had just gathered his friends at someone’s house, not rented out a club.

“We are.” Soya laughed getting out of the car. “You’re so smart kultaseni.”

“Did you rent this out?” Ville asked getting out of the car himself, smiling at Soya when she came around the car taking his hand.

“And what if I did?” She teased.

“Didn’t I tell you I didn’t want a party?” He asked, leaning down to kiss her.

“You did, but I decided not to listen to you.” Soya laughed, accepting his kiss. “And don’t act so surprised, you knew I was giving you a party.”

Ville rolled his eyes. “A little bird confirmed it this morning.”

“I will kill Linde for ruining the surprise.” Soya muttered.

“It wasn’t Linde.” Ville laughed. “Let’s keep the bloodshed to a minimum on my birthday yeah?”

“Now before you worry,” Soya started as they started for the door to the club. “I didn’t do anything big, I just told Linde to call all your friends to come and celebrate your birthday and I would provide the drinks and food.”

Ville laughed. “Of course you did.”

She opened the door and let him walk in first, laughing when he friends shouted ‘Surprise’ when they saw him enter.

She hadn’t just provided the food and drinks, he thought, as he greeted his friends accepting the ‘happy birthdays’ they gave him and looked around the club, black and purple steamers hung all around the room, while a large banner with the words ‘Happy Birthday Ville’ hang from one of the far walls. When he looked underneath it, there was a large table and sure enough a buffet line of food was waiting to be eaten.

What he loved most, he thought as he looked around the room again, was that instead of filling the club with tables, couches and smaller tables filled the area, allowing people to sit and talk more comfortably.

“She went all out didn’t she?”

He looked behind him, smiling at his brother, accepting his hug. “She did, makes me love her even more.” He laughed.

XxxxxxX

“He wants you down there, you know.”

Soya looked behind her shoulder, smiling at Linde as he came to rest next to her on the railing of the upper balcony. She shook her head as she looked back down, finding Ville quickly talking to a group of his friends. “I did this so he could be with his friends to celebrate his birthday, not so I could hang on his arm all night.”

“You got all of his friends in one room, most of who you have yet to meet and you don’t think he wants to show you off? Soya, it’s likely that the next time we get this group together, you’ll be his wife.”

Soya shook her head amused as she scanned the bottom level, chewing on her lip. When they’d walked in, Ville had been engulfed by his friends, that she’d let him go, going upstairs where she knew her own girlfriends were, along with Mige and Linde. She really hadn’t wanted to intrude herself on something that was Ville’s. She was content in staying in the upper level chatting with her friends.

She looked down at Ville again, this time catching his gaze; he grinned up at her and crooked his finger signaling her to come down. The action garnered the attention of the man he was speaking to, causing him to look up at her.

“Told you he wanted you down there.” Linde teased. “Come on, give me your coat, let Ville show you off.”

Soya sighed, pushing off the railing and untying the sash of her trench coat, shrugging it off her shoulder before handing it to Linde.

“Well aren’t you all dressed up.” Linde teased, Soya rolling her eyes as she looked down at her strapless dress. It had a black lace bodice a bow separating the bodice from the empire waist flared down to a few inches above her knees in white, with black small polka dot detail along with small black roses making their way around the bottom of her dress.

She turned from Linde making her way down stairs and slowly towards Ville. When she finally reached him, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to his side, kissing the top of her head, before looking her up and down.

“You look wonderful; I didn’t see your dress before.”

“Thank you.” Soya laughed.

“Jonne, you remember Soya right?” Ville asked, looking from Soya to his blonde friend.

“I do, Soya, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

“Good to see you again as well.” Soya smiled, accepting his hug.

“I see you have no need for another rockstar.” Jonne teased, causing Soya to laugh as she hugged Ville’s waist.

“Oh, I’ve got my hands full with this one.” Soya laughed

“I had a feeling you two wouldn’t last long in not being a couple.” Jonne said with a shake of his head, “Pretty damn disappointed it took you so long to move in together though.”

