Author's Note (Please Read):

So this is my first mediator story and I'm not sure it will seem very true to the characters so I could really use some feedback to improve. This is all I have written so far, the plot I have planned is kind of cliche and loosely based on a Cold Case episode I was watching the other day. Please review, I appreciate it!

Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine.

Introduction

My life is changing. Tomorrow I will officially be eighteen years old, a legal adult. I'll even be graduating in a few months. And yet I am still a virgin. My extremely hot boyfriend refuses to do—well, me. I must sound like a complete dog; I mean what girl has trouble getting a guy to have sex with her? But most guys aren't like Jesse. He's completely considerate and overly respectful towards women. But I love him so much so I try not to press the issue. Except on special occasions.

After giving Jesse a second chance at life the mere sound of his heartbeat gives me butterflies. Hearing him tell his stories about college and the friends he has made makes me happy. I can safely say that it has been two years and I'm still as grateful that he is alive as the moment he spoke to me in the hospital. Since that moment a lot has happened.

For a year Jesse worked at the museum and resided in the apartment that was about 15 minutes away from my house. That was the year that Jesse took to get reacquainted with living. I supported him through everything from shopping at a mall to taking an airplane. Father Dom helped Jesse have an identity and information to prepare him to go to college. He even studied for the SATs with me.

Jesse is a fast learner that's for sure. He seemed to excel at anything academic. Including getting a full scholarship to the University of California Santa Cruz. When Jesse informed me he would be attending I was a little torn. It was an hour away so I wouldn't get to see him as much, but then he was working towards his dream. I remember the conversation exactly; we were standing in my kitchen after one of Andy's dinners.

"Susannah, I have some news," Jesse started.

"Um, what kind of news?" I said as I loaded a plate into the dishwasher.

"I have been given a full scholarship to the University of California at Santa Cruz," Jesse broke out into a wide grin.

"Jesse that's amazing!" I said, meaning it and throwing my arms around him.

"You're okay with it?" he asked hesitantly.

"As long as you don't leave me for some intellectually superior college girl," I joked. Jesse didn't seem to appreciate my joke.

"Susannah, I have told you time and time again that you are the only girl for me, I love you," he said, kissing my lips softly.

"I know but sometimes I worry. As long as you promise to come back and visit me as much as possible, I think I'll be okay with the distance," I tried to change the subject.

"I'll call you at least every other night," Jesse promised.

"I love you," I said, pressing my lips to his.

Chapter One

The first thought that came to mind when I woke up on the first day of the 18th year of my life wasn't anything like "it's my birthday!" or "I'm eighteen!" no it was "I get to see Jesse today!"

Don't get me wrong I'm excited about being eighteen; it's just that I haven't seen Jesse in almost three weeks now. He's been loaded with a ton of homework and has barely had any time to call. Considering the circumstances I decided to surprise him tonight. I could only hope that he would go along with my plan.

I rolled out of bed and called CeeCee to confirm our plans at the spa that day. As soon as I got off the phone with her my phone began to ring, I picked up immediately when I saw it was Jesse.

"Hello?" I said into the phone.

"Happy birthday querida," Jesse's deep voice greeted me.

"Thank you! So when will you be here?" I asked not bothering to hide my enthusiasm at the mere thought of seeing him.

"I should be there at around noon," he said with a laugh.

"Okay good, can't wait to see you. Love you," I said, rushing to get to the spa.

"Love you querida, enjoy your day," Jesse said before hanging up.

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Downstairs my mom and Andy were there to greet me with a big group hug and plenty of birthday wishes. I politely escaped the affection and drove down to where I was meeting CeeCee. Later as we were getting pedicures I decided to share my plan.

"I need some advice, Cee," I said, breaking up our conversation about the celebrity on the cover of Us Weekly.

"Is this about Jesse?" CeeCee asked knowingly.

"Am I that predictable?" I sighed.

"No, I just can tell by that look on your face," she smirked at me, "So what's the deal?"

"I'm trying to convince Jesse that we should sleep together tonight," I responded quickly.

CeeCee, being one of my best friends, already knew I was a virgin. She also knew how desperately I didn't want to be so.

"In all fairness you're an adult now, maybe you can play that card," she offered.

"Jesse is so old fashioned. I love him but it's so frustrating sometimes," I admitted.

"Well he is a man. Seduce him," she said simply.

