This life will be good and beautiful, but not without heartbreak. With death comes peace, but pain is the cost of living. Like love, it's how we know we're alive.

- The Vampire Diaries

Chapter Fifty-Six : I'll pay you

Complete.

That's how Char felt. Never in a hundred years would she have thought that she could have everything she ever wanted. And yet, here they all were. Staring her in the face. All four of them.

They were at Daniel's parents house, because the parentals all decided to spend the entire day at the Winston's. Which explains why the four were stuck at the Miller's. They didn't mind though. At least, Char didn't.

“You have that look again,” Daniel whispered her ear, “The one where you look like you're daydreaming.” he gave her a ‘don't freak us out’ look.

With a smile, she leaned in for a kiss.

“Ew.” Zach piped up. “Please don't make me gauge my eyes out. I'm too young for that.”

Cat swatted his arm with a chuckle, probably trying to tell him to behave but failing miserably at it. “Hey, leave them alone. They had to wait eight years just to be together. I think they deserve it.” she said as Zach mumbled his agreement.

Daniel and Char found each other’s eyes with a smile, reminiscing all the obstacles and roadblocks they had to conquer, the years of constant inner battles with hearts. The best part was that it didn't matter now, because they made it. And nothing was going to tear them apart.

Zach spoke up. Because, yes, he loved ruining beautiful moments. “Cat honey, Char dear, be darlings for once in your adult lives and do the right thing here. We men are trying to watch a game, so do your jobs as women and go get us some popcorn.”

“And beer.” Daniel added.

Fucking sexists. Cat muttered not so quietly under her breath. She hated nothing more than men who thought themselves superior just because they had sticks between their legs.

Char must've noticed that she had quite a few unpleasant things to say because she jumped in. “Okay, but go fuck yourselves.” she might not like it either but someone had to be the bigger person and that person was definitely not Catherine Steward. “Come on, Cat. Let's go.”

Grumpy and annoyed, Cat reluctantly followed. It didn't help that the dumbass guys were laughing behind them. 

Oh, I'll show them who's boss. One day.

The girls got busy. Char put the popcorn in the microwave, and Cat got around to seeing that the drinks were edible. She grabbed some fruit juice for herself and Char and a few bottles of beer for Daniel and Zach. Her head-gears were working relentlessly, if you call getting drinks a tedious task, when it suddenly entered her head to speak up. Besides, this was something that had been bothering on driving her crazy since she found out.

“I know you know,” she said. “And I know you know what they know. So I know what you know they know. You know?”

Char had never been so confused in her life.

What?

“What are you blabbering about this time around?” she questioned. Leave it to Cat to make things seem as complicated as hell.

“He's gonna propose. And you knew,” she fired back with a knowing look. “Why didn't you tell me?”

The penny dropped. “Are you shitting me?” she whispered, leaning towards Cat. “How on earth did you find out?”

“That's not the answer to my question.” Cat deadpanned with a roll of her eyes.

“Oh my God, nothing slips pass you, do they? It was meant to be a freaking surprise that's why I didn't tell you. You weren't supposed to find out until when he proposed. Jesus.” she breathed. This girl was going to be the death of her. “Tell me how you found out.”

Cat smirked. “I have my ways,” she said but quickly added a “I went through his things and found a velvet box,” when Char gave her a exasperated look.

Char shook her head in disbelief, “I honestly can't believe you sometimes.” She heard the microwave beep and hurriedly brought out the popcorn as she turned and walked to the living room, leaving Cat and the drinks behind.

Cat felt like a baby who's been scolded by her mom for breaking a vase. “Sorry,” she whispered after her.

After much hassle, they all got settled for the game. Even though Char was still very much pissed off at Cat, she tried to see things from her perspective. Cat was naturally inquisitive, so maybe it was normal that she went snooping. But that also meant that nothing Zach does now will come as a suprise. Wasn't that the entire point of proposing?

A knock at the door brought her out of her reverie. She gave a loud snort as her butt stayed planted on the couch. Different looks were exchanged. Who was going to open the door? They all asked with their eyes.

Because they were all pieces of shit, Char came out with the shortest stick. Literally, because she was the youngest.

“What are we? Six?” she huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Zach chuckled. “Even if we were,  you'd still be the smallest.”

She gave him a fierce glare as the TV roared to life from the game. Seemed like a team was winning.

“Daniel,” she turned to Daniel, giving him her best smile. “I'll pay you, I have money now.” she did, because she'd been working, but that was news for later. Zach let out a loud snort at her tactic, swallowing hard when she fixed him a burning glare.

Daniel laughed. “Babe, I work in a hospital. Starlings to be exact. I don't need your money.” he gave a sympathetic pat on her head.

Rolling her eyes, she turned to Cat.

“People pay me to keep quiet,” she raised a brow. “I think I can manage just fine.”

Before she could even turn to him, Zach added.  “Don't look at me. I manage the biggest bank in Australia.” he grinned.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she decided the only thing left to do was to grow some tits and carry her cross. Three exasperated sighs later,  she was standing in front of the door. 

It wasn't like she was lazy, she thought as she pulled on the doorknob, it was just that she didn't like doing anything that involved standing, working, walking or even bend—

She froze as she pulled open the door.

Well, well. It's about time.

“Abby.”

——---
God, I don't even know where to start. It's been 8 months. I haven't written or updated anything. I'm sorry you guys. My plate has been full and honestly, I haven't had any motivation.
It's been hell.

But good news is, I'm here now. And I'm ready to finish IWAY.

One more chapter, an epilogue then we're out.

I love the you guys so freaking much.  Thanks.

- Gift.