Three months later...

Lilly's POV

Chase opened my door, his hand extended toward me in that ever-gentlemanly way. I shook my head, an excited grin lighting up my face. "No, no, let me do it on my own," I insisted, my voice bubbling over with a joy that felt almost childlike.

Well, sue me for being happy, but it was my first night out in what felt like forever.

With deliberate care, I swung my legs over the edge, my boots making a soft thud as they met the concrete. Standing up, I took a moment to revel in the feel of the cool night air brushing against my skin, the solid ground beneath my feet grounding me in the here and now.

My lips curled into a smile, a victorious one, because I was able to get down, all on my own, without tripping and without feeling any pain.

It's funny how getting sick can humble you, and make you grateful for the things you once took for granted, like simply standing on your own two feet.

A soft sound of pure delight escaped me, something between a giggle and a sigh. I was so giddy with happiness, that I almost wanted to throw my fists in the air and jump up and down, but I held back, not wanting the valet guy to think I'd lost my mind.

Chase noticed my state and he chuckled, a deep, warm sound that effortlessly wrapped around me. My eyes fell back on his as he stood there, arms crossed, watching me with a gaze that almost made my heart ache, as if I were the most precious thing in his world.

To be honest, in these past months, he made me feel just like that.

Three months had passed in a blur of time, sometimes fleeting, sometimes agonizingly slow. Each day had been a battle—a struggle to stand, to walk, to reclaim a part of myself that had been stolen. There had been tears, so many tears shed, and pain that had nearly broken me at the beginning of my therapy.

But now, here I was, standing on my own, ready to take this first step back into life.

I wasn't fully healed yet, not entirely back to who I used to be. Sometimes there was a limp in my walk, and standing too long still hurts like hell. But I was beyond grateful. With time, I knew I would get back to where I once was.

Chase extended his hand again, his eyes twinkling under the soft glow of the stars and the restaurant's lights. "M'lady," he said, his voice soft, but with that playful edge I loved so much.

My breath caught as I placed my hand in his, allowing him to pull me closer. His other arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me in as he dipped his head to press a soft kiss to my neck, the warmth of his lips sending a shiver down my spine, "You look breathtaking," he whispered against my skin, his voice melting away any defense I had.

My cheeks warmed up, feeling the cold night air nipping at my legs beneath the soft fabric of my cream-colored skirt, which swirled slightly as I moved. My navy blue sweater, though cozy, did little to keep the chill away, so I was grateful for the jacket I'd thrown on over it. My hair, tied back loosely with my ribbon, moved slightly in the breeze, the blue strands of the bow catching the light.

I couldn't help but tip my head and take in the sight of him, and how effortlessly handsome he appeared tonight, "You don't look bad yourself, Mr. Ryder." I said, a tease in my voice.

He wore a light blue button-down shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the top, paired with beige trousers that hugged his frame just right. The soft fabric of his shirt seemed to cling to him, accentuating the toned muscles beneath. He looked ever so casually elegant, from the way his hair was tousled as if he'd just run his fingers through it, to the confident ease with which he carried himself.

His shirt, though simple, made him look even more striking under the soft light, the pale blue contrasting beautifully with the deep color of his eyes—my God, he looked like he'd stepped out of a dream or fallen down from the skies.

"Are you even real?" I mumbled, voicing inner thoughts out, "Sometimes I feel like I've conjured you up, like you are a dream, a hallucination, a fantasy, and none of what happened all over these years was ever real," I added with a low sigh.

Lines etched his forehead, "So, even torturing me as a kid is part of that fantasy?" He asked, jokingly.

I chuckled lowly, "It's my guilty pleasure," I said, scrunching my nose at him.

He edged his hand closer and pinched the tip of my nose playfully before he led my way toward the entrance. I leaned into him, not because I needed support this time, but because he smelled so good, felt so good wrapped around me like this, "Do you think Conner and Sally arrived before us?"

Chase's eyes flickered to his watch, checking the time and he nodded, "I guess so."

The restaurant's warm atmosphere enveloped me, and before I could take in my next step or take off my jacket, loud sounds screamed, all in union, "Surprise!"

I stumbled backward a little, my heart skipped a fast beat, and my eyes grew wide as the shock hit me in the face. My mind scrambled to catch up, it took a moment to drink into the feedback of what was happening. My eyes flickered from Conner and Sally and took into everyone else gathered around; my parents, Chase's parents, Max, Uncle Roman and Emma, Nikolas and Natalie—almost my whole family and a few of my friends, and some coworkers I've grown closer to over the passing months.

Sally let out a low squeal, moving forward before she engulfed me in a tight bear hug. My heart was still thrumming madly, trying to process it all. Emotional tears raced behind my eyes but I tried to keep them in check as I hugged her back, just as tightly, grounding myself in her touch.

"What's all of this," I mumbled lowly. When she pulled back, her grin almost reached her ears, "A thank-god-you-are-all-well slash you-are-finally-walking slash I-am-glad-my-best-friend-is-alive party," She added, ever so exaggerating.

I chuckled lowly, my heart heavy and light all at once, "Only you would do this," I said, shaking my head at her antics.

She gave me a small shrug, her gaze flickering to Chase as she added, "Well, I had some help."

I turned to look at him, my pulse still racing, the childlike giddiness spreading through me like wildfire. His arm was still around my waist, his eyes only on me, brimming with a tenderness that seemed to seep right into my bones. Of course, he'd help her do this.

My lips curved into a smile that felt like it could stretch forever, especially when he leaned down and pecked my cheek, his lips lingering there a second too long, as if still trying to adjust to this very new fact, that I am here, never going anywhere. He's been like this all over the past three months, his kisses lingered longer, and his hand rarely ever left mine.

If it weren't for his need to return to work, I think he would never have left my side. Even then, he worked less, finding every excuse to be near me, taking breaks every moment I needed him without the need for me to even ask.

He never left, which is why I vowed to never leave him. I declined the Paris offer just a week after Uncle Ashton delivered the news. There was no way I'd put him in a position to choose—me, or everything and everyone else he has in here.

Sally moved to the side, giving my parents space to get closer. Chase's arm loosened around me as Dad wrapped his arms around me, almost like he hadn't seen me in a year. I hugged him back, sinking into his warm strong embrace.

When he edged back, his lips curled into a small smile, gazing at me with a look reserved only for me; another reason I declined the offer. I couldn't bear the thought of more years away from him.

"Look at you, all walking and whatnot," he said, his voice lowering with a tenderness so deep it tugged at my heartstrings. Much like Chase, he stayed with me all over these past months. He was there at every doctor's appointment, holding my hand every time I fell as he taught me how to walk again.

His gaze flickered down before his eyebrow raised, "But isn't your skirt a bit too short?" He commented.

"Seriously, Dad," I muttered, my expression instantly shifting to one of exasperation. He always had a knack for pointing out these things and ruining our lovely moments.

He turned his attention to Chase. "Hey, you. Isn't it your job to take care of these things?" he said, gesturing at me from head to toe with a look of disapproval. I facepalmed, but Dad wasn't finished. "Don't make me disapprove of you again," he added, his tone dripping with exaggerated sternness and threat.

Chase gave him an unfazed look, "As far as I remember, you and me, we are still not on talking terms," Chase said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Dad rolled his eyes, "God, you're petty, get over it."

"Dad, you kidnapped him," I reminded him, jumping in to defend Chase. I'd thrown a bit of a tantrum back then, tried to force him to apologize but he never did and now neither of them seem willing to let the incident go.

Dad turned to me, eyes widening in feigned innocence. "It was Nikolas's idea," he blurted defensively, then looked back at Chase. "Yet I saw you talking to Nikolas ever so normally not long ago. So why am I the only one getting the bad treatment?"

"Because I expected that from him," Chase answered, in a matter-of-fact tone, "But definitely not from you," He added, "I thought our bond was different."

Dad rolled his eyes again, "Bimbo junior," He grumbled under his breath.

Mom, sensing things were getting out of hand, leaned closer to him. "Alex, how about we talk about this some other time," she suggested softly, edging closer and kissing his cheek to silence him, "We're here for Lilly tonight, right?" she added, and he grumbled something incomprehensible.

She turned to me, her eyes soft with a knowing look. I flashed her an appreciative smile, one that seemed to pull her in, and she stepped closer to hug me, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek, "You look so beautiful," She said, her lips forming a small pout as she caressed my hair.

My smile widened, leaning into her and savoring all of this. She had been my emotional anchor throughout this period, the steady presence that reminded me I could get through anything. I silently wondered how I would have managed without her, without them all.

"Not as beautiful as you look," I replied, ever so sincerely. My eyes drifted down to take in her appearance, the pure elegance she carried with her every day.

She wore a Ralph Lauren cream-colored wool sweater that perfectly hugged her frame, tucked neatly into wide-legged pants of the same soft hue. The outfit, simple yet sophisticated, highlighted her beauty and fit physique. Her hair, cascaded down in soft waves, framing her face.

I couldn't help but wonder how she managed to maintain such grace, such poise, even at her age. I wanted to know her secret, the recipe that allowed her to look so effortlessly stunning. Maybe she'll teach it to me too.

"My cupcakes is the most beautiful woman in this whole world," Dad interjected, snatching Mom away from me and back to his side. He gave me a knowing look, "You're lucky you share some of her features," He added and I nodded with a smile, very lucky indeed. I am learning to share some of her inner strength as well, although I have a very long way ahead for that one.

