Enjoy!🤍

"We loved with a love that was more than love." - Edgar Allen Poe

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Chapter 96
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After cleaning the mess Pyper left behind, I kissed, then placed her back in the cage. I didn't want any chance of her ripping into any other plant while I was gone.

Raven, Jax, and Maggie were all coming over for Christmas break. We were going to have dinner as a 'family', as Jax put it, open presents, go and see the Christmas lights that were in town, then come back here and drink until we couldn't any longer.

For the past week, I'd been preparing for their arrival. I hadn't seen them in person for months, and even though I made friends here, it wasn't the same.

I sprung up from my spot at the knock at my door. With a grin, I sprinted from my room, and to them.

As soon as I unlocked it, my excitement spilled right over the brink at the sight of them. They were here.

All three were standing there, their grins as wide as could be. Mine fell in confusion once I spotted who was right behind them. I knew that Luke and Levi were coming for Kade, but what I caught was what left me so confused.

Lukes' eyes followed Maggie's as he bumped into her shoulder, a sly grin crossing his lips. She turned to glare daggers into his very existence, but her cheeks began to redden nonetheless.

To make her final point, she slammed the heel of her boot into his foot but Luke missed it with a scowl. I noticed him kick at her ankle in order to trip her but Maggie got ahead, her fists balling as she spun on him and opened her mouth, probably to spew the most darkest words known to man. But before she could, Jax covered her mouth and hauled her away from Luke, holding his laughter in.

But there was this thing. I had never, ever seen Maggie Norris blush before. Actually, I didn't even think it was possible. The rest didn't catch it, but I did.

Luke Vaudest had made my best friend do the impossible. Interesting. I bit back a smile at the thought of them, even past the bit of wariness. They were both individually insane and...violent, but maybe they could strike the others match without burning. I wanted to see the spark grow.

"Oh my god!" Raven shouted so loud, it rattled in my ears. I grinned anyway, but before I could step back from the doorframe, all three were gathering me in their arms.

I hugged them back as tightly as I could. Their presence was missed more than they knew.

"I missed you so much," Jax expressed, tightening his grip. "Me too," Raven added. "Me freaking three," Maggie confirmed.

All three of us held on until my arms began to ache.
When I pulled away, I laughed once I saw Raven and Jax wiping each other's tears from their faces.

I felt my own begin to well as I glanced between the three. "I can't believe you're all here. It's been so long." Before I could get a response, someone else was grasping me with a tight so hold, I had no other choice but to return the hug.

"Kimberly!" Levi pulled away, his kind eyes roaming over my face. "I haven't seen you in forever."

I chuckled in return, nodding. "I know. I've missed you too, don't worry."

Over his shoulder, I glanced over at Luke, who was propped against the back of my sofa. I tried a smile. "Hey to you, too."

"What's up." He tipped his head, a thin press of the lips given as his smile. "Cool as shit to see you aren't dead." He nodded at me oncemore, but that was it.

I chuckled. "You too."

Raven pulled herself together long enough to step up. "Okay." She shooed both men away. "Get out, she's ours."

I laughed as Levi began to protest, mostly wanting to stay with Raven more than any of us. Luke lifted himself from my sofa, following along before pausing.

It was a quick notion, but before Raven shut the door, he threw a sly shot of a wink Maggie's way. She threw up a middle finger in return, grumbled a curse, then turned to her brother.

Okay, then.

I remembered when she told me that they slept together a year ago, and I was right that time and this one. I was pretty sure there was something else going on. Or maybe they were pretending to hate even harder than ever, after what they did the night of the party.

Nonetheless, I thought the two were a matching set. Both were moody, sarcastic, foul-mouthed assholes, so I liked the idea if it was what I assumed.

But Maggie had mentioned dating some guy in town called Xander, but that was pretty much it. I thought they were solely just friends with benefits but Maggie seemed real interested in him. All I heard about him was that he was a good kisser and real sweet though. But that was all I expected to hear, because Maggie was secretive in certain aspects. She wouldn't tell you unless she wanted you to know, and you just had to respect that. I did, and I would continue to do so.

I wasn't one to talk, though. After the night in the shower with Kade a month ago, things were different. We were only physical.

