July 10th 2015, Sunday

I glanced at Grace sleeping peacefully beside me on the bed before slowly getting up, so as to not wake her. After we'd finished her video, we'd both stayed up watching Pitch Perfect before she finally went to sleep at around two.

"4:58 and here I am. Not having slept since yesterday." I muttered, going over to my window and peering out. Ever since researching what 'mi cariño' meant, my mind's been puzzling over it since. The website had said it was also a way of showing affection to someone but it still didn't stop the happiness I felt at the thought that there was a small chance of Devon loving me.

"God when did my life turn into this?" I whispered, my phone ringing. I quickly answered, glancing at Grace as she shifted a bit, thankfully not waking up.

"You almost killed me just now." I whispered.

"Uh?" Devon asked and I sighed.

"Grace is sleeping, and she hates being woken up from her sleep, she would have killed me." I mumbled, still glancing at Grace. "She loved your cupcakes by the way."

"I'm making more for today, blueberries this time."

"Where are you getting these from?"

"Oh I'll show you when you come over. Ellie's excited by the way. Been talking about it nonstop since I told her yesterday."

"I'm excited too! I haven't been to the beach since last winter, it'll be nice to actually go in the water this time. Tell Ellie we're building sandcastles." I said looking out my window and waiting for the sun to begin rising.

"You sound a whole lot more excited than Ellie." Devon pointed out.

"The beach has always been one of my favourite places in the world, so to go there with two of my favourite people, why won't I be excited?" I replied, glancing at Grace again to make sure I wasn't disturbing her.

"List of the most important people in your life go." He said.

"Okay, well. My mum, Grace and you in second place, Brad's in third and the children, Annie & Suzie in fourth."

"Oh, so I'm tied with Grace."

"Yeah but if she ever asks, you're below her. I just hope the day never comes when I'd have to choose between you two."

"What if you had to choose between us?" He asked.

"Devon, don't. I'd like die from even thinking about it. Never, ever, make me have to choose." I warned, as the sun finally started to rise.

"I wouldn't want you dying on me mi cariño. I'd never make you choose." I smiled, fiddling with my locket, letting the sun warm my face.

"Do you wanna tell me what that means now?" I asked, not exactly lying.

"You didn't google it like you said you would?" He asked. I knew how much he hated liars, and I wasn't about to start lying to him either.

"Of course I did, but I'm still confused. You wanna explain it to me then?"

"Ask me again on Suzie's wedding day." I laughed, then quickly checked to see whether it disturbed Grace.

"Should I just make a list now? Things I need to ask Devon on Suzie's wedding day?"

"Might as well, you ask a lot of questions."

"What can I say? Writers tend to be over curious."

"Trust me, I've noticed. But I like your curiosity, it's intriguing."

"How so?"

"In the way that a person genuinely knows you're actually interested, and not being fake you know?"

"I couldn't act fake even if I tried, I'll leave acting to Grace."

"Tell me about you and her." He said.

"Me and Grace?"

"Yeah, you know so much about me, like my entire past. I need to step up my game." I smiled, glancing at Grace who was breaking out in a sweat before getting up to turn the fan on for her, and sitting back down.

"Well um, we've known each other since primary school. And in primary, she couldn't tolerate me actually, she would cause trouble and I'd always fix it. So we get to year four, and we're pretty good friends by now, not best friends but still. So we're walking home by ourselves, both eight at the time, because our mums had been busy.

And out of nowhere, this car started driving beside us, and the man was the typical perverted dick. And when he finally got out of the car, he grabbed me however he could, so that's where the mark I have on the back of my neck comes from. And I genuinely expected Grace to run, because that's what any child would have done in the situation.

But I have never seen Grace that angry before in my entire life. And she did what any child wouldn't have done in that situation, she attacked him head on, in any way she could. And I know she would have continued no matter what. And when a woman driving past saw what was happening and called the police, and I finally felt safe, I asked her why she didn't run.

And she told me, 'because every time I've done something bad, you've always fixed it, even though I hated you for it; so when something bad was happening with you, you didn't think I'd leave it without fixing it would you?' so when I tell people I'm not the nicest person in the world, they should believe me, because I'm not, Grace is."

"Wow, that's amazing. Thank her on my behalf please, I don't even want to think of what would happen if she hadn't been there."

"Ugh, neither do I Devon. I don't even know whatever happened to that man, and I don't care either. I have to go anyway, I'm gonna go make breakfast for the family before either of them wakes up. What time should I get there?" I asked.

"By 12 I think. I'll see you soon, bye."

"Bye Devon." I whispered, hanging up.

"Marry him." I jumped, hand on my heart to stop it from beating so fast.

"Grace, why? How long have you been awake?" She smiled, sitting up.

"Long enough. Any boy who can make you recall an accident that still makes you shake with fear, and then gets you to smile afterwards is a big deal to me." I went to sit beside her.

"Grace..."

"This is the first time you've ever talked about it without shaking." I nodded, staring outside.

"He makes me feel peaceful."

"I think you love him."

"I think I can't deny that." I whispered.

"It's not wrong for you to." She assured me, and I shrugged.

"I know. But it's been a few months, what if it's infatuation?" She smiled, getting up and looking through my wardrobe.

"I know what infatuation is Elaine, believe me. This isn't that and you know it, you're just worried he only likes you."

"Thanks for saying that for me."

"What are friends for? I'm not gonna reassure you either, because I can't speak for him, he has to tell you if he loves you. What I am going to say though, is my opinion. Which is that I think he feels as much as you feel for him. Now go make me that breakfast, I am starving."

"Yes your bossiness." I answered, getting up.

"Oh and Elaine?"

"Yes?"