Dad leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, his lips brushing softly against her skin as he whispered something in her ear. Her eyebrows knitted together in playful suspicion, "Well, look who's suddenly all lovey-dovey," she teased, tapping her hand affectionately against his chest, "What is it that you want?"

Dad's lips stretched into a big smile, his eyebrow raising in tease, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "I can't tell you that in front of the kids," He said, "You scold me every time I do so."

She shook her head at him with a silly smile. I pretended to be indifferent, wincing playfully at their closeness, but inside, my heart warmed up. I adored the way they loved each other. After all these years, their love hadn't once faded; if anything, it had deepened, grown into something even more beautiful and profound.

And I knew, with a certainty that tightened my chest, that Dad would always be there for her. In her darkest, most difficult moments, he would stand by her side, ready to face the whole world for her—even if it meant standing against me and Max. That kind of love was rare, and it was so achingly beautiful.

As my eyes wandered to Chase, a pang of something so painful tugged at me. Would we ever have that? After all the ups and downs, would our love withstand the test of time like theirs? Or would we falter again?

"Come on, everyone, dinner will be served in a bit," Sally's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the moment. "After that, we'll have cake and champagne and dance until we're tired," she added with the enthusiasm of a host, gently steering the evening forward.

"You'll all get time with Lilly afterward, come on," she urged, linking her arm through mine and guiding me toward the main table.

I broke away from her grip, "Just a sec and I'll be back," I said quickly, moving to the other side before she'd stop me, my gaze rather locked onto a small, irresistibly cute figure standing not so far away. My heart swelled as I approached her. I bent down, my hand instinctively resting on her tiny shoulder.

She spun around in an instant, her eyes lighting up with pure joy, "Lilly!" Maria said, her voice bubbling with happiness as she threw herself at me. I couldn't help but chuckle as I scooped her up effortlessly, holding her close as I stood.

"Oh, I've missed you so much," I murmured into her soft hair, pressing tender kisses into her sweet-smelling locks, the delicate scent of flowers filling my senses.

She pulled back slightly, her beautiful green eyes searching mine with a happiness so genuine. I brought my hand up to gently brush her chubby cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin under my fingertips. As I adjusted her little outfit, I couldn't stop the wide smile that spread across my face. "You look so pretty," I whispered.

She was dressed in the most adorable outfit—a light denim jacket, slightly oversized, draped over a cream-colored dress with delicate lace details. The skirt flared out slightly, making her look like a tiny princess.

Her little feet were clad in cream-colored high-top sneakers, with soft, scrunched socks peeking out from the tops. Her hair was pulled into a tiny half-bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. God, she looked like a doll, so precious and full of life.

"You're more pretty," She said back, her hands fidgeting with the loosened strands of my hair.

"Why didn't you visit me so often?" I asked, playfully bumping my forehead with hers.

"Tell daddy," She said, turning her body around to point at him, standing close and silently watching us, "I told him I want to see Lilly every day, but he won't let me," She added.

His eyebrows drew closer at her words and he stepped closer. He playfully ruffled her hair, "So, we are learning to lie now, huh," He said, his eyebrow raising as he called her innocent bluff.

I chuckled at her antics, "So, not every day?" I asked her with an arched eyebrow.

Her little shoulders lifted in a shrug, "I asked him this much," She said, raising three fingers.

I chuckled lowly, shaking my head at her before I snuck another kiss. I gently lowered her to the ground afterward, unable to keep holding her up for too long, carrying things made my legs ache much faster.

I shifted on my weight, trying to kick myself back in and brush the burn away. My eyes went to Nikolas and I crossed my arms over my chest, still feigning anger. His eyebrow raised, "I am still not forgiven?" He asked.

I shook my head, "Not yet."

He hefted out a low sigh and pushed his hand into his pant's front pocket, "You all should be very grateful that I didn't hurt him," He mumbled under his breath but I heard him nevertheless. My eyes narrowed at him and I moved closer, I pointed my finger at his chest, poking him, "You need to promise me that you will never ever lay a finger on him," I said, my tone strict, "And you need to stop encouraging dad into this."

His eyebrow raised, "And what if he hurts you?" He asked, "What if...let's say he cheats on you?" He checked his options and that made me think it through a bit.

I gave it a moment before I nodded my head, "Okay, only then you can hurt him," I said, my lips twitching slightly, "But just a little bit," I added and his own lips twitched. He nodded his head, "Yeah, sure," He said before he brought his arms forward and pulled me closer, "Come here," He said softly as he hugged me, planting a soft kiss on my cheek.

Kicking all the negativity away, I sank into his hold and hugged him back. "I am sorry I couldn't be around as much lately," he whispered. I edged backward a little, my eyes falling into his as he added, "Things were a little bit hectic."

I nodded my head, aware of the reason, "Everything good now?" I asked, indirectly, not willing to address the topic of him headfirst.

He nodded his head, his shoulders falling slightly, a bit of relief in his eyes, "Yeah, much better."

"Cool."

Maria tugged at my leg, pulling my attention down to her. I looked into her very eager eyes as she pointed excitedly toward the other table, "Let's go see Chase," she whispered.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, brushing a gentle hand over the top of her hair, "I think you should be more scared of her," I said to Nikolas, my gaze shifting back to him with a playful glint, "Not of me."

Annoyance flickered over his face and he bent down to level himself with her, "Marie, what did we talk about," He said, feigning strictness.

Her lips formed the cutest little pout as she shrugged her tiny shoulders. "But, Daddy—" she began, her voice pleading.

He shook his head, "There are no buts, young lady," he said.

Maria's frown deepened, and she leaned into me, her eyes silently pleading for backup. "Lilly, tell him," she urged, her voice a sweet whisper of desperation.

"Aww," I pouted at her cute little face before I looked back at him, "Come on, she just wants to see her crush, it's all innocent," I said and now it was his turn to glare back at me. His jaw tightened as he straightened up, "Say that again, and hurting him would be the least of your worries," He said, more than ready to declare war.

"Hurt who exactly?" I heard Auntie Katherine's voice before I saw her. I turned to see her pause next to us, her glare firmly locked on Nikolas, arms crossed over her chest in a posture that radiated disapproval and annoyance.

Nikolas hefted out an annoyed breath and rushed a hand over his face, "Here we go again," He grumbled.

She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she jabbed a finger toward him, her voice deadly serious. "Come near my son again, and you'll find out exactly what I'm capable of," she warned, her words dripping with protective fierceness.

Nikolas's gaze dropped to Katherine's pointed finger, his expression one of bemused confusion, like he couldn't understand it or as if it held no weight, "Capable of what exactly?" he uttered in absolute mockery.

"Do you want me to make you our enemy again?" she asked, her eyes flashing with irritation, "I have connections, you know. People who can hurt you," she added, her tone brooking no argument.

Nikolas's eyebrow raised, "Yeah, I am so scared," He mumbled ever so sarcastically which only resulted in infuriating her more. She curled her fingers into a fist and lightly punched his arm, "I am serious," She grated out, being a furious little thing compared to him.

His eyes grew a bit wide at her little punch, like he couldn't believe it, "Someone come and take this woman away from me," He mumbled, his eyes drifting around and seeking help.

He was interrupted by a light smack to the back of his head by no one other than my dad, "What trouble are you stirring up now?" He scolded him.

"Hey!" Nikolas shot out, glaring at Dad as he rubbed at the back of his head.

Dad looked at Katherine, "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Tell him, he was threatening to hurt Chase again," She said, glaring at Nikolas like she wanted to bury him ten feet under.

"Don't worry baby, he wouldn't dare to," Uncle Ashton said as he came near her, sneaking an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to calm her down, "Because he knows how I'll bash his head if he lays a finger on him again," Uncle Ashton added, ever so casually.

Nikolas threw his hands up in exasperation, "What's with everyone threatening me today?" he grumbled, a mix of disbelief and annoyance in his voice. "Have you all forgotten who I am?"

"Oh, believe me, we didn't," Now it was my mom's turn to speak. She gave him a knowing look, "It took sooo much for me to place you on my good side," She narrowed her eyes at him, "Don't make me put you back on my bad side again," She added, warning him, "You'll leave the kid alone from now on."

I watched in amusement as all of this unfolded, wondering if it's always gonna be utter madness when we gather in one place. It's fun!

"You all do know that Alex helped me, right," Nikolas interjected, throwing the blame on Dad as well, "I didn't kidnap him all on my own!"

Dad's eyes grew wide, especially when Mom and Uncle Ashton turned their glares at him, "Woah hey, hey," He shot out, "I am innocent here, he forced me into it," Dad defended himself.

Nikolas nudged him harshly with his elbow, the force enough to knock Dad's balance slightly to the left, "You traitor," He grated out.

Dad turned to him, "Look, they already hate you," He hissed, "But they love me, I tend to keep it that way, so you take the blame this time."

Mom facepalmed, having enough of this. Just then, Natalie edged closer, coming from beside her husband, a small smile lifted her lips as her gaze drifted between us, "Hey," She said softly, "What's up," She asked, totally unaware of what was happening.

Maria left my side and went next to her mother, "Mommy, everyone is mad at Daddy," She commented with a low gasp, not very used to that.

Natalie sighed and nodded her head, "Yeah sweetie, nothing new in that," She said as she tapped her hand over the top of her daughter's head, "Everyone is always mad at Daddy," She turned to him, her eyes narrowing in suspicion, "What did you do this time?"

