It wasn’t easy to explain things, but Liam and I decided that it was enough of pretence, so we were going to be honest with everyone. We started with Simon.

“We want to stay together,” we told him and he blinked at us in confusion. After that we had to explain how we ended up falling for each other and we didn’t need or want any contract, we wanted to be together for real. He showed some resistance, saying that it wasn’t wise for his career but Liam didn’t give in. He told him the same he said to me that day he showed up in my home. Simon agreed, knowing no matter what he couldn’t control his employee’s heart and accepting that no matter what, I tend to improve Liam’s image so that’s a plus. He still warned us to be discreet and told me that if something came up with paparazzi or fans, I could come to them, especially Havi, to help me solve it.

Then it was my dad. He couldn’t understand how I fell for him, how a job turned into something else. “I love him, Dad,” I told him and that soothed his heart because no matter what, he wants me to be happy with whomever I choose, and I’ve chosen Liam. Liam also apologised to him, finally. “I’m so sorry for the way we met and for how you saw me. Belle helped me to get my feet on the ground again. I promise I’ll love her and look after her,” he told my father and he looked at him coldly. “As long as you keep that promise, we’ll be okay.” To be honest, I think my father liked him more when he thought neither Liam nor I had real feelings for each other.

Then it was his family and I almost had a panic attack when we went to his hometown to meet them and explain the situation. “We’re so sorry,” we said. “It was my fault, Belle was just helping her father,” Liam explained. We kept holding hands the whole time and that didn’t go unnoticed by his family. “But you’re together for good now?” his mother asked and we both nodded. “Then I guess that’s what really matters, that something good came out of this lie. Don’t ever do something like that again, Liam Payne!” his mother scolded him, even pulling his ear and I had to cover my mouth to cover the surprised chuckles.

They are the people that really matter to us and to start over, we needed to do it properly and clean. As I told Liam and then he told everyone in his speech, love is just one ingredient. We need trust, understanding, patience and so many other things, so we are working on creating a solid foundation this time, without lies and deceptions. That’s how we are fighting for our own version of a happy ending. Whether you believe in them or not, you can’t expect they’ll just knock at your door. Life won’t throw you your prince charming and the happily ever after. Even if you love each other, that’s not enough. You have to work together, reach agreements, be honest and fight together to get that happy ending you want. It’s not the same for everyone, for some what might be a happy ending could be nothing but just a nice outcome for others. The important thing is that you go for what you want and do all that you can do to achieve that happy ending. Once you see part of it, you hold on to it and arm yourself with it, because the fight never ends. Even if you reach the happy ending, if you take it for granted it’ll fade away. Life without hard-work is just good luck, and good luck is not guaranteed.

I’m proud to say I’m working for my own happy ending, with Liam in my life. I’m happy with him. Even if we’re so different, we make it work. He gives in a tad bit for me, and I give in a tad bit for him. It’s a bit for me, then a bit for him. We try to keep it even and we understand each other. It wasn’t easy to reach this system that suits us, but we did and we can move forward now.

We still fight a lot. I get frustrated and so does he. We shout and walk away, but at some point we give in. We apologise and make up. It’s part of our system, to get angry when we don’t understand each other. We shout, we rant and once we get that out of our systems, we can really talk. Maybe it’s not the healthiest way, but it works for us. Just like that night the contract expired, we can’t really insult each other. We call each other many things, but we never insult the other with curse words. We know our limits and we don’t cross them, that shows we do have respect.

Love, respect, understanding… we are collecting the materials.

Today we’re side by side, waiting for Ariel to come out because it’s her album release party. She’s doing great and so far, everyone has loved her debut album, which means my father did it. He produced one of the best albums of the year—that’s what the critics are saying. He got back on his feet, he secured his job and he got Ariel out there.

When she joins us all the attention is on her and I know she’s struggling, so Liam and I go to see her and I hug her tighter when the crowd dissipates a bit. “You’re doing fine, Ari. Keep it up!” I cheer for her in her ear and she hugs me tighter.