I knew he wanted more. I could see it in his eyes, and hear it in his voice every single time we were around one another, but when I told him that I needed time, he said that he would accept anything I gave him. Even though I wanted to take the final leap, it was hard.

I loved him with my entire being, that was a fact. That small fear had diminished into a speck, but it remained just as it had before. I didn't know how to get rid of it, or if I even could at all.

Every time we slept together, I tried to tell myself that it would be the last time, but it didn't happen. It couldn't. The guilt grew each time since I knew that this could all possibly be nothing. I didn't want to string Kade along, but he never asked for more than what I offered myself. He accepted my wishes, and treated it as if it were the best thing he'd ever been given.

"I love the way you decorated," Raven complimented with a smile, glancing around the apartment. "It looks even better in person." Jax and Maggie nodded in agreement.

"Thank you. Kade did most of the work though. He arranged all of it." I chuckled at the memory.

Three sets of eyes fell on me with curiosity. I waited until a couple of weeks ago to tell them about Kade being my neighbor. Raven, specifically, was the most pissed that I hid it, but it didn't last long. I reassured that there was nothing going on between us, and that was true. At the time.

I expected Maggie to be just as angry, but she hadn't been. All she had to say was that she wanted me to be happy, no matter what route I chose. Jax was only curious if I slept with him.

"How's that been going?" Jax cut through the silence, eyeing me. I didn't like the way he was looking at me, as if he knew something that I didn't want him to know.

I moved away from his accusing eyes. Swallowing past the thick lump in my throat, I nodded. "It's been good. I think he's getting tired of it all, honestly."

I glanced to Raven, who was examining me over a little too closely. I glazed my expression over until she backed off.

Maggie stared at me for a beat too long, her eyes narrowed. She wasn't too different from either of them, but was less obvious about it. Finally, she cleared her throat and crossed her arms, attention falling to the small tree I set up.

"Not to sound like a bitch," she started, shrugging. "But, I want to open my presents. Let's save all this mushy shit for later."

I laughed, silently thanking her for the change. After shutting my door, I led them over to the tree.

We all began to exchange presents, and by the way their expressions lit up, I knew I'd done perfectly. From the salary I was making now, I made sure to show my appreciation in their gifts.

I didn't know if I were overstepping our silent boundaries, but I bought Kade a couple of gifts as well. When I came to his apartment, he had my favorite breakfast foods, hot cocoa, as well as a gingerbread house to make together. We ate and worked together on it, then opened presents. He matched mine spectacularly, then we exchanged that and more earlier this morning.

Even though he usually went to Grandma Jacky's for Christmas, he didn't this year. I figured it was because of me. I told him that it was okay to go, but he insisted on staying here. Since I didn't want him to be alone on Christmas, I forced him to invite Luke and Levi here.

All four of us began to catch up while prepping the food. It would be a couple of hours before it finishes, but by the time it's ready, it should be time to leave for the Christmas lights.

Jax paused at the oven, his head jerking to the picture I hung of Wren and I from weeks ago. She talked me into shopping for a tree, which had turned out to be really fun, just like the rest of our hangouts. Even though Adrian told the group of that night at dinner, Wren and I still made good friends.

Raven followed Jax's attention on the picture. She placed her block of cheese down, turning to me with a scowl. "You're already replacing us, huh? After all we've been through?"

I laughed, watching the potato skin tumble down into the container. "Never. Her name is Wren and I met her at freshmen orientation. I wish she wouldn't have left town so early, you guys would have loved her."

Jax frowned, mimicking a saddened expression, despite the buckets of humor behind his eyes. "It's never a good feeling to be the other woman."

I chuckled with an eye roll, turning back around to finish off my potatoes.

In the corner of my eye, I caught him throwing a piece of cubed cheese at Maggie, who tossed one right back at his forehead. The two went for each other, entirely forgetting their tasks before Raven went to break it up.

My heart ached with awe as I watched over it all. These past few months were so strange without the bickering, without all three of their laughs, and group hugs. I missed them, and everything that involved them.

Raven left to my bathroom with Maggie to clean up. I watched Maggie drag her brothers' very existence through the mud until she disappeared, leaving Jax and I on our own.

I returned to the potatoes, but my grip on the peeler loosened a moment later. Jax's gaze was burning holes the side of my head, that was undeniable.