Nikolas looked like this was his last string and he was about to either explode or kill someone, "Not you too," He grated out.

Her expression softened and she broke into a smile before she rubbed at the lines tightening over his forehead, "Calm down tiger," She said before she tiptoed and pecked his cheek, whispering something that seemed to ease down his anger to some level.

She tangled her arm with his and looked at the rest of them, "You don't have to worry, he won't come near him again," Natalie said, ever so sure, "I made him promise me," She shrugged, like it was that easy, "I know my way around him."

If anything, Nikolas looked more annoyed than ever at the implication behind her words.

Dad chuckled lowly, "She knows where your turn-off switch is," He said, jokingly only to be shoved to the side by Nikolas, causing him to crash against Uncle Ashton, "You bitch," Dad shot out as he tried to straighten himself, glaring at his brother, who couldn't look less amused.

I leaned down, urging Maria to come closer. As her tiny hand rested in mine, I guided her away from the madness that is our family and toward Chase, who was engrossed in conversation with Conner.

His eyes found mine before they flickered to the little human next to me and his face lightened up instantly. He stood up and came next to me, bending down to reach her level, "Hey there, you pretty thing," He said and Maria giggled, her cheeks turning pink, as she waved her hand at him, even though he was close, "Hey Chase!"

Chase chuckled softly, scooping her into his arms and lifting her up. He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, and Maria's arms wrapped around his neck, sinking into his embrace like she belonged there. I edged closer, playfully pinching her cheek. "You do know that he's mine, right?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

Maria's eyebrows pulled closer, "No, he is not," She said, shaking her head, refusing to believe in that before she looked at Chase, her little fingers fidgeting with the collar of his shirt.

I fake gasped and Chase chuckled lowly, "Well, looks like you've got your youngest admirer," I said with fake annoyance as I crossed my arms over my chest.

Chase's eyes flickered up from her to me, a soft affectionate look lightening the blue of his eyes, "She is so adorable though," he commented.

Maria looked up at me with a proud grin. "See, I am adorable," she declared.

I chuckled at her antics and shook my head, "Oh, she is a little devil," I said. Her father's daughter after all.

Chase tucked the loosened of her hair behind her ear, "So, how've you been?"

She beamed at him, "I started school," She said, ready to tell him every little detail, "I am a big girl, now," She added, ever so proud.

"Oh yeah, look at you, you've gotten so big," He said, going on with her enthusiastic self as he smoothed down her little dress. She nodded ever so excitedly. "Do you have any friends at school?"

She nodded her head, "Yess, I have six friends," She said, raising six fingers, "But they are all boys," she added, her gaze flickering to where her dad was before returning to Chase, "But don't tell daddy, he doesn't like that," She added in a whispered hush, shaking her head conspiratorially.

"Oh god, I have a feeling she'll grow up to be even worse than me," I mumbled.

Chase's eyebrow raised, "This generation is scary," He said and I nodded my head, very scary indeed.

"I am terrified that we would have a daughter first," He added, saying it ever so casually as he brushed Maria's cheek in an affectionate soft manner, "It'll be your dad's karma coming back to hit me."

I felt something inside my stomach tumble up and down, my heartbeats fastened a bit because, for the first time ever, he was addressing a topic as such. Like yeah, everything was great between us lately, but we never had the chance to speak of the future ahead of us. Our times together were always short, and had been mostly ruled by tragedies, so we never got the chance or the time to sit and plan said future.

The idea alone, made my heart ache so hard, with something so painfully beautiful.

Maria was still gushing to Chase about her school, "...so, one of the boys, he stole my bag and stepped on it," She said, annoyance flickered in her gaze.

Chase's eyebrows pulled closer, seemingly ready to find the boy and kick him, "He did?"

She nodded, "Yeah so I kicked him and pushed him into the mud," She added, an accomplished smile gracing her lips.

Chase's expression shifted, melted at her words and he raised his hand up, "That's my girl," He said and she hit her palm with his, high-fiving him back.

With Maria still wrapped in his arms, Chase walked away, her soft, excited voice trailing off as she continued to gush about her school and her teachers.

I watched them for a moment, a small smile tugging at my lips, before I felt Max sidle up beside me. He threw his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close, and I leaned into him with a sigh. "She stole my man so easily," I mumbled.

Max's quiet chuckle rumbled next to me, and he dipped his head to press a kiss on top of mine. I tilted my head up to look at him, a teasing smile forming. "So," I began, mischief coloring my tone, "you're at the stage where you bring your girlfriend to family gatherings now, huh?"

I had seen her standing next to him when I first got in. I've also met her a couple of times, more over the past months as she occasionally visited me. She was just the sweetest girl ever. Max deserved that and more. They seemed to fit together so perfectly.

His expression softened, his eyes drifting to where she sat, absorbed in a conversation with one of his friends. A subtle smile tugged at his lips as he nodded. "Yeah, I guess we are there," he said, his voice dropping to a gentle, almost tender tone.

I turned fully in his embrace, my lips forming a playful pout as I stared up at him, still grappling with how quickly he'd grown up. "Oh, look at you, having a girlfriend and no longer ogling my friends' boobs or hitting on them," I teased, reaching up to pinch his cheek.

He laughed, swatting my hand away with a playful slap. "Yeah, well," he said, his voice dipping with a mix of amusement and sincerity, "I don't want it to be too early to say this but...she's the one for me," His green eyes gleamed with a warm certainty.

I felt like I might burst into happy tears because that was the most adorable thing ever, "Look at you having a better love life than my messy one," I added and his eyebrow raised at my words. He shrugged, "It's messy most of the times, but we get through it," He added.

Without thinking, I reached up and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I love you so much, you know that, right?" I whispered into his shoulder.

His arms tightened around me, his hand cradling the back of my head in a comforting gesture, "I love you too, Lilly, so much," he said, his voice deepening with a gravity that made my chest ache, "And I'm so damn glad you're okay."

When we pulled away, he looked at me with a heartwarming look, "Thanks for being the troublesome sibling," he joked, a light teasing in his voice as he brushed my cheek, "Took some of the heat off me."

I let out a soft laugh and playfully punched his arm. "You're still an asshole," I muttered, my voice carrying no bite.

He laughed and ruffled my hair, deliberately messing it up, making me shove him away with a grin.

My gaze drifted back to Chase, who was now sitting with Maria perched on his lap. She was chattering away, her little face animated as she talked, and he was feeding her, his eyes fixed on her with that patient, soft smile of his, completely absorbed into her every word.

A soft sigh slipped from my lips.

Yeah, having a daughter with him wouldn't be so bad after all.

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Nikolas's POV

I slumped back into my chair, staring down at the plate in front of me like it had personally offended me. My appetite had long vanished, thanks to everyone in this room. I hated family gatherings for a reason.

Natalie poked my arm, her eyes narrowing with annoyance, "Drop that grumpy look, mister," she scolded, clearly fed up with my attitude.

I was the one who's so very fed up.

I crossed my arms, dragging my glare away from the plate to her. She let out an exaggerated sigh and looked up at the ceiling, as if praying for patience, "Honestly, you can be such a baby sometimes," She said, shaking her head. "Act your age. How old are you?" She teased, her fingers brushing the side of my hair. "I can count those few grey hairs over here already," A low chuckle slipped from her lips, and I swatted her hand away.

"Way to lift my spirits when I am down," I grumbled, running my hand through my hair to fix what she messed up.

Her smile widened, and she leaned in closer, tangling her arm around mine, "You're still so very handsome, though," She said softly, her fingers trailing along my cheek. "Even with that grumpy face that I love so much," She added, clearly trying to win me over, but I wasn't having any of it.

I kept my expression neutral, and she sighed again, exasperated. "Come on, Nik, you kidnapped the boy. What did you expect?" she said, justifying her and everyone else's reactions, "A standing ovation?" She threw her hands up in mock praise, rolling her eyes.

I shifted my eyes away from her and searched for the reason behind my headache. When I spotted my daughter comfortably perched on his lap as he fed her, my blood pressure spiked, "Oh, for the love of God," I grumbled, pointing in their direction, "And you all expect me not to lose my damn mind?"

Natalie's head turned in their direction and a big smile spread over her lips, as if it was the most adorable scene ever. I am really so done with all of these people. A low chuckle vibrated from her chest when she took notice of my double bewildered expression, "Believe me, if you don't have gray hairs now, this girl will give you all of them when she's older," She said, only adding to my misery.

"She's got your devilish mind and my bluntness," She added, grinning, "A very dangerous mix, I might add."

"Great, now my chest hurts," I grumbled and Natalie's eyelids dropped down as she laughed lowly at my very miserable state.

She edged closer and pecked my cheek, "Come on, loosen up," She said, pouting, "It's been a while since we sat down in peace and not thought about tomorrow," A low breath pushed off her lungs, her expression partially relieved, "Let's soak it in for now."

Despite everything, her words rang true. Things had been so damn chaotic this past year that I was almost grateful that my biggest worry right now was Ashton's son.

I took a deep breath and moved my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. She melted into me, resting her head against my chest with a satisfied sigh. I dipped my head and pressed a kiss to the top of her hair. "Thank you for sticking by me through it all," I murmured, unable to imagine it any other way, "I couldn't have handled any of it without you."

She tilted her head up, a soft delicate smile curving her lips before she brought her hand and brushed my cheek. She inched closer and softly pecked my lips, "And thank you for giving him a chance," She whispered back.