“Thank you, Belle,” she replies pulling back. “And Liam,” she smiles at both of us. She’s a hopeless romantic and was so happy when I told her Liam and I decided to start dating for real this time. “By the way, I finished your song. It’ll be in the next album,” she winks at us and Liam chuckles.

“I can’t wait to hear it,” I tell her honesty and she smiles brightly.

“Your dad will get you a copy when it’s done. He loved it and then when I told him it was about you and Liam, he grumpily said ‘it could be better’. He’s still having problems accepting it, isn’t he?” I just nod. “Have fun, I’ll go talk to others. I must,” she pouts and I give her a last hug before she leaves. Harry is always around, but not too close so people won’t start gossiping.

Niall is also around, with Dallas, the girl he met. They’ve been dating for two months and even today Liam hasn’t told him about that time we ran into Ella. He says it’s better if he doesn’t know, he’s finally moving on. I respect his opinion.

Terry McCracken, the young adult writer, is also in the party as Ariel is already working on the song for the film, even if they are still having problems with the Tachibana Productions. Last thing I heard, Mr. Tachibana’s daughter will be taking over the company, as his health is still delicate. No one knew he had a daughter and people are wary of this young girl—I think she’s seventeen—taking over his job. I just hope it all works out because I really want Terry’s book to be made into a good production.

“Wanna come with me outside?” Liam asks me wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “Your dad keeps glaring daggers at me.”

I chuckle and nod, so we leave the party and go to enjoy the nice weather of a July night. We go to the gardens, which are really lovely. The night is a bit chilly but we can still see the moon and some stars and Liam gives me a back hug. For some reason, he really seems to like those, especially when I’m not wearing heels because his chin rests on the top of my head.

“Do you realise everything turned out for the best thanks to the contract?” he asks softly, rocking us slightly. “Your dad produced an amazing album. Seriously, I don’t think we can’t compete with Ariel and now she’ll be Syco’s biggest artist.”

“Second is not that bad,” I try to comfort him and we both chuckle because we know that doesn’t matter. And still, Ariel is part of the indie scene and One Direction is a pop band, growing fonder of rock lately. They aim different audiences, so they won’t have problems or collisions.

“You got yourself some very good friends,” he continues and I smile, thinking of Zayn,, Havi and Ariel. They are all so different, but they are all my friends. I would consider Zayn to be my best friend and I never thought I would have a best friend. I’ve become more tolerant and less arrogant myself, giving people a chance instead of just disregarding them because they are not at my intellectual level or share my same interests.

“Great friends indeed,” I agree and he hugs me tighter.

“But above all, you got a great boyfriend,” he finishes and I laugh out loud.

I turn in his arms until we’re face to face and then I wrap my arms around his neck. I smile at him warmly and amused. He’s smiling arrogantly but also light-heartedly. “I wouldn’t use that adjective,” I tease him. “But close.” He just laughs, putting our foreheads together and hugging me tighter.

“In your heart you know I’m great,” he insists and I shrug.

“You can’t prove that. I’m never saying it out loud,” I state stubbornly and he chuckles again.

“Silly Belle,” he whispers, the smile still on his lips. “I love you so much.”

I don’t have time to say it back because he just kisses me and then it doesn’t even matter whether I say it or not, he knows it. I just kiss him because we communicate even better without words, and right now, all my feelings are poured to this kiss, in the way I hold on to him and my reluctance to let him go. That screams ‘I love you too’ louder than I could ever shout and I think that for us that’s more than enough. We work like this. We like it like this.

The End

-:-:-

And BBB is finished! Thank you all for reading it and taking part of the process. I'm happy you seemed to like it so much. Now, are you gonna read the NEXT book in the series? "It's Just Ann" kicks off today, Sunday, 1st of March! Whop whop! I also start posting "Unseen", my other story in case you also wanna read that. Check them out on my profile!

Also... did you know I decided to make a 5th book in the series? Oh yeah, I did. I mentioned it on Twitter (@BelWatson) and it'll be based on Snow White. So the series won't be over for a while :D

Once again, thank you so much. I hope to see you all in the next book.

Bel, xx