"I'd never make you choose between him and me either. Oh and I'm taking your pink shorts." She said. I laughed, then left the room, careful not to disturb my mum. Which proved to be incredibly futile as she emerged out of her own room completely dressed.

"Mother! Why are you up and dressed so early?" I asked.

"Tomorrow's when some of the children will start leaving remember? Me and Annie have a long day of prep ahead of us." She informed me, heading into the kitchen with me.

"Well sit down, I'll brew you a cup of coffee, and make you breakfast." I said, switching on the light and getting to work.

"So you and Devon." She says as I hand her the cup of coffee. At the mention of his name, my heart started beating to the point where I was glad I'd already handed her the cup or I would have most definitely dropped it.

"What about me and Devon?" I asked, using cooking as an excuse not to look her in the eye.

"You pulled the face I used to pull when people mentioned Liam's name just then." She stated.

"What face?" I asked, turning to face her. She smiled, looking up at me over her mug.

"Why ask when you know what I mean honey? You just be careful, he's a nice boy, but no matter how strong you are, I know how sensitive you can sometimes be." She muttered, grabbing her phone. I sighed, turning back to the stove as Grace came down the stairs.

"What are you up to today dude?" She asked me.

"Oh, I'm going to the beach with Devon and Ellie. Do you mind terribly? I know we haven't hung out like we wanted to for the summer." I said, also handing her coffee.

"Nah that's alright, I couldn't have hung out with you today even if I wanted. I have universities to visit. With the mum." She sighed. I glanced at my mum then back at her.

"In Devon?" I asked.

"Nope, mum's driving me to London, we'll be back on Wednesday."

"Grace you didn't tell me this."

"Because I literally just found out right now, like literally right now; she just texted me." She answered.

"Ugh, please don't tell me it's for music unis." I muttered.

"And you get a hundred points for guessing correctly." I groaned, turning to my mum.

"Mother, I am begging you to knock sense into Grace. She hates the piano, you and I both know that."

"Elaine, don't." Grace mumbled.

"No honey, she's right. You can't go to music universities if that's not the course you want, it will never work out. Should I talk to Janet?" My mum inputted.

"I know, I know, but please, don't talk to her. I want to be the one to tell her. Ugh I just need the confidence you know?"

"Maybe it would help if Mercy was there? With your dad? You know like a whole family thing. All of you together can make her bend right?" I asked.

"Have you met my mother? But maybe, I don't know. Let's not talk about this now please, I just want food. Let's talk about you and Devon instead, what bikini are you wearing today?"

"Certainly not the hot pink one with the cut outs." My mother interjected before Grace could suggest it, which I knew she was going to do.

"But it's the sexiest one she has!" Grace complained, pouting.

"Exactly, and she is going with her boyfriend and a little girl. It's too sexy for Ellie and way too revealing for Devon." I sighed, bringing out plates.

"Okay mother, firstly, I don't even know what terms me and Devon are currently. And secondly, I am not wearing that bikini oh my God, I don't even like it that much!" I complained.

"Great, because I would like nothing more than to burn it." My mum answered.

"Fine! But she has to wear the floral one she has, the blue one." Grace decided.

"Who told you I wanted to wear a bikini? What if I wanted to wear a swimsuit."

"Oh shut up, you hate swimsuits like hell, and you've never gone to a beach without touching the water. You're just nervous since this would be the first time you'll reveal so much to Devon. You're quite developed Elaine, don't worry, he'll be blown away." I sighed for probably the millionth time before plopping their plates on in front of them and bringing out juice.

"This is not the conversation I want to have with both my best friend and my mother at the same time."

"I have to agree with Grace on this one, you're really developed you know. And you always look gorgeous in that bikini, and it's not too provocative. Nice choice Grace."

"Right? And she can wear the nice lace dress I got for her, so she doesn't have to worry about changing on the beach."

"Oh yeah! And remember to pack up your hair and plait it or something, you know what salt water does to your hair." My mum added.

"Hmm let's see, it's almost six in the morning and I don't have to get there by eleven. Why are you pestering me now?"

"Because, I have to go soon and so does Grace. Just remember, I'll be in the Home, so if you don't wear what we said, I'll know and I will tell Grace." I raised my eyebrow, crossing my arms.

"I swear you two have a plan against me or something. But okay your majesty and your bossiness, I'll do as you say. Now please excuse me I want to go catch up on sleep. Grace I'll see you, bye mum." I said, hugging Grace before rushing up the steps to sleep.

*

"Wow Elaine, you slept through your alarm, beautiful." I muttered, glancing at my clock to see I had two hours before I had to get to the Home. I quickly showered, creamed my body, put on my locket, and brushed my teeth before doing my hair up in a milkmaid braid. I ruffled through my wardrobe, yanking out the bikini and dress and quickly putting it on, grabbing blue flats and putting them on, the bag I'd pack earlier with spare clothes and my essentials before dashing down the stair and grabbing my keys.

"In a record breaking 50 minutes." I muttered, rushing into my car and putting on lip gloss before speeding to the Home. No one was outside when I got there and I knocked, waiting to be let in.

"Suzie!" I said, hugging her.

"Elaine! How is it every time you come here you manage to look even more gorgeous." I laughed, walking with her to the play room where everyone else was, coming from the amount of noise in the room.

"Because other people choose my clothes for me, isn't that right mother?" I replied, once we reached my mum and Annie. She looked me over, giving me a thumbs up.

"Good job daughter. Annie, Suzie, did you know about her date with Devon yesterday?" My mum asked them giving me a smug smile. I glared at her, quickly sauntering away before they pestered me. I was right about everyone being in the play room. Including Devon who was playing football with the boys.