Before I could respond, a loud thud on the table snapped me out of the moment. My confused gaze darted over to Nathan, who sat at the same table but looked like he was ready to flip it over, his attention was lost somewhere else entirely, anger flashing in his eyes as he slammed the phone on the table.

I frowned and glanced at Natalie. "What's up with your son?" I whispered.

Her eyes flickered to him, and she leaned in closer. "Girl trouble," she whispered back. "He didn't say anything, but I got the gist."

"Should I interfere?" I asked.

Natalie pulled back, giving me a look as if trying to gauge if I'd lost my mind. Then, she burst into low, disbelieving laughter. Covering her mouth to stifle the sound, she shook her head. "You?" she managed between giggle, "Helping him with a girl trouble?"

My eyebrow raised, "Yeah, what's so damn funny about that?"

She laughed harder, dramatically pretending to wipe a tear from her eye, "Oh my god," She mumbled, looking away from me, and trying to recover. Her eyes fell back on mine and she tried to suppress more of her laughter, her lips twitching as she shook her head, the notion so absurd to her for some fucking reason.

I shot her a glare, "For your information, I made you marry me," I pointed out the obvious.

She chuckled again before she inched closer to me. Her eyes flashed me an affectionate but teasing look, "Nik, baby, I love you so much—really, I do," she said, "But if it wasn't for me making the first move, there's no way we'd be married with two kids right now. Believe me."

My jaw ticked because apparently they just love to insult me whenever they get the chance. She chuckled again and shook her head, still trying to recover from this very hilarious situation, "Oh god," She mumbled, her eyes falling on Alex as he passed by us. Her hand immediately shot to his arm, stopping him, "Alex, Alex, you need to hear this—"

The hell—

Sometimes, I really wonder why I ever chose the so-called peaceful life...

Alex paused and Natalie leaned in, barely containing her laughter, "Nikolas wants to help Nathan with his girl trouble."

Much like her, Alex burst into laughter on cue, his eyes flickering to me and he shook his head, very amused.

"Seriously?" I snapped, irritation bubbling up.

"Come on, Nik," Alex said, still chuckling. "It's common knowledge—when it comes to tits and asses, I'm the expert," he added, patting his chest with pride, "And when it's knives and guns, I'll leave the stage to you."

He circled around the table and plopped down next to Nathan, throwing a casual arm around his shoulders. "Hey, buddy," he said, making Nathan look up in utter confusion. "Tell me, what girl trouble are you having? To this day, there isn't a girl problem I haven't solved. "

A frustrated sigh pushed out of me, and I turned to Natalie with a glare, "I really hate my life today."

She just grinned, leaning and pecking my cheek, clearly reveling in my misery.

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Lilly's POV

I dug my fork into the soft layers of the cake, bringing a heavenly bite to my lips. For a moment, I let myself drift away, sinking deeper into the sweet, blissful bubble that surrounded me.

In the background, I could see Chase, Conner, Zack, and Sally standing at the far end, deep in conversation. My family's voices carried over from nearby, loud and chaotic, caught up in their usual bickering. It was exactly the kind of noise I needed a break from, so I sat down, hiding away from everyone, giving my achy legs some rest while savoring my slice of cake.

"Hey," His familiar voice echoed so close and was followed by the plate being snatched away from me. Startled, I glanced up just as Nathan slid into the seat next to me, his movements casual and unhurried. Before I could even process what was happening, he was already helping himself to a bite of my cake—my cake!

My eyes widened as I gazed at him. He looked back at me, his lips spreading into a very innocent smile, "There is no other cake left," He justified his action.

"Who the hell invited you," I grumbled out, still in disbelief.

He chewed leisurely, his gaze meeting mine with that infuriating calmness, "Lil, come on, we're besties, I need no invitation," Nathan said, ever so normally, like he was my long-lost friend.

I glanced back at the plate—my cake reduced to crumbs. "But...my cake," I muttered, my lips forming a sad pout.

Nathan carved out a small piece with the fork and brought it to my lips, "Here," he offered. I shot him a glare and slapped his hand away. "What are you doing here?" I shot out.

"To check on you," He said, like it was that simple, "Although you didn't bother to check on me," He added, injecting a hint of blame into his voice, his eyebrow arching, "But I decided to be the bigger guy."

My gaze involuntarily dipped to his chest, to the white shirt that hid the scar from his surgery beneath it. An uncomfortable knot twisted in my stomach, and I shifted slightly in my seat. It unsettled me to feel any sympathy for him—even a little.

"How's it been?" I asked quietly, my voice dropping low.

"Absolute hell," he admitted, still focused on devouring the last bits of my cake as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. "This is my first time going out in..." He paused, eyebrows pulling closer and searching his memory.

"Three months?" I filled in, my voice softer. His hazel eyes lifted to meet mine, and he nodded, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "Yeah, it's been three months, hasn't it."

"I hear it's not easy," I murmured.

He leaned back in his chair, letting out a deep breath. "Yeah, not one bit. Everything feels exhausting—even breathing," he said, his voice heavy with a weariness that seemed to seep into his bones.

"And you know what the worst part is?" he continued, his gaze hardening slightly. "The doctor said people with a new lung typically only live about five or six years. Makes me wonder if all of this is just for nothing."

I felt a pang in my chest, a tightness that I couldn't quite understand. For a moment, I hated the empathy creeping in, the unwanted softness for someone who hardly deserved it. "But...it could be more, right?" I asked, my heartbeat thudding loudly in my ears.

He nodded, his voice quieter now, almost resigned, "Sometimes up to twenty, but it varies."

I shrugged, trying to steer us away from the dark thoughts hanging over us. "Well, then you'd just get another lung transplant," I said, attempting to add a lightness to my tone.

He gave a dry laugh, "Yeah, because they just have those lying around in stores."

I tilted my head forward, nodding toward his chest, "How did you get this one?"

Lines etched between his eyebrows, "I have a feeling that Nikolas got this one—illegally," He said, "But I am not willing to ask or indulge in this," he shook his head, "I don't want to be his partner in crime in case he got caught," He added with a sheepish smile.

My lips twitched slightly, "He took really good care of you, even after everything you've done," I added.

Nathan sighed, his gaze dropping to the ground as if weighed down by a thousand thoughts, "Yeah," he murmured, "it's the only reason I went through with all of this."

He lifted his head and exhaled, as if blowing away the lingering heaviness in the air. "Anyways, enough with the gloomy talk," he said, his eyes meeting mine.

"So your legs are working again, huh?" He set the plate aside and threw his arm over my shoulders, his grin turning playful, "Look at us—the two disabled people in this family," he teased, giving my cheek a light pinch.

I groaned and pushed him away, slapping his arm away from me, "Don't touch me," I grated out, "Also, stop referring to yourself as a part of my family!"

He pinched my cheek again, and I was about two seconds away from smacking him over the head with something heavy, "But I am," he insisted, completely unfazed, "And we both know I'm your favorite," he added, being ever so delusional, "You love me too much to admit it, I know that."

I shot him a disgusted look, feeling my patience wearing thin. "You do know I could call Emma over here in a second, right? She'd knock you out cold without breaking a sweat."

His cocky grin faltered, his eyes darting around nervously as he scanned the crowd for her. "She's not nearby, is she? She still scares the crap out of me," he muttered.

His eyes fell back on me, and his eyebrow raised the longer I stared, almost reading through my mind, "So, you are not gonna ask about my friend?"

My throat tightened slightly, and I folded my arms over my chest, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm trying not to," I replied.

"I saw him last week," he answered without me asking, "He came to visit and check up on me," He said, a low sigh pushing past his lips, "He is...okay."

Even though I didn't comment, he kept on talking, "He is busying himself with work and all, trying to adjust after everything that happened," his eyebrow raised, "I just need to find him someone new, you know, someone who is better than you and well, there is a lot of those around," Again with them insults.

I shot him a glare and his smile widened, "He'll be okay, he just needs time," he said, assuringly.

I nodded my head, "Yeah, I just want him to be okay, that's all."

Nathan's gaze drifted around the room before he leaned closer to me, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Your current boyfriend keeps glaring at me," he muttered.

I gave him an unfazed look, "Cuz he hates you," I said, forcing my lips into a thin line, "Actually, everyone in here hates you, so remind me again, why are you here?"

His brows drew closer, "You're mean," He said, his frown deepening, like he was genuinely hurt.

"Look who's talking," I shot back, glancing pointedly at the empty plate he discarded away, "You ate all of my cake!"

"Dear god," he grumbled, getting to his feet with a dramatic huff, "I'll go get you another one, stop whining," He said in annoyance before he trailed off to somewhere.

I rolled my eyes at his retreating back, my gaze drifting around the room until it landed on a new presence that just arrived. A flicker of uncertainty tightened my chest as I spotted her, unsure how to feel about her presence. She walked in slowly, her eyes scanning the room until they found mine. A visible wave of relief washed over her face, and she quickly made her way over to me.

I stood up as Aylin paused beside me, a small, hesitant smile tugging at her lips. It looked sincere. "Hey, Lilly," she said softly, nervously tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I uh, I ran into Sally the other day, and she told me about—what happened," The lines between her brows deepened, and her eyes held genuine concern.

"She mentioned about tonight as well, and to be honest, I wasn't planning to come at first, but...I just wanted to check on you. Are you okay? Are you better now?"

