I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Ryan's dad was the man who had saved me from taking the extreme step that night.

This was surreal.

It was ironic to think that I had fallen in love with the son of the man who had saved my life 7 years ago without even knowing it.

I pulled back from Ryan's heartwarming hug and smiled up at him. I couldn't come to stop smiling. First I realize that I love this wonderful and gorgeous man standing in front of my eyes and now I get to know that his dad was the one who changed my entire life so many years ago. It was a wonderful feeling.

" What is it with you Matthews and saving my life, huh? " I quipped teasingly with a half grin on my face. Ryan laughed, " I never saved you. If anything, you saved my ass in that club that night, remember?" He said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I giggled, " You did save me, Ry. You brought me home that first night from the bar. If you wouldn't have, Stella would have gotten to me a long while back. "

Ryan's smile turned devilish, " Yeah, well, I didn't do that for you. " I cocked my head to the side with an amused look on my face, " No? So why did you do it?" Ryan chuckled, " Well, you were way too hot to be left alone in that dive bar where the men in the back were already sizing you up. Fun fact, even Tori was starting at you with her jaw hanging to the floor. But mainly, I just wanted you all to myself. "

My cheeks flamed at his words and I smacked his chest in embarrassment which only made him guffaw like an idiot. " No, they weren't sizing me up or anything, silly, they probably were just wondering why I had suddenly barged into the place. " I muttered, with a pout on my lips. " You're so fucking adorable, Evie." Ryan burst out laughing and my cheeks reddened further.

" Can I talk to him? " I quickly blurted out, trying to change the topic. Ryan's booming laughter died down and his eyes lighted up with admiration and love, " Talk to him? I want to attack him with hugs right about now! " He almost shouted. There was a huge lopsided grin adorning his face and I laughed at his expression, " You're such a dork! "

" Yeah but you still love me, " He winked and my cheeks instantly heated up again and I tried to hide my face from him. I know he was probably just joking right now but if he only knew.

" I'll let you talk to him if you do me a favor in return. " He suddenly offered pulling me out of my blushing trance.

Without even thinking I nodded heartily, " I'll do anything for you! " I exclaimed. His smile turned teasing again and he lifted his brows. My eyes widened as I realized what I had just said. Stupid Evelyn!

" I... I mean... I'd do anything... to meet your Dad... " I stammered. My cheeks felt like they were on fire. He laughed. " Yeah, I got you, Sunflower. " He winked at me and there I went, blushing even harder. Holy Christ, something was wrong with me!

" I want you to come with me when I go inside Clara's room. " He suddenly said in a serious voice. My face broke out into the proudest smile and I nodded my head furiously. Holding out my pinkie I looked up at him, " Promise! "

He laughed amusedly at my actions and linked his pinkie with mine. I smiled widely at him. However, before I could pull my hand back he jerked it in his direction and I almost bumped into him. He held my waist to steady me.

I turned my head up to find that his face was barely an inch or two away from mine. My breath hitched and all the blood rushed to my face. We were too close. If he moved even slightly he could easily kiss me. His beautiful eyes were staring into mine and a small smile danced on his lips. One of his hands reached up to push a stray lock behind my ear and I leaned into his touch.

" If you promise me you wouldn't freak out, I want to tell you something. " He whispered. I searched his beautiful face. His eyes were locked onto mine. His smile didn't once falter which made me smile in return. " I promise. " I whispered back.

He moved his face closer to my ear and whispered the words I had never expected him to say, yet somehow my heart had yearned for them all along.

" I love you, Evelyn Rose Johnson. "

My eyes widened and my breath hitched. My face broke out into a huge grin. He pulled back to take in my expression, a breathtaking smile plastered on his face.

I was speechless for a few minutes before I slowly whispered, still very much in shock, " If you hadn't made me promise not to freak out, I would be squealing by now. "

He laughed out loud at my words and shaking his head, he pulled me closer to him by my waist. I looked up at his beautiful face and I couldn't stop the happy tears that were brimming up in my eyes. He loves me. He said he loves me! Somebody loves me! I am lovable.

I held his face in both my hands lightly and whispered back, " I love you, Ryan Matthews. More than I have ever loved anyone. "

His eyes lit up like the fourth of July and a huge grin spread across his face. Before I could say anything, he lifted me up from under my arms and spun me around. I laughed at his actions and shouted for him to put me down but he only laughed back. His voice sounded careless and happy and I was loving it.

He gently placed me back on my feet and slowly leaned in, his eyes never once leaving mine. " Can I kiss you? God knows, I've been dying to do it ever since I first met you. " I smiled and nodded my head slowly. The next thing I know his lips were on mine and I felt like I suddenly had wings to fly.

His lips were soft yet somehow also dominant. They molded into mine so perfectly that it made me feel like electricity was coursing through my entire being. I lifted my hands and placed them around his neck. My fingers threaded into his hair and a small moan sounded in my throat as he lightly bit my bottom lip. One of his hands rubbed slow enticing circles on my waist while he held my face with the other.

I was lost. I was soaring high in the sky yet I was drowning. I was lifted up yet I was falling. I was short of breath yet it felt like he had just breathed new life into my soul. My heart was hammering against my chest. I was high on the feeling.

After what felt like hours but were only a few pleasurable minutes, he pulled away slowly but I kept my eyes closed, still lost in the moment. I felt light fingers brushing against my cheeks, " You can open your eyes, baby. " He said kissing my cheek lightly. I smiled and opened my eyes slowly. " I love you. " I couldn't stop saying it. Like I said, I was high on the feeling.

Everything about him was seeming more beautiful now. It was as if I was suddenly seeing him through rose-colored glasses. And I never wanted to take them off. " I love you too, Sunflower. " He had the same lovestruck expression on his face as me and that made me giggle.

" Does this mean I finally have a girlfriend? " He asked. His arms snaked around my waist and I hooked mine around his neck. He was leaning against the wall behind him pulling me into his chest.

" You never asked, mister, " I chuckled and an amused grin overtook his features. " I can get on one knee right here if you want me to, " He gave me his iconic half grin and I rolled my eyes playfully. " Nope, don't like that rainbow and vanilla stuff. " I scrunched up my nose and he laughed. Smirking he replied, " Good, cause I don't know how to do rainbows and vanilla either. " I laughed lightly and leaned up to place a gentle kiss on his lips.

" So, my love, would you do me the honour of being my girlfriend? It would bring me immense pleasure and happiness." He asked and I laughed at his words. " Yes! " He chuckled, leaning down to give me another sweet kiss. " I love you, " He whispered against my lips. " I love you too, " I whispered back.

" C'mon let's go eat something. I'm starving. And God knows we have a lot of difficult things to do today. " He said interlacing his fingers with mine and I smiled reassuringly at him, " I'll be right by your side. "

He smiled back, " I know, Love. "

*********

• Author's note •

Aaahh! Finally! What do you think about these two? Who do you ship the most so far? Lemme know your thoughts in the comment section ;)

Much love

M :)