Song: Follow You by Bring Me The Horizon

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-James-

My mom brought me a cup of tea and then proceeded to sit down across from me. She was still acting odd, but I knew why. I didn't want to tell Violet about their mini-affair. I'm not even sure you can call it that because it only happened one time...that I know of anyway. Yep, not a thought I needed.

"Tell me what's going on," I said softly.

She looked tired. Way too tired. "You already know, James."

"That doesn't make me feel better."

"I'm trying to move on. I just need time."

"You were already moved on and then he opened up old wounds." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I didn't want to be harsh with my mom, but she needed to hear it. "He's...he's not coming back."

"I know," She said quickly. "I knew life before him and I'll know life without him. I've known for three years. And this recent...encounter wasn't entirely his fault. It was mutual."

I wrinkled my nose. "I don't want to know the details."

That actually made her laugh. "You remind me so much of him." She saw my expression and then quickly added, "The good parts of him."

"I wouldn't do what he did," I told her. "I'm a better person than he is and I know that."

She smiled and nodded. "I know, but you have had your fair share of breaking hearts." She eyed me.

I let out a small laugh. "Unfortunately, I have. But I've also had my heart broken. I guess I deserved that."

She shook her head. "No one deserves to have their heart broken, but it's also important not to fear a broken heart. Life is too short to be afraid to give your heart to someone else, knowing they'd probably put it in a blender later."

I couldn't help but snort.

"Do you love Violet?" She asked suddenly and sat her mug down on the coffee table.

"A lot," I replied. "I'm not scared of breaking her heart, because I know it would never happen."

"Good," she said. "What about your heart?"

"It's hers," I said without hesitation. "I'd give it to her again if I could."

My mom smiled. "Treat her right, James. And she better treat you right too."

My cheeks burned. "We take care of each other, Mom, no worries about me getting a broken heart and definitely no worries about her getting a broken heart. At least not from me."

It didn't go beyond me that my mom changed the subject from my dad. She didn't want to talk about it and she was stealthy when it came to steering us away from the topic. "Maybe you guys can come over for dinner tonight. I'd love the company." She looked around the house that was once ours. "This house is too big and empty."

"Maybe you should've kept your apartment," I commented.

She shrugged. "I never could imagine living anywhere else and I still can't. This house is still home to me."

It was sad really. She's clinging on to a life she'll never get back and that caused my chest to ache. "It'll get easier," I said. "And I'll check with Violet about dinner tonight. If she can't make it, I'll come back."

"I tried getting ahold of Mere, but she rarely answers her phone anymore."

"Shocker," I muttered. "If I can get her to answer, I'll tell her to come over tonight, too."

* * *

I'm going to fast-forward a bit.

Two weeks.

I discovered who I was before I was worked into oblivion. With falling into a new routine, you have to get used to it. It took longer than I wanted it to, but I finally have everything on track. Even now I only see Violet a couple times a week. It wasn't enough, but we made use of the time wisely.

But I'm happy. It's weird actually saying it, but I'm happy with nothing lingering over my head. My mom's still working on her own, but she seems to be getting better. She works like she normally does and finds that running the company isn't as bad when her head's where it's supposed to be.

It was the end of the week, a Friday to be exact. My classes were canceled for the day. It was an unexpected small break and I planned to take full advantage of the situation.

So I drove to Violet's school.

I got out of my car and ventured up to the main office doors. The woman at the front desk was new, because she wasn't here when I went to school. "How can I help you, sir?" She asked sweetly.

"I need to pick up my sister." Yeah, try saying that with a straight face. "Family emergency."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What's your sister's name?"

I forced a sincere smile. "Violet Bowen."

She went to her computer first, I'm guessing to find out which class she was in before she called the teacher. She told the teacher on the other line that Violet's brother is here and there's a family emergency. I probably should've picked my tactics better because I don't want Violet to freak out.

"She's on her way," The lady told me.

I thanked her and backed against the wall to wait.

Five minutes later, Violet came rushing through the office doors, the fear melting from her eyes when she saw it was me. "Is it Mom?" She asked in a small voice.

I fought my smile and nodded. "Let's go."

We left and didn't burst out laughing until we made it into the car. "You're such an ass," She said and playfully pushed my shoulder. "I can't believe you told that lady I'm your sister."

I shrugged and pulled out of the school parking lot. "She believed it, too."

"Of course she did. But anyway, why are you kidnapping me from school? I had a test today."

"Well then you can thank me for saving you," I joked. "If I tell you I was missing you, would that be a good excuse?"

