"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." —Satine and Christian, Moulin Rouge
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Chapter 60
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Maggie

My eyes roamed over Luke's resting form. It had been a couple of hours since I'd woken up now, but I hadn't moved ever since I returned from the shower.

Now, here I was. Luke had only woken up to get a half-dazed shower with me, and to brush his teeth, but when he got back into bed and pulled me into his arms, he fell asleep, again.

His arms were wrapped around my waist, his head on my chest. I reached forward, lightly grazing the strands out of his face to get a clear view of him. Of his beautifully crafted bone structure, his brows, his pretty lips, full and long, dark eyelashes, of the familiar scars along his throat.

Not just that, though. Of him.

His care. His generosity. His dedication. His  selflessness and passion.

It all came out to produce the one of the best boys in the world. My boy.

After everything that had happened, that he found out about me, from me...he wasn't disgusted. He wasn't repulsed, or appalled. He hadn't ran.

Instead, he was here. He stayed, and gave me the very reasons as to why I was worth staying for.

I hadn't realized how freeing it would all be. Despite the past still remaining in place, as it always had and always would...it's impact was mine to control.

I had control of it. Of how I deal. Of how I process, and build off of it.

And, I had. For the first time in years, I had that feeling of control. It was small, but it was there, nonetheless.

It wasn't much, but it was more than anything else I'd ever done or experienced before. I told the truth, the whole truth in its raw existence, and I'd done it on my own.

And, the best thing was that I'd done it to the man who I considered a part of me. I didn't think there was a thing to account for my gratitude for it.

It had been a week ever since my breakdown at the lake-house. Despite how freeing it was to get the truth out, that didn't stop the emotional turmoil from following, just as I expected it. The pain didn't just go away after a couple of days, not after holding it in for so long.

Luke had been there every step of the way. The days that I didn't want to eat, he would sit with me for hours and talk to me until I worked my way past the tightness of my stomach. When I wanted to stay in bed, he would hold me until the tears stopped. When I felt myself too emotionally drained to complete the simplest of tasks, he would help me do whatever was needed until I grew the energy to do it myself. He had been perfect.

We had been talking gentle steps in my practice in the dark, as well. So far, I had made it to all four walls in the room. Some days were harder than the lasts, and would end in disaster, but others would turn out good. I took them both, since either way, they were both a step in the right direction.

Luke had been gentle during that time, but not just emotionally. Physically, as well.

When my emotions became too jumbled to process, I had tried to find a distraction by having Luke, sexually. It started off as a kiss that I tried to turn into something more. The moment I tried, though, Luke realized, and immediately turned the idea down.

Despite me denying it, he knew that I wasn't ready, and was just trying to take the pain away in another form. He knew that I was only trying to find a distraction to avoid the emotional parts of my healing. He claimed that he would be taking advantage of me, as well as the state I was in if he did go through with it.

As much as I debunked it at first, I now had the right mind to realize that he was right, and I was more than glad that he hadn't taken me up on the idea, either. Instead, he held me in his arms until I could get my emotions the right way. The result had turned out better than what I could have ever thought.

Slowly, I shifted out of my spot. I had to wiggle and twist around a bit to loosen Luke's grip enough, but I managed to get out.

I chuckled at his scowl and sour expression. Even asleep, he had the same adorable attitude.

Once I was sitting on top of him, I watched him with a soft smile, and toyed with locks of his hair in between my fingers. I loved it.

My hands lowered to either of my sides to grab his. I placed a gentle kiss on them before squeezing. My smile lingered as I lowered my head enough to kiss him, before pausing to get another look at him.

Something light treaded through me just at the sight. It made my skin buzz with an energy of no other.

There that feeling was, again. The one that I had thought, one that I had swore could never be mine. Yet, here it, he, was.

My gaze went to the scars along his neck, next.

Luke didn't try to bring them into conversation much. From when he did though, I gathered how insecure and self-conscious he was about them. I remembered at the event, when we were dancing together, and how conscious he was when I touched them.

