Summer's POV

It's been a week since our unforgettable date, I was still joyful about that day. Today we already planned to visit my late parents and visit Charli's parents after that.

We picked it today because Charli's parents just came back from their vacation. Thinking of visiting my late parents, the pain still lingers on my chest.

The grief was back when the first day I returned to here and visit them. I couldn't hold my tears when I stepped in front of their graves.

I would always think that if they didn't go out to attend their friends' son or daughter's wedding dinner that night, they would still be alive and witness I met the true love of my life.

And happily to watch us get married...  

"Are you alright?" my train of thought was cut off by my beloved's soothing voice. I smiled when I saw her hand was holding mine while she was still focusing on the road.

My parents might be glad she was the one for me, they loved her a lot... Who wouldn't? She was a lovely girl, but she never knew about it.

I gently squeezed her hand and said, "I'm good. Nothing would be bad whenever you're with me." I was telling her the truth because I always feel safe and happy with her company.

She tilted her head and looks like not really convinced by me, but she would never press me to tell her. She always made sure I was comfortable or be ready before sharing anything with her.

After she debated herself with her serious face, her face eventually softened. She smiled as she took my hand to peck on it and placed it back on my lap and said, "Okay, that's good."

She loosened her hand from mine and back to the sterling and said, "We almost there," 

She pulled up the car to the parking lot of the graveyard. We left her car and started walking to my parent's grave. I was holding a bouquet while Charli was holding Lotte's hand and followed behind me at the narrow path.

When we reached the row of my parent's graves, Charli stopped her pace and gently pushed Lotte for her to join me back. I started at Charli in questioning as she smiled at me, "I'll join later,"

I shook my head at her and said, "No, come with us."

"Okay," she said as she walked toward and join us.

"Hi, grandpa and grandma." Lotte greeted them innocently, this was her second time visit my parents. Sometimes, I had thought about her loneliness because I was her only family. 

I placed the flowers in my parent's grave, held Lotte's shoulder while she was standing in front of me, and Charli quietly stood next to me.

"Hi, mum. Hi, dad." When the words came out from me, I was getting vulnerable to speak. I tried to take a deep breath when I felt the knot was climbing up my throat.

I felt Charli's hand entwined mine as I exhaled softly and said, "This time I'm coming to share happiness with you. Charli and I are together as a couple, but I'm not sure you will accept this or not."

I sniffled softly as I felt Lotte tugged the sleeves of my clothes and I stared down at her. She stared at me sadly because she seldom saw me cried. I smiled at her and shook my head to reassure her.

I gently patted her head with a hand and she pursed her lips at me for asking me don't cry. I chuckled at her and gently squeezed her cheek and said softly, "I'm fine, baby girl."

"Okay," she mumbled as she buried her face on my belly and hugged me.

I caressed the back of her head and said to my parents, "Well, I remembered you always told me no matter who I met, as long as I'm happy, you will happy for me."

I raised my linked hand with Charli and said, "So, I'm proud to tell you that I found my love and I'm blissful now,"

Charli gently wiped off my tears with a tissue as I smiled and reassured her, and she returned a smile to me with her teary eyes.

"I believe both of you will be glad for me too because you love Charli too," I said.

"I love Mr. and Mr. Brightly too." Charli smiled and said, "Don't worry about us. I'll make sure Summer is always happy, and we will take good care with each other,"

I stared at Charli and smiled, "Yes, we will."

******

"Are you ready?" Charli asked.

"Yes, I'm," I said hesitantly.

She reassured me with squeezed my hand lightly "Don't worry, they won't be mad at you. They miss you a lot."

I sighed "But, I've been hurt you."

She shook her head with a frown, "That was the past, and you were protecting me." She corrected me and her face softened, "I didn't really tell them what has happened between us."

I looked at her in question "Can you" I used my hand and motioned "Elaborate?"

She chuckled "I just told them we remained as best friends because we had LDR and it didn't work for us."

