Leah had been with me for a week. We had talked about everything, our lives, and hopes for going forward. She had made me feel in one week more loved and adored than I think I had felt most of my adult life, all between intense sessions of love making that had us in a constant state of pink cheeks, glistening skin and messy hair.

The signs were all there, that Leah was special, and that this was a little different to other loves I've had. Even though it was the early stages of our fresh start, it was pretty obvious even with such little time, that this was a rare one.

"What if they don't like me" Leah asks as we walk side by side, hand in hand, up to my parents front door.

I look sideways to her, "they will love you" I say reassuringly. She looks so gorgeous, her hair tousled in waves down her shoulders, wearing a patterned shirt and black denim jeans. "You look so sexy" I admire, biting my lip a little.

"Morgan" Leah observes "not the lip bite please"

I release the flesh from under my teeth, my plump lip springing back out as Leah pulls me into her arms and captures it between her own. A warmth floods through my entire body at the way she kissed me, so full of wanting.

"The basketball player is back" I hear from behind us. We spring apart like two teenagers caught on the front stoop after a date.

"Dad" I say finding him stood in the door with a large smile that grew as he looked between us both.

"Leah right" he asked.

She steps forward, hand extended "yes, Leah, it's nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you from Morgan" she says.

He shakes her hand "call me Harry" he asks.

She nods "nice to meet you Harry" she adds "thank you for having me" she says politely.

He looks to me "Babe Ruth give your dad a hug" he says opening his arms.

I walk into them as he wraps me up "I can't keep up" he whispers into my ear.

I hold his chest with my palm flat to it and look up to meet his curious expression "I will explain"

He kisses my forehead "no need" he says releasing me and looking to Leah.
"Leah, my baby may be a grown woman with her own babies but Morgan will always be my little girl, and so I need you to promise me something" he asks her.

I roll my eyes, here we go. I look back to her and take her hand behind me as I walked back into her body. She places her arm around my waist "anything" Leah says holding me against her.

"Don't hurt her" he commands "she's got the biggest heart my Babe Ruth and it's not been looked after. I'm going to need you to look after it" he stressed.

Leah looks sideways to me "i promise" she says as her hand squeezes my hip. I lean up to kiss her.

"That's settled then. You may step over the threshold into the house of Keaton... but I do stress that you come in with an open mind. My children appear like they were dragged up by monkeys with no appropriate adult supervision but I can assure you they were all sent to private schools, educated, and brought up in a stable home" he says.

Leah lets out a small laugh as we follow him in.

"We don't really know what happened to them after Kevin, he is our first offspring. Morgan's our second born, and her arrival brought with it a slippery slope, and by the time we got to Lydia all hell broke loose and we decided to just roll with it"

"Should I be scared" she whispers into my ear.

My lips twitch upward as Blake appears from the kitchen with Lydia, the terrible twosome.

"It's like a magic door" Lydia observes "you never know who will come through it next"

I can see she's still unsure about Leah even though I've explained everything to her five times over.

"Leah" Blake welcomes holding out his hand "I'm the normal one. So you must come to me for any and all advice on managing this house of crazy" he explains.

Lydia and I both guffaw "an absolute fucking fabrication that" Lydia replies as Blake shakes Leah's hand.

"Language" my dad calls over us as he disappeared down the hall.

Blake turns to Lydia with narrowed eyes "do not assault my winning personality and sweet nature" he says jovially, pretending to be offended.

"Don't lie to guests..." she retorts, and she steps forward and takes Leah in before offering an olive branch, hand outstretched "I'm still cautious Leah, I'm not going to lie, but I also see how happy my sister appears to be. I can get on board with a happy Morgan... so welcome" she greets as they shake hands.

"I can understand your apprehension and caution, but I promise I want a happy Morgan too..." Leah replies.

I lean up and kiss her cheek.

"Wine" Lydia announces eagerly.

We both nod "thanks Lyd" i say as she disappears into the kitchen to retrieve wine glasses.

"Where is Mia" I ask Blake.

His little face lights up at the mention of her "she's out back with mom... she brought her some gifts home from Sweden. Moms a little bewitched by Mia I'm not going to lie, she's intense. I had no idea bringing a girlfriend home would be such a big deal... it's like she thinks we are getting married" he says, as we all walked into the kitchen.

"Well you are getting married" I reply.

Blake frowns "Um... no" he says back.

I let go of Leah and take a glass of wine that Lydia is offering. It lean over the kitchen counter to taunt Blake further as he stands opposite with a drink in hand.

"Um... yes you are" I add again.

Leah watches on in amusement as Lydia and I both lean across the kitchen island like we were two cats playing with a goldfish in a bowl, reaching in and stirring it about in panic every now and again.

"Blake you were set to marry Mia the moment you took her away from your sister... because if you didn't seduce her away, almost destroying your family in the process to marry her what on earth was it for" Lydia asked mockingly.

Blake looks a little panicked.

