Lox's POV

Nine years ago, If someone were to ask me what I thought my future would be like, I would've told them I had no future because I'd be dead. That's what I believed back then, after my mother vanished and my father decided to place the blame on me. I didn't want to live. I had nothing to live for. Until I came across a beautiful girl with light green eyes who showed me I wasn't alone; if I looked hard enough, I'd find the silver lining.

If I were asked the same question five years ago, I would've said I didn't know. Because I had no clue. I knew I wanted to be as far away from home as possible and hopefully playing soccer, but I also knew that if I left, Alec would be alone and I couldn't protect him. I still didn't have a future. My green eyed angel allowed me to hope anyway, so that's what I hung onto.

Three years ago, I lost myself completely. I was physically broken with no past and therefore impossible to think of a future.

I was lost and somehow Greya found me again.

Call it fate or destiny, who knows. All I know is I would never be able to think about my future again without Greya Matthews in my life.

The one girl I never felt deserving of. The girl who unknowingly saved my life...multiple times and continues to do so. Through all my flaws back then and all the newer flaws I have now, she's always seen me as something else...someone special and deserving. She's always loved me for me.

How did I manage to be so lucky?

I haven't had a seizure in nine days! Nine days! I don't want to jinx myself, but I feel like I'm not carrying all of the world on my shoulders any more, some of it has been lifted from me. I've slowly realized in these last nine days that I'm not bearing the weight on my own. Greya carries some and so does Cohen, Liam, Fynn, Declan and Ari. I've never actually been alone in any of this. My parents are the screwed up ones and it's not my fault. I know that now.

"Hey, handsome!" Greya sneaks up from behind me while I'm cooking breakfast and kisses my cheek. "How are you feeling? Tonight's a big night."

She's been taking care of me like she does. Maybe more than usual since I've been back from seeing my father. She's affectionate and kind and showers me with so much love. She's afraid I'll disappear. I don't blame her. I disappeared on her twice now, the second time for less than a whole day, but still, I left her without warning. After what she went through the first time I disappeared, I know it wasn't fair what I recently did, sneaking off to confront my father. I've put her into this fragile state and completely regret it. She deserves better from me.

"I f...feel good, Love. I'm excited f...for tonight."

It's December 23rd and tonight's the Los Angeles Christmas Palooza. I'm performing three songs on the piano plus one surprise song Greya doesn't know about. I wrote it for her and I'll be singing it in front of a sold out crowd. If I'm courageous enough, I won't be hiding behind the curtains for the last one. Greya thinks I'm brave. What she doesn't know is how she's the one who gives me courage. Tonight, I'm not going to let her down.

"Thank you for making breakfast. I know you need to practice for tonight, so don't worry about cleaning this up, I'll take care of it."

She helps by bringing the food and plates to the table. Fynn, Liam and Chase smell the bacon and are already sitting down taste testing before I'm finished cooking.

"Tonight's going to be a great show! Tim and I are looking forward to it." Fynn says.

"Y...yeah, thanks. Should be a good one."

"I can't wait! Hey, are you going to play that song you've been trying to teach me?" Chase asks.

"Sure am, little man." Everyone looks up at me and smiles because I've just said a sentence without stuttering.

Actually, since I've been back from Seattle, my stutter has been much better. Usually I get caught on words that begin with f, y, w. The singing has been helping and now I'm using the biofeedback therapies for my speech and other issues. I'm also hoping the therapy will help with my seizures. Anything is better than before. Plus, I'm not constantly worrying about what my father is capable of doing to me or us.

I still have that fear, only not every minute of the day now. He told me he wasn't going to bother with his crippled son and I believe him I guess. He's too ashamed of me to be associated with me. And that's fine. But should I really believe a man like him? He's a liar, a thief, a murderer. Why should I believe anything he says? For now, I'll be cautious and try to trust what he said. That's all I can do. Greya, Liam and everyone else remind me that I'll never need to face him alone again.

"Can we practice that song again after we eat?" Chase interrupts my thoughts.

"Chase, Lox needs to prepare for tonight," Greya tries scolding him.

"It's f...fine, Love. W...we can practice a bit."

