"The most beautiful part is that I wasn't even looking when I found you."

*************

Alex's POV

"I don't like this one bit," I whined again, the whole situation making me beyond uncomfortable.

"I know," Ashton replied back, so casually.

"That doesn't make me like it," I added with an annoyed sigh, and shot him a side glare.

His gaze left the road and fell back on me, "I know that too," He added before he looked back ahead of him and continued driving.

"You know, usually you're the mature one between us," I commented, hating to admit that, "But, this is beyond immature, you freaking threw him in jail," I added, "The boy is not evil, he's just immature and stupid, that's why things ended up here, but if he goes to jail, then, believe me, he will become evil."

"I know," He said. God, sometimes I hate him.

"And he is already eighteen, they won't take this lightly, they may punish him for like two years at least," I added, clarifying it so that his thick brain can grasp it, "You know that he would just blame Chase more for this."

He turned to me, and nodded, "I know that too."

My eyebrows pulled together at his calm composed posture, and then it clicked, "And...and that's not what you're doing, is it?"

He shook his head, "Of course I am not throwing my nephew in jail for two years," He said it as a matter of fact, "If not for his sake, for my sister's at least."

A relieved breath left me, he got me scared there for a while, "You'll bail him out, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I just want to teach him a lesson, a couple of days would do him good," He explained, "I know Zack, no way he'll handle this, so he himself will beg me to get him out of there."

"And you'll do so, by using the money that made him do all of this in the first place," I said in understatement and nodded, satisfied, "He will punish himself by...himself."

I smiled and tapped my hand over Ashton's shoulder, "Now, that's the Ashton that I know."

He shook his head with a sigh at my mocking tone and shrugged my hand away, "What he did can't be undone, and now I just need to focus on Chase getting better, that's all."

I nodded in agreement, "By the way," He started as his gaze went back to me and a bit of confusion drew his eyebrows closer, "What did you talk with Chase about, his mood suddenly changed and his motivation went up."

I shrugged, "I just tried to show him that if he wanted to, he'll be able to get himself out of this, that's all."

I didn't know if Ashton read in between the lines or not, but a moment of silence enveloped the car before he broke it with, "Well, thank you."

"Don't thank me, I am not doing this for you," I said in annoyance, "Chase is like a son to me, you know that," I added, "I mean if it wasn't for the blue eyes, I might've suspected he is my actual child."

"And how is that possible?" Ashton remarked.

"Well, how would I know, maybe Katherine drugged and had sex with me, you know she always had the hots for me."

He shot me a glare, "No, she never did."

I scoffed, "Dude, all the girls have the hots for me," I waved my hand in the air, dismissing how silly his thoughts are.

He sighed, "Only you can turn something sweet into sexual," He mumbled under his breath, totally disturbed by my presence now, and I smiled; annoying him is such a blast.

********

I walked out of the elevator and toward Chase's room, my eyes first fell on Katherine, sitting outsides on the chairs, the phone to her ear, talking with someone. As my footsteps neared her, she lifted her head up and her eyes fell on me.

I sat down by her side as she finished her call, my eyes drifting around searching for Lilly, I told her to wait for me here, so I can drop her home after. I looked back at my watch, checking the time, in a couple of hours, Cara's plane would arrive, I'll have to pick her up.

When Katherine finished her call, she gave me her attention, "Where did you and Ashton disappear into?"

I sighed, "Ashton can tell you," I answered and saw the bit of worry flash in her eyes.

I shook my head, "It's nothing, don't worry."

Her shoulders slumped down and she leaned back into her seat, "How can I not worry?" Her eyes closed and she shook her head, "My son is in there, fighting a war with himself and Ashton, he has been so distanced lately, and I have no idea what I am supposed to do now."

The weakness in her tone pulled at my heart, "Hey," I placed my hand over her arm, "Sweetheart, I know you're worried," I added, noticing all the unshed tears in her eyes, "But Chase is going to be okay, he wants to fight this and he will," I assured her, "In no time, he will be out of here, you need to have faith in him."

She sadly nodded her head, "Of course I do," She released out a long breath, "But I am a mother, I can't help it."