I turned to him with raised eyebrows. Something was definitely on his chest that he planned on getting off.

"We're alone, now," he stated, setting his bowl down then walking to my sink to wash his hands. I did the same, following him to the chairs.

Once we were seated, he tucked his arms over his chest, glaring at me. "Now stop bullshitting, and tell me everything that's happened between the both of you. Lay it all out, right here, right now."

My lips parted in surprise, but I couldn't be too shocked. Jax was the one who could read right through people with a single glance.

But, there was no point in even trying to hide it. I desperately needed to get everything off of my chest to something, and someone that wasn't my four bedroom walls.

I released a heavy sigh, toying with the silver spoon in front of me. "Honestly...I don't even know where to start." There was so much to tell, I wasn't even sure if I could.

Gently, he bumped his knee into my own. "Then, start from the beginning. I'm all ears."

I did, incredibly fast since Raven and Maggie could be back any moment, now. By the time I reached the present situation, I was nearly out of breath.

"And, I don't know what to do," I finished with a sigh. "I know that I've forgiven him. I know it. He's done everything right, but I'm scared, Jax. What if..." I paused, sinking my teeth into my lip as I shook my head. "What if it's all a play? What if he just leaves all over again? I'm right back where I started."

Jax nibbled on the inside of his cheek, eyebrows knitted into a frown as he absorbed the information. He sat quiet for so long, I was afraid he didn't hear me. Just as my doubts rose, he looked up to me.

His hand fell to top mine off, squeezing. "I'm giving you my honest opinion."

I nodded, using my free hand to prop my head up on. "Let me have it."

"You need to stop holding yourself back," he started. "You love him, I knew it from the moment you told us he moved in beside you."

He squeezed my hand, again. "Yes, he fucked up and yes, his reasoning did make sense, and regardless, he did hurt you. But, he understood that. He apologized and owned up to it, and he tried, and is still trying to fix it. Most men wouldn't even apologize. This damn man moved half way across the country, left everyone and everything he knew, and chased after you every single day for nearly a year now. And, he's willing to keep doing it because he loves you." His green eyes roamed over my face for close examination of attention. A sigh rocked his body. "Honey, if you've managed to forgive him, then it's for a reason."

I matched his movements as he scooted closer. He brought our joint hands to his lap, resting them there. 

"You know I love you. You know that I consider you a sister, and that nothing in this world changes that. You know that I'm honest, and always will be for yours, and everyone else's good," he added, offering a small smile. "So, I'm gonna do it, now."

I waited, only passing a single side glance to my bedroom in search for Maggie and Raven. When I caught no sight of them, I lowered my gaze to Jax, nodding at him to continue.

He nodded in return, following it up with a sigh.  Hesitation hung throughout his expression, but the honesty overpowered it. "Quit stringing him along, Kimberly," he said. "If you have ever had an ounce of respect for that man, then quit it. I know that you're scared, and I know that he accepted your proposition to only be physical, but personally, I know that if someone asked that of me, I would rather them just tell me to leave than that. I know it sounds hard, but you need to make a choice. You either tell him to leave, or you tell him to stay. But, stringing him along, getting his hopes up, and toying with that same hope, especially after everything he's proved, is wrong. I know you don't mean any harm, but I'm just trying to help you out with the truth."

I knew he was right. It was one of the factors that left me so conflicted. Whenever we slept together, that guilt only built. I knew how I would feel if the roles were reversed, especially with all of the effort Kade had put in to prove himself to me. Realistically, I knew that I couldn't and shouldn't continue to hold off on the inevitable by passing it off as a physical connection. It was much more than that when it came to him, and I knew that I shouldn't have both him and myself believe that it wasn't.

Jax smiled at me. "And, as for that fear," he added, his expression softening over. "If he leaves again, you're going to get your ass up, again and you're going to keep going on with your life. That's all you can do. That's what you did do."

His hand fell from mine, instead raising to cup my face. I offered a sample of a smile in return. "But, until then, you deserve to do what you want. Fuck the fear, fuck it all. You won't know until you do it, and if you never do it, you won't know. He's proven that he's sorry, that he cares and regrets what he said that day. You have to account for everything he's done for you these past few months, too. Everything that he plans to continue doing without question. He didn't just do it because he was bored, or just wanted a chase, Kimberly. That sexy ass son of a bitch loves you, honey."