My finger glided along the jagged skin, gently. Even in slumber, Luke's Adam's apple jumped in a gulp before settling back into place.

A smile fluttered over my lips before I dropped them to the scars, trailing over its length until I got to the end, then repeating. I made sure to put extra appreciation and love in the kisses, just in case he ever needed it. Every single part of him was as beautiful as all else to me.

Just as I kissed the skin, again, Luke shifted from under me. Smiling, I raised my head to get a look at him.

He grunted softly, his eyes fluttering open. As soon as he saw me, a small smile curved the corners of his lips. My stomach fluttered until it couldn't.

"What are you up to, Norris?" he mumbled. My smile wobbled at the husky drawl of his that was always my favorite in the morning.

I smiled, my finger continuing the trail over his throat. "Nothing. I just missed you."

Luke chuckled, leaning back so that he could bring his hand to the corner of my jaw. It stroked on until I leaned into it. "Did you?"

"Mhm. You were taking too long to wake up." My eyes dipped to his scars, again, which he caught this time.

The fear that he kept hidden so well to others was more than evident to me. There was no need to feel it with me, though, in any shape or form. I only saw another reason to compliment him, and another thing to add to his list of beauties.

I placed a kiss to his scars, again. "I love these." I raised my eyes to his with a smile that was specifically aimed to him. "They're perfect."

Luke's expression melted at me. The fear and insecurity rolled back with appreciation, as well as awe.

I returned it, leaving a kiss to his pinking cheek. "I promise they're beautiful. And, you are, too, inside and out, Luke." We both matched the other's fondness as my lips lifted into a soft grin. "And, you might even, maybe, possibly be my most favorite person in the world."

His smile shifted into a grin once he got me. Under the glaze of humor, I still caught the traces of adoration and gratefulness that seemed to stick. If they didn't, then I would make them by reminding him every day of his own meaning to me.

Curling an arm behind his head, he used his free arm to pull me into him. "Maybe, huh?"

"Possibly, too. Don't forget that; it's important." That was more of an understatement. He was my favorite everything's.

Luke cast a silly grin my way, and with the top of his legs, pushed my body down until I collapsed on his chest.

At my laughter, his grin widened, his fingers pricking my sides to start a tickling match on me. "I'd never, Norris."

***

"How's this one?" I questioned, offering a bowl of pancake batter to Luke. "Be honest, too."

Luke rolled his eyes, but took it from me to taste, anyway. Once he did, he fought his satisfaction back with a cocky grin. "Still not better than mine."

"Whatever." I laughed, snatching the bowl back. "You just remember who taught you all you know."

"I wouldn't ever forget it," he chuckled, returning to me.

As soon as he was close enough, I wrapped my legs around his waist to lure him in closer. His lips fell to my own like a magnet.

Luke held a grip to me by my chin, fingers stroking the skin over until I thought my face was numb from all of the overwhelming sweeps of perfection. Somehow, we both started to grin into the kiss, despite the burning flare setting the longer we stayed in it.

By the time we pulled back, I was a slump against the counter. Luke didn't seem to be much better, but played it off much better than I did.

I chuckled as he wrapped an arm over my waist, dragging me off the counter until I was to the edge. "We're supposed to be making pancakes, you prick."

Luke drawled out a sigh, letting it merge into a silly scowl. "You always tempt me, Norris."

I shrugged, dropping my arms along his shoulders. "Whose fault is that?" 

Chuckling, his hands squeezed at my thighs, before he reached for my bowl of pancake batter to head to the other side of the kitchen. I watched him with a lingering smile as he started to pour it into the ready pans along the stovetop.

His naked back faced me as he spoke, "I have a surprise for you."

I tipped my head back until it was against the cabinet. "Another one?"

Reaching over to grab a package of bacon, he nodded. "Mhm," he hummed, throwing a cute smile over his shoulder. "And, you're gonna like it."

"Confident of you, pretty boy."

Luke chuckled, placing the bacon in the pan. "Maybe, but I'm willing to risk it."