I placed my arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, she rested her head over my shoulder and I rubbed my hand over the length of her arm, trying to soothe her, "I get that, but you need to be strong for him, okay?" I added and she silently nodded her head, "They started with the medication today," She said, "They make him tired, and just seeing him like that hurts a lot."

I understood her pain, just the thought of Max or Lilly getting hurt, is enough to drive me insane.

"Is he inside?" I asked as Katherine pulled away, "Yeah, he was tired so he fell asleep right away."

My eyebrows pulled together, "And where is Lilly?"

I saw Katherine gulping down before she got to her feet, keeping some distance between us and she nervously rubbed at the back of her neck, "Uh, she is-"

I sighed, understanding it, "She is inside with him, isn't she?" As if it is not obvious.

Katherine nodded and took a hesitant step backward, "I will just...I will tell her to get here, you stay right there, no need for you to come in."

I rolled my eyes, "Jesus Katherine," I sighed in annoyance, even now, in this situation, she is not giving up on this ship. I got to my feet and walked toward the door, feeling what I am about to see won't be so pleasant, but she stood in my way, her hand shot to my chest stopping me, "He is asleep, if you dare wake him up, I am gonna kill you!" She said, shooting me a glare.

I shook my head, "I won't, I am just gonna get my daughter and leave," I added, gently pushing her away and opening the door.

My jaw ticked when my eyes fell on them, I curled my hand into a fist, keeping my control as I turned to Katherine and hissed, "Go and remove your son's arms away from my daughter, or I am gonna make a scene right now!"

She shot me a hard glare, "Why do you have to always be such a drama queen, they're just sleeping," She whispered, and when her eyes fell on them, they softened, "I mean look at them, they're still kids, they're so innocent," When her gaze flickered to me, they scolded me, "Don't always take it in a sexual way, not everyone is like you!"

My eyes widened at the accusation and I threatened, "Will you go and wake her up, or do you want me to do it?"

"You're unbelievable," She facepalmed, "Why can't you so see how pure this is?" She asked. Why can't she see that her son is hugging my daughter, why can't she see that they're sleeping on the same bed?!

"They need each other," She added.

I scoffed, "No, my daughter needs no one but me, okay?" I already had to suck it up in the morning when they were kissing, why do I have to tolerate this now?

Katherine only glared back at me, "Don't they remind you of us?"

My eyebrows pulled closer, "Us? You mean you and me?"

She winced, "No, us as in me and Ashton, as in you and Cara."

"How is that even the same," I rolled my eyes, "You just said it, they're kids, they're just teenagers with hormones, if I met Cara when I was that age, we definitely wouldn't be married now."

"Oh god, it's like explaining it to a wall!" She mumbled, rubbing a hand over her forehead, "My head hurts because of you," She pulled into a calming breath, "This is different, because my son is nothing like you!"

I crossed my arms over my chest, "Why do I feel like this is an insult?"

"Because, it is," She remarked, "Chase loves her."

I rolled my eyes, "Too bad, she doesn't."

She smiled, "I am pretty sure she does."

I shot her a glare, "Take that back!"

She narrowed her eyes at me, "One day, when she dates some other guy who is gonna be just like you," She stressed on the like you part "You'll wish you just accepted this!"

I shot her a glare, I could barely tolerate the thought of Lilly with Chase, what if she actually goes and dates some other guy I know nothing about.

Oh god, here comes the pain.

"My left arm is numb, is that normal?" I mumbled as I sat down.

So maybe, just maybe, she and Chase is not such a bad idea after all...

************

One week later...

Lilly's POV

"After that, you just multiply it with the time constant, and you get the answer," Conner finished his words, after half an hour of explaining to us one of the book's exercises.

"Is the final answer 20.5?" Chase asked, looking down at his notebook, "Oh my god, I also got 20.5," I said, feeling accomplished and Conner nodded, "Yup, correct."

I high-fived Chase and turned to Sally, who was weirdly silent, she bit at her lip nervously, "I got 3680.5," She shrugged after, "At least the 0.5 part is correct."

Conner shook his head and snatched her notebook to check her answer, "It's because you used the wrong equation!"

"How do you know which equation to use?" She asked, cluelessly.

"Jesus, I just spent like half an hour explaining how," He said in frustration.

She shot him a glare, "I wonder how it feels to be a genius!" She commented, sarcasm evident in her tone.