Liam and Fynn help Greya clean up while Chase follows me to the piano. We begin working on a song, one that I'll be playing tonight. Chase is learning the first verse.

"You know, I don't remember Christmas as a baby, so this year will be my first Christmas with my whole family!" He says to me.

"Y...your whole family?" I question. He's got me thinking.

Chase, Greya, Liam and I are spending Christmas Eve with the Collins, Cohen, Ari, Declan, Fynn, and Tim. Is this what he means?

"Greya is my only sister and we don't have any parents, but family doesn't always mean the people we're related to. Our family are the people who love us and take care of us and are always with us no matter what. You and Liam are back and now I have my whole family with me this Christmas!"

This kid is probably my greatest teacher. He's right, we are family. We have the best family too.

"I hope you always want to stay with Greya and you'll always be my family. I know Greya always wants to be with you. I have a disability too and she'd never leave me, just like she'd never leave you."

Jesus, this kid.

"I'll always w...want to be w...with y...your sister. And y...you. Y...you're an awesome kid, I learn a lot from y...you."

"You do?"

"Of course! Y...you can't see but there are so many other things y...you can do and are great at. Y..you're even playing the piano. Y...you're also smart and intuitive and remind me to look at life in other perspectives. Y...you've taught me that being disabled doesn't mean I'm broken, I only need to do things differently and to be happy w...with all the things I can do. So, thank y...you for teaching me that."

"You're welcome!" He smirks. "I'll let you practice now! You're going to be awesome tonight!"

"Thanks, little man!"

An hour later my left hand is tired and I can't keep it in the right position. Greya happens to walk over at the most convenient time.

"How's it going? Do you need my help with anything?" She sits with me on my left side.

"Y...yeah. Could y...you support my arm and hand so I can get through one more song please?"

"Anything for you, Handsome," she smiles and places her hand under my forearm and positions my hand over the keys. I do most of the playing with my right hand and rewrote the songs so I'm minimally using my left.

"Are you nervous?" She asks after I finish the song.

"A little, but y...you'll be with me so I have nothing to be nervous about." I lean over and kiss her temple.

"Everyone will love your songs. I bet you'll have some music offers after tonight."

"W...we shall see."

"Do you want to go for a walk with me? Moving around a bit will be good for your muscles so they don't cramp up or anything later."

"I'd like that. Thanks Love."

Greya helps me do a few stretches first. We decide I should walk without my leg brace so all my muscles get a work out. I use my cane in one hand while my other arm is draped around her shoulders while we make our way down the side walk.

"Thank y...you for this. And for helping me with stretches and everything else."

"You don't need to thank me. I want to do this. I don't want you to ever feel ashamed around me for needing a little help. You're always my "B" no matter what."

She has me smiling. I'm one lucky guy.

"So, I've been thinking about  the offer to play for the women's national team," she surprises me.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Well I still have a lot to think about. You know there's senior year, I'll need to travel to games while finishing college. There's Chase and I'll be away sometimes I don't know how that's going to work, and...I've been thinking of how you're taking that step, with all the obstacles you're overcoming and performing in front of all those people tonight, doing something you love... maybe I can do that too.

"Greya!" I stop us from walking further and turn to face her. "That's fantastic! Y...you deserve this, okay? W...we can all help with Chase. I'm here f...for y..you just as y...you're here f...for me. W...we can make it w...work. Y...you can have y...your dreams too"

"Do you really think so?"

"I know so, Love."

"Okay. Maybe we can all talk about it after your show."

We continue our walk back and as we reach the driveway, the boys all come out at the same time. "We're going out for ice cream!" Chase happily says.

"Yeah, we'll be back soon so we can get ready for the show," Liam says.

"Okay, have fun," Greya tells them.

We get into the house and Greya walks with me into the bedroom and we sit onto the edge of the bed together.

"Can I ask y...you something?"

"Sure."

"Remember w...when I found all those college acceptance letters on y...your kitchen counter and y...you were afraid to tell me about them because y...you w..we're afraid of making the choice. Y...you were afraid of leaving Chase, of leaving me. Y... you didn't know if playing college soccer w...was w...worth sacrificing what y...you thought w...was more important?"

"Yeah. I remember."

"W...what made y...you choose to come here?"