My gaze dug into his back in deep thought. I didn't know what it could be, but if it was from him, I knew I'd enjoy it, either way.

"Give me a hint."

"It's a gift."

I scoffed. "What else?"

"It's a gift from me."

I scowled at his backside with an extra pump of annoyance. "You don't say."

"It's something you stole from me, before."

"Ah," I teased, chuckling. "Your dog? Your bed? Your heart?"

Luke chuckled at this, reaching beside him to grab the spatula. "As true as all of that shit is, it doesn't have shit to do with it this time."

"Any other hint, then?"

Instead of responding, he went back to our food. Jerk.

Rolling my eyes, I took my phone out of my back pocket. It was buzzing like crazy, just as it had been ever since Luke and I left the lake house.

I checked over the group chat, as well as Jax's messages. His concern remained just as consistent as it always been.

I had told him that Luke and I were back on track, and as skeptical as he had been about it, I think he was more saddened than anything else at the thought of me leaving him, again.

He didn't have to worry, though. I made a promise to myself this time that wouldn't be broken. I wasn't going to push him away any longer. Jax didn't deserve it, and I didn't deserve to lose him because of it.

My plans to not tell him about our dad would remain the same, but I could still be present in his life. With our dad still in the picture, it would be hard, and it definitely wouldn't be to the same level as before, but it was better than nothing.

I still remembered Tony's confession, and how it made my heart ache. I had been so scared of causing Jax physical pain, when he was being mentally tortured without me the entire time. I hated doing that to him, or having him think, for even a second that he was the reason behind my distance.

Kimberly and Raven had never told him about my breakdown, thank fuck. I wasn't sure if I were more glad of that, or of the fact that they weren't freaked out by it.

I went to the group chat, next. They had been sending texts, as well as gifts and calls to Luke to give to me ever since I left. It was all so sweet, but I hadn't really taken the chance to thank them for it, directly.

The moment I replied, they jumped on their responses, too. I was just as urgent to get back into the routine of things.

I didn't want to lose them, but I wasn't exactly sure on how to keep them, either. I knew the time was coming for the truth to come out, as my breakdown hadn't been for nothing. Nothing to that extent could just stem from something so simple.

I wanted to tell them soon, but I genuinely had no idea of where or how. Regardless, though, it was all inevitable.

Until I could form the right words, I just wanted to surround myself with their love and generosity

Quickly, I sent a text asking what our plans were for the week. Kimberly suggested that we volunteer at the animal center for a few hours, and I hurriedly agreed to it. I went to Jax's messages, next.

Just as I started out on a response, I paused. A text couldn't account for my apology, and how genuine it was.

I nibbled on my lip in deep thought when I heard my name being called. My eyes raised to find Luke, who was studying me over, now.

I blinked at him, then repeated the action when my confusion remained the same. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

He shook his head, stepping over to me. "Nothing important." Gently, he tugged me off of the counter and to him, tilting my head up by my chin. "You okay, angel?"

I nodded, quickly. My physical appearance must have shifted while I was thinking about everything, and of course, he caught notice of it.

"I'm fine," I reassured with an honest smile. For the first time in days, I truly was, I think. I glanced over his shoulder to see that he had already plated our food. "Ready to eat?"

His eyes ran me over, again. When he didn't find any adversary, he nodded, sinking down into a seat, then finding one for me on his lap.

I chuckled, but made no effort to move. I handed Luke his knife while he gave me my fork for the pancakes.

When he started to cut into his pancakes, I craned my neck to get a good look at him. "Are you cool with me inviting Jax over?"

Luke turned his head, his brow cocking at me. "Don't you ever think you have to ask me shit like that, again, Norris. It's your house, too. Have a girls night with Kimberly and Raven here for all I care." He paused before finding a look of wary about the last part. "Wait—"

I chuckled, typing a response to Jax. "Nope. It's too late, now; you've already dug your own grave by saying that I can do it."

Jax's response was immediate, saying that he couldn't come over, right now, since he was headed to a shift, but that he could video call.

I had really wanted to see him face to face, but I would take him anyway I could. He said the call would be in a couple of minutes, so I had enough time to finish eating.