Conner shrugged casually, "Feels pretty normal actually," He looked at her, "I just wonder how it goes in that basic mind of yours."

Sally's eyes went to me and she frowned, "Lilly, tell him, he just called me stupid."

"Conner, shut up," I said, leaning into Chase as I went through my notes. On instinct, Chase placed his arm around my back, getting me more comfortable and I added, "Don't be such an asshole, Leave the girl alone."

"Chase, please tell your girlfriend to not call me that."

Conner's words had me tensing a bit, it's just we haven't talked about it yet, we haven't discussed if what we have is a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship. We didn't talk if it's official in that term. With Chase getting his medications and trying to keep up with school's work, we really didn't have the time to talk about us.

"Ohhhhh, I made you uncomfortable," Conner said, a big smile creeping up his face, "You didn't talk about it yet, did you?" He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned into it, "I just made it awkward, I love this!"

Chase cleared his throat and he straightened himself in his seat, I could tell this got him as nervous as it got me. Sally hissed something at Conner and he shook his head, innocently, "What? It's not my fault, whenever someone leaves the room, they start sucking each other's mouths," His gaze went back to us and his eyes narrowed, "If you're not back together, what is this then?"

Chase's jaw ticked, "Conner, it's getting late, aren't you going to leave?"

Conner just shook his head, "No, did you forget that I am staying here tonight," He wiggled his eyebrows, "You gonna kick my ass when the girls leave, aren't you?"

On cue, my phone buzzed, I pulled it out to see a message from dad telling me that he's here. I sighed in disappointment, I wish I am the one who'd get to stay here with Chase. But still, dad is being lenient enough to let me stay for hours here, when I finish from school, I immediately come here and spend time with Chase, and the weird thing is I never hear dad complain.

"Dad's here, we have to go," I said, directing my words at Sally. She nodded and started gathering her things. I turned to Chase, "I will be back tomorrow, okay."

He nodded, a small smile curving his lips, "I know."

My heart clenched tight in my chest, just like every night. I hated this, I didn't want to leave. When I am away, my mind stays busy thinking and worrying about him, but still, I am beyond proud of him, because no matter how much this place's surroundings or the medications are trying to bring him down, he is fighting it and that alone is enough for me.

"Uh, Conner, you wanted an answer to your question, right?" I asked, raising a challenging eyebrow at him.

He nodded in confusion and I added, "Well, here is your answer."

I looked back at Chase and my hand went to the back of his neck, pulling his face closer, taking him and everyone off guard as I pressed my lips over his, giving him an answer as well.

"Eww, eww, okay, I get it, stop, my eyes, my eyes!" Conner's terrified tone had me pulling away, I gave Chase a wink and his low chuckle at the whole situation had my heart melting.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said.

He nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"They're so annoying," Conner mumbled and I turned to see him glaring at him.

"You're just jealous," Chase said and I nodded in agreement, "Yup, since you haven't found a cute girlfriend like me."

Sally chuckled, "See, guess being good at physics is not everything." She mockingly remarked, taking her revenge after he called her stupid.

"Hey, If I want a girl, I can get a girl," He said, rolling his eyes at our attacks.

"Yeah, we all saw how that happened before," I sarcastically added.

"Jesus, okay, stop, I am not making fun of your relationship anymore." He said faking sadness as he slumped into the chair.

I shook my head and waved Chase bye before Sally and I walked out of the room, hearing Conner say to Chase, "You lucky bastard."

Sally threw her arm over my shoulder, "Sooo, it's getting serious!"

"Don't say it like that, you'll freak me out!" I said, shooting her a glare.

"Well, it is, isn't it?"

I nodded, "Yeah it is, and that scares me a lot, because last time it got serious, it ended so fast," The same fear crept over my being, "What if that happens again?"

She shook her head, "Why would it?"

"What if he left?"

"Is it sure?" Sally asked.

I shook my head, "Not yet, but still, I mean I want him to, but I don't want him to, god, it's so complicated."

"Just don't you overthink it," Sally suggested, "Just live it day by day and let things unfold the way they're supposed to, it's what I do."

I nodded agreeing on some level, "For now, I just want him to get better, and the rest can come later."