She moves away from me slightly, her brows scrunch and she focuses on a spot on the floor for a minute.

"You did," she quietly says.

"All those years I watched you. You always had the highest grades, you were good at soccer, good at everything really. Some days you'd show up with bruises or you sat at your desk hunched over in pain. You had the most beautiful, yet the most tortured eyes I'd ever seen and although I didn't know what caused you to hurt, I watched you carry on with life, always trying to do the right thing, always working hard for what ever goals you were aiming for. It was after I found out the truth about what was happening to you that I realized I needed to aim for something too. I chose UCLA after you found those acceptance letters, thinking maybe you'd choose the same and you could get away from your awful home life. We could both get away and maybe both be happy."

"I w...was choosing to go to a music school."

"I know. I was happy you were still getting away. I was going to tell you my decision that night... the night you were shot."

"Y...you came here anyway, after thinking I w...was gone?"

"I wasn't going to. Losing you broke me. It was Chase who convinced me to take him and move away. Too much pain, too much loss there. We needed to start over. I also thought about you and knew you would've wanted me to find a way to be happy again. If you couldn't have your dreams, I owed it to you to pursue mine," she shrugs.

A sudden wave of emotions washes over me as Greya stands up from the mattress. I grab her hand and spin her around to face me.

Ever since we've met, we've been looking out for each other, pushing each other to persevere through everything. Most people believe there's no such thing as soul mates. I believe there is and Greya Matthews is mine and I am hers.

"I've loved y...you all my life, even before I met y...you."

I pull her down and kiss her and then pull her onto my lap and kiss her some more.

"I w...want y...you right now... always," our kiss deepens and soon our shirts are off and our skin flushed together.

Her fingers are running through my hair as my lips are all over her neck down to her collar bone.

"W...we belong together."

"Always," she kisses me back.

Quickly and passionately we undress each other and climb up onto the bed; our legs tangled, our hands caressing every inch of bare skin. We were always meant to be, her and I. She wants me as much as I want her. There's no denying how much love we have and can give. We're not only making love to each other, we're making a vow, a promise to keep each other safe and happy always.

"I love y...you more than anything," I say as she lay resting in my arm after.

"I love you, my beautiful, brilliant, brave boyfriend," she smiles and her words make me chuckle.

"The boys will be back soon, we should shower and get dressed. My man's about to show his amazing talent to the world, we better get ready!"

The boys return with food, so we have time to eat and change into our nice clothes before I need to be at pre-show rehearsal.

As I'm getting dressed I hear someone knock on the front door. A minute later, Greya walks into our bedroom.

"I have a surprise for you when you're ready," she smiles.

"Oh yeah?"

She walks up to me and straightens out my tie. "I don't think you realize what this suit is doing to me right now. You are so amazingly handsome, I kinda want to rip it off and continue what we were doing earlier."

"I can say the same about y...you in this little black dress."

"I'm proud of you, B"

"I haven't done the show yet," I smirk.

"I'm proud of you any way. Now come on so you can see the surprise."

I grab my crutch and follow her out. I'm caught totally off guard as my grandfather's standing in the living room talking with everyone.

He came here? For me?

"You did this?" I whisper into Greya's ear.

She nods. "He wanted to come and hear you play."

Wow, I'm speechless and so very grateful.

"I love y...you," I whisper again into her ear.

"I know. Now go talk to him."

Greya gets a text message and steps away for a minute. Another knock at the front door.

As if my night can get any better than this.

"Liam, I have a surprise for you too," Greya says while answering the door.

Liam steps in front of everyone so he can have a look. When Greya opens the door, I take a step closer to my brother in case I need to catch him. He looks like he's about to faint. I might too, seeing who's now standing in front of us with Declan and his parents.

"Well? You know I can't see guys! Who is it?" Chase blurts out.

"Hayden?" Liam practically whispers. I nudge his shoulder so he doesn't actually pass out on us.

"Hayden?" He asks again and looks at Greya then to Declan and back to Hayden again.

"Hey man, I've missed you," Hayden says.

Liam launches at him and they both hug. Liam's crying, Hayden's crying , I'm crying... hell, we all have tears in our eyes watching this moment unfold.