Once the food was cleared from our plates, I started to raise myself off of Luke to help him with the dishes, but he stopped me with a kiss to the head. "I got it, baby. Talk to your brother." I shot him an appreciative smile, raising off of him to take my seat on the counter, again.

I nearly jumped from my spot as my phone rang out. My eyes scanned the writing over, carefully. I hadn't seen Jax's contact in so long, it seemed alien to me, now.

I hadn't even realized I hadn't answered yet until I heard Luke, "Norris, baby, you know you have to actually accept the call in order to talk to him, right?"

With a scowl, I kicked him in the ass, earning a soft laugh before he returned to the dishes. My eyes lowered to the screen, again, before I pushed all else back, and accepted the call.

The moment it connected, I thought my breathing threatened to stop, altogether. My brother's face filled the screen, lined with both concern and relief.

I kicked my legs up on the counter, tucking them under me. "Hey, loser."

Jax, who was supposed to be concentrated on his driving, made sure to level an impressionable glare on me. "What the hell took you so long to pick up?" Before I could answer, he huffed, "I know that brain of yours overheats the moment you step over second-grade level English, but I need you to do a little better, Mags. At least try to push the poor thing to the fifth grade level communication, just for your older brother's sake."

My head dipped with a chuckle. I never thought there'd be a day where I loved hearing him insult me, but apparently there was. This one.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, staring back at him. His dark curls, and matching green eyes. His scowl that he was wearing so easily, despite it not being a part of his usual routine.

I missed him so much.

At my silence, Jax's scowl bounced between the road, and me, his brows drawing in tight on the other. "Mags, if you start pretending the line is breaking up, again, I swear, I will turn this car around and—"

I shook my head, sniffling around a laugh. "I'm not ignoring you, dipshit."

A grin slowly crawled over his scowl at my insult. "Dipshit? I expected better."

"Maybe next time," I teased, lowering my hardened exterior to show my genuine gratitude for him. "For now, though...thank you, Jax."

"For the presents?" he laughed, softly. "I loved the ones you got me too—by the way, you chose the most perfect edition of Shakespeare for me, so you get so many brownie points for that—but I knew you'd like my presents, too." He had dropped them off to Luke a couple of days back, and I very much did love them.

"Yeah, um..." I nodded, nearly drawing blood from how hard I bit down on my lip. "For that, and just..." I drew out a sigh, side-glancing Luke, who already had his eyes on me. At his smile of encouragement, my own followed up before I lowered my eyes. "Being my brother. Thank you for being the best friend who never gives up on me. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for saving my life, both literally and figuratively. Thank you for loving me, unconditionally."

By the time I finished, my eyes were lined with tears. I couldn't push them back before Jax caught sight of them.

His eyes softened at me, remaining on mine for a second longer before he had to raise them, again. "I'll never give up on you, Mags. No matter what goes on, just know that that won't ever change." His sigh was trembly over, "Besides. I could say the exact same for you. You're every single thing that's gotten me to where I am today. Losing that...losing you, would basically be me losing myself, too. I never want either one to become reality, no matter what happens between us. You're my sister, but you're so much more than that, too, Maggie. Above all else, you're my strength and you're my best friend. You always have been." At my watery eyes, he frowned, but as always, his coping response reverted to humor, next. "Plus, you came in, all grouchy and sarcastic, and had the nerve to rob my space in our mom's womb. You haven't left me alone ever since, so I'm kind of stuck with you by default, now."

I laughed through my tears, feeling the weight of my heart lift in the most relieving way possible. "How selfish of me, huh?"

"Very." His own laugh echoing through the phone, eyes flickering down to mine, again. The relief in them made them crinkle around the edges. "But, you didn't turn out so bad. Take that in light moderation, though. Very, very light, Mags."

I chuckled at him. "I'd be setting myself up for failure if I didn't."

We continued to talk for at least half an hour before we had to call it quits for his shift. I could see it pained him to have to hang up, which both hurt and relieved me. It hurt because I never wanted the call to end either, but relief that he still cared and loved about me, despite all of my fuckups.