Ville laughed. “Then you should go check in with Burton to see how you fared with the engagement pool.”

Jonne looked between Soya and Ville only to smile broadly when he saw the ring sitting on Soya’s finger. “Well then, congratulations are in order.” Jonne said, hugging Soya once more and clapping Vile on the back. “Now I have to go see a man about some money.”

Soya shook her head as Jonne went to go find Burton, she looked up at Ville with a grin. “How many people do you think were in on the betting pool?”

“I have a feeling a lot.” Ville said, leaning down and kissing her, “Come on, I want you to meet my friends.”

Soya nodded and let him lead her away to meet the rest of his friends.

XxxxxxX

“Are you having a good time?” Soya asked winking at Linde as they made their way up to the balcony at least two hours later. Ville carried both their plates of food as he sat on the couch, handing Soya hers as she sat next to him. She noted Linde going downstairs, before turning back to Ville as he nodded.

“Lots, thank you for planning this Soya, really. I know I didn’t ask for a party, but thank you for putting this together for me.”

Soya smiled at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “It wasn’t just me, you know, Linde helped me a lot as well.”

“I’ll make sure to thank him.” Ville said with a grin as he spread his food around on his plate. “Truthfully I already knew about the party.”

Soya laughed as she set her plate down on table in front of her and turned to him. “I had a feeling you did.”

“But I didn’t think you’d planned something this big.”

“Soya.”

Soya turned and smiled at Linde who grinned back at her. “Thanks Linde.”

Linde nodded. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything else.”

Soya nodded, before turning back to her fiancé who was frowning at her. “So how’d you find out about the party?”

“What was that between you and Linde?” Ville asked narrowing his eyes.

Soya laughed, “Tell me how you find out about your birthday party, and I’ll tell you what just transpired between Linde and myself.”

Ville put his own plate on the table next to Soya’s leaning back on the couch before answering. “I went to o visit Aida this afternoon, took her out to lunch.”

Soya bit her lip, half of her was surprised that Ville hadn’t told her he’d gone to visit her sister; the other half wasn’t surprised that he’d gone to visit her at all. “What’d you talk about?”

Ville shrugged. “I wanted to put my own two cents in about the situation.” Ville rolled his eyes. “You’re both hurt and both of you are stubborn, I just wanted to assure her that we love her and we’re not forgetting about her just because she doesn’t live with us.”

Soya leaned into him, capturing his lips with hers kissing him slowly, cupping his cheeks before pulling away slowly. “It is things like this that make me fall even deeper in love with you then I already am.”

Ville smiled against her lips. “I also told her that you would work something out so we could have her a couple days a week.”

Soya laughed as she pulled away. “I’ll grit my teeth and talk to my mother tomorrow. So Aida let it slip about your party.”

“She did, but just the party.”

Soya nodded. “I don’t blame her; she’s been very excited about it.” She rubbed his hand and grinned at him. “Do you want one of your presents?”

Ville grinned back. “The party wasn’t enough; you had to get me actual presents?”

“I got you a couple.” Soya laughed. “But this one I really want to give to you now while I have you to myself.”

“All right.” Ville nodded. “I’ll open it.”

“I had Linde bring it up for me.” Soya said getting up off the couch and grabbing the guitar case from its hiding place, laying it on the couch between them.

“You got me a guitar.” Ville said not bothering to open the case.

“Yes, but not just any guitar, go on, open it.”

Ville did as he was told, opening the case slowly, only for him to stare at the guitar in wonder. “This is an Andy McCoy guitar.”

“Ah, yes it is, as it’s his guitar.”

Ville blinked, before looking u from the cherry red guitar to look at his fiancé. “What?”

“You said you wanted his guitar so I got it for you.”

“You got me Andy McCoy’s guitar?”