I raised an eyebrow and stared at her in amused, "You're great in hiding huh. How many things have you hidden from me?"

She raised both of her hands and said, "The only thing I have been hidden from you already spilled out,"

I chuckled as teased her, "I'll be looking forward to other surprises from you then."

She smiled, "I have nothing much to hide from you since we're together now. I'm going to tell my parents everything about us."

She turned to open her car door as I held her upper arm to stop her. I asked in worry, "Do you think this will be fine for them after they know about everything? What if they over depressed?"

"We're family, we shouldn't hide anything from them anymore. They deserve to know that."

"Right." I sighed.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm" I smiled.

"Alright." She beamed.

We get off from Charli's car and Mr. and Mrs. Newton already stood at the porch waving at us. By the look of their expression, they would think Lotte and I were their new guests. Also, they couldn't see us clearly because we had a distance away from them.

Lotte already ran toward their side without waiting for us, I was surprised about this. She was fond of the Newton's family, wasn't she? 

"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Newton!" my baby girl greeted them loud and clear. The couple was distracted by her and started their conversation happily.

Charli held my hand and pulled me closer to her while we were walking toward them. When we reached right in front of them, Mr. and Mrs. Newton's expression was shocked and like saw a ghost.

"Jesus Christ!" Mr. Newton exclaimed as Mrs. Newton flew her hands to her mouth with furrowed her eyebrows. They pulled me into a group hug before I could say anything.

At this moment, I was overwhelmed by them because I felt like I have come back home. They always treated me as their daughter and I felt the love from them.

I sobbed and hiccupped horribly and I swear this was one of my ugly cries. We were into our embrace and pay no attention to the others. Charli and Lotte.    

I had never seen them in close to six years, they didn't change much. Except, their white hair slightly increased and a few new wrinkles grew on their face.

Charli resembles a lot like her mum, and I could picture that was how she looks when she aging. Besides, the hair and features, Charli had her dad's skin tone, eyes, and smile.

After we had spent close to an hour story tell to them, we had to spend another hour for them to lecture us. They were guilty that they didn't take good care of me and left me handled my hard time all alone because I was their daughter too.

I tried to explain to them I didn't want to give any trouble to any of them, but they didn't really get convinced about it.

I joked with them that let me claimed Charli and everything would be okay. And this became a good laugh for them. They said they gladly throw Charli out of their house to leave them alone, and this made Charli became a baby started bickering with them.

It was pretty fun to watch them like that.     

One and the half year after

"Happy birthday, Honey." I greeted her as I snuggled closer to her in our bed.

She yawned and said in her cute groggy voice "Thanks Love, good morning." I felt she pressed her lips on the top of my head. 

I couldn't wish her birthday every year because the date existed oddly which was the 29th of February. She told me she rather not celebrate if the year had no 29th of February.

This was the first time I could wish and celebrate with her after we had been separated. I wanted to give her a memorable birthday surprise at her coffee shop with our friends.   

There may have been a lot of happened during this one and the half year. We spent close to three months overcoming our nightmare, and now we were good.

I didn't been with Charli for close to 6 years, and I realize she had changed a little, but in a good way. She was no longer the shy and lonesome type of girl I knew.

She would make new friends, joined the outing, but not so much outing. Because she explained that she prefers to stay at home more than an outing.

On the other hand, she told me that I had changed too. I was well controlling my hot temper compare to I was younger, but she said I would still throw sarcasm notes to the people I dislike.

Well, serve their right because I would do that only if they were rude to me.   

I laughed to myself about the comment she had given me. I believe we changed because we grew older, and our perspective would be changing again when came to another stage of our lives.

"What's so funny?" I heard her giggled and caressed my head.

I lifted my head to face her and teased "I'm thinking of how silly you're."

She chuckled, "Are you missing me that much? I'm right here. You can just see me instead of thinking about me"

I rolled my eyes "Sometimes think is better than see in person."