I had apologized to him, as well, for so many things. It was harder since I couldn't put my true intentions behind my actions, but it didn't matter to Jax, because he didn't want my apologies.

Instead, he claimed that he understood me and my coping mechanisms, which was true since he'd been evident for most of them. He said that he wanted to be there for me, despite whatever it was to me telling me that he didn't. And, I believed him.

I didn't exactly know where to start in mending our bridge, but I would still be traveling it, and that was all that matters.

"I'm glad you two talked," Luke commented from his side of the kitchen. He had remained here even after finishing the dishes, claiming to be scrolling through his phone, but really just wanting to check over me.

My smile was more light. "Me too. I missed him."

Luke returned my smile. "I'm proud of you, baby."

"Thank you." Before the night turned too emotional, I let a silly expression pass through as I tugged him closer. "Now. Take me to my surprise."

"Could I get a please every once in a while, Norris?"

"Mhm," I hummed, pretending to be in thought before I returned to him. "Please quit being a prick and just show me my surprise, already."

Luke laughed, his grin remaining as he pulled me off of the counter. "That's my girl."

By my hand, he led us through the hallway until we stopped at his room. It was more of his old bedroom, now, considering we remained in mine more often than not, though.

Once we were inside, Luke passed by me with a tug to keep me to him. I followed, stopping only when he did right by his bed.

As soon as he sat, he positioned me in the center of his legs, his expression full of skepticism, but with trust overpowering it. My eyes tipped up to him in curiosity.

"Okay," he breathed, glancing over to his nightstand, then back to me. "You ready?"

I nodded hurriedly, shooting glances between him and the nightstand. His hand dipped inside, but when it came out, I had nearly changed positions in order to get a quicker answer.

A gun sat in the palm of his hand. It was his favorite pistol, in particular.

I tilted my head. "Your gun?"

I looked up at the same time that he grasped my hand, and turned it over. The cool metal of the gun chilled my skin like ice.

"It's yours, now," he corrected, nodding at it. "I trust you enough to carry and handle it. With the release date of your dad getting closer, I want you to carry it, everywhere." His hand raised to cup my face, the seriousness in his gaze showering its way into mine. "I'm not kidding, Maggie. With the girls being home, again, I know that you'll probably want to go out with them alone sometimes, and that's okay, but I need for you to keep this shit on you, and to use it in the ways that I taught you to until I get there, you hear me?"

I nodded, quickly. The girls would want to go out without the boys, and even though my father would likely never try anything in public, it was better safe than sorry.

I glanced over the pistol carefully, then raised to my eyes to Luke, who was already watching me. As always, he read my mind.

"It's already loaded," he answered before adding with a humored, yet wary glance, "And, the safety's on, just in case you get a little too happy with that trigger finger of yours, Norris."

I laughed. "You really think I'd do that to you?"

Luke took the gun from me, and placed it away. When he finished, he was tugging me closer, a silly grin in place. "If I answer honestly, will it get me hurt?"

I rolled my eyes, fighting back another laugh. "You're such an asshole."

His lips grazed my cheek as he tangled our legs. "Not to you." Since all I had on was his shirt, he was able to kiss my shoulders, easily.

Bypassing the sweet flow through my blood, I glanced to the nightstand, and returned to him with a smile of appreciation. "Thank you so much for this. I know it was your favorite—"

Luke launched the both of us back, cushioning my fall with his body until I was a giggling mess. Laid back, he placed me on top of him until I was straddling his lap.

His smile widened at me, the sight making my heart face. "I don't have any favorites unless it's you, baby. You know that."

My fingers grazed his throat scars with a light smile. "You know, I can get used to this whole 'baby' and 'my girl' thing."

Luke chuckled, the tip of his tongue darting over his bottom lip as he looked at me. "I have one more surprise for you."

My hand paused, my eyes raising to his in shock. "I'm not sure of how much more I can handle."

"I believe in you for this one."