Too engrossed with them, he didn't notice me, so I went to Ellie who was surrounded by a bunch of dolls.

"Ellie!" I cried, sitting down with her.

"You came!" She said, abandoning her dolls and scooting closer to me.

"Of course! Didn't Devon tell you?"

"Today's gonna be amazing then! You know Annie got me a special swim suit for it! Where's yours?" She asked.

"My bikini? It's underneath my dress honey." I answered.

"Ohh! I wanna do that!" She shouted causing Devon to finally look over. I smiled at him before looking back at Ellie.

"Then let's do it! Lead the way to your room." I answered, standing up and offering her my hand.

"Can I have my hair like yours too?" She asked, taking my hand and standing up.

"Hmm, I don't know if your hair's the right length, but we'll see what we can do. Shall we?" I asked, and she dragged me out of the room. She steered me towards one of the rooms on the ground floor, and led me inside. I was met with a huge wave of pink and dolls; exactly how I'd imagine.

"Do you mind if I went through you clothes, just to see what dress? You can change into your swimsuit in the meantime." I said. She nodded, grabbing it and going to change whilst I looked through her clothes. I found a nice white dress, with the assumption that her swimsuit would probably be pink.

And when she emerged a few minutes later with a pink dotted swimsuit with a bow at the front, I knew I was right.

"Okay, now put the dress on and we can work on your hair." I said, and she took it quickly putting it on. I sat her down in front of her mirror, deliberating on what to do. Her hair was still a bit too short for a milkmaid braid and I knew she probably didn't want her hair in her face the entire time, with how windy it was already. In the end I settled for a French plait from the right side of her hair, before tying it into a ponytail.

"Wow!" She exclaimed when I finished.

"Yeah, see? Now we kind of match." I said, rooting through her shoes to find pink sandals.

"You're so pretty Elaine, when I grow up, I hope to be as pretty as you." She suddenly said, causing me to hug her.

"Aw thank you Ellie. And you're already so gorgeous honey, you'll grow up just fine. Wanna go show your brother the finished product?" I asked her.

"Are you and him together now? Because I don't mind sharing him, if it's with you." She said and I grinned, hugging her again.

"I'm glad." I answered, not directly answering since even I didn't know if me and Devon were to be classified as a couple. "Now come on, let's go show him."

She latched on to my thumb, grabbing her shoes and I led her back inside the playroom. Devon and the boys had finished their game and he was back at his corner, watching people, like he loved to do. Ellie practically dragged me to him with excitement.

"Look at how amazing mini me looks. She's already making me look so average, you'll have to step up your game Devon. Isn't that right Ellie?"

"Yes Devy, go change I wanna get there! Oh and I want McDonalds."

"We'll stop by the drive thru on our way. Anything you want. And yes Devy go change." I said. He looked at me, smiled, then walked off.

"He knew exactly what he just did then." I mumbled to myself, as the children came over to talk to me. When Devon finally came back, Ellie almost yanked my arm off with how she dragged me to him.

"Let's go! Let's go!" She cried.

"I'll just show you where I get my ingredients later then." Devon said to me, hanging on to Ellie and leading her outside as I quickly went to hug my mum and trailed after them.

"So which beach do you want to go to Ellie?" I asked, crouching to her level.

"Starlight beach!" She said and I smiled. Starlight beach was probably my most favourite one out of every single beach we had in Devon. It was the one my mum had taken me to the day after she adopted me. I remember it being a beach with sand so clear and bright that I truly felt like it was the most magical place I'd ever visited.

I hadn't been there for a long time, but I knew it would still be as amazing as it was the first time.

"Nice pick Ellie. And we'll stop off at the McDonalds close to it, get you whatever you want yeah?" I stood up, glancing at Devon who was watching us with a small smile.

"One more very important question though Ellie, think very hard." I said and she looked up at me expectantly. I grinned, pointing at my car.

"The front seat or the back seat?" She laughed.

"Back seat!" She decided, and I unlocked Grayson as she got in excitedly. I made to get in as my phone started ringing.

"Hey Gracie." I said, climbing in after Devon who gave a basket for Ellie to put in the backseat with her, putting the phone on speaker and entering the address into my GPS.

"Okay I can't talk long, my mum's left the car to refill on petrol. You know the password to my laptop and you know where the spare key is, on Tuesday, please find a way to help me put the video we recorded on to YouTube. I'll talk to you when we get to the hotel yeah and call Brad tonight, he told me to tell you that." She said and hung up.

"Okay Grace whatever you say." I muttered, rolling my eyes and pulled away from the Home. I glanced at Devon who was having a conversation with Ellie, feeling excited for the day ahead.

"You know what I desperately want big brother?" Ellie asked Devon.

"A two cone ice cream, kinder on one side and strawberry on the other side, with chocolate sauce on both of them and two twix bars. Am I right?" Devon replied.

"As usual." Ellie answered.

"When we get to the beach yeah? We'll go to the stall you like the most."

"Yay! I'm glad you guys are taking me there! Can we listen to music?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah, um Devon can you go on youtube on my phone? She can select whatever songs she want." I said.

"Um you can't type your password remember?" He answered.

"AGJD." I didn't have to turn to him to know he was smiling, obviously figuring out what each letter stood for.

"What songs do you want El?" Devon asked Ellie and after naming each one, he plugged it into the speaker.

"Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes, but it's the only thing that I know." I smiled, singing along and remembering the last time I had properly heard this song as I see Ellie staring at me through the mirror.

"You said you couldn't sing that time we were coming back from the beach!" She exclaimed. I laughed, shrugging.

"Nope, I said I wasn't the best singer, which is true. So many people can sing better than me." I answered.

"Your voice's amazing though!"

