"Thank you London!!"  A sweat drenched Shawn bowed and waved.

I stood by with a change of clothes and fresh bottle of water.  When Shawn walked off stage he was beaming.  I handed him the stuff and he thanked me.  At least we're still on talking terms.

Since there was going to be another show here tomorrow, no one bothered tearing down the set.  I sat down on the sofa and let my aching feet rest.  I'd been standing stage left watching Shawn perform and my voice was hoarse from singing.

"What'd you think?  It seemed like you had a good time from the look on your face."  Vivian sat next to me and smiled.

"Oh definitely!  I've never seen a concert from this angle before but it was amazing!!"  I exclaimed and sat up straight.

"I agree!  I've been with Shawn since the beginning, and his performances keep getting better and better."

"Why thank you Viv!"  Shawn came up behind her.  "And how do you think I did Lily?"

"I was just telling Vivian.  You were amazing!  I am so proud of everything you've accomplished!"  I gushed and sighed.

"Thanks Lil!" His face was beaming.

The ringing of a phone interrupted us, it was Shawn's.

"Hello?... Oh hi! How are you?... That's great!... It was awesome! Thanks for asking. Hey, I need to go, but I'll call you when I get back to the hotel.... Ok, talk to you soon.... Bye Faye."

Vivian gave me a look. I shot her one back that said, if you say anything I'll kill you.

The crew packed up their things for the day and we all drove back to the hotel.  Shawn and I were in separate vans.  He was with the band, and I was with the sound crew.

When we all got back, there was a quick shuffling upstairs and then everyone was in their rooms.  I kicked my shoes off and jumped onto my and Vivian's bed.

"If anyone needs me, I'll be in dream land!"  I shouted at my roommates.

Shawn laughed and threw a pillow at me, "Just don't snore."

"I'm gonna go out with some of the crew for drinks," Vivian stated.

"I'll stay here, I promised I'd call my friend," he sighed.

"Not old enough," I chuckled.

"Okie dokie.  Then I guess I'll see you two later!"  She smiled and walked out with Mike.

Well this was low key awkward.  "What was your favorite part about tonight?"

"Seeing all the fans' faces.  How about you?"  Shawn climbed onto his and Mike's bed.

"Seeing all your energy and passion."

"Aww, thanks," he blushed.

And right on queue, his phone rang.  I assume it was Faye calling again.  I got a little heartbroken when he started talking to her again.  I mean I know I rejected him, but I didn't want to.

Faye and I have had some rough patches, and I do want Shawn to be happy, I'm just not sure it's with her.  He broke up with her because he didn't have feelings for her.

He was about to answer the call when I spoke.  "Wait, don't answer it."

"What?"  He looked a bit surprised, but declined the call.

Okay, don't make a fool of yourself.  Explain your feelings now or else he'll think your crazy.

"I know this is the very last thing you want to hear right now. But there's no time like the present right?"

"What do you mean?"

I gathered up my courage, "I really like you Shawn Mendes. I'm sorry I hurt you, it was never my intent. I know you must hate me, I broke your heart. But I can't deny how I feel any longer."

"You know that I may get back together with Faye right?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"And you're still willing to risk saying this?"

"Yes. I'm willing to face the same rejection I gave you." I replied while staring at him dead on. "I told you we couldn't work out because of timing, but that was just because I didn't want to open myself up for fear of losing you later."

"Why would you lose me?"

"Oh I don't know, you'd find someone more attractive, there would be a big scandal, things that tear other couples apart."  I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore, the tears came.

"You sacrificed your happiness for fear?  Oh Lily," he stood up and enveloped me in a hug.  "As you know, you mean the world to me.  I would do anything for you."

"I know this is asking a lot, and I probably sound selfish, but please don't get back together with Faye."

"I won't.  I promise.  It's only you.  It's always been you."  He leaned in and kissed me.

I had missed the feeling of his hot lips against mine.  I kissed him back and our souls were molded into one.  I felt safe in his arms, at long last.

•••

One week later:

"Lily, hun, wake up darling," I felt Shawn gently shaking me awake.

"Mmpf," I mumbled and rolled over.

"Lily, babe come on, it's your birthday!"  He chuckled and started peeling the blankets off me.  I moaned and tried to hold on to them, but to no avail.  Shawn scooped me up into his arms and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Happy birthday darling!"

"Shawnnn, five more minutes, please," I wasn't used to the time change. Ireland was six hours ahead of us.

"Lily you only turn 18 once. I want to make the most of this day."

"Okay fine."  I nestled my head in his neck and sighed.  "What's on the agenda?"

"Well that's a surprise!"

I gazed up at him and he back at me.  "You know, if I didn't have to see you every day, I would slap you.  You know I can' handle suspense."

"What!  Hun, I've been planning this for the past three weeks!!  Come on."  He chuckled and set me down.

"Wow, that's some dedication right there."

"Thank you, it's nice to be appreciated."

I grinned and slapped him.  He pretended to be offended, "Well I never!"

"Oh come on you big baby."  I moved over to where my clothes were and picked out some black overalls and a pink off the shoulder top.

"Actually," Shawn handed me a package beautifully wrapped.  "I was hoping you'd wear this."

"Oh my god, you didn't have to get me a present!"  I took the gift and started unwrapping it.

"I know, but you're my best friend!"

What lay inside was a lavender dress with red roses embroidered on the hem.  "This is... absolutely beautiful.  Thank you so much Shawn!"  I squeezed him tightly.

"You're very welcome.  I picked it out myself.  I hope it fits."  He hugged me back.

"I'll go put it on right now!"

After I had changed, I made him close his eyes while I walked out.  "Okay, you can open them now."

His eyes fluttered open and his mouth dropped.  "Wow, you look, amazing."

"Thank you," I blushed.  "Now where are we off to?"

"I told you, it's a surprise!  We're gonna hang out just the two of us, then tonight, everyone wants to celebrate with you."

"I can't wait!" I giggled and smiled.

"Shall we go my lady?"

"Yes my good sir."

We walked hand in hand out of the hotel. Our first stop was Iveagh Gardens. Shawn said it had lovely paths and a waterfall. I must say, it was one of the cutest places I've been to in Ireland.

We walked and talked for what felt like a lifetime. We've been through so much these past weeks, mostly my fault.

"You know, I could see myself raising a family one day here," Shawn sighed.

"Oh really?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Yeah, I've always wanted to have a family, and Ireland is beautiful. Of course, I say that in almost every city I visit," he chuckled. "But hey, let's get on to our next place."

"Lead on Mendes."

A/N:

I hope everyone liked the chapter!  Sorry for the time jump, I wanted to get on to the juicy stuff. Thank you for 5k reads!! This means so much to me!! The next chapter will be up tomorrow! I love you guys so much!! XXX