"Morgan and the swede could have been a sure thing if not for your interference" Lydia taunts.

"She's a friend of mine Blake" I add, not wanting Leah to look further into Lydia's comment "and I've told you before not to play with my friends, and if you ever did, it would have to be forever because I didn't want any of my friends broken hearted over you" I say as seriously as possible, when inside I was dying to laugh at the panic on his face.

"Are you serious" he asks.

We both nod and sip our wine.

"And mom is so attached to her now.." Lydia adds for good measure. "She's literally one of the family... So put a ring on it and call it done"

"You two are so mean" Leah says coming up behind me and pulling me back into her body
"Put him out of his misery" she says seeing his plight.

Lydia and I both look back to him and smile mischievously "fine... you don't have to marry her" i state. He visibly releases the tension in his shoulders. "but why wouldn't you... she's absolutely out of your league and has the sweetest heart. She's most definitely wifey material"

Leah tilts her head to look at me "is she now" she asks.

I let out a little laugh. "Not for me" I reassure her.

"Morg" Mia calls running through the kitchen.

I move out of Leah's arms and wrap my arms around Mias shoulders "how was your summer" she asks, squeezing me tightly with eyes closed, and as we part she doesn't release my arms, she holds me affectionately "Good..." I reply with a smile.

I gesture back to Leah. Mia follows my gaze "oh wow" she says in her Swedish accent.

She smiles her endearing smile and lets my arms go as she moves across the kitchen and reaches for Leah, who is watching us closely "can I hug you" she asks, stopping half way with arms outstretched.

Leah's lips lift into a kind smile "of course" she replies as Mia hugs her.

"I'm a big hugger" Mia reveals. "And I'm so glad you guys reconnected"she adds, letting Leah go and coming back to take my arm "this one is pretty special ... look after her" she asks.

Leah nods "I have a feeling Morgan has quite the army behind her if anyone ever dared hurt her again... but trust me... I won't hurt her... never again" Leah promises.

"Then I approve" Mia says leaning into me affectionately "Blake your mom wants to talk about a trip to Monterey... apparently she wants me to meet your grandparents"

We all look to Blake, whose eyes widen at the thought "that sounds a little serious" he says.

Lydia snakes her arm up and around his shoulders "Oh brother... it sounds just about right don't you think..."

"Blake" I say seeing his apprehension "Mom makes everyone go to Monterey to meet the grandparents... it means nothing" I add to take the intensity out of his paranoia.

"Am I going to Monterey" Leah asks me with a jovial smile.

I turn around and kiss her lips, tugging at her shirt, and bringing her as close as possible. "You aren't just going to Monterey" I say breaking away from the kiss "you are going on the whistle stop tour of the entire family until everyone has met you...and your initiation is complete" I promise.

"Oh my days" my mom says dramatically, entering the room "my daughters dates are all merging... now is Leah stood in front of me or am I seeing things" she asks.

I walk over and take her hand and bring her over to Leah "mom this is Leah Mitchell. She is very much real and very much with me" I announce.

Mom smiles "but you do understand why I have trust issues Morgan" she reminds me as she sticks her hand out to Leah "Leah welcome to our home... I am actually thrilled to finally meet you"

Leah looks so relieved as she shakes her hand "lovely to meet you too" she replies "Morgan has only said good things" she lies.

My mom looks to me sideways squinting "well she learnt how to lie with the best of them" she quips and she turns to us all "out to the dinner table you lot. Stop hovering around the wine like a bunch of hobos and get out there... Kevin and Cora are sat out there awaiting dinner like civilised folk whilst you lushes are in here. Honestly I don't know where I went wrong after Kevin" my mom says jovially as she grabs the wine bottle and heads on out to the back yard.

Lydia was on her tail with a rebuff "some would say it all went right after Kevin mom" she says as she disappears up the hall.

I turn to Leah as the room empties "I'm so sorry about my family" I apologise.

She smiles and runs her finger down my cheek lovingly "they are fun"

I shake my head "fun isn't the word, but it's a kind alternative to absolutely off of their rockers, so thanks"

"I like them" she says.

I wrap my arms around her waist and lean into her body, my cheek resting against her shirt. "Not quite honey falls sweet though are they" I say, trying not to laugh at how opposite our family's were.

"No but bees do have a sting you know... they aren't all sweet... take George for example... she may look sweet like my momma but her sting is a painful one"

"When can I meet your family again...I feel like I need a do over since last time I kind of abandoned them half way through that game" I ask.

Leah kisses my forehead as I look up to meet her gaze. "I'm receiving a plaque at my old high school in a couple months to mark my success in basketball there, and in my professional career... it's a pretty big deal. I would love you to be there" she asks.

I sigh and turn into her embrace, capturing her cheeks in my hands and bringing her lips to mine briefly "I wouldn't miss it" I promise kissing her again.