He leaned back into his chair. "And, love is one scary son of a bitch, but you have to jump off of that ledge. You can't walk sometimes. Run and take the chance, or you'll miss it."

My vision was blurry with tears by the end of his speech. Every word trailed on around the doubt I had, and even though I was still absorbing it all, I understood what Jax was saying in a way that I hadn't wanted to understand before. His raw honesty were all of the things I had suppressed inside of me all along.

Jax offered a smile, pulling me in. I released a tearful sigh into his neck. "Thank you, Jax."

He nodded, squeezing me by the shoulders. "Don't thank me. Go and get that motherfucker, or I will."

His hand rubbed at my back. "Let me tell you something else, though," he added, the humor in his tone evident. "You're a strong ass bitch, because I swear, I would have been in his bed 0.5 seconds after he pulled up with a set of keys and a new car for me. But, don't take my word for shit; I'm a gold-digger."

Rounds of laughter slipped from me at that. I squeezed him tighter, stifling my chuckles into his neck.

We pulled away from each other a moment later. Jax's expression softened as he swept the tears from my cheeks.

I managed a weak chuckle, using the back of my hand to catch the tears he missed. "I guess that psychology course you're taking is working pretty well, huh?"

"Damn straight it is."

***

"What about that one?" Raven pointed to the third building on my right, the Italian restaurant I went to on my breaks.

"It's amazing," I confirmed with a chuckle. "I promise I'll take you guys to try it if it's open."

I took a right, just as the automated voice demanded. Even though I knew my way around pretty well now, I used a gps everywhere I went, even if it were only down the street.

We were only a couple of minutes away, now. Since it was too chilly out to walk, I drove Kade's—well, my car. My friends had recognized it, immediately.

"I still can't believe he let you have it," Raven commented, her words slow as she stared ahead in concentration. I knew she was trying to piece everything together that didn't fit.

"I know," Maggie responded from behind me. "If you ever decide that you don't want it, send it my way anytime."

Maggie loved anything that had to do with cars, and she worked at a mechanic shop, so I knew that she meant it literally.

I laughed, my fingers locking around the wheel comfortably. Kade knew that I loved his car, but I never expected to have it as my own. Driving it almost felt natural, though.

"We're almost there," I told them, even though it was evident.

I could see the lights from over the trees, beautifully illuminating their surroundings, and more. It wasn't entirely dark outside yet, but the day was barely evident, either.

My stomach rattled with excitement as we approached the gate. I knew that hot chocolate, as well as baked goods were being sold, too. I planned to get a plentiful amount while we watched the lights. It was going to be spectacular.

After the gate opened, I drove through the space carefully until we found a parking spot. It was difficult since nearly every one was occupied already, but I managed to shove us into a tight spot.

Maggie glanced between my car, and the one next to us with a shocked brow. "How in the hell didn't you hit them?"

I shrugged, chuckling at her. "Practice." The practice was that I used to drive Kade's car a lot when we were in Washington, so I learned.

We all piled out of the car. "Let's go," I said, barely even managing to keep my excitement under wraps.

I linked arms with Raven and Jax, who tried to get Maggie to join. After her graphic threats, we left her alone, and continued down the path.

Every direction we turned to was carefully lined with both large and small Christmas decorations. All of them were brightly lit, but not enough to hurt the onlookers. There was a path for viewers to travel down, and when everyone was at the end, we would be met with fireworks and confetti snow to top the night off.

I smiled back at the phone as Jax snapped another picture of us. I made a mental check to remind him to send them to me, so that I could have them framed in my apartment.

"Oh my god, look!" Raven exclaimed, pointing at the bright reindeer display. Brown strands of hair swept at her face as she jerked around to face us, beaming. "We so have to do pictures with it."

We had someone take a picture of us as a group before individually. I took theirs first, then gave them the phone back to get mine.

"Shit."

I looked to Raven, whose face had grown incredibly pale in a matter of seconds.

I leaned up from the reindeer, tightening my brow with confusion. I glanced behind me to the decoration cautiously before turning back to them. "What? Was I not posing right?"