"Aw thank you honey, I just don't like singing that much to be honest."

"Yeah because you have the worst taste in music, so obviously you can't sing along to them." Devon inputted.

"I have amazing taste in music dude what are you talking about? I've even been asked to do the set list for grad, which I really need to do ugh. I still have to go shopping for that as well and Grace won't be back till Wednesday. What do you say Devon, wanna go shopping for girly dresses for me to wear to my graduation?"

"As amazing as that sounds, really-"

"Ellie, tell your brother he has to go shopping with me on Tuesday." I interrupted.

"Devon you have to go shopping with Elaine on Tuesday or I will sulk for life." Ellie said. I glanced at Devon, smiling smugly.

"Wear the most comfortable shoes you own; my mum almost cried the last time I told her to go dress shopping with me. I'm very, very picky about dresses."

"Yay, I'm oh so excited." He muttered. I grinned, sticking my tongue out at him.

"Don't be so moody Devon, as if you're not happy you get to spend the whole day with me tomorrow."

"Well I really can't deny that; but I've always hated shopping. Isn't that right Ellie?"

"It's true! Devy's always complaining when he has to go clothes shopping with Annie."

"Really? Annie makes you go clothes shopping with her? Why not go with Suzie?" I asked, confused. He sighed, looking out the window.

"She uses my face to get a discount." He mumbled, so low I almost didn't hear him; almost. I scoffed, glancing at him, trying to desperately contain my laughter.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that, repeat it." He turned to me, glaring.

"She uses my face to get a discount okay? The first time I went shopping with her, was only because Suzie wasn't there. And she noticed that the shops we went to that had female cashiers started directing discounts towards me, so ever since then." I couldn't really control my laughter then.

"Jesus Christ, best thing I've heard ever. Really though, I'm making you useful for tomorrow." I said, still laughing, causing Ellie to laugh with me.

"I do not find this funny in any way." Devon said, causing me to laugh even more.

"This is what comes with being too beautiful Ellie; I don't really know why your brother's complaining though."

"That's what I said to him!" Ellie answered.

"Seriously Devon, what's bad about you getting discounts for your face? If I looked that beautiful I would use it to my advantage." I stated, turning towards a McDonalds.

"It's just weird to have prices reduced for stuff just because I have a face? I don't know. And you are a whole lot more beautiful than me, or anyone I know in my life. Apart from Ellie of course, sorry babe, but not even you could match up to Ellie." I smiled, giving myself time to regain my composure before answering.

"Stop being so biased Devon."

"I'm not! It's true, to me, you're the most beautiful person in the world; I mean apart from Ellie."

"And to me too!" Ellie inputted. I smiled, driving to the speaker of the drive thru.

"Anything you want Ellie. See if you can climb to the front seat." I said to her and through some difficulty, she managed to squeeze herself on to my lap.

"What should I order?" She asked, as a lady's voice boomed through the intercom.

"Absolutely anything you want, anything. Just pick from the menu honey. My treat." I said and she proceeded to have a full length conversation with the server whilst me and Devon listened with amusement.

"Okay, so that would be a happy meal, one peach and passion fruit smoothie and a smarties McFlurry, anything else?" The server asked.

"No thank you! Have a nice day Lucy!" Ellie shouted. I laughed as she climbed back to the back seat before driving up to collect her order.

"Here you go, along with a special balloon Lucy told me to give Ellie, is that you?" The second server said as we reached the collecting counter. Devon smiled, pointing at Ellie.

"She's Ellie." He said, as I paid and passed Ellie's food to her.

"Thank you Lucy!" Ellie screamed as we drove away.

"El, you're the most incredible little girl I've ever known in my life." I complimented, as Devon turned up the music louder.

"I got it from you. You're nice to everyone, so I thought, if I want to be like Elaine when I'm older, I should be nice too." She admitted, biting into her chips. I smiled, glancing at her through the mirror.

"You're right Devon, how could I possibly match up with her?" He glanced at her too, smiling in a sad way, probably thinking of the time when he'd have to leave her behind in Devon.

"It's gonna be hard huh?" I muttered, turning to him as we stopped at a red light. He sighed, looking at me.

"Eh, I'm trying not think about it today. I just want to spend the day with my two favourite people." And that's when I noticed.

"Holy f word, you don't have any art supplies with you. Nada." He grinned.

"Holy f word? Who says that?"

"There is a child present dude, I can't say it. This is legendary though, Devon Danté Adams without art supplies. Thank God I brought my camera today, I need a picture of this."

"Elaine, it's not that big a deal." I rolled my eyes, driving again as the light changed.

"Um, art's like your passion, I think you literally breathe art, do you know how happy it makes you?"

"I know how happy it makes me, but I don't need it today. I have you and Ellie right here to keep me happy." I sighed, turning to Ellie who was watching us, smiling.

"Ellie, tell your brother to stop trying to make me crash the car please. Turn the cuteness down a notch dude I'm trying to keep us alive." I accused, glaring at him.

"What? What did I do?" He asked, laughing.

"Shut up Devon. We're almost at the beach oh my God! Ellie look out you can see the sea!"

"Ugh I'm spending the day with two kids apparently." Devon muttered besides me.

"Please, as if you aren't excited too. I'm gonna go find space to park yeah, I'll meet you guys inside." I said, stopping in front of the beach and allowing them to get out before I drove away to find space. After hunting around for a good five minutes, I finally found space to squeeze into. I grabbed my bag, making sure I took anything important with me before putting on my sunglasses, locking my car and making my way inside the beach.

I paused, looking for Ellie and Devon.

"Elaine! Over here!" Ellie called to me from underneath a massive umbrella. When I reached them, I saw she already had her dress off and folded neatly beside Devon on the blanket he'd placed down.