She shook her head and asked, "Where's Lotte?"

I grinned, "Helen will take care of her and today is our date."

She grinned and asked excitedly, "Where are we going?"

"You will know later." I said and slapped her butt, "Come on, let's get ready birthday queen."

******

After we had our breakfast date and shopping, we finally reached her coffee shop. I frowned when I saw her coffee shop was as clean as usual without any birthday decoration. Also, none of them were around here yet.

Charli unlocking the door and laughed, "I closed it for all of us to have a break and you choose to come here today?"

I almost wanted to screw my traitors for not doing anything after they agreed to help me. Scratched that! They keep offering to help me but it turned out like this.

I silently took a deep breath to calm down and played it cool, "I just want to enjoy a quiet place with you, and your lovely handmade coffee."

She laughed louder this time, "Lame." She teased, "So this the surprise for me?" and soon her facial expression turned into horror when she saw my face. She gulped down and remained still perhaps my face was scary as hell.

I crossed my arms and asked, "Yea, is that a problem?"

Those traitors really drive me nuts! They ruined it! Be calm, Summer be calm.

I silently took a deep breath again and Charli held my hands and said, "Hey, I was joking. I will enjoy anything with you, Summer," she hummed, "Go to take a seat and I'll make the Cappucino for us, Alright?"

My temper was slightly cool down after she gave me her lovely smile. Before I could open my mouth she gave me that look 'Please let me do it for you,'

I made a long sighed and said, "Fine, I'll have a seat,"

She nodded her head at me and walked to the bar counter to brew the drinks for us. When I heard the voice of brewing coffee, I quickly found a corner to snap a picture, typed furiously, and sent it.

"Are you guys kidding me?!"

Then I saw Melissa, Helen, Nicholas were busy typing then the message slowly pop out one by one.

Melissa "Hey, I thought both of you agreed to do the decoration? 😱"
Helen "Shit! I forgot to tell you that we can't make it. 😳😳😳"
Nicholas "🤦🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️"

I replied the test "Okay, just bring the cake here instead. I swear I'll kick your asses if you guys forget again."

Melissa "Sorry, this time I'll remember 😘"
Helen "Okay, promise.👌"
Nicholas "Roger that!"

I rolled my eyes after I read the message, yet felt bad for them at the same time. By right, they should be our guests to participate in the birthday celebration instead to be my helping hand.

I understand they were babies mom and dad, and they were busy as hell with their jobs. Somehow I didn't get it. Why did they keep offering to help me in the first place?  

I was mad because I felt like I get a prank.

I shouldn't listen to them and I could make it well. I silently groaned as I walked back and forth and I was interrupted by Charli's voice, "Whoa! Watch out, love."

When I turned to her, my frustration vanished in a second. She was having her sweet smile and holding a tray of our hot drinks. I eventually smiled at her, "Hey,"

She tilted her head to indicate the seats and I slipped in the seat. She carefully served the drinks on the table, I grinned when I saw the lava of Cappucino was the drawing of me.

"Luckily I didn't ruin it yet," she said as I quickly took my phone and snapped a picture of my drink before took a sip and moaned, "I feel so much better after a sip of my lovely drink made from my honey."

"I'm glad," she said as she folded her arms on the table and watched me continue my drink.

After a moment of her watching me drinking, she looks something pop up in her head. She grinned, "What about we sing along like we always did before?"

I knew she was trying to lighten up my mood, I nodded my head and said, "Sure, but we don't have music."

She beamed, "I have a guitar in my office, I usually play in there whenever I want to." She stood up and said excitedly, "I'll be right back." She jogged, more like ran to her office and I chuckled at her giddiness.

I remembered she always asked me to sing with her when it was her birthday or my birthday. My birthday was after a month from her and same date 29th, and we prefer to celebrate our birthday together. If she could celebrate her birthday, I would skip mine. 