“Linde wouldn’t sell me his, so he took me to Corona and I met the very nice and very eccentric Mr. McCoy. I explained that you wanted one of his guitars and if he wouldn’t mind sparing one.”

“And he just gave it to you?” Ville asked with wide eyes.

“Apparently I’m very charming.” Soya teased. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted him to sign it, but before I could stop him, he did it anyway.” Soya laughed as she pointed to the signature that was on the end of the body.

“You got me Andy fucking McCoy’s guitar.”

“Why does everyone call him that? Linde also called him that…actually I think he called himself that.” Soya said with a frown.

“Soya, why…”

“You said you wanted it.” Soya frowned. “When I asked you a couple of weeks ago what you wanted for your birthday, you said you wanted Linde’s guitar. Well I tried getting it for you, but Linde wouldn’t budge on the matter, so I got you one of your very own. Again, Linde helped me with this, had this not worked out, you would probably be looking at a book or something.”

Ville cupped her cheeks and pulled her in for a kiss. “Fucking love you, you know that?”

“Don’t be surprised if you end up getting a book for Christmas, I really don’t know how I’m going to top this.”

Ville shook his head. “You’re amazing Soya.”

Soya wrinkled her nose at him, shaking her head. “I just wanted to get you something I knew you wanted.”

“Which makes you amazing.” Ville said with a nod. “Just…amazing.”

“And to think, this is just one of your presents, can’t wait to see how you react to the others.”

“There’s more?”

“You’ll get them when we get home.” Soya said closing the case to the guitar and locking it before standing up and pulling him up with her. “Come on, it’s time for cake.”

“But I haven’t even eaten.” Ville laughed, looking at his nearly full plate.

“Cake is food.” Soya laughed, eager for him to see the cake she’d gotten him. They walked down the stairs, just as the first rounds of ‘Happy Birthday’ started up. Just as they reached the last step, Soya stepped away, allowing him to see Linde and Mige carrying his cake.

He couldn’t help but laugh as he saw his own face on the cake, flanked by a number three candle along with the number four.

“We were told that if we actually put thirty-four candles on the cake and lit them, it would be considered a fire hazard.” Linde teased once the song was done.

Ville looked at Soya who grinned at him. “Make a wish kultaseni.” He heard her say before he leaned down and blew his candles out.

XxxxxxX

Soya accepted the wrapped gifts Burton handed her with a smile, putting them in the trunk of her car, as Ville said goodbye to his friends.

“This was great Soya.”

Soya smiled at Burton as he handed her some more gifts. “I’m just glad Ville enjoyed himself. I feel like I’ve unintentionally pulled him away from his friends.”

Burton shook his head as Soya grabbed the guitar case and loaded into the back seat of her car as he closed the trunk. “He wouldn’t let anyone pull him away from his friends. He just truly loves spending all of his time with you.”

Soya laughed as she leaned against the car, crossing her arms over her chest, shifting her legs slightly to keep them warm from the cold air. “You sound so surprised.”

Burton laughed. “I’m not, I just wonder how you two will fare once you go on your tour, you both haven’t spent more than a couple of nights apart since you two got together.”

“A week.” Soya muttered, causing Burton to laugh.

“You are not going to do well.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Have a good night Soya, you throw a wonderful party.”

Soya rolled her eyes, “Bye Burton.”

“Ready?”

She looked up and smiled at Ville as he wrapped his arms around her. “I am; are you all done?”

Ville nodded, leaning down and brushing his lips against hers. “I am; you look cold.”

“I am a bit, want to go home and warm me up?”

Ville laughed. “I would love nothing more.” He said as they got into the car.

“You had fun?” She asked as she pulled out of her space and started towards the tower.

“I did, thank you again for planning this Soya.”

“Anytime.” Soya smiling interlocking their fingers and kissing the back of his hand as she drove. They drove in a comfortable silence, Ville playing with the radio for a while, before settling on a station. She was at the stop light that would lead them into their neighborhood when Ville spoke.

“So tell me about my presents.”