"Totally."

I laughed and freed a hand from the steering wheel to grab hers. "What do you want to do?"

"Honestly?" She asked.

"Anything," I answered and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Remember those eighteen hours?"

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, I remember them quite well. You had me mow your lawn."

She giggled. "Yes, and it was beautiful. But remember how I only got two of them, James? That means I still have sixteen hours."

"And what do you plan on doing with those sixteen hours, Violet?"

"Take me back to your apartment and we can plan it out."

I wasn't going to let the silky tone of her voice capture me, because last time that happened I ended up sweaty for all the wrong reasons. So I didn't say anything and drove us to my apartment. She dropped her bag on the floor and started to remove her jacket, dropping it on top of her bag.

She sauntered over to me and looked up with a hint of teasing in her eyes. "If you also remember, I said I'd make it up to you."

This was escalating quickly, but you didn't hear me complain.

Violet slipped a hand under the hem of my t-shirt. "But I need my sixteen hours before I can return the favor." She grinned up at me now.

"And what are you going to have me do for sixteen hours?" I questioned.

She took a step closer and her hand fluttered to my back. Her fingertips were cool against my skin. "Whatever I want, obviously."

When I think about the girl that stumbled into the conference room that day back in September and see the girl standing in front of me, it was hard to believe she's the same person. Violet has that innocence that's not exactly innocent. She has a way of getting what she wants with just a small pout on her lips. "Someone's spoiled," I teased.

"Only when it comes to you."

I started to think about the girl that laughed at my lame puns. The girl that jumped out into the rain to save a puppy. She was still here and she was standing in front of me. And I have her all to myself. It's probably sad to say that I'd do anything she asked me to do. I don't know why, but I knew I would. "Tell me what you want me to do."

Her hand fell away from my shirt and she snaked her arms around my waist. She hugged herself to my chest. "Hold me," She said. "Talk to me and kiss me."

I laughed and put a hand on the nape of her neck. "I think I can manage that."

And like that, the Violet I met came forward. Like I said, she knows how to get what she wants. I liked the sexy side of Violet that went after what she wanted and didn't stop until she got it. But then there was the innocent side I wanted to protect.

We walked to my room and we both climbed on the bed. She turned over on her side to face me and I brought her into my arms. Our bodies pressed together and she tilted her head back to look at me. "I love how you put up with my bullshit." She laughed and touched my cheek.

I smiled at her. "Who else is going to?"

She laughed again and leaned forward to capture my lips between her own. I kissed her back, my lips parting against hers, and I stole a quick taste. My arm around her waist tightened like I wouldn't be able to hold her close again. When the kiss fell apart, I lifted my head a little to kiss the very tip of her nose. I nudged my face against her temple and kissed the spot. "I love you," I whispered. It felt like I never told her enough.

Violet leveled my face with hers again. "I love you, James."

Our lips met again and I felt my heartbeat pick up.

When she pulled away this time, she trailed her fingers over my face, my jaw, and down the side of my neck. "How's your mom doing?"

"She's slowly getting over it," I replied. "My dad will be back in a couple of weeks for business and I'm hoping they won't be in the same room."

"I don't think that's going to happen," Violet said.

I had told Violet a while ago about what happened before my dad left and Violet wasn't as surprised as I expected. "I can hope. But even if they do end up in the same room, they won't be alone. Yeah, it's going to be awkward, really awkward. That has to be a plus, right?"

"Sort of," She muttered. "Does your dad know that you know?"

"No." I laughed. "Or at least I don't think he does..."

"Talk about awkward."

I had to laugh again. "My family is so messed up."

"Have you seen mine? We're named after colors."

I looked at her with raised brows. "Your family is unique, far from messed up. Well, except the whole situation with your dad sucked."

She nodded in agreement. "So does your dad situation."

"Look at that." I grinned. "We have something in common."

Violet laughed and leaned in towards me. "Shitty fathers. Who knew?"

I chuckled and removed my arm from her waist to place on her cheek. With my thumb, I brushed a strand of hair away. My thumb flittered over the top of her cheek and under her glasses. "When you walked into the conference room, did you have any idea I'd fall in love with you?"

Her lips curved. "I could ask you the same question."

"No," I answered. "But I did know you were going to be someone to me. It just turned out better than I expected."

"Isn't falling in love with your employee not allowed?" She joked.

"I fell in love with you after," I said. "But what we did before wasn't allowed."

Violet still smiled. "I'm glad you waited to fall in love with me after then. I think I was better at hiding my feelings though."