"Devon doesn't want to go in the water with me! Will you?" Ellie asked. I looked at Devon who was peering at us, his face masked, like it used to be last winter. That's when I realised the reason he probably didn't want to go in the water; he'd have to take off his shirt and show the scars on his back, the ones his mother had put there and he probably didn't want Ellie to see that.

"No worries Ellie, I'll go in with you. Um, I wanna say something to your brother for a quick second yeah?" I said to her.

"Meet me in the water!" She shouted, running off.

"Don't go too far please!" I called back, before plopping down next to Devon. I shifted closer until I could rest my head on his shoulder.

"Do you wanna talk about it? You know I won't push you." I said. He sighed, taking my hand in his.

"It's not a self-conscious thing, it's an "I don't want Ellie to see" thing."

"I know. But you know Ellie a whole lot more than me; do you really think she'd care? Sure she'd ask plenty of questions, but she would not care." I answered.

"Hmm, yeah I know but I don't, I don't want her to see what abuse or whatever you want to call it is, I don't want to expose her to that; not when she's already scared about having to go to a new family you know."

"Right, yeah I understand. It's just that Ellie wants to do everything with you today, including something little like playing in the water. Like I said, you know Ellie a whole lot better than me. So tell me, if you did go in the water with Ellie and she did see your scars, when we get back to the Home what we she talk about with Kelsi and the rest of the children?" I asked, sitting up to look at him. He finally smiled, looking over at where Ellie was shrieking in the water.

"She would talk about how she had fun with Devy and Elaine and nothing else."

"Alright Devon, come if and when you're ready, I'm gonna go make sure Ellie don't get sweep away by a current or something." I said, standing up.

"Elaine wait, sit back down for like one second."

"Okay?" I said, sitting down. "Yeah?" He leaned forward, using one hand to tug me closer before kissing me softly.

"You're incredible." He muttered, kissing me again. I smiled, playing with his hair.

"So you keep saying. You know if one of us don't go to Ellie in like a second she'll be sad."

"Let's both go then, I haven't been to the beach since last winter, I miss the water." He answered, getting up.

"You go to her, I need to make sure I store this dress nicely, otherwise Grace will kill me; she got it for me. Gimme your shirt." I demanded, holding out my hand. He smiled.

"If you wanted me to take off my shirt babe, you should have asked."

"Devon, you are not getting back into my car drenched. If you're going in the water you are giving me your shirt. Gimme."

"Jesus Christ and we're not even living together yet. God." He complained, taking off his shirt and handling it to me.

"Oh my lord, I am going to get a heatstroke. Devon, what did you do in seven months? Did you work out like day and night, look at you!" I said, staring up at him. The Devon in front of me was definitely unlike the one I'd known last winter. Last winter, he was a lot thinner, I didn't even think he possessed any muscle in his body.

Now he apparently had muscles I wasn't aware of all this while and abs I didn't know people could obtain in seven months.

"Oh my God I think I will drool, you want to kill me. I'm gonna tell my mum that you're trying to murder me. Go to Ellie." He laughed turning around and making his way towards Ellie. I sighed, playing with my thumbs. The real reason I wanted him to go to Ellie was how nervous I was feeling at having to take my dress off in front of him. The conversation I had with my mum and Grace came back to me.

"Okay Elaine, don't be so daft please, at least it's not the cut out one." I muttered, taking off my dress. I took my mirror out, making sure my hair hadn't gotten messy before folding everything up nicely. I packed everything in another bag, got out my camera before getting up and making my way towards Ellie and Devon.

Devon was standing on one leg with Ellie on his shoulder. I took a moment to take a picture before stepping in front of them. Immediately as soon as I got in front of them, Devon lost his balance, falling backwards with Ellie in tow.

"Devon you lost!" Ellie cried, after resurfacing.

"Yeah well someone was being very distracting; trying to give me a heatstroke." He looked me over and I knew even if I managed not blush tomato red, he'd still be aware of how nervous I was with how well he knew me.

"Revenge is sweet. I bet I can carry Ellie longer than you." I said instead, choosing to ignore how nervous I was.

"I don't know Elaine, Devon has battle scars on his back, he might be tough to beat. He held me for a long time." I smiled.

"Battle scars is it? Okay well, I used to be a cheerleader, balance is like 95% of my body. Try me." I said, holding out my hands. I carried her on to my shoulder; then took one leg off the water with ease.

"Do you wanna time it Picasso, or are you too afraid that I'll beat you?"

"Elaine, do you wanna know something else I know about you?" Devon asked instead.

"Don't try and distract me Devon." I warned. "But go on." He finally stood up.

"I know that you're incredibly ticklish." He said, stepping closer.

"Devon don't you dare; Ellie tell Devon he can't cheat." I said; a little bit too late because by then, he'd begun his attack.

"Devy stop cheating!" Ellie cried as I struggled to stay upright admist my laughter.

"Devon please stop." I shouted, losing my balance and falling backwards right into the water. Ellie and Devon were already laughing when I resurfaced some time later.

"Oh my God I am so going to kill you Devon!" I screamed, splashing water at him whilst Ellie helped.

"What, Ellie, why are you helping her, I'm your brother! Help me!" Devon protested, running away from us.

"I'm sorry Devon but I'm with Elaine! Won't stop till you surrender!" Ellie cried, chasing after him.

"In your face Devon!" I shouted trailing after them. I laughed as Elaine tackled Devon, and making him stop.

"You have to surrender and say "Elaine won the competition and I am a big cheat" Devy or I won't stop splashing you." Ellie declared. I laughed, crouching down to their level.

"I'm just gonna crouch down so I can hear you properly, go on Devy, say what Ellie wants you to say." I said, smiling. He pouted at Ellie who turned away.