“I have no idea what your friends got you, so I can’t tell you what they are.” Soya said with a smile.

“Soya.” Ville pouted.

“Don’t whine.” Soya laughed. “You’ll get them when we get home.”

“Or you could tell me.”

“Or you could just wait.” Soya said as she pulled into neighborhood. “It’s not that long of a wait anymore, see look we’re here.” She said with a roll of her eyes as she parked in front of the tower.

They got out of the car, Ville grabbing his new guitar; while Soya made sure she had her clutch, before rushing up to the door and unlocking it, causing Ville to laugh as he followed her inside. He heard the beep of her car locking before he closed the door and locked it.

“Tights with holes in them might not have been the greatest idea.” He told her, as he turned the heater on. “You really need to go for comfort rather then what looks cute.”

Soya rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go change into something more comfortable, go put that guitar in your shrine or something.” Soya teased as she went up the stairs.

“Why so mean to the birthday boy?!” Ville called as he followed up more slowly, going to his studio rather than the bedroom, where Soya had rushed off to. He set the case on the coffee table, opening it up, admiring the red sleek design, his fingers trailing over lightly the guitar.

A clearing of a throat, caused him to turn, only to smirk when he saw Soya leaning against the door jam, her bottom lip between her teeth. “Ah, I see,” he said looking at her, still dressed in her lace peep toe heels but having changed and wearing a sheer black silk-chiffon robe that tied at her waist. “You’re my present to unwrap.”

“I am.” Soya said softly, “Unless you want to stay in here and play with that guitar, that’s fine as well.”

“No,” Ville said leaving the guitar on the table forgotten, and walking towards her. “I really would much rather enjoy my present now.”

“I thought so.” Soya said with a laugh as she took his hand and led him to the bedroom. She turned him around so he was standing at the end of the bed, pushing of his coat and dropping it to the floor, before letting him sit on the bed.

“Are you unwrapping yourself?” He asked with a teasing smile as he reached for the silk tie. “Or can I?”

“It’s your present; I think it’s only right that you unwrap it.”

Ville smirked as he tugged lightly on the bow, the robe falling open, causing him to swallow at what he saw. “I have not seen this one.”

Soya laughed softly, shrugging off the robe and letting it drop to the gown as Ville placed his hands on the back of her thighs pulling her forward to stand between his legs. “You weren’t meant to, I hid it in my box of purses since I bought it in Berlin, I knew you wouldn’t go look for presents in there.”

“Good place to hide it.” He muttered fingering the lace hem of the short nightgown, before tiptoeing his fingers over the sheer fabric that fell over her stomach, giving him a good look at the black matching sheer lace panties she wore. Thin lacey straps rested on her pale shoulders, while lace ran all the top of the nightgown, covering her breasts, though still allowing him peeks enough to give him the clue that she was not wearing a bra underneath. The nightgown was sexy, alluring and innocent, and so very Soya.

“Come here.” He said pulling her closer, only for her to shake her head, reaching up and undoing her hair from the ponytail she’d had it in, letting it fall loose over her back.

She bit her lip, before leaning forward, her hair falling over one shoulder and kissing him softly. “Tänä iltana on kaikki sinusta.” She whispered undoing the buttons of his shirt, kissing the path she left on his chest as she pushed him lightly onto his back. (Tonight is all about you.)

“Soya.” He muttered as he felt her fingers work the brass button of his jeans, her lips leaving little wet kisses on his pelvic bone, tracing over the heartagram tattoo that rested there. Having a feeling as to where her lips were headed, he raised his hand, taking her chin lightly to tilt her up to look at him. “Sinun ei tarvitse, Soya.”(You don’t have to Soya.)

“Haluan, Ville.” She whispered to him, taking his hand off her chin and lowering it to rest on the bedspread before motioning him to lift his hips allowing her to slide his jeans off of him. (I want to Ville.)