I nodded my head, "I am fine, thanks," I mumbled, unable to shake the little tension that still lingered between us.

Something surged in her eyes, a bit misty, a shimmer of emotion breaking through before she edged closer and took me off guard by wrapping her arms around me, "God, I am so glad you're okay," She mumbled, her voice a bit thick, her words seemed utterly genuine. I tried to recover from my shock fast and wrapped my arms around her, my eyelids dropping down as I held back as tight.

Despite everything, if she had been the one hurt, I'd have been worried sick too. Once upon a time, she was my closest friend ever.

"I miss you so much, Lilly," She murmured, and when she pulled back, a tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, "I am sorry, I just uh," She sniffled lowly, "Uh things just kind of suck lately," She smiled, somberly, "And you were always my closest friend, I couldn't ever be that close to anyone after you," Her voice wavered, her vulnerability raw and open, "I am really sorry that I took your friendship for granted."

A lump formed in my throat as I shook my head, my chest tightening because I knew a thing or two about taking things for granted. I reached out and took her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Hey, it's okay," I whispered, my head tilting to the side as I saw the struggle in her eyes, she always had trouble at home, I guess things haven't gotten easier. "Maybe we can meet up sometime soon and talk," I suggested softly, extending an olive branch, "If you'd like that."

A small, genuine smile broke through her somber expression, and she nodded, squeezing my hand back, "I'd love that—"

"Lil, I stole this cake from that red-headed girl, she wasn't eating it anyway," Nathan's voice broke through as he paused right next to me, his mouth full, already taking another bite from the cake he'd apparently just stolen for me.

His voice had Aylin snap her head in his direction instantly and the sight of him alone had her eyes widen in absolute shock. She stumbled backward a bit, her hand breaking away from my grip. Nathan lifted his head up from the plate, chewing on his treat and removing the spoon from his mouth like a kid, just as his eyes fell into hers.

Similar shock consumed his features, lines etched over his forehead, "You," He whispered lowly in recognition.

Redness crept all over Aylin's neck, before it spread to her face, "Oh my god," She whispered lowly, like she'd seen a ghost, "What are you doing here," She mumbled, more to herself than to him.

My eyebrows pulled closer in confusion as I looked between them both, unable to make sense of it, "You two know each other?" I asked, the notion a bit too absurd.

Aylin's gaze shot back to mine, "No."

"Yes," Nathan said at the same time.

He looked back at her, his eyebrows arching slightly as he edged closer, "Come on, princess, I am not that forgettable," He said, offended at her declination.

Her throat bobbed, and she looked like she wanted to crawl out of her skin, or maybe let the ground open up and suck her in. She turned to me, very flustered, "Uh, Lilly, I'll go bid Sally goodbye, and uh, I'll see you around, okay," She didn't wait for a response and spun around, practically fleeing.

Nathan, as if bound by a spell or drawn to her by some invisible thread, was about to scurry right after her. My hand shot to his arm, stopping him, "Hold on, hold on," I said, urging him to stay. I needed to know what the hell was that.

"How do you know her?" I asked, in bafflement.

"Well," His eyes were still trained on her retreating back, watching her every movement. A small amused smile crept into his face before he turned to me, "We kind of had a one-night stand," he said and I felt all the blood drain from my brain.

"A what?!"

"You know it's when two people have sex and never see each other again," Nathan explained the term to me, his gaze going back to her, "But now that I've found her, I am thinking of making her carry my babies in these next five or six years of life I have left," He said, ever so seriously.

My eyebrows pulled closer, shock and confusion and too many questions roamed my head. How? When? What the actual fuck?!

All of my thoughts gathered and boiled down into one simple conclusion.

"Nathan," I mumbled, my eyes fixed on Aylin as she spoke with Sally, "If you really do marry her, I will totally forgive you for everything and you will really become my favorite person ever, and I'll love you forever."

His gaze shot back to me, his eyebrows furrowing, "Who is she again?" He asked, checking, considering the lengths I am willing to take to just get her off Chase's case.

I met his confused hazel eyes. "She was my friend," I said, feeling my jaw tighten slightly. "And she's—Chase's ex-girlfriend."

Understanding dawned on his face, and his eyes widened slightly, "Ohh," he murmured, as if just now putting the pieces together, "So he's the guy she's running from."

"What?" I asked, taken aback.

He shook his head dismissively, "What's her name?"

"Aylin."

A slow, mischievous smile spread across his face. "Aylin," he repeated, almost tasting the name on his tongue.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, because he seemed like he was plotting the end of the world in his head.

"Just imagining how it'd sound with my last name," he said with a satisfied hum, "Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

His eyes flickered from her and to me, remeasuring my previous words and his eyes narrowed at me in suspicion, "You'll really forgive and love me and welcome me into the family if I do it?" He asked, checking once again.

I nodded my head, ever so eager, "Yeah, sure."

His face lightened up, "Okay then," He said, "Give me a kiss here and I'll go after her," He added, pointing at his cheek.

I grimaced, "Eww, no," I grumbled.

He rolled his eyes, "It's nothing sexual, we're family, come on," He pointed at his cheek again, "Give me a kiss, or I'll shove her right into your boyfriend's arms," He threatened.

"Asshole," I grumbled, but he just tapped his cheek a third time, impatient as ever.

With a loud, exasperated groan, I leaned in and gave him the smallest, barely-there kiss on his cheek. He beamed, his eyes sparkling like he'd just won the lottery, and he pinched my cheek, laughing. "Then, your wish is my command, little one," he said, ever the dramatic fool, before turning and darting off after Aylin, a madman on a mission.

God, I really wish we had one sane person in this family...

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

Nathan's POV

"Hey," I greeted with a smile, glancing briefly at the girl Aylin was talking to—Sally, was it? My fingers wrapped around Aylin's arm. "And now, bye," I added, not missing a beat as I pulled her away from the crowd.

She jerked her arm free from my grip, her wide eyes shooting up to mine in utter bewilderment. She didn't say a word, just turned on her heel and tried to march right past me, ready to make her grand escape without having to confront me.

I clutched at her arm once more, forcefully pulling her to the nearest chair, "Hold on princess, not that fast."

She dropped into the chair with all the grace of a cornered cat, her fearful eyes glued to me as I took the spot right across from her, my knee brushing hers under the table. "Please leave," she mumbled, still grappling with the shock of my sudden appearance.

My lips curled into a small, amused smile as I took all of her in. Her blond hair fell around her flushed face, green eyes wide and glistening. God, she was just as exquisite as she'd been that night, tangled up with me, flushed and breathless as she reached her orgasm in my embrace. I couldn't help but picture it again—her sinful lips on mine.

She groaned into her hands, covering her face as if that would make me disappear, "Just go away," she muttered again, her voice filled with mortification, so very disturbed by my presence.

I leaned back in the chair, pretending to be wounded. "This isn't the usual reaction I get from women after I sleep with them," I said. "And considering all the blissful noises you made, you seemed pretty satisfied. So what's the deal?"

She peeked at me through the gaps between her fingers, her cheeks and neck flushing even deeper, practically crimson. She was so fucking adorable, but also seemed so fragile, especially with those wide eyes and flushed cheeks—a sweet thing trembling on the edge of something darker.

God, I couldn't wait to pull her further into my mess, to twist her up in the threads of my chaos.

You see, there was a hunger in me, to see her lose herself, to watch her light bend and flicker under the weight of my shadows. I wanted to unravel her already messy life, thread by thread, and weave her into the madness of mine—a beautiful descent, a shared unraveling.

You see, this is the type of stuff great poets write about.

"I told you," She mumbled lowly, "I've never done that before," She added, "And I thought I'd just never see you ever again so I won't have to face you," She removed her hands from over her face, her eyes both bewildered and terrified, "What are you doing here for god's sake?" She asked, "How do you even know Lilly?"

"We're family, in a way," I answered.

Her eyes widened even more at that, and she let out a low, pained groan. She slumped forward, her forehead meeting the table's surface with a soft thud. "Of course, this would happen to me. Of course," she muttered to herself, cursing her luck under her breath.

I leaned in, my hand sliding onto the table, so the next time she tried to bump her head, it landed softly in my palm instead. She lifted her head, straightening herself with a frustrated sigh, and stared at me like I was some sort of plague—an inevitable disaster that had befallen her life, ready to consume and annihilate her.

I was that indeed.

"I looked around for you," I murmured, my eyes tracing every delicate curve and line of her face, drinking in the sight of her and soaking it in, "But it wasn't easy, considering I didn't even know your name."

She gulped down, "Can we pretend that...that night never happened," she began, her voice a tremor, fingers fumbling to tuck loose strands of hair behind her ear, "And that today we never met again, you know, and just move on with life?" She asked, forcing on a fake smile, hopeful.

A dark smile tugged at my lips, my teeth grazing my bottom lip as I slowly shook my head, "You really have no idea what you've gotten yourself tangled in, huh," I said, voice a low murmur that vibrated in the narrow space between us.

There was no escape for her now, she'd better be aware of that.

Her chest heaved, up and down, "Why are you like this?" She asked, bewildered at my insistence to stay after her even though I barely knew her.

"You intrigue me," I said. Leaning closer, I brought my hand up, my fingers brushing the soft skin of her cheek, "And I am barely ever intrigued."

For a heartbeat too long, she gazed back into my eyes, getting lost somewhere down the messy road but the logical part of her pulled her up so quickly. She yanked herself back from my touch, the chair scraping loudly against the floor as she stumbled to her feet and hurried out, ready to run away before I shackle her to me for the rest of her life.

