I rub my eyes, waking up in my dark bedroom. I smile to myself as I remember Lachlan confessing to me, and touch my lips to reassure myself that everything that happened was real. I sigh in happiness, rolling on my back and to the edge of the bed, lower half of my of my body on the bed while the upper is dangling. I grab my phone, checking my messages and notifications while humming.

Once I'm finished, I walk downstairs and grab a bowl of cereal, as it is 9 in the morning, and sit down and eat. I hear the familiar sound of Lachlan raging and I giggle.

It's so funnyyyyyyyyyyy

The sudden sound of my phone going off catches my attention. I pick it up without looking at the caller ID.

"Caitlin." The all too familiar sound of my brother's voice rings through my ears.

"What's up, Ben? Haven't heard from you in a while." I casually say.

"Listen..." He says, getting serious. "Everything's been crazy over here, and I think Autumn and the guys have been trying their best to shield this information from you..."

"Go on." I urge him to continue, although I don't really want him too.

What could be so bad that it is shaking him up like that?

"Alex... Well... The prosecution wants you to testify against him for sexual harassment and domestic abuse, along with lesser charges." He says, causing my eyes to widen.

"W-what?" I ask, not comprehending what's going on.

I can't do that, can I?

My heart starts to pound, for Lachlan or Alex I do not know.

"And... Dad just got admitted into the hospital. He's been diagnosed with lung cancer and only a month to live."

My eyes widen even more, if that's even possible, and I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts of pity for the man who ruined my life.

"Caitlin... He-dad-he wants to see you. In person." Ben says, and I shake my head in disagreement.

"I-I can't."

"Why?" He asks.

"I-I just can't go back to the man that caused my whole life to flip around in one night. And, besides, I'm with Lachlan now. I can't just leave him after promising to stay."

"It'll only be for a month; the trial for Alex will also be held in the timeframe." He says. "And Lachlan can come too."

"I-I don't know..." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I-I just don't know."

"The trial is in three weeks. The lawyers would like to see you a week before then." He says, hanging up without another word.

I frustratedly groan, not willing myself to scream as Lachlan is still recording. But, it seems he heard, as I feel him pull me into his chest.

"What happened?" He whispers into my hair.

"T-they want me to go back. Alex's trial is this month... And dad... Only has a month to live." I cry, not only for the fact that I have to embarrass myself in front of the jury, but also surprisingly for the fact that dad is sick.

He ruined my life, why am I crying for him?

And then I remember mama's last words.

"Don't hate him, hate the reason why he left."

"I-I'm sorry, Lachlan. I'm so sorry you have to deal with my drama." I choke out, wiping my tears away.

"It's okay. We'll get past it, together." He says, pulling me back so we are looking at each other.

Not knowing what to say, I decide on the three words that I know I can always count on. "I love you." I blush.

"And I love you too." He says, causing me to mentally pass out. I smile as he leans his face towards mine, me copying his actions. He gives me a quick kiss and I pout.

"Tease."

"You love it." He says as if we didn't just confess our love to each other last night.

I playfully roll my eyes. "As if."

He kisses me again, a little longer this time, and I smile. "Better?" He asks.

"Better." I nod in agreement, my hands around his neck. "Aren't you supposed to be recording?"

"Just finished." He smiles. "That means we have the rest of the day to do whatever you want."

"Really?" I ask as he nods. "We should totally go see Sully."

Lachlan rolls his eyes, knowing how much I love Tom Hanks. "That's the only thing I object to."

"Awwwwww." I pout, knowing how much he hates Tom Hanks. "Roller skating?" I ask, going to my second favorite choice.

"Roller skating it is!" He agrees, scooping me up before I have time to react and bolting out the door.

"Eeekkkkk!" I scream in shock as we get in his car and drive to the rink.
~
"Two tickets, please." Lachlan says, handing some money to the cashier. She gives us the tickets and we enter, going to the shoe rack and grabbing a pair each. I slip mine on and wait for Lachlan to put his own on. He stands up without a problem, causing me to be jealous. I always struggle standing up. Thankfully, Lachlan saves me the embarrassment and offers me both of his hands. I take them, smiling as he pulls me up and into his arms.

I'm never gonna get used to this.

"Ready?" Lachlan asks as I realize we are about to start skating.

"Yeah, but you better not let go of me!" I squeak out, slightly embarrassed.

"You can't skate?" He asks, smirking.

"I can, I just suck." I sassily respond.

"Alright, alright." Lachlan says, putting both hands in the air. It is at that moment I realized he let go of me.

"Lachlan! Oopf." I say as I fall right into his chest.

He wraps his arms around me. "I got you." I playfully glare at him as he leads me out onto the wooden rink. We skate around a few times, hand in hand. That is, until he decides to let go.

"Ahh!" I quietly scream, wobbling to maintain my balance. Let's just say the next couple laps consisted of me reaching out for Lachlan, falling on my butt, Lachlan laughing at me and me throwing him death glares.

Suddenly, a couples slow song starts to play. "We got this." Lachlan says, while I just stare at him, confused.

Has he seen me skate?

He grabs my left hand and pulls me close to him, me blushing and heart running a mile a minute as usual. We skate around for a little bit more until I land in his arms. He gives me a sweet, short kiss and I respond, blushing like mad. The song ends as I rest my head against his chest until he leads me off the rink.

"What time is it?" I ask as he checks his phone.

"Almost four." He says as I raise my eyebrows.

We've been skating for almost four hours?

"The skate ends at four." Lachlan adds as he puts his phone away.

"Maybe we should leave and we can go home and watch a movie?" I suggest, although I'm having way too much fun to leave, despite my legs' protests.

"As long as it doesn't have Tom Hanks in it, I'm in." He says, smirking as I playfully scowl at him. He suddenly gives me a quick peck on the lips and my attitude changes a bit, much to my displeasure.

I want to watch Tom Hanksssss....

"I'll buy you ice cream on the way home." Lachlan offers and I eagerly nod my head in agreement.

"But you have to go running with me tomorrow."

"Deal." He agrees, grabbing my hand as we both put away our skates and walk outside.