My gaze shifted to Jax, who was staring at me with a smirk. Maggie was focused on something right behind me.

I let my eyes linger on them for a moment longer before finally turning. My chest caved in at the sight.

There he was. Well, they. Kade, Luke, and Levi were all here.

My feet stumbled back a couple of steps as every trace of oxygen depleted from my body. I think I may have even knocked over my hot chocolate, which Maggie was supposed to be holding.

"What are you guys doing here?" Raven asked, her eyes jumping between all three boys, but specifically Levi, who gathered her in his arms, immediately.

"We wouldn't want to miss out on the fun," Luke responded, his brow lifting questionably at some of the decorations.

Maggie crossed her arms, glaring into his very soul. "You don't even like Christmas."

His jaw ticked as he painted a sick smile. To mock her, he matched her stance. "Now how would you know what I like, angel?"

Her head tilted at him, chuckling down at her black boots. "Big bitches with little brains can't like too much, can they?"

"Well, you'd know better than anyone, wouldn't you?" he responded. The two continued to throw their insults back and forth, but my attention was elsewhere.

I thought I'd have a minute or two to get my thoughts together, but he was here, now. And, so were my feelings, just waiting to be addressed.

I met his gaze, carefully, but was floored at how close he'd grown in a matter of seconds. His expression was full of skepticism, but softened with admiration.

"You came here," I voiced the obvious. "For me."

Kade nodded slowly, his finger grazing the skin along my hand. "I did," he responded with a soft smile. "You know I'll go anywhere for you, sweetheart." I tried to fight it all, but there was no point.

His eyes were weighing down on me so heavily, I wondered if my own could even match it. If it resembled the uproar of emotions inside of me, then it was very possible.

Sucking in a identical breath, I began, "Kade, I—"

"Yuck," Maggie and Luke said in union. Literally at the exact same time.

I turned toward the two with a glare that they caught. Clamping their lips shut, they went back to their business.

Kades' eyes danced with humor as they followed me over. I opened my mouth to continue, but it was cut short when his fingers wrapped around my elbow, gently tugging me along beside him. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's go and see the lights."

I released a sigh of relief, nodding. At least that would give me enough time to get my thoughts together long enough to say what I needed to say.

We continued on down the path, though we were far behind from our original spot, now. All seven of us admired the lights, and Raven even forced everyone to get a picture together.

It was hard to concentrate, though. Every time I smiled or laughed at one of Maggie or Levi's jokes, I could feel Kade watching me over. When I caught him, he had no shame at all, wearing a small smile that only grew every single time I caught it.

We were nearing the end of the path before I felt Kade pause. The rest of the group hadn't noticed, so they continued on.

I turned toward him, gazing him over with confusion. "What is it? We're going to miss the fireworks."

His hand squeezed at mine. "I didn't mean to make you lose your hot chocolate," he said, his gaze swimming with humor. "Come on, baby. Let's go get you some more. We'll be back before the fireworks are over, I promise."

I glanced at my friends' spot, but they were already heading down the hill. It was getting really chilly out, so the thought of hot chocolate seemed extremely warming.

I turned toward him with a nod. I released a small sigh of comfort once he pulled me into his hold. His arm tightened around my shoulders as he led us to the stand.

It wasn't too hard to navigate, but once we were back up the hill, there was barely anyone there. Everyone was too busy on the trail.

Kade ordered for us, and designed my order to the exact detail. I stared at his back with a warm smile. Even though we went to Grandma Jacky's a year ago, he still remembered my hot chocolate order. Against the cold, his consideration hugged me right in its embrace.

Even though we were supposed to be back on the trail, we decided to stay up here. I texted Raven to tell her, but I knew she hadn't caught it; her and Levi couldn't stay off of one another all night.

I could still see the decorations from here, though. The lights were bouncing off of every surface, perfectly presented to the people below, and us, as well. It was all so glamorous.

With a ghost of a smile, I stepped up to get a better view. "Aren't they beautiful?"

A moment passed before he responded, "Not as beautiful as you." I drug my gaze to him, startled by it. He was already watching me, his eyes hooded with adoration. "Nothing touches you."

Craning his body, he placed the hot chocolate down, and stepped closer to me. My skin burned through the thick layers of clothing as he drew me in, one hand lingering around my waist.