I didn't waste time, I followed right after her as she walked out of the restaurant and into the darkness of the night. Once close, my fingers clasped her arm, and whirled her around, forcing her to face me once again.

Her breath hitched as her chest crashed against mine, "You wanted to forget him, didn't you?" I said, my voice lowering, my eyes focused down on hers, "I can still help you with that."

Her lips parted, the refusal trembling on her tongue, but I could see the war raging behind her eyes. She shook her head, a weak protest, "No."

My other hand moved around her waist before my palm plastered against her lower back, pulling her flush against me, feeling every rapid beat of her heart against mine, "Yeah, you want to," I said, knowing it all too well, "You can deny it all you want, princess, but I know that you kept thinking about that night, over and over again," I breathed, leaning in so close I could almost taste her breath.

"Every time you closed your eyes, you remembered the way it felt, like nothing you've ever experienced before," I whispered, my voice dipping lower, the heat of it brushing her skin that I watched her shiver a bit. "You remembered just how good it felt to have my skin pressed into yours, to have me buried deep down inside of you, taking you to highs you never dreamt of before."

I felt the tremor ripple through her body as I spoke, the slightest quiver that betrayed the chaos beneath her surface. Her lips parted, caught on a breath she couldn't quite release, "You kept thinking about how intoxicating it was, to have my lips on yours," I drawled, my voice low, dragging each word like a slow burn across her skin.

My hand slid from her arm, tracing a deliberate path up her shoulder, every inch a silent promise, until I reached the delicate curve of her neck. "With my hand in your hair," I murmured, my fingers slipping into her soft locks, tangling and tugging just enough to tilt her head back. "Pulling you closer every time you moaned."

I could see it in her eyes—the way they were half-lidded, flickering with something she didn't want to name. Her resolve was crumbling. My lips brushed her ear, featherlight, as I whispered, "I want to feel all of you again, princess. To taste every breathless sigh and feel you come undone in my arms. You know you want it, too."

There was no sound in the darkness of the night but the pounding of her pulse, the mingled rhythm of our harsh breaths, like two forces caught in a whirlwind. She looked up at me with that look that nearly undid me the first time, all sultry, a spark of something wilder, a little devil trapped in the corners of her gaze, begging to be unleashed.

"You're insane," She whispered.

I nodded, a slow, knowing smile curling on my lips. "I am," I said softly, my fingers weaving deeper into her hair, holding her just close enough, "But life's too boring when you're normal, don't you think?"

I had a feeling she was going to be even more insane than I was. I could see it in her eyes, maybe that's why I was drawn to her, why I felt this inescapable pull to drag her into my chaos, to see if she'd match my madness with her own.

And I have a feeling she could. Maybe even more than I ever imagined.

"It's Nathan," I murmured, while gently stroking her hair, "My name."

"Nathan," She whispered it back, as if checking if any of this was real. And god, the way it fell from her lips—it sounded so beautiful, musical even, that I felt my lungs ache again.

"Aylin," I whispered her name again, savoring each letter, tasting the shape of it on my tongue like something forbidden, "I know what it means," I added, the strands of her hair all bunched up between my fingers, "The one who belongs to the moon," I said, urging soft lines to stretch between her brows, taken aback by the fact that I could know her name's meaning, something so personal. 

"It's a bit poetic," I went on, my lips quirking slightly as my gaze drifted back to her mouth, so inviting and soft, "And I'm a sucker for all things poetic."

Her breath hitched, her pupils dilated, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world was holding its breath with her. I knew that she was recalling the little message I left for her. My thumb brushed over her lips, feeling their softness, their tremble, and I leaned in closer, closing the space until there was nothing but heat between us.

I felt her shudder against me, and I knew—I knew she was on the edge, ready to tip into whatever madness I could offer her. Slowly, achingly, she leaned in as well, her lips finding mine, battling against my own, in a breathless searing kiss.

Her hands gripped my shirt, pulling me closer, and I knew I finally had her trapped. She was ensnared, tangled in the web of this wild, intoxicating game.

"You know that I'm going to ruin you, don't you?" I murmured against her lips, my fingers tightening in her hair, feeling the delicious madness in my head unraveling with each touch, each taste of her.

"Sounds like my type," She murmured back, a soft moan tumbling from her throat when I bit at her lower lip, harder than I should've.

I met her sultry green eyes, a dark, wicked smile curling on my lips. "We're going to be so damn toxic," I said, my voice low and laced with anticipation, "And I can't wait for every minute of it."

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

Lilly's POV

I let out a soft sigh of delight as I sank onto the bed, the giddy feeling still fluttering in my chest, filling me with a restless kind of joy. It was nearly midnight, but I felt as if I could conquer the world.

Chase was unbuttoning his shirt, his movements unhurried, but I reached out, extending my hand toward him, inviting him closer.

He let his shirt hang open and stepped forward, his lips curling into that slow, calm smile that always sent my heart tumbling in my chest. He braced his palms on either side of my thighs, leaning in until his lips found mine in a kiss that was soft but deep.

I hummed against his mouth, my hands sliding up to grip the lapels of his shirt, holding him close. When he pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes drank me in a way that left me breathless, "I love it when you're happy," he murmured, as if he could see straight through to the glow inside me.

I smiled and nodded my head, "Thank you for tonight," I said.

His hand came up, fingers tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear with a tenderness that made my chest ache. "I didn't do anything," he said.

"You did," I insisted, "It was perfect. I loved having everyone around." My fingers played with the fabric of his shirt, "Even with my family giving me one hell of a headache, I still had so much fun with everyone there."

A small, content sigh slipped past my lips, "It felt good to gather without being scared of something or someone, and without worrying about tomorrow." I met his gaze, my smile softening, "I've really missed that feeling."

Chase's thumb brushed over my cheek, so tender, like he'd wage a war against anything that dared to take that peace away from me again, "That's how it'll be from now on, Lilly, I promise," He said, his finger caressing my lower lip.

I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips. "God, I feel so energized," I confessed, shifting restlessly on the mattress, my body alive with a buzz that wouldn't quit, "I'm sure I won't be able to sleep. I feel like I could go out for a run or a workout or something—burn off some of this energy."

Chase raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Well, we could always get a workout right here."

I caught the playful mischief in his gaze, and a rush of excitement spread through my chest, "Feeling up for some cardio?" I asked with a wink.

He chuckled lowly and nodded his head, "Always," he said, his arm coming around my waist, pulling me up and pressing my flesh against his own. His lips captured mine in a slow, deep kiss that set every nerve of my being on fire.

I melted into him, my arms sliding around his neck as my fingers tangled in his soft hair, pulling him even closer. I explored every inch of his intoxicating mouth, tasting him, savoring the way his breath mixed with mine, the way his tongue moved with a desperate rhythm.

Chase's hand trailed deliberately down my thigh, slipping beneath the hem of my skirt, lifting it just enough to cup my ass. His breath was hot against my lips as he murmured, "God, I love this skirt," and I couldn't suppress the smile that curved against his mouth. I knew he did—it was the very reason I wore it tonight.

When he pulled back slightly, his eyes met mine with a scrutinizing intensity, "You're feeling all okay, right?" He checked once more, "And nothing is hurting you?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah."

"You know that I love you, right?" He checked and I nodded my head with a small smile, "Yeah, I know."

"And that I respect you," He added, his out-of-blue words giving me a whiplash. I nodded again, "Yeah, I know."

"Great," He said, an edge in his voice, "because, for the next hour, it's going to look like I don't."

My eyes widened, caught off guard by his words. Before I could fully absorb it, his lips were back on mine, in a searing kiss that felt like the culmination of every moment we'd been apart. Every day lost, every hour spent longing—he captured it all in that kiss. His hand slid through my hair, fingers gripping my skull just enough to tilt my head for a deeper, more urgent connection. He tasted every bit of my mouth, devouring it.

"Disrespect me all you want," I breathed between kisses when he pulled back, "I'm all in for everything."

A dark glint flickered in his eyes at my words, a blue flame ready to ignite me. His lips curled into a knowing smile. His thumb traced my lower lip, sending shivers down my spine. "This mouth of yours," he murmured, his voice low and rough, "what am I going to do with it?"

Before the question could fully settle between us, and before I could give several options he could use, the ringing sound of the doorbell shattered the moment, its piercing sound echoing all through the house. I cursed under my breath, frustration lacing my voice, "Seriously?" I shout out in utter bewilderment, "It's freaking midnight. Who the hell comes knocking now?"

Chase's annoyance flared as he glared at the door, his eyes practically searing through it in an attempt to will away the unwelcome interruption, "Let's just ignore it," he said, his voice tight with irritation.

He looked back at me, his eyebrow raising, "You know, maybe we're not home."

I nodded, playing along with a half-smile, "Yeah, maybe we've moved to another city where no one we know can interrupt us."

Chase chuckled lowly, "That sounds like a fantastic idea right about now."

I tried to refocus on the moment, my fingers sliding over his shirt, working to pull it off. But before I could fully reclaim the intimacy, the doorbell rang again, even more insistently, "Who the hell is this persistent?" I grumbled, my exasperation peaking as I softly banged my head against Chase's chest.

Chase's hand found the back of my head, gently caressing it. "Let's see who it is," he said, "Whoever it is though, I'm kicking them out, even if it's your father."