"He rarely ever let's me into his dorm room, or whatever hotel room he's staying in."

"It's your birthday, use it to your advantage. I know, after this let's get you the perfect outfit."

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And it was the perfect outfit, a cute little dress with some killer heels. I even had my hair blown out. When I got home Jesse still hadn't arrived so I changed into my swimsuit. My whole family (including Jesse) was going out to dinner tonight, so I would spend the afternoon with Jesse at the beach. It was when I was sliding on my Havaianas that I heard the doorbell.

I rushed down the stairs to get the door with a wide smile on my face, and there he was. Whenever I look at Jesse and know that he is my boyfriend, I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet.

"Susannah," he said, breaking the silence first.

"Jesse," I said, still wearing my goofy grin.

Then he stepped into the house, pulled me into his arms and kissed me. This kiss was sweet, loving, and aware that any family member could walk in at any moment. We parted, and Jesse took my hands in his and gazed into my eyes.

"I missed you, querida," he said.

"I missed your kisses," I said sheepishly, trying to wrap my arms around his neck again.

He pecked me on the lips quickly and smoothly moved so I was beside him.

:) :| :(

Getting to Jesse's hotel room was easier than I thought. After dinner he offered to take me on a walk, my family returning home without me. When I suggested we just go to his hotel room Jesse surprisingly agreed, it probably had to due to the fact that all day we hadn't had any quality time together. And by quality time I mean we hadn't made out yet.

Once we got to his hotel room, 220, I walked around casually, placing my purse on the table in the tiny living room area. I then turned to Jesse with a look in my eyes that must have sent something off inside him.

"Come here," he said so quietly it was almost a whisper.

I didn't need to be asked twice. I launched myself into Jesse's arms; he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my lips. I went into attack mode, kissing him fiercely, running my fingers through his hair. My heart flipped in anticipation when I heard his desperate moan. I didn't notice that we were in his bedroom until I felt myself falling onto the cool sheets of the bed.

Jesse was on top of me, trailing kisses down my neck while muttering "Susannah" over and over again. I threw one leg over his hip and used one of my hands to begin unbuttoning his shirt. I was surprised again when he allowed me to completely remove his shirt. I nearly lost it at the sight of his abs, I know, I'm such a virgin. I ran my hands up and down his chest a few times as I felt Jesse exploring my own body. It was when I struggled with his belt buckle that the fun ended.

"Susannah, what do you think you're doing?" he asked me, breathlessly.

"Getting to the best part," I said, remaining completely obtuse.

I looked into his eyes and saw that he had regained control. I prepared myself for the apology and lecture that were sure to follow.

"Susannah…" he began.

"Ugh, Jesse I do not want to hear it! You're sorry but we cannot have sex because we aren't married, I've heard it all before you know," I said running a frustrated hand through my hair.

"I am sorry querida, for letting things get out of hand, and for getting your hopes up," Jesse said.

"I just don't understand what the big deal is. I'm eighteen, an adult, it's completely legal you know."

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

"Susannah, I love you. I want to marry you one day, when we're older. Until then I feel as though I have no right to take something as precious as your virginity."

"Don't I get a say? I love you and I know I won't regret it, just please, for me, forget you're from the 1800s and just make love to me," I said in an embarrassingly desperate way.

"No."

I don't know what it was, maybe because my hormones were acting up, or just his flat rejection but I was crushed. I had seriously allow myself to hope that on this evening of my eighteenth birthday the man I love with all of my heart would make love to me. I was embarrassed for making myself look stupid by begging for something that he clearly would not give me. It might have had something to do with the fact that I hadn't seen him in weeks and often worried that he would outgrow me. Maybe that's why I reacted the way I did.

"I'm sorry, I had to try," I said sheepishly, ignoring the sadness I felt inside.

"It's okay, believe me," Jesse said, a dark glint in his eye as he smiled at me, "but maybe I should take you home."

"Yeah, don't want anybody to think we're up to anything we're not," I said bitterly.

Jesse gave me a look and I muttered, "sorry."

:) :| :(

Jesse parked his car in front of my house and turned to me.

"Susannah, I really am sorry. I do this because I love you," he said, searching into my eyes for how I truly felt.

"You know sex is sometimes called making love," I said, still not over what happened in his hotel room.

"It really is," a voice from the backseat, said.

Jesse and I turned to see a figure glowing. Another ghost to deal with, perfect.