June 15 2025

Music played through Anne's headphones as she hummed to the song while vacuuming the floor, The time was ten thirty five p.m. Winters hasn't had time to clean the house since she was busy with work, She finally found some time even though it was late, But she wanted to get it done before anything else. Music was motivating her to clean further.

As she continued humming and finished cleaning the living room, Anne was about to clean the other rooms until she heard the front door unlocking, Winters looked around, taking off her headphones which were now hanging on her neck as the door unlocked.

Anne: Steve?

She heard a familiar chuckle through the door, She knew it was him. It made her smile, The door opened as Steve walked in with a huge smile on his face.

Steve: There's my sweet flavor to every recipe.

Anne: *Laughs while blushing* That was so cheesy!

Her heart skipped a beat as Steve smirked and walked towards her, Without a warning. He grabbed her by her waist, pulling her close as Anne was shocked before laughing.

Anne: What are you-

Steve kissed her passionately, Like he was so desperate to taste her. which made her drop the vacuum, She kissed back, grabbing the collar of his jacket before they broke the kiss but he stayed close to her face.

Anne: Desperate. . . Aren't you?

Steve: Say it, Anne.

Anne: *Confused* Say what?. . .

Steve: *Smirks* Don't play dumb with me.

He pulled her close, their chests touched as Anne looked at him in confusion, She thought he was just teasing her but deep down, She could feel her heart pounding, Maybe she was a little nervous.

Anne: *Chuckles* I actually don't know what you're talking about. . .

Steve just shook his head and smiled, knowing she wasn't gonna say anything.

Steve: You know exactly what I'm saying, But I'll say it. . .

He leaned closer to her ear, Anne felt her heart racing by his closeness as he whispered.

Steve: I love you too. . .

Her eyes were widen in shock, stunned to even respond to what he said. She had so many questions running through her head, How did he know she loved him? When? And does he actually feel the same way?

Anne: W-What-

Steve: *Eyes softened* I know you love me, Anne. You showed it to me without saying a word. . . And I realised that I had the same feelings. . .

Her heart skipped a beat as both of them stared into each other's eyes, For a moment, It felt a dream to her, He had a small smile on his face, His eyes sparkled with love.

Steve: I'll say it again, I love you, Anne. . . I really never knew that you had feelings for me and for some reason, I wish I realised that sooner.

He touched her cheek as Anne took a deep breath, feeling the rush of happiness and excitement, It's like a dream came true. She didn't even care how he found out, She was happy that he shared the same feelings as she did.

Anne: Gosh, This feels like a dream. . . I-I don't even know what to say anymore.

Steve chuckled, kissing her cheek as Anne blushed and had a huge smile on her face, She wanted to say something. . . But she couldn't find the right words, All she wanted to do was to start jumping and dancing.

Steve: You don't have to say anything, Sweetheart. . . Or if you want, You can scream my name at the bedroom~

Anne: *Laughs* Steve!!! You interrupted my cleaning time, I still need to vacuum the house.

Steve: Well in the next hour, That bedsheet needs to get cleaned~

Anne's eyes were widen before she had a grin on her face as Steve was smiling at her before she jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Anne: Bring it on then, Stevie~

Steve: *Smirks* Only if you call me daddy again~

One Hour Later

After their intense and steamy session, Steve and Anne were sitting, leaning on the headboard while Winters pulled the blanket to her chest, Steve was breathing heavily before looking at Anne who was exhausted as well, He smiled and pulled her towards him as she giggled, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Anne: I completely forgot what I was supposed to do earlier.

Steve: *Smiles* Good, I just want this night to be about us.

He kissed her forehead as Winters giggled again, She found his hand and held it as Steve took a deep breath and smiled again, There was a moment of silence between them, They wanted to feel the moment. That's when Anne broke the silence.

Anne: You know I was always afraid to confess even after you broke up with Kelly. I wasn't sure if you were able to love again. . . That's why I never took the opportunity to say it, I didn't want to sound desperate for you.

Steve's eyes softened and took a deep breath, holding her hand, He understood very well, Even he thought he wasn't ready to love. . . But he soon smirked a little, looking at her.

Steve: Can't believe for all these years, I was walking around like an idiot, completely clueless that you were hiding this secret crush on me?

Anne: *Laughs and covers her face* Yes, Yes, it's true.

Steve: *Chuckles* Because I think deep down, I was waiting for you too. I just didn't realize it.

Anne: So you think it was fate?

Steve: Maybe. . .

Anne looked at him with a smile on her face, her heart beating fast. They looked at each other as Steve leaned in, kissing her nose which made her smile.

Steve: Maybe I was slowly falling for you as well, I just didn't see it. . . Not until I lost what I thought was love, and I realized it never compared to what I feel when I'm with you.

Anne's eyes softened as he continued speaking to her.

Steve: With Kelly, I had something. . . But with you, Anne, it feels like I have everything. Laughter, trust, the kind of peace I wanted. But my heart truly broke when I found out Kelly cheated on me. . . I had nowhere to go. . . And all I thought about was you. And now. . . you become the person I look for in a room, the person. . . You're the reason I feel steady again.

They both smiled at each other before Anne hugged him, He smiled, hugging her back and kissed the top of her head.

Anne: I love you and will always love you, Steve. . . Gosh, That felt amazing to say!