"Nope, not gonna work, say it." She said.

"Ugh fine, Elaine won the competition and I am a big cheat. Thanks for infecting her with your Elaine poison." He said, glaring at both of us.

"Aw poor Devy. Was that so hard?" Ellie asked, getting off him.

"Traitor. Maybe I won't get you that ice cream." Devon threatened, though we all knew he'd end up buying it for her.

"Stop the pouting Devon, if you hadn't cheated this wouldn't have happened. And now, time for a taste of your own medicine. Ellie, do you wanna help me?" I asked.

"No guys please don't I'm begging you." He protested, trying to shift backwards, which was completely useless with the water underneath.

"Elaine, Devon is the most ticklish person I know. Watch." Ellie said, touching his stomach lightly which lead to Devon erupting with laughter. I smiled, completely mesmerised by his laughter, which I rarely saw.

"Ellie do that again." I said, taking my camera from my neck. She smiled, touching his stomach again; which lead to Devon once again bursting into laughter. I quickly captured him in the moment before laying down next to him.

"I thought you were going to join Ellie." He said, as Ellie started playing with the sand around us.

"I'm not as cruel as you; besides if I touched those abs of yours I'd end up fainting so no thank you. Anyway, Ellie wants to build sandcastles now, don't you?" I asked her, getting up and resting on my shoulders to look at her.

"Yep! I'm just looking for seashells before we start on the building." She informed me, continuing with checking the sand. I flopped back down, feeling at ease with the water lapping at my feet.

"Just let Devon help you, he'd probably end up making an actual castle with like a moat or something. You're too talented man." I said, turning to face him. He was watching me, smiling.

"What, do I have seaweed in my hair or something? Oh is it because I'm covered in sand because you are too you know, don't be judgemental." I said.

"No it's just the way you are with Ellie; I don't know I'm glad to have you in my life." I smiled tugging on his hair.

"I'm not going anywhere Devon, I'm right here."

"I hope so."

"I know so. What kind of idiot would I be to leave someone that literally looks like walking perfection?"

"Oh I see. So you only want me for my face." He complained, splashing water at me.

"No you idiot, and for the body too. And because just your presence makes me happy and I'd be the world's biggest fool to leave someone who makes me happy just by being by my side. You're stuck with me for a long time Devon. Now let's get that sandcastle going Ellie." I said, standing up.

"Okay so I found a lot of decoration, we just need to find the right place." Ellie said, looking around.

"What do you say Devon, you're the artist. I'm putting all my trust on you, find us a good spot."

"Your faith's inspiring babe."

"Good, now find us a good spot."

"Ugh, over there by the rocks, it's not too damp or too dry either and I can spot a couple of seashells if you need more decoration."

"Yes! Let's go Elaine!" Ellie cried, grabbing my arm and making us run towards where Devon pointed out.

"Devon hurry up!" I shouted at him when we got there and turned around to see he was taking his time.

"I like you and Devy together. I was hoping both of you would come together, and then you didn't come for seven months and I was giving up. But then you finally came back and Devon finally stopped looking lost." Ellie said, completely catching me by surprise.

"Looking lost?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yes, he was different. He played games with all of us and smiled and laughed more; and he started cooking and singing more. And he was happy, but I know when Devon's 100 percent happy and it was only when you came back and sat beside him that day that he was 100 percent happy. Please don't ever leave him."

"I won't Ellie, I promise you."

"I just wish I didn't have to leave him." She disclosed. I didn't want to give her false assurance of her staying with Devon so I nodded and hugged her instead.

"Ellie, when you're in someone's heart, no matter what you will never be able to leave them. If I'm the ten percent that makes Devon happy, then you're the 90 percent. There's no way you'll ever be able to leave his heart, I promise you."

"Okay Elaine; please don't tell Devy about this." She said.

"Tell Devy what?" Devon asked, finally arriving.

"Girl stuff Devon, keep your nose out of it."

"I won't even ask then. Now Ellie, do you want a moat with your castle." I groaned, rolling my eyes.

"Jesus Christ I knew it. I'm just gonna sit here and not get in your way."

"What should we name your castle Ellie?" Devon asked, building up sand whilst Ellie helped.

"Elaine's castle! And we can make a queen Elaine as well."

"Oh I see, favour Elaine more, whatever happened to king Devon."

"Don't be so jealous Devon, Ellie knows greatness when she sees it. Now go on, make me my castle. And make it good."

"As you wish my queen, I'll build you the best sandcastle in the world. Let's do this Ellie." Ellie started gathering up the sand with Devon and I watched as he cut out shapes, and pile sand on top of each other like a true pro. He started making patterns in the sand that even Ellie had to stop to watch him. By the time he was starting on an actual drawbridge for the castle, we'd attracted quite a crowd, everyone looking as mesmerised as me and Ellie.

I also noticed a few girls watching in awe; not at the sandcastle but him and I almost glared before remembering what I meant to Devon. So instead, I smiled, using the opportunity to take a few pictures instead.

"And finally Ellie, just put the seashell on top of there." Devon finally spoke and Ellie did as he said. He finally looked up to see the crowd he'd attracted, his face breaking out in confusion.

"Elaine, what?" He asked me as the girls surrounding us moved forward under the pretext of viewing the sandcastle.

"You were in your artist mode Picasso, don't worry about it. Can I see my castle now?" I asked, which unfortunately earned me actual glares from the girls. I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"Oh yeah! Ellie?" Devon said. I knew he'd noticed the girls and my heart swelled as he gave me the smile reserved only for me.

"Come right this way queen Elaine and see what Devy made for you." Ellie said, holding on to my arm and directing me in front of the castle.

