I stood there in the hallway looking at Ryan lock the door to Clara's room behind us and all I could do was stare with a confused smile on my face. Why, you ask? Well, that's because Ryan was smiling. And it wasn't a sad smile, it was a happy one. And he had Clara's letter in his hand. That was.....unexpected.

He turned around and beamed at me. Now my eyebrows were scrunched up in confusion too. " Umm... Are you okay, babe? " I asked in an unsure voice. He chuckled and stepped closer to me. Snaking his hand around my waist he pulled me into him.

I looked up at him to see that he was smiling. He was creeping me out now. I lifted my hand and placed it on his forehead. An amused look settled on his features and it looked as if he was holding back his laughter. " I think you should lay down. You're acting weird! " He threw his head back and laughed.

I'm pretty sure I must have been looking like a kid lost in a crowd, cause I was that confused. " You're so adorable, Sunflower. " He said still lightly laughing. I narrowed my eyes at him, " No, I'm not! You're acting strange. " He chuckled amusedly. " And how am I acting strange, my love? "

" I don't know! You're... You're laughing, " I said exasparately. " Oh ouch! You wanna see me cry now? " He said in a fake hurt voice. My eyes widened at his words and I shook my head immediately. " No, no that's not what I meant. I just.... " He didn't let me finish whatever it was that I was about rant out, by placing a soft lingering kiss on my lips.

He smiled against my lips and I closed my eyes. Every small kiss sent a huge swarm of butterflies to my stomach. I found myself smiling too. Pulling back he pushed a strand of my hair behind my ears, " You talk too much. " I pouted and that made Ryan laugh even more.

He sighed deeply and then lowered his eyes to mine, holding me with his gaze, " Eve, reading that letter was my closure as you said. I did it. I know what Clara's last words to me were. And it happened because of you, so thank you for everything. I may still believe that in some way it was my fault, but I also believe that she's in a better place now. I want to let her go. "

My smile widened at his words. " I'm so proud of you, " I whispered. He beamed, " If I was in L.A. right now I would've visited her but that's not possible. So I have another idea. " I cocked my head to one side, " And what is that? " " Will you help me prepare her favorite dish for dinner tonight? It'll be a small gesture of remembering her and it'll give me extreme happiness. "

I nodded my head and grinned at him, " I'd love to! I'm great in kitchen. " He chuckled, " Don't you think I already know that. You've got me hooked on your cooking. I don't think I would be able to eat anything else ever again! " I giggled, " Well that only means that you're keeping me around for a long time. " His smile turned genuine, " I would definitely bet on that. " I smiled and leaned up to kiss him again. Yup, butterflies.

For the next two hours, we stood there in the kitchen cooking Clara's favorite meal. Well, I was cooking while Ryan was just trying to distract me by cracking his stupid jokes all the while. We laughed and sang along with the music playing on the speaker. He took my hands in his and spun me around. I laughed like a baby and danced in the kitchen like no one was watching. It was the best feeling. Scratch that, being in love was the best feeling. He was my favourite distraction.

We took our food to the living room, per my request obviously, and sat down on the couch. Ryan took a bite of the food and moaned in approval, " This tastes like heaven! " I laughed at his dramatic ass and delved into my own plate. It did taste awesome.

" I haven't forgotten my end of the deal you know. " Ryan said suddenly and I looked over at him. At first, I didn't catch up on what he was saying but then it struck me. His dad!  My eyes widened and a huge grin overtook my features. He chuckled amusedly, " Let's facetime them, shall we? " I was nodding my head like a happy toddler even before he finished.

He walked upstairs to get his laptop and I cleaned after us quickly. Ryan came downstairs, just as I was adjusting the pillows of the couch. I turned around to see that he was carrying my guitar too. " Why the guitar? " I asked. " I think dad would like to see his antique beauty, what say? " I smiled and nodded.

We set up the laptop and Ryan fixed the call. My heart was hammering against my chest in nervousness and anticipation. I was excited too. Once the call was set and we were waiting for them to pick up, Ryan placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it in reassurance. " They'll love you, Eve. Don't worry! " I smiled back at him.

The call connected and my breath hitched as the face of the same man that had saved me that night came into view. Now that I paid attention closely, he was exactly the older version of Ryan. He had the same blue ocean eyes and brown shaggy hair. His smile was uncannily similar to Ryan's.

My eyes then shifted over to the beautiful brunette sitting next to Mr. Matthews. She must be Ryan's mom. She had beautiful sea-green eyes and a small heart-shaped face. Her natural curls were making her look ten times younger than her age. She could definitely pass for Ryan's elder sister.

"Hey Momma, hey Dad. " Ryan beamed at the screen. My eyes roamed over his happy face. I loved seeing him like that. " Hi, Ry! Honey, how are you? It's been ages since you last called." His mom's sweet honey-like voice chimed from the laptop and I smiled. I was out of the frame of the camera so they couldn't see me yet. " I know Mom. I'm sorry. I've just been a little busy lately. " Ryan replied.

"How're your shows going, son? " My smile widened at hearing his Dad's voice. The memories of that night ran through my mind. " They're good Dad! We've been getting more shows now. People know us. " A magical smile spread over Mr. Matthew's face. He was obviously very proud of his son. He should be!

" Mom, Dad, I want you to meet someone. " Ryan said and just like that the nervous butterflies were back. What if he didn't recognize me? Ryan's mom gasped, a wide smile replacing her features, " Oh Ryan, please tell me you finally found a girl. I'm tired. I'm not getting any younger and I want to play with my grandchildren! "

Ryan's cheeks turned a bright red color and I almost snorted. " Mom... " He groaned and his mom giggled. I like them! He turned his head to look at me and I nodded to let him know that I was ready.