I nodded in agreement, my irritation and resolve combining. We headed toward the door, Chase attempting to button up his shirt as I opened it, only to find fucking Conner standing there.

"The hell you're doing here?" I shot out, instantly.

Conner pushed past me, raising his eyebrows at the sight of Chase and me in a state of disarray. "Ohh," he said, his eyes widening in realization. "You two were about to have sex?" he asked, his tone almost amused.

My glare hardened as I struggled to contain my frustration. "Yeah, well, too bad for you. My problem is more urgent, so you can have sex later," he said, stepping further inside and making himself at home, "You two need to help me now because I am about to shit my pants."

I glanced around for something heavy I could break over his head but found nothing within reach.

His panicked eyes flickered between us two before he dropped the bomb, "So, I want to propose to Sally tomorrow—"

My eyes grew wide, "What?" I shot out in shock, all of my anger dissipating, "Oh my god, I don't know whether to kick you so hard right now or burst into tears, are you serious?"

He nodded his head, and anxiousness flushed his face, "Yeah, I am and I need your help, I don't know how I am going to do it, and I feel she is into me and knows it's coming, and what if...oh dear god, what if she says no?" His eyes widened in absolute terror, "She won't say no, right?"

I shook my head with a smile, happy tears rushing to my eyes before I marched forward to his side and pulled him into a hug, still reeling from disbelief. He hugged me back, his whole being tight with stress and panic as he ought to plan this through.

I pulled back, my tears right at the threshold, "Oh my god, you two are gonna get married!" I said, my heart felt like it was about to burst with pure joy.

He nodded, his lower lip forming a pout, "If she says yes," he said, still so very terrified of being rejected.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Of course, she'll say yes, you silly. Now, we need to plan this perfectly, down to every detail." I glanced at Chase, who still looked thoroughly annoyed, "Go make us coffee. This is gonna be a very long night."

Chase crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Conner. "I still don't see how this concerns us," he grumbled, seemingly ready to kick his friend out.

I smacked his arm lightly, "Don't say that," I scolded. "Two of our best friends are getting married—it's gonna be epic!"

Conner let out a shaky breath. "God, every time you say the marriage word, I want to faint or...pee." He mumbled, his nerves getting the best of him. "Imma go pee," he said, nervously shuffling toward the bathroom.

I chuckled softly before turning back to Chase, who was giving me a very dissatisfied look.

"Come on," I urged, and he huffed in response. I tiptoed and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Don't worry, you can disrespect me tomorrow all you want."

His lips twitched slightly at my comment and he shook his head at my silliness as I dragged him into this.

We gathered in my living room afterward, helping Conner plan his proposal down to every minute detail. He kept going to the bathroom every ten minutes though, the poor boy was a nervous mess. No wonder he came knocking on our door at midnight.

When we were done talking and planning, the hour was reaching five in the morning and all of my energy was depleted. My head was resting in Chase's lap, my body lying down over the couch, my gaze trained on Conner, who had fallen asleep on the other couch not so long ago.

"He does feel like our kid sometimes," I said with a small smile as I looked up at Chase.

He soothingly ran his fingers through my hair, "More like the cat I don't want, I keep throwing him out and he keeps coming back," he said, still annoyed.

I chuckled lowly and pulled myself up, sitting next to him, "Chase," I said, "there is something that I want to tell you," I added, "I've been meaning to for some time now, I just—" A low sigh parted my lips and Chase's eyebrows pulled closer, "You are not proposing to me now, are you?" He asked making me glare at him and lightly punch his arm, "I am serious."

"I promised myself that I would never hide anything from you again, as small as it is," I added, preparing myself, "Do you remember the project manager job in Paris—the one that I applied for?"

Lines etched his forehead before he nodded his head, "Yeah, I remember."

"Yeah, well, back when I was still in the hospital, your dad, he told me that I got accepted," I said, "But not long after, I declined the offer," I added with a shake of my head, "I just wanted you to hear it from me, that's all."

"Why did you decline it?" He asked, his voice dropping lower, and his gaze seemed lost as he thought this news through.

I shrugged, "I am not ready to leave everyone and everything behind and go away again," I answered, my answer was honest, but only partially true. The main reason was as clear as the sky.

"Lilly, I—" Chase was about to say something but the sound of Conner shifting in his sleep placed a direct pause on our conversation.

A groggy moan escaped him as he stirred, pulling himself up to sit down, his feet dangling lazily off the couch. He rubbed a hand over his face, his eyes bleary as he glanced at us. "I dreamt she said no," he mumbled, his lips twitching in mild annoyance. Still half-asleep, he got up and shuffled toward the bathroom, muttering under his breath, "Imma go pee again...I swear I'm gonna be dehydrated if this keeps happening—"

A small exhausted laugh bubbled up from my chest as I crashed back into Chase's lap. Conner's timing was always so absurdly perfect. I allowed my tired eyelids to drop down, "He really is our adopted kid," I murmured, feeling sleepiness pulling me in.

I felt Chase's fingers in my hair, soothingly moving, "Yeah, and I can't wait for him to get married and move out," he added, sarcastically. A small smile played on my lips at his words and it didn't take me long to fall fast asleep afterwards.

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One week later...

Things have been utterly hectic lately. With my work, Chase's work, Conner's proposal, Sally saying yes, because of course she'll say yes, and me embracing my new role as the bridesmaid who's gonna plan everything, I've barely spent a total of ten minutes with Chase alone.

His flight schedule has been a mess these past few days. He'd leave before I woke up and come back after I'd already fallen asleep. I miss him terribly. And there are things we need to talk about—things I can't just bring up over the phone. There's been an update at work that I want to discuss face-to-face.

So, when the sound of a glass shattering in the kitchen pulled me out of a deep sleep, I was surprisingly grateful. Blinking away the haze, I checked the time—4:30 in the morning. I rubbed my face and pushed myself out of bed, slipping into my slippers. A yawn escaped, muffled behind the back of my hand as I padded to the kitchen.

I paused at the entrance, my gaze falling on Chase as he crouched down, carefully picking up the shards of glass scattered across the floor. He sensed my presence and his eyes lifted to meet mine, his expression immediately softening into one of guilt.

"I woke you up, didn't I?" He mumbled in a sorrowful voice, straightening up and coming closer to me, his hand going to my face and brushing my frizzy messy hair away.

Aching for his touch, I pushed myself forward, my arms circling around his waist, "I am glad you did, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," I mumbled into his chest, my voice small and sad.

He let out a soft sigh, his arms folding around me in return. His hand moved over my hair, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "I know. I'm so sorry baby," he whispered, his voice heavy with regret.

I pulled back just enough to look up at him and shook my head. It wasn't his fault. He had to make up for all the hours he lost when we were in London, and I knew this was going to be a tough period. But knowing didn't make it any easier.

I moved my hand up his chest, my fingers adjusting the collar of his shirt, "When will you be available?" I asked, my eyes falling into his pretty ones, "I want us to—talk," I mumbled, "Will you come back tomorrow?"

His brows furrowed slightly, and the way his gaze dropped told me everything I needed to know. "You're not coming back tomorrow, are you?" I whispered, my voice wavering.

He cupped my cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing my skin. "Unfortunately no. I'm full until the weekend," he said softly. "But I promise, I'll be all yours for the weekend. We can do whatever you want," he added, his thumb tracing the curve of my bottom lip, trying to coax away the pout that had formed there.

I felt a knot tighten in my throat, and I glanced away before looking back at him. "Do you have time now...for a cup of coffee?" I asked, my voice filled with quiet hope.

A small smile lifted the corners of his lips, and he nodded. "Of course I do."

Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help the small smile that formed in response, "Then, I will go wash my face quickly," I said and Chase nodded, "And I'll prepare the coffee," He said, leaning closer and softly pecking my lips.

After a quick freshen-up, I joined him in the living room. We sat on the couch, sipping our coffee and catching up in the early morning quiet. For a moment, I almost forgot the weight of what I wanted to tell him. I ran my finger along the rim of my coffee cup, gathering my thoughts.

"There was a conference call two days ago," I began, easing into the conversation. My eyes stayed fixed on the dark liquid in my cup, like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. "Some of the hiring committee for the Paris branch was on the call. They saw me, and we talked."

Chase listened intently, his eyes never leaving my face. I continued, "The project was supposed to start next week, but they're postponing it because they haven't found the right candidate yet."

"And after the call, the VP of the project, she is just the nicest woman ever, she called me privately. She asked if there was any chance I could reconsider their offer."

He was quiet, but I could see him piecing things together, trying to read between the lines of my nervous words. I swallowed and pushed on, "I told her my decision was the same, but she asked if I could come out there for at least a day... just to look around, meet the team in person, and see how it feels before making a final decision."

A moment of utter silence followed my words.

Chase set his cup down on the coffee table and shifted closer, gently taking my cup from my hands. His warm palm enveloped my fidgety fingers, "Do you want to go there and check it out?" he asked softly, his thumb stroking the back of my hand in soothing circles.

I shrugged, feeling uncertain. "I don't know," I admitted. "I mean, my decision won't change, so it might just be a waste of their time...and mine, maybe I shouldn't go, right?"

His thumb continued its calming pattern. "But you wouldn't lose anything by going, Lilly," he said gently. "Meeting them face-to-face, getting a sense of the atmosphere there...it could actually help you feel more sure about your decision. It makes sense to give it a try."

He was looking at it positively and that squeezed my heart.