"Jesus Christ Devon I was joking about the moat. You're amazing." I said, taking a few pictures.

"Sorry do any of you mind if we take a few pictures of this?" A man asked from the crowd.

"Up to the artist here, not me." I answered, pointing at Devon. He looked flustered for a minute, obviously not used to having attention directed towards him.

"Um, I made it for you, so yeah you decide." He said. I smiled, stepping closer to the sandcastle finding the right spot. Right on one of the towers, where I knew it'd be hard to erase with photoshop without ruining the entire image, I wrote made by Devon Adams.

"Alright, go ahead, take as many pictures as you want."

"Ellie do you want that ice cream now?" Devon asked her and she nodded eagerly, latching on to his thumb.

"Are you coming?" He asked me.

"Nah you guys meet me back here, I wanna take a few pictures from on top of the rocks, for inspiration you know."

"Alright babe, come on Ellie. Let's go get ice cream." He said to her, leading her away from the group.

"Elaine! Elaine!" I turned around, confused at where the voice was coming from until I see Elizabeth push through the crowds.

"Oh my God! Elizabeth! I didn't know you'd be here today, what are the odds?" I said, hugging her.

"Yes, I'm here with Lucinda and Ana. Actually, we were just leaving and I saw the crowd so I came to investigate and I heard your voice. Wow, this is amazing." Elizabeth said, gesturing to the sandcastle.

"Yeah that's why the crowd is here. It was made by-"

"Devon Adams huh?" She completed for me.

"Yeah. You just missed him though, he's gone to get ice cream."

"I see, well I really cannot keep Lucinda waiting for this long, I must get going. But you have to come and visit me again, I want you to meet Ana." She said.

"Of course! I want to meet Ana and Lucinda and Paul."

"And you will! I really must be going now, bye love." She said, pushing through the crowd again. As she left, the picture I'd seen at her house flashed into my mind again, leaving me frowning. I ignored it, pushing through the crowd and climbing the rocks to get a nice angle of the sea; occasionally glancing at the sandcastle to make sure it wasn't being destroyed in anyway.

I was just getting down from the rocks when the same girls who'd been eyeing Devon approached.

"Oh fuck my actual life. Be nice Elaine, be nice."

"Excuse me, that guy, the one who built the sandcastle? Can we have his number?" One of them asked.

"No, I'm sorry." It wasn't even annoyance that made me say no; I knew Devon, and I certainly knew he wouldn't appreciate me giving out his number to strangers.

"Um why not?" Another asked.

"Um because it's not up to me, is it? Look if you want his number, then be my guest and wait here for him to come back."

"What is he like your boyfriend or something?"

"Erm-"

"Yeah I am." I turned around; realising that Devon was there with Ellie. I smiled, happy that at least now it was confirmed.

"Asked and answered I suppose." I mumbled, taking the ice cream cone Ellie was offering me from her hand and grinning smugly. I honestly wasn't the kind of person to take pleasure from other's irritation, but I couldn't help myself this time around.

"Right, well can we have your number?" One of them asked Devon, ignoring his statement.

"You'll have to ask mi cariño for that, come Ellie let's go get the beach ball." Devon said, linking arms with Ellie and walking back to where we put our stuff. I turned to the girls.

"His cariño says no, have a nice day though, bye!" I said, turning away and running to catch up with Devon and Ellie.

"Ugh why is your face like that?" I asked, entwining my fingers with his free ones.

"Well thanks. Jealous Elaine?"

"Have I not said I know I'm beyond other girls, please Devon it'll take more than three annoying, yet incredibly pretty girls, to make me jealous."

"You're the only girl I know that'd throw in a compliment to girls you're meant to dislike by default."

"Oh come on, did you see their faces? They were incredibly pretty."

"Not as pretty as you Elaine. And special too, you're my favourite girl for Devon." Ellie said.

"See Devon? Eliie says I'm her favourite for you, so now you're stuck with me forever."

"Eh, you say that like it's a bad thing." He replied. I smiled, not knowing such simple words could make me feel that happy. And by the time the sun started to finally go down and my cheeks were cramping from too much smiling and Ellie was on Devon's back completely asleep, I knew that whatever life had in store for me, at least I would face it with Devon.

"Careful, don't wake her up." I said, as we placed Ellie inside my car and I grabbed my blanket and wrapped it around her. I grabbed the finished McDonalds Ellie had left on the seat and quickly dumped it in a nearby trash can before going back inside the car.

"Woah I am as tired as Ellie, so please don't distract me further Devon." I said, starting up the car and pulling away from the beach. Although we'd all changed into our spare clothes and had rinsed off as much as we could, my entire car smelt like salt and wet air strangely enough.

"Did you have a good day?" Devon asked out of the blue, taking my camera from me.

"Erm did me smiling all day not give away my happiness?" I replied, as he pointed the camera at me.

"Devon, I'm camera shy, I prefer taking the pictures." I said, glancing at him.

"Just one picture please!" He begged.

"Ugh go right ahead. I can't face you, for obvious reasons which is great for me."

"I want your smile to show, it's my favourite thing about you." I rolled my eyes.

"Okay good to know. Then say something that would make me happy." He pointed the camera at me, setting up for a shot.

"That day you came back to the Home; I finally remembered why my life was great." He said. And as soon as he said it, I heard the camera click because even if I tried, there was no way I would have been able to stop a smile from forming on my face.

"I told you not to distract me God." I complained as he shook the picture to reveal it.

"I'm keeping this." He said, tucking it into his shirt's pocket.

"No please, I have to see how I look first."

"I can assure you that you look beautiful."

"Yeah but you'd think that even if I looked like crap so why you playing. Let me see the picture."