Smiling he turned the laptop at an angle so now I was in the frame of the camera. " Mom, Dad this is Evelyn, my girlfriend. " My heart near about did a double-take at his words. Even though I had said yes to his proposal this morning on the rooftop, it was the first time he was calling me that. And that too in front of his parents. My cheeks flushed with happiness because of his words and also because of the large smile on his mom's face.

" Oh my, you're so beautiful, Evelyn. I'm Luna and this is Alex. I can't tell you how long I've waited for this. " His mom said. I swear she had tears in her eyes. I smiled at her words. " Mom! " Ryan said in a warning and I laughed lightly. " Umm, I don't know why, but it feels like I know you. " My breath hitched at those words.

Looking at Mr. Matthews with tears filled in my eyes, I nodded my head with a huge smile. He recognizes me! " I think I know you too, sir. I have something that belongs to you. " I said. Mr. Matthews drew his brows together, " We have met before, haven't we? " I nodded my head again.

Ryan scooted closer to me and slung his hand across my shoulder. I realized I had a small tear running down my face. " Dad, she's a famous singer, don't you know. " He winked at me teasingly and I smiled. I Elbowed him in the ribs slightly, making him laugh. " Oh my, now that you say that Ry, she does remind me of some singer. " Luna gasped and Ryan chuckled.

" Maybe, but I feel like I know you from somewhere else. " Mr. Matthews said. " I think this will help you, sir. " I said and then reached out for my....his guitar. Pulling it out of its case, I lifted it up in my arms so that he would be able to see it too.

As the guitar came into his view, Mr. Matthews' eyes widened and he took in a sharp breath. " Holy shit, that's my guitar! It has that seal on it. You're..... you're that little guitar girl? " Tears of happiness poured down my eyes. He really did remember me! I nodded my head furiously and a soft sob broke through my lip.

" Jesus Christ, you've grown so much! Oh my God. This is surreal. I can't believe it. I thought I'd never be able to meet you again, little one. " He was on the verge of tears too and his smile was as bright as a thousand stars in the night sky.

I looked up at Ryan to see that he was grinning at me. He turned his eyes to his dad and slowly said, " You saved my girl, Dad. I don't know how to thank you. " My heart swelled at his words. His girl. Yup! That was me!

" Oh, Ryan. She wasn't even your girl back then. She just reminded me of someone very close to my heart and I knew I had to save her. Oh god, Evelyn. You've grown so much, little angel. I didn't even know your name was Evelyn. I just remembered your green eyes and your smile and I knew I had seen you somewhere before. " Mr. Matthews said. Now he had tears running down his face too. His wife had her arm around him and was smiling sadly. His words, however, caught my attention. I reminded him of someone? Who?

I shook my head quickly to clear my thoughts. Focus on the good right now, Evelyn, stop trying to read between the lines.

" You saved my life that day, Sir. You gave me a purpose by giving me this guitar of yours. You made me the famous singer I am today. You were the first person who had made me experience fatherly love and I can never thank you enough for that. If you hadn't saved me that day, I wouldn't have been able to meet your wonderful son. Thank you, " The last two words came out as a whisper as I choked on a sob.

" Aye, Ryan. You better take care of this one, you hear me? She's precious to me. " Alex smiled over at me and I laughed through my tears. " Thank you, sir. " I said. " Oh stop with the sir. Just call me Alex. " I smiled. " Thank you, Alex. " He smiled and nodded.

Suddenly two small figures wrapped their arms around Alex and Luna and hung their heads in front of the camera to look at us. They looked so adorable.

Both of them had Luna's sea-green eyes and her chestnut brown hair. The little boy had freckles all over his face and his button nose made him the cutest kid you could ever see. The little girl had beautiful long lashes and little bangs covering her forehead. She looked so innocent and sweet.

I smiled at the two angels and looked up to see Ryan laughing at their actions. " Hey, Chris. Hi Cherry. This is Evelyn. Say hi! " He said smiling lovingly at the twins. Both the kids waved their tiny hands at me and smiled their toothless grins. I smiled and waved back. " Is this your girlfriend, Ry? " That tiny cute voice belonged to Christophe.

" Yes, Chris. She's my girlfriend. " Ryan smiled. " So, this means I can finally have a big sister! " Cheryl's chirpy little voice sounded through the laptop and all of us laughed. " Yes, sweetie. This means you have a big sister now. Between you and me, I know your brother is boring, " Cherry giggled at my words. It was the most adorable sound in the world. Ryan shook his head and smiled down at me.

" Uh oh," Chris said loudly and I lifted my eyebrows in amusement. " What is it, Champ? " Ryan said sitting up and leaning towards the screen a little. " This means she's my big sister too. " Ryan chuckled, " Yup. And? " Chris sighed dramatically before saying, " This means I'll have to fight boys for her too like I do for Cherry. "

I couldn't help but laugh at his words. Cutie. Ryan and his dad both let out a loud booming laugh at this. Hearing them laugh even Chris started giggling and his innocent behavior made my heart swell up. These two little midgets were adorable.

For the next two hours, we sat there cuddled up on the couch talking to his family, laughing at the twin's actions and I felt a happy bubble in my chest. Although there was a nagging thought at the back of my head saying this was too good to be true, I pushed it back and decided to enjoy the moment.

I deserved this happiness. I loved these people.

*********

• Author's note •

And from here on starts the final journey of Evelyn's adventures. Put your seatbelts on, it might be a bumpy ride ;)

Much love

M :)