I perked a brow down at him; it sounded interesting. "Tell me."

"On one condition."

I rolled my eyes with humor. "Then no."

He tipped his chin up to me, a small grin stretching his lips. "Say you're my girl, again."

With a laugh, I leaned down until I was hovering over him. "I was going to say it, anyway."

"Were you? Before me?"

"Mhm, because I—"

Before I could finish, Luke kissed me.

It left me dazed. I shook myself out of it with a scowl that never became that with the tingle of my lips. "You're impossible."

"And, you're my girl," he announced with heaps of humor. "There, I said it first, so—"

I kissed him this time, entrapping his shoulders with my arms. He tried to fight it, but as soon as our lips connected, he melted right into our kiss until I pulled back.

Luke blinked, then repeated the action a couple of more times. The tiniest bit of pink pinched his cheeks before he grumbled out, "Fine, I'll tell you."

My laughter continued on until I paused.

"I wanna take you out," he rushed out. "Like on a date."

I smiled at that. "Really?"

"Mhm," he nodded. "I know we've done a lot of shit that could be counted as that, but it's not the same as taking you out as mine." His eyes dipped, then raised to mine with newfound hesitation. "I know how it turned out the last time, but I was hoping that we could try, again. I just really want to take you out."

The thought was more than appealing, now. It would be just us, no mention of our families, or of the drama. Just us.

As he had said, it had turned out horrendous the last time we were preparing for a date. It did make me a bit cautious, but I didn't consider it a big weight on my shoulders if I didn't let it be. We both deserved a good night out, together and alone.

"I'd love that," I responded, fondly.

Luke let out a breath of relief, as if he actually considered my rejection. "Thank fuck."

"What were you thinking?"

"Dinner at your favorite spot, somewhere nice or some shit like that," he responded. "Maybe a movie, or..." His eyes fell in thought. When they returned to mine, they were full of skepticism. "I'm sorry. I've never asked or taken a girl on a date before in my life, so I honestly don't know shit of what I'm doing or what I'm supposed to be doing." Through his nervous chuckles, I heard the sincerity all the same.

Sometimes, I had to remind myself that this was Luke's first time in a real relationship, as well as a lot of things emotionally. His history with women was astonishing in other factors, but it didn't involve anything more, especially relationship wise.

With how caring and loving he was with me, it was sometimes easy to forget that fact. Either way, he could have had me fooled.

Laughter tickled my chest as I kissed his cheek for reassurance. "You're okay, I promise." I stroked his jaw as I suggested, "Dinner, most definitely. Where doesn't matter to me, just so long as we're together. We can talk, and shit like that over wine or something. Then, we can come back here, and watch a movie right afterwards."

Luke nodded, his brows furrowed in concentration as he took the information in. It was the cutest thing ever.

Once he felt he had it, he leaned back to raise a brow at me. "You wanting to watch a movie here doesn't have anything to do with your obsession of me, does it, Norris?"

I made a serious face. "I can't help it." I kissed his scars with a chuckle. "I'm obsessed with you, pretty boy of mine."

Luke chuckled, his palm rubbing along the length of my thigh. "And, I'm just as obsessed with you, beautiful smartass of mine."

A blush touched my cheeks. "When are we doing this date, though?"

"Tomorrow night at seven?" At my nod, he balanced out a silly grin. "Think you can sneak out that late, Norris?"

"Depends." My shoulders slumped into a shrug. "This blonde, cursing boy of mine probably won't let it slide too well."

"You're damn right," he murmured, draping a kiss to my collarbone. "But, I'll let it go this one time. One."

I chuckled, staring into his blonde strands in thought, "Do you still have that dress you got me? The one you bought for the event?"

"You mean the twenty-five hundred dollar dress you threw back in my face, while tossing a heel at the back of my head and while cursing me out, in, up, and down?" he teased against my skin. "I do."

I laughed, nodding; that sounded about accurate. "That's the one. I want to wear it tomorrow."

The surprise was evident. "Really?"

