Xeria's P.O.V

"Oh honey, you look so pretty," Dad exclaims as I step down, all ready for my date, evoking memories of my first date with Khaos, the day my life changed.

"Will you ever stop hyping me?" I ask Dad as he opens a blue velvet box containing a beautiful bracelet.

"Never," he smiles, wrapping it around my wrist.

"Have fun, alright?" He gives me a warm hug.

Unlike that day, it is Khaos who has come to pick me up instead of Evander.

"You look beautiful," he exhales and plants a kiss on my cheek as the sound of Dad clearing his throat interrupts the moment. Khaos gives him a firm handshake.

"I won't let you down this time, sir," Khaos assures him, making me smile; it's always the same.

"Let's go." Khaos takes my hand, and I follow him to the car.

This time, the destination was different, and there was no potential crime scene.

"You know, the last time I thought that if I said no, you'd push me down the building." I laugh, shaking my head, at what we did.

"You were such an angry furball," he pulls my cheek and says.

"Oh, it's been a while since you called me by this name," I remember the first time he did. The next notable difference is the absence of an engagement ring.

"Khaos, do you love me?" I catch him off guard by my comment.

"I mean, you started with obsession, and then you confessed when it all fell apart," I add, and he stares at me without saying anything.

"Beryl, not to sound like a narcissist, but I never make any exceptions; it's against what I was taught, but the first time I went ahead and became reckless was when I wanted to catch your attention. Yes, it started with obsession, but every day we spent together, it changed into something more meaningful. I don't know what exactly your definition of love is, but you fit into my definition in every manner," he confesses, different from the time at my place.

"To me you are the reminder that," I take a deep breath and continue.

"That I'm not someone who is unfit for human relationships; you're the reason for my sanity," I confess, swallowing the lump forming in my throat.

That's right; he's someone different. He's not Jake, whom I chose to be with just to make a point; he is someone I want to be with, even if it means sacrificing all of myself for this man. I will do that; no more hiding from the demons of the past. It's me and him now.

Khaos takes me into his arms as the tears I was trying to hold back fall down. He pulls back and looks at me as if I were the most precious person in the world.

He kisses my forehead, then my damp lashes, tracing my face with his soft lips, before pressing his lips against mine. It's been so long, but each it time feels special.

"So?" he asks, gently pulling the chain around my neck and tracing it with his fingers and the ring. I tilt my head as he pulls out his chain and ring, both of which shine brightly.

I unclip the hook and detach the chain.

"No more hiding; you're with me now. "I don't need a reminder now," I exhale, gazing at the piece of jewelry in my hands.

"We can get new ones," he says, unclipping his chain as well, and I get the underlying message.

"Let's not hurry this time." I take his chain, and he pouts like a child.

"Do you have the engagement ring?" he inquires.

"Obviously," I state as fact.

"Well, it's my grandmother's, which is why I asked." He hugs me and swings me in his arms.

"Wait, you never told me that?" I ask him, my eyes widening in surprise.

"Wasn't it obvious? She took it back from Alice and gave it to me. She told me to give it to the person I want to be with forever." He looks down and plants a quick kiss on my lips.

"Will you wear it again?" he asks, his eyes glittering for a positive response.

"Is there any reason to not?" I ask, and he picks me up in excitement, and I squeal in surprise, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Only if we had the rings now," he tightens his grip on me, and I lean down to touch his forehead with mine; he appears so happy right now.

"Let's go back to my place," I suggest, and his eyes widen.

"Really?" he asks, his eyes widening. I nod.

There was no reason to, but we quietly snuck into my house, being extra cautious so we didn't wake Potato up.

I guide Khaos to my room, and we both go inside, giggling and not letting go of each other's embrace. He sits down on my bed as I take the ring out of the nightstand. I liked keeping it close for a reason. I hand the box to Khaos, and he pulls me down on his lap.

He carefully opens the box and looks at the ring; taking it out of the box, he looks at me, and I nod my head as he slips the ring on my finger. No words were exchanged, but even the silence between us seemed more meaningful; keeping the box aside, he intertwines his fingers with mine.

He leans down in the bed with me, falling into his embrace; he tucks the loose strands of hair falling on my face behind my ears and pulls me against his chest.

I look up at him, and he smiles, the rest of the night well spent with us in each other's embrace.