"Seriously?"

She nodded. "If I remember, the first day back at the office, you dragged me into a supply closet and kissed me. I would've at least waited until we were in the car to kiss you."

I started laughing again. "Okay, fine, but in my defense I tried and then I saw you. There's a little voice inside my brain telling me to kiss you every chance I get."

"You're wasting a perfectly good one now," She said softly.

I didn't waste another second and pressed my lips to hers. Kissing Violet will never get old. "You also laughed at my lame jokes," I murmured against her lips.

"I'm a sucker for lame jokes." She pecked my lips. "And clearly a sucker for my boss at the time."

"What about now?"

"You're not my boss."

"Still a sucker though?" That should not have sounded so dirty, but my mind was warped.

"For you? Yes."

I brought her lips back to mine for another moment and then pressed my forehead against hers. She played with the hair on the nape of my neck and I sighed. My eyes squeezed shut and I took a deep breath. Violet surrounded me. Everything about her surrounded me.

"Where's Chaos?" She asked suddenly.

"Probably causing chaos somewhere."

She laughed and moved out of my arms. The second she called for him, he came running into the room and he jumped on the bed to greet her.

"I kept him because of you," I said to her.

Violet glanced at me and smiled. "I know. I was hoping you would."

She probably knew before I did. "I'm glad I did."

"I am too. He's perfect."

"Almost."

"You have a point. If he stopped making messes, then he'd be the perfect puppy."

It's hard to believe the dog I have now was a small puppy that could fit in Violet's arms. "Nah, I think even with the messes he's still perfect. He definitely lives up to his name."

She nodded. "True. I'm glad I saved him. We saved him."

"We did." I reached over to him and pet the side of his face.

When I looked at Chaos, I'd always think of Violet and it made me love them both that much more.

"I meant to ask," she started, "how did lunch with Gray go last week? He wouldn't talk to me about it."

"It went fine," I answered. "We talked, he threatened me if I hurt you, and then we laughed like old friends. Seriously, Vi, you have nothing to worry about. At least he didn't punch me."

"He would if he knew we've been...together, together." Violet shrugged. "He has this idea in his head that I shouldn't...until I'm married. I guess that's understandable, but I'm not looking to get married at eighteen. I remember when I was little, maybe eight and Gray was ten. He told me he wanted me to get married, have a house, a kid, and a dog, but he'd have to approve of my husband first." She laughed lightly. "I thought it was stupid then. Still kind of do because I'm not ready for that."

"Are you afraid I would marry you?"

"No." She looked at me. "I'd be afraid if you didn't want to, but like I said, I can't see myself getting married until I'm in my mid-twenties. A lot can happen in a few years, James."

"You don't sound so hopeful that we'll be together." The way she made it sound was that we wouldn't be together in a few years. Did I want to marry Violet? I don't know. We haven't been together that long, but it was hard to picture her marrying someone else in a few years.

"I can't see myself with anyone else," She said. "I didn't mean that it wouldn't be you in a few years. I'm just saying things change whether we want them to or not. Do you want a family, James?"

I nodded without hesitation. "Of course. I've always pictured a little boy. Dark hair and blue eyes like me. A smile like his mother's..." I paused for a second. "Twins run on my mom's side of the family. So maybe I'd get lucky."

Her brows rose. "You want twins?"

"I think so," I said quietly. And I hope it's you, Violet.

She smiled. "If they're your twins, they'll be gorgeous no matter what."

I felt myself blush. It bothered me the way she talked about my life like she wouldn't be in it. Like she said, a lot can happen in a few years. "I like the idea of having a large family," I admitted. "Nothing like the one I grew up with. Like a house in the middle of nowhere, there's no sounds of the city, a large backyard so the kids can play whenever, and..." I trailed off. "I won't be like my dad."

"You're nothing like that," Violet whispered.

"It's just a small fear." I pushed a smile.

When she looked at Chaos, I let my smile fall.

"Family is important," Violet said. "Living a life without a family...I can't imagine. I'd be lost without my mom. I don't want to start a family that could potentially break. No kid needs to go through that."

A string on my heart snapped. If we're together in a few years, I'll give her that family. I didn't like the thought of someone else having a family with her. A selfish thought, obviously. But I love her so much and I wanted to give her the world.

"I need to get through college first," She added.

I lifted my gaze to meet her eyes. "Where do you plan on going?"

"Not sure yet." She sighed. "Something local. I don't want to be too far from my mom, my brothers, and you."

"I'm sure my mom would be upset if you left," I teased.