"You can't see the picture whilst driving can you?"

"I know what you're doing and it won't work. As soon as we get back I'm seeing it."

"That's if you can reach it, you're quite short you know."

"Devon you used to be my height like seven months ago, so don't. Besides, I'm older than you so once again why you playing?"

"By six days."

"Hardly matters, speaking of birthdays, check underneath your seat."

"What?" He asked, digging around underneath the seat before producing the presents I'd gotten for him on the high street when I went to buy cloth for my mum's present.

"Happy very very very belated birthday! I was meant to give this to you a lot earlier, but I kept forgetting. Better late than never."

"Elaine, I thought you were joking, this is massive."

"Yeah, yeah. Just open it!" I shouted, then quickly checked to make sure that hadn't woken up Ellie. He looked at me before opening the wrapper and inside was: a collection of glow in the dark paint, new paintbrushes, cd's from the various artists he always listened to, a new mug that I'd painted the letters D on since he complained to me about breaking his favourite one and a square shaped locket which I'd have them engrave from Elaine on.

"I know! I know! Maybe I went like a little overboard, but paint stuff isn't really that pricy and I painted that letter on the mug myself, so like the mug wasn't too expensive either; neither were the cd's. And the locket wasn't either since Argos were having this special sale thing because of the festival. So you're taking everything I got for you. There's a gift bag under your seat as well." I quickly said, just in case he protested.

"Thank you, seriously. Now it just means I have to top your presents this year."

"Oh that should be easy you just gotta give me a Christmas and a birthday present in one."

"At least now I know where to put that picture of you."

"Oh my God Devon not before I see it!" I protested as he grabbed my camera and took a picture of Ellie.

"There, now my two favourite people will always be with me."

"Um until I see and approve of that picture, only one of your favourite people will be in that locket." I said as the Home appeared into view. My mum's car was gone and Annie was outside as I parked in front. Devon managed to carry Ellie out without waking her before handing her over to Annie. He also took the presents he'd put inside the gift bag and placed it beside him on the floor.

"Are you coming in Elaine?" Annie asked me.

"Not tonight Annie. I'm honestly as tired as Ellie." I said, resting on my car.

"Alright, I'll see you soon. Let me just go put this one to bed. Devon lock the door behind you." Annie said, leaving.

"So, the picture?" I asked Devon raising my eyebrow. He came over to me and wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Aren't you stubborn?"

"You do know me." I muttered, taking the picture from his pocket. I had to admit he was right; I was expecting my smile to look like a constipated mess since I'd been smiling all day and my face was cramping like hell, but instead I looked relaxed and completely happy.

"Fine you were right. And as much as I'd love to stay out all night with you, I've already lost a lot of sleep due to you, so no thanks."

"What did I do?"

"The real question is, what didn't you do? Ah see I'm being mysterious too." He smiled.

"You've lost a lot of sleep because of me because probably yesterday after you got back home you researched whatever mi cariño meant, but then you realised it means two different things, so out of those two things you wanted to know which of them you meant to me, so you couldn't sleep. Am I correct?"

"Why are you like this?" I asked, putting the picture back in his pocket and playing with his hair which I'd grown to love to do.

"I do know you, so before you ask, nope I'm telling you on Suzie's wedding day."

"You know if you're going to be a little psychic towards me, the least you could do is allow me to actually ask the question first, don't be rude." He laughed pulling me closer.

"Well I'm really sorry. Forgive me." He muttered.

"No your face isn't going to work this time. I won't bend." He pulled me even closer and leaned down, kissing me so long I forgot what air was.

"Forgive me now?"

"Only because I'm nice. And because you're getting me ice cream sundae tomorrow, with two flakes with peanuts and a Panini."

"I'd give you whatever you asked from me you know that, how manipulative of you."

"Yeah I know. So give me one last thing for tonight." I demanded, stepping on my tiptoes.

"What?" He asked, though the way he was leaning down to meet me halfway, I knew he already figured it out.

"A kiss." I whispered and he smiled, his face only an inch from mine.

"As you wish mi cariño." And then he kissed me, making my heart beat faster. I stepped even closer than humanly possible, feeling the kind of happiness I only ever got from him.

"Ugh well thanks a lot, here's to another night of me not getting any sleep." I said, once we finally broke apart.

"Search Yimura piano pieces on YouTube; best piano music to sleep to, they're beautiful in a way, I always think of you when I listen to them."

"Thank you. Now I need you to detach yourself from me or I'm not gonna be able to leave."

"That's kinda the point." I laughed, trying to free myself.

"Devon let me go for tonight." I said and he finally complied.

"Only because I'm seeing you tomorrow." He said as I unlocked my car and got in.

"How cute of you, I'll see you tomorrow. Good night! Say hi to anyone that's still awake for me." I said waving. From my mirror, I saw him say something and I quickly stopped, leaning out the window.

"What did you say?!" I shouted out to him.

"Nothing! I'll see you tomorrow!" He called back.

"I'm way too tired to question it, bye!" I replied, driving away, as something on his seat caught my eye. As soon as I got to a red light, I picked it up to see it was a cd.

"That mixtape I promised you. Every song reminds me of you." I read out loud. I hadn't even realised he'd left it on the seat. I quickly took the cd out, inserting it my player. As the first song started playing, the note he'd written on the cd flashed into my mind. Every song reminds me of you. And I certainly couldn't have helped my smile even if I tried.

"And, darling, I will be loving you 'til we're 70!" I sang along, praying with all my heart that the words would turn out true.

*

a/n: this was one of my favourite chapters to write, so i hope you guys enjoy reading it. it's kinda long too. comment your thoughts on the chapter and vote if you enjoyed it.