***

"Okay kids, now remember don't act weird ... act perfectly normal" I ask them all as they sit in the back of the car. We have come to the airport to pick up Leah. It's is the kids first time meeting her. They know we are dating, and they are excited to meet her, Jamie especially. Apparently she knew it was always Leah who was the one I needed to date, and she thought I was a bit slow to catch on, her words not mine. 

"You know the only reason you and Leah are a thing Mom is because I liked that message... so if you get married I expect to be the maid of honour to reflect my part in your getting together"

I roll my eyes and look to her in the rear view "who said anything about marriage Jameson"

"It's going to happen Mom... aunty Lydia said it's a given..." she responds.

"Of course she did... and did she mention if her and Paige were due to wed since she loves to marry her siblings off in conversation" I ask.

"No, but they should mom" Asher joins in "Paige is so awesome"

I have to agree, she was, she made Lydia so happy, and she was full of positive energy which Lydia needed, they completely suited.

"Is that her" Gage asks from behind me.

I peek out the side of the window "yes" I say as I wave. She sees us and walks over. I step out of the car and round the back to open the trunk.

She chucks her hold-all down inside and shuts it before pulling me into her arms with a hundred pecks to my face that I'd screwed up in response "god I missed you" she says peppering me in more.

"It's only been two weeks" I remind her.

She presses her forehead to mine as we both close our eyes "two weeks too long" she replies, and she kisses my lips softly before breaking away gently.

"I missed you too" i confess "far too much"

"Are you ready to meet the children of the Korn" I ask her.

She smiles amused "I think you should hype your children up a little more... I've heard more warnings than I suspect I need"

"They are closely related by blood to that house of Keatons you met a month ago.... I think a warning label is quite necessary" i retort.

"I think if they are anything like you then I will love them by default... because I couldn't love you more" She returns.

I squeeze her hand "then let's test out that theory" I say as we part and round the car on opposite sides, and before we open the doors I look back to her over the top of the car "are you sure you want to be a part of this team" I ask "because your contract is not quite signed... you could run back to the draft now and await another team"

She laughs. "Morgan I want to be on your team... sign me up for life and throw away your play book" she says eyebrows raised.

My lips twitch into a smile. "Done and done" I reply, and we open the doors and get inside, slowly turning to the three eager faces in the back.

Leah looks to them, and then to me, and back again with a glint in her eye "I've been so looking forward to meeting you three" she says.

They all smile back, but not creepily so, they are happy to see her, and even happier to see their mom finally smiling... a smile that would never seem to wipe away, because a lifetime was promised and after decades in search of the rare, the hard to find, and the most hidden and longed for love, Leah Mitchell brought it into my life. She held it out to me, offering it all, every dream and star wished upon, making good on their promise... that my one was coming... I just had been made to wait a little to find her, but my goodness was she worth the wait when she arrived.

"It's nice to meet you too Leah" Jameson replied "I'm so glad I hearted your messages that day and sent you back into my moms DMs" she said.

I look away trying to avoid Leah's gaze, and to be honest trying not to laugh because I had never confessed to her it was my daughter who broke our nine months of silence.

"You were the one who replied to me" she asks surprised.

Jameson confirms enthusiastically "yeah my mom was so freaked out she threw her laptop in the pool"

I start the car as Leah buckled up "is that so" she says cocking her eyebrow at me.

I look to her as my chest begins to vibrate with laughter "I totally would have messaged you back eventually" I argue.

She shakes her head amused "I hope you would have, but I'm glad Jameson pushed you into my path in that prolific ghoulish sheet of yours"

"Leah, can you teach me some basketball techniques" Asher throws in as I look away from Leah's amused smile.

Gage adds "yeah me too me too" as we move off into traffic.

"Sure, I have all the time in the world boys" she begins "I'm not going anywhere" she promises, threading her fingers through mine and squeezing my hand. I glance over and our eyes meet "I'm all yours" she whispers.

I sigh at the way my heart just doubled in beats "I love you so much" I reply as the sound of my heart beat filled my ears, to have the love reflected at me that I gave back. It was a love I had willed into existence, and this was it, the day Leah came and never left. It was the day my fated one got dropped in my lap by the universe.

I can almost hear the universe take a long baited breath, as if to say, okay you did it, you made it. You have survived the journey to it, and now here it is given with apology for making you wait what felt a lifetime for it... and to apologise we sent the best one, the woman of your dreams, tied with a red ribbon and down for forever. Please leave a positive comment on the universes trust pilot page.

Dear universe, the delivery could have been quicker, it felt a little like my package got lost in transit, and your customer services team kinda suck. Who sends me the wrong package four times?! The thing is though I can't not give you five stars because even though it arrived late, it was perfect, and it kind of arrived right on time in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for the memory's ... hope to never need you again for a delivery, but will recommend you to a friend.

Morgan Keaton,

Unlucky in love, until now...

💋

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The end.

*Epilogue next*

Thanks for the love for Morgan 💕
See you soon! 🫶🏻