I grinned when I heard the strumming of the guitar played by her. She loves to play this song whenever we celebrate our birthday.    

"If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see
I'll be the light to guide you
We'll find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need"

I was overwhelmed with this song sung by her, it brought a lot of memories about us. Her soothing voice was getting nearer and followed by her gorgeous smiley face and her hand strumming her guitar skillfully.

I was distracted by her and couldn't sing along with her this time. She sat across me and staring at me while she was singing at me.  

"If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Everyday I will remind you, oh
We'll find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need"

I saw Melissa was cradling her baby girl, walked along with her husband towards me, and handed a red rose to me. I looked at them in confuse and Melissa shrugged lightly with a grin and stood aside.

Then Douglas hold his girlfriend's hand and did the same as Melissa handed a rose to me but is orange this time.

Followed by Autumn with her boyfriend handed the yellow to me, Nicolas and Helen gave me the green.

When Sally and Andy appeared I was shocked and pulled Sally into a hug, we pulled away and she handed me the blue one.

"You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye
You, you can count on me like one, two, three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four, three, two
And you'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
You can count on me 'cause I can count on you"

When the song ended, I gasped in surprise when I saw the cake served on our table by Autumn which was not what I had ordered.

Charli stood up and placed her guitar on the chair, stretched her hand to be ready for Lotte to hold her hand, and walked toward me hand in hand.

She knelt one knee down as Lotte gave me the indigo rose and Charli did the same. Charli's hands were shaking when she dug a hand into her jeans as all of us laughed at her nervousness.

She finally took out the red velvet box, opened it which flash a thin silver band with a diamond on it. Her blue eyes were gazing my longingly and she chuckled nervously, "Erm, to be honest, I'm not good in words."

Everyone started laughing and I snorted and teased "Then why do you want to do this for me. You can leave that to me."

She smiled, "Because I want to make this a memorable day for us to be ready for the new chapter of our lives."

She wrapped an arm around Lotte's waist as Lotte snaked an arm around Charli's neck, and both of them look cute.

Charli continue said, "I believe life will never be perfect, but you let me know that life is beautiful whenever you're with me. The same goes for the rainbow, it will only appear after the rain. I never stop loving you since the first day I fall to you. Thank you for accepting and loving me. And now, I want you to know nothing could tear us apart anymore. I will never let you go no matter how. I'm blessed we are best friends, lovers, soulmates, and soon we will be a family. Will you and lotte welcome me to be a member of your family?"

I wiped off my tears and teased again "You already taken Lotte's and my hearts away."

"Yes, I want!" Lotte yelled excitedly.

Charli chuckled, "I'll take it as a yes." She licked her lips and said, "One more question,"

Her hands were shaking and I couldn't hold my laugh anymore. She tried to compose her nervousness before she spoke, and this was the best to hear from her in my life.

"Summer Brightly, will you marry me?"

The whistle and cheer erupted the empty coffee house. I stretched out my left hand for her and nodded my head eagerly with my crack voice "You don't have to ask twice. I have been waiting for a year after you're with me."

Charli's smile grew wider as Helen pulled Lotte away and mumbled "Okay, let your mama and mum have a little fun time." with that she used her hand to close Lotte's eyes make everyone laughed again.

Lotte whined, "I want to see!"

Charli gingerly slipped the ring on my finger, and I quickly pulled her on her feet. I pressed my lips on hers with our hands cupping each other faces, she smiled in between our lips and returned the kiss.

We pulled away as our hands remained cradled each other faces, I said softly, "Yes I do, Charli Newton."

Charli gently wiped off my tears with her thumbs and she smiled lovingly at me, "I love you, Summer brightly." She planted a soft kiss on my lips and embraced me.

The cake was written with 'Will you marry me' instead of 'Happy Birthday'. All the traitors and Chali were sneaky, and she did a great surprise to me.