************

Chase's POV

A knock on the door had me looking up from my laptop's screen, "Come in," I said and my aunt Zoe opened the door and got in, her eyes fell on me and they softened, "Hey," She said, lowly.

I lowered the laptop's screen and placed it aside, "Hey," I said back, a bit shocked at her presence.

She walked inside, "I am sorry I couldn't come and check up on you before," She started and I shook my head, "It's okay."

"How are you doing?" She asked, her head tilted as genuine concern flashed in her eyes.

"Better," I said. It gets tough at times, and better at others.

She sat down by the edge of the bed and her hand reached for mine, it rested there as she guiltily mumbled, "I am sorry," She said, her teary eyes fell on mine, "My son did this to you and I don't know what to say, I am just so sorry, Chase."

My other hand curled over the mattress, keeping myself composed, "It's not your fault," I shook my head, "You don't need to apologize."

"What Zack did was wrong, very," She shook her head, "But I am sure he didn't mean to hurt you like this, he didn't mean for it to come this far," Her words had me involuntary pulling my hand away from her reach, "Don't," Was all I said, my tone a bit harsh.

I love her, she is my aunt, but if she's gonna sit here and defend her son, I don't want to hear it.

"Chase, I get it, and there is nothing I can say that can make this better," Her tears fell, one after the other, "But I can't sit around and see my son in jail, I can't!"

What?

"What?"

"Your father is not listening to me," She added and I was still trying to digest the last sentence she said, "Yes, Zack is troubled, but he is not bad Chase, he is young, they're hurting him there," Her eyes pleaded me, "Please, can you talk to your dad, he listens to you, he can punish Zack in any other way, but not like this, not jail, it would ruin him."

She tried to reach in me to the part that cared about Zack all this time, but the part that got hurt by him refused to acknowledge her request.

"Please Chase, I don't know what else to do," She added, "I will make sure Zack never comes near you again, but can you just talk with your dad?"

A low sigh parted my lips, my jaw ticked as I tried to keep my anger in, "I will see what I can do."

She sniffled, "Thank you," She said, "And I am sure you will make it out of here, you've always been a strong kid, something that I wish Zack could've learned from you."

Before I could say anything back, the door opened and interrupted our conversation. When dad stepped in, aunt Zoe immediately got to her feet, "I will see you later, Chase." She said, offering me a small smile before she started to walk away.

"Zoe, wait..." Dad tried to say but she didn't listen and walked right past him and out of the room.

A low sigh left dad as his gaze went to her retreating back. When he looked back at me, "When did she get here?"

"Not so long ago," I said, and when dad sat down, I shot my question at him, "Why didn't you tell me that you put Zack in jail?"

His head shot to me, he didn't look shocked that I knew, he looked taken aback that I asked. He shook his head, "Because it's not important."

"It is," I said, "Dad, you know that's not the right thing to do."

His eyebrows pulled closer, "What are you saying?"

I swallowed past that troubled feeling, "I am saying that you can get him out of there, right?" I requested, "So, first thing in the morning, please get him out."

My words added to his confusion, "But Chase, he hurt you," He stated and I nodded, "Yes, that's why I should be the one deciding what happens."

"And what do you want to happen?" Dad asked, looking ready to do it all.

"I want you to get him out of jail," I said, "And I just don't want to see him ever again."

*************

Next day...

Lilly's POV

I impatiently pushed the door open, not having it in me to even knock. My favorite part of the day, leaving school and coming here. My favorite part; seeing him.

"Hey!" I said cheerfully and dropped my bag before I rushed toward the bed, Chase pulled himself up and smiled at my sight, "Hey," He said back, his voice low, like he couldn't have the energy to raise it.

I immediately positioned myself by his side and pressed a small peck over his lips, "How are you today?" I asked, my head tilted to the side in worry, taking him in.

"I'm fine," He said but I knew he was far from fine. There are days when the medications are so heavy and they pull him down. Today looks like one of those. He looks so pale and tired. Even though the best part is seeing him but the worst is seeing him tired and in pain like this.

I shook my head, "You look so tired," I mumbled sadly as my hand rested over his cheek, "And your skin is so hot, is that normal?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I had a fever, it's one of the side effects, but he gave me something for it."