I still remembered how beautiful it looked, but I hadn't wore it just to spite him at the time. Now though, I definitely wanted to wear it for dinner. "Mhm."

A small groan coerced through his chest, and right into mine from the vibration. "Jesus, Norris, I might just faint seeing you in it, and I'll have to spend all night next to your beautiful ass?" He drawled out another dramatic groan that ended in a huff, "Fuck, you're trying to make me lose my shit, woman. You have to be."

I pushed past the heat in my cheeks to laugh. "Whipped, are you, Palce?"

"Hell yeah," he retorted, snorting. "You're my girl. Everyone's going to know that shit."

I smiled, kissing the side of his head in agreement. I knew that our friends hadn't asked about Luke and I ever since they witnessed what happened at the lake-house, but it wasn't too hard to piece together. Luke was the only person who was able to bring me out of that dark place when no one else could; obviously, there was a connection there.

I didn't care who knew. I didn't care about anything or anyone else's opinion except for the guy in front of me.

Luke lifted his head from my neck, his eyes studying me over for any hesitation. "Are you okay with that?" I knew what he was asking, already.

I nearly forgot to tell him that I was. I knew, even with my situation, it was unfair to ask him to keep us a secret any longer. I had seen how disastrous it got at the party, as well as at dinner.

It almost made it seem as if I were embarrassed to be with him or something, which was most definitely not true. I knew how fucked I'd feel if he asked it of me, and I was done with it.

We were here. Anyone who didn't like that could choke.

I kissed his cheek. "Of course I am."

His lips widened into a grin from ear to ear. The relief built along his face until it reached its peak. The sight had me trying to memorize it in my head for years to come.

"Fuck, baby," he breathed out in relief, dropping his head to the pillow. A heaven struck gaze was painted over his face. "You don't know hard it is to stop from running the fucking town and shouting this shit out loud."

My laughter doubled at his silliness. "I know, love. I know." I breathed out a sigh of relief molded around beautiful, sweet honesty, "You're mine, Luke."

"And, you're mine," he voiced with nothing, but positivity to it. "You know what? Fuck it. I'm going to every door and announcing this shit—"

"Before you do, let's get started on my lesson, first, please." I laughed, again. "Anything after that is fine."

Luke leaned back, causing my hand to fall. All humor had left in a matter of seconds, the concern replacing it.

"You wanna go again, tonight?" he asked, gently gripping my chin to stop me from turning.

I nodded, breathing out a faint sigh. I had to be consistent about my lessons with the dark, or I'd give up. I wouldn't overdo it, but I wouldn't give up, either.

Some nights were a success, others were a fail. Sometimes, it ended up being an emotionally draining act, but I did notice that with the consistency, came confidence.

Luke nodded in return, lifting himself off of me. His confidence in me raised, and brushed over mine, effectively. I needed it more than ever on nights like these.

Immediately, he pulled me into a hug. I smiled when he laid his his head on top of mine, and murmured, "What did I tell you, baby?"

"I'm Maggie fucking Norris," came out muffled against him.

"Fuck yeah you are," he encouraged, dropping a number of kisses to the top of my head. "And, what do we do when life gives us lemons, Norris?"

"Uh..." I peered back, confused; I hadn't heard that one from him. "Make lemonade?"

"Fuck no." A silly grin blended in well with the pride in his eyes. It helped ease my fear back by a considerable amount. "We somehow make chocolate cake, and try to figure out how the fuck we did that shit, okay?"

Laughter burst through my nerves as I nodded. I'd never heard of it like that, but if it made me laugh, then I loved it. "Okay."

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Hi!!!

Okay so now that we are way deeper into the story and you have gotten more of a feel for Luke, I'm gonna repeat these questions!

1st: Which lover boy is your favorite? Kade or Luke? I personally switch every time, depending on which story I'm editing😂.

2nd: What's been your favorite moment so far?

3rd: Kimberly & Kade or Maggie & Luke? (Again, I switch every time 😂)

I hope you all enjoyed the double update!! 🩶 I will be back with the next one Wednesday, and I hope you all have a beautiful week! 🤍