"You think so?" I mumbled.

He nodded his head, "Definitely."

I hesitated, biting my lip. "But what if—" I started, only to be cut off by the sudden ringing of his phone. A sigh of frustration escaped his lips, and I could see the reluctance in his eyes. I gave him a small, understanding smile and slowly pulled my hand from his. "It's okay, take it," I urged softly.

He answered the call, listening for a moment before glancing at his watch. "Yeah, I'm on my way. I'll be there soon," he said before hanging up and slipping his phone back into his pocket.

We both stood up, and he stepped closer to me, his expression apologetic. "I'm so sorry, baby, but I have to go," he said, his hand rubbing over his face as if he could wipe away the exhaustion and frustration, "Just think about it some more, okay? And call me if you need to talk. Don't keep me worrying."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I will," I whispered, feeling both comforted by his reassurance and still nervous about the whole situation.

He leaned in, his hand cradling the side of my neck, and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, lingering there for a moment longer than usual, "Lilly, whatever your decision is, you have my full support," he said, urging a smile to curve my lips.

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One Day Later...

My gaze drifted from my laptop screen, where Adrienne—the project's VP—had sent an email confirming the details of my visit to Paris, down to my phone. There, an undelivered message to Chase lingered, stuck in limbo for over an hour now. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and I sank deeper into the cushions of the couch.

I'd thought this decision through, consulting even with Uncle Ashton. He had urged me to go check it out, pointing out that there was nothing to lose and maybe something to gain. Finding sense in his words, I agreed to a quick trip to Paris to meet the team. Adrienne had been more than delighted, promptly booking me a ticket for this evening.

I called Chase immediately, but his phone was off—he must have been in the middle of a flight. So, I settled for sending him a text, letting him know about my plans, hoping he'd reply when he landed.

Hours slipped away, but my message still hadn't reached him. I took a deep breath and closed my laptop, deciding it was time to pack.

I reached for one of my smallest handbags, tossing in the essentials. I got ready afterward, opting for high-waisted blue jeans and a crisp, oversized white button-up shirt tucked in. I draped a classic black-and-white striped sweater over my shoulders and pulled my hair up into a loose bun, a few strands escaping to frame my face. I slipped on a pair of white sneakers and checked my phone, for one last time.

Feeling a knot in my chest, I grabbed my bag and keys and headed out. I got into my car and made my way to the airport, my mind too restless to focus on anything else.

Once at the airport, I completed the check-in and passport control just in time as the gate opened. I found my seat and stowed my bag in the overhead compartment. Sinking into my seat, I pulled out my phone, hoping for any notification from him. But there was still no reply. I swallowed down the disappointment, turning on airplane mode with a sigh.

An inexplicable sadness clung to my chest, heavy and stubborn.

I was lost in a maze of thoughts, staring out of the window, waiting for takeoff, when a sudden announcement crackled through the speakers, interrupting my daze, "Ladies and gentlemen, we will begin preparing for takeoff shortly, but first, may I ask the passenger in seat 4A to please exit the aircraft?"

I wasn't fully listening, assuming it was a general announcement or a mistake. But then it came again, more insistent this time; "I repeat, passenger in seat 4A, could you please step out of the aircraft?"

My brows furrowed as I glanced at the ticket clutched between my fingers. It was my seat they were calling for. What the—

My gaze flickered up, lost and confused, watching as the passengers in the seats across were staring at me with a weird look, trying to comprehend this as well.

"Passenger in seat 4A—"

"They mean me?" I murmured to myself, confusion etched on my face. Slowly, I stood, unsure of what was happening. Maybe I had dropped something or made some error?

I stepped out of my seat and into the narrow aisle, glancing back at my things still stowed in the overhead bin. As I made my way toward the exit, I came to a halt when I spotted a familiar face waiting just outside the door—Edward, Chase's friend and mentor.

His eyes met mine, and a small, knowing smile curled his lips.

"Walk down this corridor and then go right," he instructed smoothly, as if this was all perfectly normal.

I stared at him in bafflement, "But," I looked behind me at the plane, "My things are inside, and I need to—"

He nodded his head, "Yeah, I know, I am gonna try to delay the flight as much as I can, now come on, go ahead, we are losing precious time and I am risking losing my job," he said, his tone impatient.

A tight feeling gripped my throat, and I could see in his eyes that he understood more than he was letting on, "Come on," he encouraged again, tipping his captain's hat down with a wink.

I finally forced my legs to move, jogging down the corridor he had indicated. My heart pounded in my chest as I turned the corner, only to come crashing right into someone. A low gasp escaped me, but familiar hands quickly grasped my arms, steadying me. My gaze shot upward, and my breath caught when I met those deep blue eyes.

Relief washed over his face as he looked at me. "Thank god I caught you before you left," he breathed, a bit winded, like he had been running all the way to get here.

My brows knitted together in confusion, "What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely steady, "Weren't you supposed to be on a flight?"

He nodded, his breathing heavy, "I was, but I canceled it and came back. I—"

"Why?" I cut in, my eyes widening. This wasn't like him. Chase never bailed on a commitment, especially not his job.

His hands moved to cup my face, his thumbs brushing away the stray strands of hair. His eyes were intense, filled with a mix of urgency and vulnerability. "Because Lilly," he began softly, "You have to take this job."

The certainty in his words knocked the oxygen out of my lungs, "I know that you want to, you told me all about it way back when you applied, you were so excited, working day and night to prove yourself," He resumed, "I know that you want it and I had to think it through, that why would you decline it so easily like this," He said, lines tightening over his forehead, "And my brain must've beeb be so exhausted and sleep-deprived because I couldn't figure it out till today."

"You're not going because of me, aren't you," He whispered, guilt woven into his few words.

I swallowed hard, "Chase—" I mumbled, ready to refuse when he shook his head.

"But that's the thing, you don't have to," He added, silencing the voices in my head yet again, "Because if you want to go, then I am going with you," He said, ever so certain, not a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Tears rushed up to my eyes, "But, I can't," I mumbled, "I can't make you leave everyone behind, I can't make you start from zero with your job, I can't—"

"My everyone would be leaving, Lilly," He said, his voice tight with sincerity that ripped my heart into two and carved through my defenses, "You're my everyone."

My vision blurred as tears pooled in my eyes. "But your job?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

He shook his head, as if it were all so simple. "I'll have to take some tests, handle some paperwork," he said with a small smile, "I'll learn the basics of the language. I can do it anywhere, Lilly, as long as I'm with you, I can."

He must have sensed the hesitation still lingering in my eyes, the fear that I was asking too much of him. His hand moved to my cheek, his touch gentle, reassuring. "There's nothing to lose," he continued softly. "We'll go, and maybe we'll love it and decide to stay forever. Or maybe we won't. Maybe we'll miss home and come back. But whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Speechless, emotional, and on the edge of breaking into sobs, I stared at him with a vulnerable expression. He brushed the tear that trickled down my cheek, "Lilly, when I held you and you were bleeding in my arms, when I felt that I've lost you forever," Agony stretched between every word he spoke, it darkened the color of his eyes, "All I could think about was all the time that we lost, all the silly mistakes that we did that pushed us apart."

He gently traced a line beneath my eye, his touch feather-light, "When you opened your eyes again, I swore to never make those mistakes again."

He shook his head, "I am never leaving you again, I can't possibly do it," he said, "Without you, I am a wreck," My chest tightened and I wanted to say a hundred different thing, tell him how I felt the same but I couldn't, all I could was listen to him, "Without you, neither my job nor anything I have in here holds any meaning."

"My home is wherever you are," he said, his eyes softening, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "And if that's across the world, then that's where I'll be."

Tears fell through, taking with them every doubt, every hesitation, and every question I ever had before. Our love will withstand the battle of time. It will grow. It will expand. It will become more profound. I was so sure of that now.

Words failed me; there were no letters, no sentences that could capture what I felt. So, I stepped forward, lifting onto my tiptoes, and threw my arms around his neck, holding him close. He pulled me in without hesitation, his embrace strong and grounding, gathering my messy self so easily, calming the chaotic noises in my head. He was always that—the calm to my chaos, the anchor in my tumultuous sea.

He was my peace.

My home.

And god, I've been so far away from home, for far too long, it was enough.

When I edged backward, my lips twitched into a small silly smile and he wiped away at my tears, "I can't believe you did the whole running after me at the airport thing," I mumbled, addressing the cliché of the situation, "You know how much I hate that."

He chuckled lowly and nodded, "I had to ask for Edward's help too, and now I owe him one."

The world was melting away at this moment, to be honest, I couldn't care for anything, or for anyone but this—but him.

"Also," Chase said, edging back just a bit so he'd dip his hand in his pocket, his eyebrow raising teasingly, "How dare you leave without this," He added jokingly as he pulled out my blue ribbon.

A low chuckle parted my lips, "I always lose my ribbon," I mumbled.

He leaned forward, his hands going to my hair, and gently tying it around my hair, "It's okay," He whispered, his words hinting at more, much more, "Because I'll always find it."

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And finally the Last chapter is here xD
We will have an epilogue soon, with a time jump, so stay tuned!

I tried to add scenes for all the characters but there is just SO MANY characters, I couldn't cover them all. I'll try to add more scenes of the rest in the epilogue.

Also, anyone else shipping Nathan and Aylin so bad, because I am xD

Anyway, I hope you liked it. Don't forget to drop your opinions in the comments.

See ya soon :)