He laughed as Anne climbed on him, hugging him tightly before they shared another kiss, Not playfully. . . A genuine kiss filled with love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anthony walked into Maria's house, The door was already unlocked. He was holding a box of chocolate and roses, and a Versace bag. He whistled, looking around until he heard footsteps and saw Maria walking until she flinched.

Maria: Oh gosh!. . . Anthony??

Anthony: *Winces* Ooof, yeah. . . I definitely should've knocked. Sorry for the heart attack.

Maria blinked at him before bursting into laughter. He looked so guilty that it made her laugh harder.

Maria: *Laughs* You really scared me, but. . . I guess I'll forgive you this time.

Anthony: *Chuckles* Thanks, sweetheart. I owe you one.

He shifted the things in his arms as Maria smiled and began walking towards him, observing the items.

Maria: And what's this surprise?

Anthony: *Grins* Bribes. To make up for my terrible entrance.

Maria: *Eyes widen* Really?

He chuckled and gave her the box and roses, Maria blushed and had a huge smile on her face before he handed her the Versace bag, She saw the logo which shocked her.

Anthony: And this one is just me spoiling you because I can't help it.

He winked as Maria was shocked, She placed the roses and chocolates on the coffee table and took off the bag from the dust bag, Her eyes lit up by the beautiful and luxurious pink Versace handbag as she looked at him.

Maria: Anthony. . . You didn't have- *Sighs and smiles* Actually, You never listen.

Anthony: *Grins* Anything for my sweet star chef.

Marshall smiled and kissed his cheek, He had a proud smile on his face and pulled her close, kissing her forehead as both of them looked at each other.

Maria: Thank you so much, Really.

Anthony: Of course, My love. . . But just so you know the real gift is me showing up unannounced and scaring you half to death.

She laughed, playfully smacking his shoulder as Anthony chuckled, Soon, Maria told him to sit as he sat on the couch before pulling Maria to his lap, She giggled and straddled on his lap.

Anthony: I really missed you today.

Maria: *Chuckles* I've been in the kitchen all day, so I didn't even notice how much I missed you until now.

Anthony: *Smirks* Good, that means I get to remind you just how much.

He smirked, tightening his arms around her waist as Maria giggled, holding his arm, He leaned in, brushing his lips against her jaw before kissing her softly. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes as Maria smiled at him.

Anthony: You know, I don't mind you cooking up magic in the kitchen, but I'd prefer if you saved a little of that sweetness for me.

Maria: *Rolls her eyes, blushing* I don't only add sweet, I add spice as well.

Anthony: Well, Aren't you too sweet to add spice?

She laughed, cringing at his cheesy jokes which made him laugh as well.

Maria: Were you on Google earlier?

Anthony: Umm. . Google are taking lessons from me actually.

They both shared a laugh as Marshall leaned on his shoulder, smiling while admiring him. Anthony looked at her before speaking.

Anthony: You know, I can sit like this forever.

Maria: Indeed, With you. Always.

Anthony: *Smiles* You're melting my heart, I might have to buy a company just for you.

Maria: *Gasps and laughs* Are you serious? A whole company!?

Anthony: If it makes you smile like this? Then yes, a whole company. Maybe two.

Maria: *Laughs* Anthony! What would I even do with a company?

Anthony: Run it, boss everyone around, and but always come home to me smelling like spices and flour.

Maria: *Facepalms and laughs* Then maybe a restaurant sounds good.

Anthony: Oh, Anything for you-

Maria: I was kidding!

Anthony: *Shrugs* I'll still do it.

They both continued laughing as the next fifteen minutes had them cuddling while talking to each other, Anthony continued cracking cheesy pickup lines along with jokes as Maria laughed. Later on, The conversation shifted into something softer, The tension in the air was full of love and unspoken feelings.

Anthony: Anyways, Tell me what will it take for me to be your favorite dish tonight?

Maria: *Eyes widen* Anthony Crawford!!!

Anthony: What? I'm serious. I'll even let you garnish me with chocolate if it helps.

Marshall facepalmed, blushing and smacked his shoulder as he couldn't help but laugh. He leaned closer and kissed her on the cheek as Maria stared at him.

Maria: Sure, I'll need to buy a human sized oven.

Anthony: We don't need one, I run hot enough anyway.

Maria looked at him before smirking and booped his nose as both of them quietly laughed, But the tension lingered in the air. Marshall got up from his lap as he looked at her, suddenly feeling empty without her.

Maria: I was actually gonna take a shower before you came over.

Anthony: Oh? Sorry to interrupt, Sweetheart.

Maria untied her ponytail as Anthony watched how her hair flowed before a smile grew on his face, Marshall looked at him before smirking.

Maria: And I think you're gonna join me~

Anthony's eyes lit up as he stared at Maria, wondering if she was just teasing him. But she just smirked at him, clearly inviting him.

Her eyes lit up, surprised by his answer but she didn't mind at all, Anthony got up from the couch while smirking at her which made her blush.

Anthony: You thought I was gonna say No~?

Maria: *Giggles* I was hoping you wouldn't.

Later on, Their laughter echoed in the shower as their playful splashes softened into tender kisses, steam curling around them as they lingered in each other's warmth. What began as fun slowly shifted into something deeper. . . And what started as teasing turned into something hotter

Both of them were lost in the warmth of each other and the water.

A/N: And that's the finale of Sweet Flavours! Thank you all so much for reading! The Epilogue will be out soon! :)