Liam steps away. "You know?"

"Yeah, I know everything."

"I'm sorry. I've wanted to tell you, every day I've wanted to. Are you mad?"

We're all silently listening to their reunion. Greya comes over to me and I grab her hand.

"I'm not mad bro. I'm so happy you're alive." They hug again.

It takes us a few minutes to get our emotions under control. These were the most incredible surprises.

I can't believe we're all here together. My whole family, Chase has reminded me. All because of my beautiful green eyed angel. This night is perfect already.

Everyone quiets down when my grandfather steps into the kitchen to answer his phone. We hear his voice change from high pitched surprise to low anger to a whispered "thank you".

I wouldn't have questioned him if he hadn't returned to the living room with a grief stricken expression.

I take a step closer to him and ask him what's wrong.

"My son passed away an hour ago. Your father's dead."

He says it without showing a tear, without anger, without joy...but there's sorrow in his tone and a hint of relief. That practically describes what I'm feeling.

The room is quiet. No one knows what to say. Can you blame them?

Greya with her magical ways knows exactly what to do.

She walks up to my grandfather and says, "I'm sorry for your loss. Everything that's happened through these years doesn't make this any easier. He was your son and he was your father," she turns to me. "He made terrible choices and did terrible things and it wasn't either of your faults, neither of you could've changed him. So it's alright to be sad and angry and grateful."

"Thank you Greya. I know why you're perfect for my grandson." He first hugs Greya then comes over to me and hugs me.

A tear escapes my eye though I'm not sad over his death, I'm upset about everything I missed out on, what my grandfather missed. He loved me from afar only to keep me safe, but he missed so much.

This night isn't going to be ruined because of my father. He's no longer going to ruin anything ever again.Tonight happiness and grief can coexist.

"W...we need to get going. I can't be late."

"You heard him! Let's get going... everyone into the cars," Liam chimes in. My poor brother, this is difficult for him too.

"You're going to crush it tonight big brother. It's your time to be happy, nothings stopping you," he fist pumps my shoulder.

As soon as we arrive at the Hollywood Bowl, I'm escorted back stage with Greya. Everyone else will look after Chase for the evening. They have front row seats for the performance.

Greya watches and listens to me warm up with a few short songs. I've practiced enough and Greya knows exactly when to help me when my left hand is tired. It's the song I wrote and will be singing tonight that has me anxious. Frankly, I'm not afraid of singing to an audience, I'm afraid of what Greya will think of it. I want it to be perfect and special for her.

"You'll be great, B," Greya wraps her arms around me.

"Talk to me handsome. Today was a lot. I should've told you your grandfather was coming and Hayden."

"No, Love. Y...You're incredible, how y...you surprised us w...was perfect. Liam is so happy, thank y...you."

"I want you to be happy too. I'm sorry about your father. You must have all these thoughts to sort out about him. I'm sorry it happened today."

"I'm not sorry he's dead. I don't really know how to f...feel about it. Honestly, I don't w...want to think about him tonight. He's not going to take this night away f...from me, f...from us," I brush a piece of her hair behind her ear and lean in to kiss her.

"I am happy Love. I'm happy w...with y...you. I'm happy everyone's here tonight."

"I'm glad everyone's here too. They all love you and support you. We're your real family and we'll always be here for you and Liam."

"Hmm, Chase said the same thing earlier."

"He's a smart kid."

"Y...yeah, he sure is."

"I love y...you my green eyed angel."

"I love you back. You ready for this?"

"Y...you bet I am. I have a surprise f...for y..you too."

"You do?"

"Y...yes, but y...you'll need to w...wait until the end of the show."

She kisses me again. "It will be worth the wait."

"I'm proud of you."

"Greya," I'm being sarcastic. "W...wait until after the performance." Silly girl.

"Never. I'm always proud of you, it doesn't wait."

"Y...you know this w...will be my first Christmas since my mom left."

"And it will be magical," she responds with, making me laugh.

"Merry Christmas, my love. Now go share your amazing talent with the world."

This is only possible because of you, Greya Matthews. You've given me a future, you've given me hope.

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Final chapter coming soon! Thank you for reading and keeping me engaged in writing about these two great characters! I'll miss them 😊