Violet laughed. "I couldn't do that to your mom." Chaos moved off the bed and Violet sat up on her knees beside me. "And I couldn't do that to you."

I flipped on my back and took her hand to pull her close. She straddled my lap and leaned down against my chest. Her lips met mine smoothly and then she bit down on my bottom lip to get a moan from me. My hand moved and settled on her lower back. Swiftly, I moved my hand further down and slipped under the hem of her shirt.

Violet teased my lips before kissing down my jaw, my chin, and down the center of my throat. She bit down on the sensitive skin on the side of my neck and it made me clench my jaw. It was difficult not to be the one in charge even if I was enjoying it. I gripped her hips as she descended down my clothed chest. She pushed the hem of my shirt up and I sat up long enough to take it off. Violet smiled viciously and dove slowly towards my chest. One of her hands curled against my side, her nails sinking into my skin. I groaned after keeping it held in.

I grasped her face and brought her lips back up to mine. When she was least expecting it, I flipped her onto her back and attacked her neck. "I think I'm going to like this," I breathed against her neck, kissing her there before making my way down.

I felt and heard her laugh. "You don't hear me complaining—" She gasped when I bit down on the junction between her neck and shoulder.

I smiled to myself and continued my journey to the bottom of Violet's shirt. With quick ease, I removed it and threw it to the side. My mouth collapsed on her chest, working down the center to her stomach. I nipped at her skin until I made it to her hips. She made a small noise that signaled approval.

Eventually, I made it back up to Violet's lips. She wrapped her legs around me and her fingers slipped into my hair.

I liked her idea of spending the sixteen hours.

* * *

Life can be funny sometimes.

You love and you lose. You forgive, but never forget. What happens in your life makes you stronger and the person you are today. For me, I'm stronger because I realized how crazy I had been and how horrible my dad was. It was because of what my dad did that made me who I am today.

A better person than the person I was in high school. A guarded heart, an asshole attitude, and the fear of becoming my dad. I don't know why I let that fear take over my life. Maybe I was afraid it was hereditary, I don't know. But I know now that I'll never be like him.

I'll love Violet on my terms and the way she deserves.

I know she loves me too.

She tells me everyday.

Every time she says it, it's like getting the breath knocked out of me because it hard to believe someone loves me for who I am now. I'm still figuring out a way for myself, but I know I'm on the right path. My mom is there and Violet is too.

Violet has become one of my biggest supporters.

She deals with my phone calls at two in the morning when I can't sleep sometimes and she'll hold me when I need her to. It's just reassuring to know that someone is there and they don't plan on leaving.

I always return the love.

Violet told me she still has nightmares about before her dad left. I had no idea. She called me crying and I was out of the apartment before she could hang up. It's things like this...things like her trusting me with parts of her past. I'd never judge. One thing I knew how to do was console her, wipe away her tears, and tell her everything's going to be okay. It wasn't a robotic movement like it was something I had to do and I didn't mean it.

I'll be there for Violet while she heals.

She'll be there for me too.

It was a couple of days ago. I met her at a small coffee shop by my school for a quick breakfast. She was picking at her muffin while she talked to me. We talked about anything and everything.

I found myself staring longer than I should've and I watched blush creep up Violet's cheeks. She was still talking after she noticed I was staring. She was talking about Mark and her mom, how her mom was so happy. Then she started talking about a book she just finished and her eyes lit up.

I already knew I was in love with her.

But it was so small. Just watching her made me fall in love with her that much more. She's beautiful, delicate...awkward.

Outside of the coffee shop, she stood on her toes and I had to lean down to kiss her. She left the words I love you on my lips.

That day was when I realized how much I wanted her to stay in my life. Together, not apart. I liked the idea of coming home to Violet or the other way around, depending on who made it first. The thought of seeing her when I wake up and the last face I see before I slept was overwhelming.

I kept my heart guarded too long.

If Violet would still have me in a few years, I could see myself proposing, buying her a house after we're married, and then a couple years down the road, talk about having kids. I didn't want to be selfish with Violet's feelings and neither with my own. What I wanted was for her to have happiness. If it were with me, I'd do anything to keep her happy.

My life turned around for the better.

And I plan to keep it that way.

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I can't believe this is the last chapter. :( This story was so fun to write. And I know a few people asked about Meredith and I added her into the epilogue because I liked the way I ended it here. The epilogue is already finished so I'll post it tomorrow (while crying probably)

Please vote and comment? Let me know your thoughts on the last chapter! :)