My chest tightened at how energyless he sounded, "Okay, you should rest then, come on," I said urging him to lay down again.

A frown pulled up between his eyebrows, "But you just got here, I wanna see you."

I shook my head, "I am not going anywhere," I said, "Actually I am tired too, so let's sleep a bit and then later, you can see me as much as you want," I added a little playfulness to my words and offered him a smile, trying to get to him to rest.

I kicked my shoes to the ground and laid down beside him, his eyes were still open so my hand rest over his cheek and stroked over his skin, "Come on baby, you should rest," I said.

His eyebrows pulled closer, "What did you call me?"

My eyes widened a bit, just realizing how the word slipped past my lips without my permission, "Uh, it just slipped."

A small smile pulled the corner of his lips and his arm came around my body, pulling me even closer to him, "It's okay, I like it."

"Oh really," I said, teasing him, "Okay then baby boo, I will always call you that."

He winced at the baby boo part, "No, not like this."

I chuckled lowly, "Okay, how about baby-bear?"

His eyebrow raised, "Really?"

"Baby doll?"

He shot me a glare, "Seriously now?"

"Baby-cakes? Baby-boy?"

He kept glaring at me.

"I found it, baby-blue is the most fitting!"

He let out a frustrated sigh, "Okay, I changed my mind, just call me by my name."

I chuckled and nodded, "As you want, baby blue."

"Lilly," He stressed out and I bit at my lip, hiding my smile, "Okay, I promise that was the last time."

He shook his head with a smile, "You're unbelievable," He commented and genuinely added, " I don't know what I would've done without you."

And here goes my heart.

I gave him a proud look, "Well, you're just lucky like that."

He nodded, "I guess I am."

My heart needs to get a grip, Jesus.

A few minutes later, the tiredness took over him and finally had him falling asleep. I wasn't sleepy or anything, I just wanted him to rest and as he slept, I watched over him, I pressed my hand over his forehead, checking his temperature, it felt like it has gone down and that let me breathe in relief.

My hand ran through his hair, soothingly and I pressed myself closer to his warmth, "I don't know what I would've done without you either," I mumbled, resting my forehead over his, and that twisted pain and fear rushed through my chest and wrapped over my lungs, "I am so scared of losing you again, Chase."

************

Chase's POV

This girl is crazy.

She is definitely crazy, there is no other explanation.

She's been calling me with that stupid nickname since I woke up. She even said it in front of one of the nurses, which had her laughing, and then mumbled something about how adorable we are.

Adorable my ass.

"Conner just finished his shift," Lilly said looking at her phone, "He'll be here in a couple of minutes, so we can study for tomorrow's exam."

She got to her feet, "I will go get us some coffee, do you want anything," She paused, the teasing smile assured of what's about to come next, "Baby-"

My eyebrow raised, and she just raised her arms up in defense, "What? I just said baby this time."

"Well, still you ruined it," I commented.

She chuckled as she walked toward the door, "Nah, I didn't. We're adorable, don't forget that."

I shook my head as she went away and couldn't help but smile. No one annoys me as much as she does, yet I can't get enough of her. I am just as insane as she is.

Someone knocked on the door interrupting my thoughts, "Come in," I mumbled. It's probably the nurse coming back to tell me how adorable we are. God, if Conner gets to know about this, I won't be hearing the end of it.

When whoever knocked didn't open the door, I sighed and got to my feet, heading towards it. My fingers curled over the knob, twisting it before the door opened and revealed who is behind.

The person standing ahead of me had my mood changing so fast. Anger rushed back with full force and I only saw red. My hand over the side curled, ready to smash it against his face and my jaw clenched so tight.

My eyes looked into Zack's as I asked, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

************************************

ALEX AND THE WHOLE GANG WISHES YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎊

Can you believe 2020 is almost over, I can't, it was so long yet it still passed so fast. Even though it was mostly terrible, is there anything you're grateful for in this year?

I am grateful I found a new job that I actually like! TAKE THAT 2020!

Anyways, since you all live far away, the only gift I can afford, is this chapter lol xD

I hope you've enjoyed it!
If there is something you'd love to see in the following chapters, anything at all, write it down here and I can add it, as a bonus christmas gift from me, lol XD

See ya later, and love ya all!