"Not a damn thing, sweetheart," he whispered, his free hand returning back to my cheek.

He held me so gently, yet so possessively at the same time. It was the perfect mix to provide a comfortable space. I allowed myself to lean into his touch, my eyes shutting with a satisfied sigh. Even though it was frozen outside, I had never felt so warm.

"I'm sorry, baby," he whispered. I opened my eyes at that, parting my lips to debunk it. He stopped me with, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry about everything. I shouldn't have hurt you. I shouldn't have left, or said those things to you. I was such a fucking idiot for not trusting myself, you, us."

My heart was beating to the rhythm of his own. It was hard to register whether or not I would grow the strength to respond, but for right now, I basked in his words.

His fingers trailed to the bottom of my jaw, half-hanging around my neck as he held my eyes with so much intensity. "I know that it was a while ago, but I remember something. From one of the first pages of your diary. It was a side note you scribbled on the side of the entries a couple of times, but..." he trailed off, his adam's apple bobbing.

I stared back at him, my mind whirling before he released me, shifting my body back around.

I went to turn, again, but he held me in my spot by his gaze. It penetrated next to every ounce of love I ever carried for him. I gulped past my dry throat as he spoke, again.

Kades' eyes raised to the sky, and I lifted my brow in mystification. "I'm not sure if you'll ever forgive me...I'm unsure of a lot of things. But one thing I'm not, is you. Never you."

"I know that you're still hesitant, that you're still skeptical of me, and my motives," he whispered, his eyes remaining on the stars above. "But, I want to let you know something."

His chest trembled as he drew in a breath. "I love you. So fucking much that it hurts, sweetheart. Ever since you stepped foot in my life, I never knew that it was possible to feel this way again. I didn't, and I won't ever regret it. Even if you never want it, it's yours, I'm yours. My heart, my body, my love...me. It's all yours and I want nothing in return for it. Give me something or give me nothing at all...but I will give you my everything in return every single time."

"Kade," fell from my lips in a whisper. I didn't even realize I was crying until the burning behind my eyes thickened.

His voice was so thick in return as he carried on. "You've shown me so much. So much light and love that I never thought would return. But there you were. You came right in and my life started, and I don't want it without you. I don't want anything if you're not at my side. Money, women, life...it's all senseless without you. You're it for me, Kimberly." I followed his gaze to the sky this time, but it was entirely different this time.

Three planes were hovering right above us, aimed perfectly for my view. Since it was dark out now, the light bounced off of every surface below it. They were spelling something, I realized. I gasped, my heart falling straight to my knees as I read over the message.

I love you.

I remembered the note I made, exactly ten years ago; it was one of my first entries. It was tucked in small letters, written in black ink, and barely noticeable under a passive eye.

My mother hadn't let me watch movies, or anything of that sort could have brought on enjoyment. The only time I was allowed to, was when I was at my father's. It was my first movie, but I still considered it a favorite. In it, I had seen skywriting for the first time, and thought it was the one of the most romantic things in the world.

In my diary, I wrote that I wanted to witness it firsthand, even if it wasn't meant for me. I never thought it possible though, so I passed the idea off. I hadn't thought anything of it since then. Clearly, though, he had.

I jerked around toward Kade, who was already watching over me. His own were full of love and care. "I swear to you," he said. "I do. As long as I walk this earth, I always will. My heart will forever belong to you and only you. Always." I stared at him, my eyes lined with tears as I heard his confession, both in and outside.

I couldn't relish in that hurt anymore, because it wasn't there. He was.

Earlier, I asked myself if I should hold onto the past or look toward the future. But, now that we were here, his eyes on mine for the smallest speck of a response, after he laid himself bare for me and only me...I had an answer.

All of my life, I'd been afraid. It was instilled in me from the very moment I came into this world, and it blocked me from so much in the past. It was so constant, that I think I grew comfortable in its presence after so many years. I used to think it would stop me in the future, that it would stop me from having a future, that it'd alter every road ever set for me.

But, it wouldn't, and it hadn't.

I couldn't be afraid any longer. Fear only had control if you gave it, and I needed to give it a big fuck you if I wanted to live. I deserved to live.