She kneeled down on the ground, taking off his shoes and socks before sliding his pants the rest of the way off. He laid his head down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling himself start panting in anticipation. He felt her fingers tiptoe long the sides of his legs, followed closely by the softness of her lips. His breath whooshed out in a gust when he felt her lips on his hardened member, his fingers clenching the bedspread as he resisted the urge to buck his hips forward.

He knew he was much too close to let her continue, she was using her tongue to stroke the underside of his shaft, while her hand pumped what her mouth couldn’t reach. It was when she started to slightly hum that he reached forward and pulled her off, pulling her up to straddle his lap.

“Hey!”

“Missä visussa opit tekemään tuon?” He asked gruffly as she settled over his hips, his mouth pushing against her lips as his hand wound its way into her hair to keep her in place as he kissed her. (Where the fuck did you learn to do that?)

“Mmm, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She laughed as she pulled away from him. “I thought tonight was about you.”

“I changed my mind.” Ville said, only to pull back and frown at her.

“What?” she asked tilting hr head to the side curiously, he shook his head at the sense of déjà vu Before leaning forward to kiss the side of Soya’s neck, his fingers bunching up the silk martial of her nightgown at her hips as his lips made their way down to her shoulder. He used his nose to move the strap of her nightgown down, Soya moving away from him. He watched as she bit her lip taking her arms out of the straps, letting the martial pool at her waist between them, baring her breasts.

“Vittu.” He whispered as he leaned forward, his hands spanning her back as he captured one of the rosy buds in his mouth, her moan echoing around the room as her fingers combed through his hair. He felt her hips rock against his, his own groan mixing with hers as he felt her heat.

Moving his hands from her back down her legs, he rubbed the back of her thighs, before reaching for her panties, removing the fabric meant removing Soya off him, and he did not have the patience for that, he thought as he shoved them to the side and thrusted into her.

Soya’s head dropped to his shoulder, her mouth open as she panted against him, tightening her knees on her hips as she rocked against him.

“Nopeammin Soya,” He muttered against her neck, his own mouth open as he groaned against her. (Faster Soya.)

Moving her hips faster against him, she kissed his shoulder, sucking lightly on the skin, before pulling away slightly to capture his lips in a kiss. It was a bruising and demanding, teeth clashing, tongue quarrelling kiss, Soya moaning against his mouth as she felt his fingers tighten on her hips. He pulled his lips away, moving them to the side of her neck, mumbling intelligible things, before she felt him tense against her, grasping at her hips harder as he groaned against her throat.

Before she could move off of him though, he was flipping her back onto the bed, pulling out of her, causing her to whimper at the loss. He pulled her panties and the rest of the nightgown off of her, throwing it to the floor.

“En koskaan jätä haluat että rakkaus.” He teased running his hand down her leg before lifting it up to wrap around his hip. (I would never just leave you like that, love.)

Her back arched off the bed when she felt his finger plunge inside of her, his thumb rubbing her swollen nub, causing her breaths to come out in uneven pants as she felt herself get closer to the edge. Her hands reached up to rest on his back, only for her nails to dig in lightly as she feel, Ville leaned down to capture the silent moan, running his free hand down her tensing arching back as she came.

Spent, he rested his weight on her, moaning lowly when he felt her hands sooth the nail marks she most likely left on his back.

“Rakastan sinua.” She whispered kissing his cheek.

“Minäkin rakastan sinua.” He whispered back, kissing her shoulder.

“Hyvää syntymäpäivää?” she asked. (Good birthday?)

“Paras.” He chuckled, “Kiitos.”(The best, thank you)

Soya continued to rub his back, her own eyes closing, only to open again when she felt Ville start to move off her. She was about to protest, but she felt Ville move the comforter down, before gesturing her to move up on the bed. Rolling her eyes at herself and Ville, she kicked off the heels that had stayed on before settling under the comforter, Soya curling herself into his side, her finger tracing little patterns on his ribs.

“Ville?”

“Hmm.”