The traitors complained that their heads were gonna exploded from our group chat messages. They worried they would spill out the plan, and they decided to team up with Charli instead of me, including Sally.

Sally keep telling me that she knew why I was so into Charli. She said Charli was a gem for me, and she was happy for us.

We had a small celebration at Charli's coffee shop with wines and the foods they have bought. 

******

While on the way back to our home, Charli and Lotte keep bickering about calling her about mama or daddy. I was totally speechless about the two kids in the backseat.

Charli was already drunk after too much wine. Everyone voted her to drink and not allowed me for helping, and they attacked the wrong person because Charli was lightheaded.

She usually didn't drink much when she hang out with us because she knew that she would get drunk easily.

However, tonight was an exception. Everyone agreed to let her drunk and I was glad to agree with them. Her reaction was epic when everyone pointed at her.

Charli plopped on the couch with her facing down like a sack of potatoes. I knew I might have a lot to take care of the drunk girl, but that didn't bother me at all.

I left her alone, and quickly help Lotte shower, and tugged her into bed. I laughed when I back to the living room. Charli looks so wasted and remained the same positing on the couch.

I sat next to her and gently nudged her, "Hey, wake up sleepy head. Don't you ever think of sleeping here and leave me in our room alone,"

She slurred, "I can't move. My body is heavy. I know you hate I sleep on the bed without a shower. But, I'm too tired to shower. I know I love you, but I can't sleep on your bed tonight." She burped "Sorry."

I chuckled at her babbling as I turned her over to face me. She used an arm to shield her eyes because of the brightness.  

Her lips formed into a small smile, "Do you like the surprise, love"

I pulled her arm away because I wanted to see her adorable face, but she frowns a little and I swiftly dimmed the light.

Her face softens and giggled, "I am so happy when you're happy, Summer" She loves to call my name instead of pet name.

I pecked her lips because of her cuteness, "Come on, let's get a shower then we can sleep,"

She nodded her head and said, "Okay, goodnight, love."

I complained, "You have to shower before you sleep,"

She nodded her head again, "I said okay."

I saw something was dug into her jeans pocket and I took it out, it was a folded paper. I laughed after I unfolded the paper.

She laughed and asked, "What's so funny, Summer?"

"I never know my Charli is so cheesy," I laughed louder.

"Why?"

I waved the paper at her as her eyes widened and look like sober in a split second. She whined, "Don't read it! That's so embarrassing! I planned to say it just now but I decided to take it back."    

She tried to snatch the paper away from me and I already pushed her back on the couch and pressed her as she whined, "Don't read it, please. I'm thinking to burnt after I awake."

I laughed at her because she was still drunk and I said, "It's too late, I'll frame it instead." I quickly kept it into my purse as I stood up and tried to pull her on her feet "Get your ass up. We get a shower and go to bed."

She only mumbled "Okay." with that she pulled me to cause me fell onto her body as she heaved "Ooofff! You're heavy! But I like it." she wrapped her arms around my torso and mumbled, "We can sleep at here instead."

I smiled as I didn't against her again because she was too drunk right now. I pecked her lips, "Goonight Charli" I rest my head at the crook of her neck to snuggle closer as she tightened her embrace and said, "Goodnight Summer."

A/N: These are the little words have written from Charli to Summer.

When our eyes lock,
My heartbeat
skips a beat.

Your gaze seize mine,
I take a little moment
to mesmerize them.

They're
telling me your story.

I'm glad,
You're not sharing
your fairytales.

I'm glad,
We're sharing
our true stories.

We'll explore
our sequel together
for the rest of our life.

We define
our perfect story
by our happiness.

~The end~

A/N: Finally I have completed this story. I'm glad. I have been waiting for quite some time only have my little time to complete this. This chapter seriously running in my mind from my last stop till now.

This chapter is a little long in ass. Everyone who read up to here, thank you so much for reading.

Stay tuned for the Epilogue!