I was looking at the present, only. Before and after didn't matter; love didn't have a timeline. It was there, without a time expectancy for anyone, or anything.

If I wanted this, I had to reach out, and never let go. As Jax said: love is one scary son of a bitch, but you have to jump off of that ledge. You can't walk sometimes. Run and take the chance or you'll miss it.

I didn't want to miss it, I wouldn't. Not when it was ripped open and bared by its carrier right in front of me. I had to run and, I had to jump right for it. Headfirst.

Kade stared at me with heaps of fear, unsure of my next actions. My steps were slow before I sped them up; I didn't want to waste anymore time.

Finally, I reached him. He hadn't even moved, yet his chest matched mine to the perfect harmony, both jumping from the anticipation.

I took the first step, my hand snaking up the hardness of his jaw before it returned to nape of his neck. He leaned into my touch, his eyes running into mine.

"I love you," I whispered into the universe. "And, I forgive you."

The three words bounced around in the air, before they finally reached him. Now, that they were out, I felt my chest fall from the relief. From so much relief.

Kade's lips rose until they were set in a grin. My own matched, but it soon transcended into laughter at his next move.

His large frame embraced mine as he hugged me to him, our bodies plastered against one anothers. My feet came up off of the ground, with him burying his face in my hair.

I returned the favor, fixating myself into his neck. His scent hugged me as well, so comforting and familiar. It was here, he was here. We were here.

"I love you," his voice cracked in my hair as he held the back of my head to him. "I love you so fucking much, Kimberly."

"I love you," I responded through my own tears.

I pulled back to get my official view of my love, but before I could, he crushed his lips to mine, hauling me up until he had me in his grasp. Even though we'd been intimate physically for the past month, he kissed me as if he were a starving man.

One hand supported my body while the other grasped my face. He held me as if he never wanted to let go, and I returned that same urgency. In between it all, I felt his body trembling against my own, so I gripped him tighter to secure him to me. I wasn't going anywhere. Everything I needed was right here.

"Holy shit," I heard from behind us.

We remained in our embrace for a moment longer until he released me back to the ground. His arms remained around me as we turned. All five of our friends were watching us.

"About fucking time," Luke released a groan, clapping. "If I had to hear this pussy get wasted and cry about you one more time, I was going to fly down here and force you two into each others' arms again."

Maggie rolled her eyes at his comment, her arms crossed as she watched me. Jax stood right next to her, an arm over her shoulder as he winked at me. Raven had her head on Levi's chest, a proud glint in her eyes.

"Love-sick fucker spent thousands on that sign, you know," Levi noted, nodding to Kade. With a chuckle, he kissed the top of Raven's head, squeezing her shoulder. "Maybe I should try it." Raven hurriedly nodded in agreement, before she turned and shushed Maggie and Luke.

Kade's lovely gaze remained on mine, "I would have spent whatever," he said softly, tucking back the strands that fell out of my cap. "I would have done anything. I would have waited another year, two, three, it didn't matter. But, you did. You matter more to me than anything, and anyone in this world, Kimberly." He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, either hand stroking my cheeks. "And, I'll make sure you're aware of it, for the rest of our lives."

His lips claimed mine, again, much to Luke and Maggie's disgust. I heard their impersonation of choking before Kade and I flipped them both off.

I was entirely engulfed in him; I was willing to jump into the deepest trenches in order to find him again. But, I didn't have to. We were above ground, together and in each others' grasps. I knew just how far he was willing to go to make sure that I knew that.

The electricity slid right through me like water, and it left an impression just as impactful as he did. My heart was going a million miles per minute the longer he held me, the longer he looked at me, but I didn't plan on trying to calm it. I didn't plan on leaving it. I was right where I needed to be.

A satisfied smile stained my lips as he pulled away. His expression was so mushy, it tugged at my heartstrings. His eyes fell to my lips, his smile slowly slipping away.

I cocked my head. "What is it?"

His head tilted, then he lifted his thumb, grazing the lips he just had. "Smile again for me, sweetheart."

At his comment, the grin weathered past my lips without any of my consent. "Why?"

"Because it's perfect," he said, craning his neck to press his forehead flush against mine. "And, I'm going to make sure I get one of those out of you every single day, for the rest of our lives."