“I want you to get the tattoo.” Soya said quietly, moving her head so her chin rested on his chest.

“Really?” Ville asked, before laughing as he put the pieces together. “Is this why you called Kat?”

Soya grinned and nodded. “It is.”

“So Josef doesn’t want a tattoo?”

“Oh he does, and I did ask Kat if she’d be willing to fit him in whenever she got a chance.”

“So why the sudden change of heart?”

“I was never against you getting a tattoo Ville, I don’t want you thinking that you need to ask me for permission every time you want to get new ink, it’s your body to do with what you wish, as long as you lend it to me every once in a while.” Soya teased.

“I’ll lend it to you all the time if you wish.” Ville laughed.

“I still don’t want you to get my face on whatever it is you plan on getting.”

“A ballerina.” Ville said with a finality that made her look up at him.

“Why a ballerina, isn’t that a bit girly?” Soya teased.

Ville grinned. “You’re going to laugh at me.”

“Possibly.” Soya said with a smile. “Why a ballerina?”

“I saw it in a dream I had of us and it just stuck, in my dream you also didn’t want your face on her so I had had Kat change it.”

Soya kissed the center of his chest before looking back up at him. “I want you to get it, Kat’s coming down next month and she said she’d be more then happy to do a tattoo, on both of us.”

Ville blinked as he started to sit up. “Both of us.”

“You’re not the only one that wants a new tattoo” Soya said sitting up next to him. “I understand why you want to get something that…”

“Represents you.” Ville finished.

Soya nodded. “And you understand why I don’t want our names on each other.”

“I do.”

“But I do want something on me that represents you.”

“I thought this was me.” He said, running his fingers along her ribs where the vines and heartagram leaves lay.

“No, that one was for me, with you as the inspiration.” She twisted around, reaching for the laptop she’d placed under the bed, coming back to sit on the bed and she opened the top and woke the screen up.

“I’m guessing this is another of my presents, what with how ready you are to show this to me.”

“The last of them.” Soya said finding the internet page she was looking for before enlarging the picture and showing it to Ville. “I want this…on my back…much like yours.”

Ville looked away from her and over to the screen, blinking. “It’s a pair of eyes.”

“It is.”

Ville pulled the screen closer, “They’re much more feminine, whose eyes are they? They’re not yours.”

“They belong to Virginia Clemm.”

Ville blinked. “That was…”

“The first wife of Edgar Allen Poe.” Soya nodded.

Ville stared at her in wonder, he understood perfectly that getting the eyes on her back was her own way of getting his name on her body. They would be a set, he with Poe’s eyes on his back and Soya with Virgina’s.

“You hate it.” Soya said quietly.

“No, the opposite, I fucking love it.” Ville assured. “I love the idea of it; I love the meaning of it.”

“Yeah?”

Ville cupped her cheeks bringing her in to kiss her, “Yeah, your boss is going to kill you for getting a tattoo this big on your back.” He whispered against her lips, as Soya absently closed the laptop, before moving over him to straddle his hips.

“Mmm, I really could care less what she thinks as long as you love it.”

“I love the idea, and I fucking love you.” He whispered against her lips.

Soya sighed, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. “You know, Andy McCoy gave me some advice as he gave me the guitar.”

“Did he?” Ville laughed, “And what was that?”

“The key to keeping my rockstar happy was to have a lot of sex with him.”

“That doesn’t sound very Andy McCoy-ish.”

“Fuck him into an early grave; I believe is what he said.” Soya amended a light red tint covering her cheeks, causing Ville to laugh.

“Now that sounds like him. You know, it’s considered bad to not follow the advice of Andy McCoy.”

“I heard.” Soya teased, feeling Ville harden underneath her. He leaned forward and kissed him softly. “I definitely intended on following his advice.”

“Yeah?”

“I can only see myself benefiting from it.” She whispered, causing Ville to chuckle as he tightened his arms around her waist. “Happy birthday Ville.”