Levi

It was music to my ears when Tessa asked if I wanted to leave. All I wanted was to be alone with her, but I wouldn't push her to leave Colin's party, not after he'd invited me to surprise Tessa.

The second those words left her mouth, I agreed. We said goodbye to everyone and headed for the exit. "Do we need to get an Uber?" She asked once the cool night air hit our skin.

I shook my head. "No, I drove myself tonight."

Her lip quirked. "Didn't think you'd be staying long?"

"I wasn't sure you'd want me to."

Tessa's face fell. "I'm sorry, Levi. I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. I just needed to sort some things out in my mind before I could give you an answer."

I shook my head, pulling her to my chest. "Don't you dare apologize, Tessa. You only asked for what you needed. I would have waited forever for you. I'm sure about this. I just wanted you to be too."

Her smile slowly came back as she looked up at me. "I am. I'm sure about us."

My heart swelled at her words, and I couldn't wait to get her to my car. I leaned down, pulling her lips into mine. I kissed her slowly, deeply, showing her how much those words meant to me.

Kissing Tessa was quickly becoming my new obsession. The way she lets herself free in those moments- fuck, it's incredible. She lends herself entirely to me when I hold her in my arms and let our passion explode. If I could, I'd never stop kissing her.

With a grunt, she pulled away, smiling at me as a desperate sound escaped my lips. "Let's go," she said, holding her hand out to me.

I followed close behind her through the parking lot, eager to get to my car. Once inside, I turned to her. "So, I take it we're going back to my place?"

Tessa shook her head. "Actually, I'd like you to take me to my parents' place."

"Oh. Yeah, no problem." My face fell in confusion. I thought she'd want to stay with me tonight, but she had other plans. I tried to mask it a second too late.

Tessa's eyes widened as she watched me. "It's just- there's something I'd like to do, and I want you there with me."

She reached over the center console, grabbing my hand. "Trust me?"

It was a plea, one I'd easily give in to. She was giving me another chance. I'd give her anything she wanted. "Of course. Anything you want, Tess."

She sunk into the seat, still holding my hand. She watched me as I drove us toward her parents' house. It was challenging to keep my focus on the road as she smiled at me from two feet away.

She has her smile back. And I have her. I'll do anything in the world to make sure she keeps it. Anything at all.

I parked my car in front of Tessa's house, unsure where things would lead from there. When I looked over at her, she was leaning back in the seat, watching me with a soft smile on her face. I couldn't help but smile back.

A few seconds passed before Tessa unlatched her seatbelt and popped open her door. When I didn't immediately follow, she leaned down, tilting her head toward the house.

"Come on."

I hurried out of the car, stopping next to her as she grabbed my hand and led us toward the backyard. It didn't take long for me to figure out where she was taking us. As soon as the old treehouse came into view, I knew exactly what Tessa was doing.

My smile widened as we grew closer to the old wooden structure. This place held so many memories. Most of them involved Tessa, and by the look on her face, I'm sure she already knew.

When we reached the base of the ladder, I climbed up first, offering my hand to Tessa to help her as she made her way to me. There was a section on the roof where Jason and Tessa's dad installed a window for us. He'd done it after she begged him to let us have a skylight in the treehouse one summer.

Mr. Rhodes didn't take much convincing. She was his little girl, the apple of his eye, and he'd do anything to make her happy. And so would I.

So many nights, we would all lay under that skylight and watch the stars, talking about life and dreaming of the future. Sometimes I'd sneak over to have some time to myself. I'd lay there wishing that one day I'd muster up the courage to tell Tessa how I felt. I'd dream about the life we would have together, and it would always bring a smile to my face.

"I love this place," Tessa said softly.

My eyes found hers in the darkness. "So do I."

"I miss coming here just to lay under the stars and talk. We did it all the time as kids." Tessa sat down, resting her back against one of the walls under the skylight.

I sat next to her, leaving little space between us. "Those were some of the best nights of my life," I told her honestly.

"Mine too," she said, tilting her head to look into the night sky.

She sat quietly for a while, lost in thought as I watched her. The light flowed in from the moon and stars beaming across her face, illuminating her features in the darkness. She was fucking beautiful. She always has been.

"This is where I realized it for the first time, I think." She turned her head toward me as I spoke.

"Right here," I continued, "in this exact spot. This is where I realized I was in love with you."

Tessa's breath caught as she gazed back at me. "I've been in love with you for years, Tess. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

The light through the window allowed me to see her eyes as tears welled within them. "Tessa, I love you. And if you're up for it, I'll spend the rest of my life showing. I can't lose you again, Tess. I need you more than oxygen. I know you're it for me; there will never be anyone on this planet that can hold a candle to you, as far as I'm concerned. I love you so fucking much, Tessa."

The tears she was holding back began to fall. I reached over, gently wiping them away, bringing her face closer to mine. "I need you to know that, Tess."

Her breath breezed against my skin as I held us close. I waited patiently for her to say something- anything- and started to worry I'd gone too far when she remained silent.

"You've always been the one for me, Levi." Tessa's words came out softer than a whisper. "I feel like I've loved you my whole life."

As she spoke, a ragged breath left my lungs. She was giving me everything I'd ever needed, and she had no idea.

Our lips crashed together as I pulled her into my arms, seating her close to my chest- right next to my beating heart. The one that always belonged to her.

When we broke apart, our eyes met. "I love you, Tessa."

She smiled, stroking my cheek with her fingers. "I love you too, Levi. Always have, always will."

My heart swelled at her words, and everything felt right for the first time in a long time. Tessa stayed in my arms for hours after that, watching the stars with me under the skylight, laying on my chest after we fell asleep minutes after collapsing on my bed back home. She was still in my arms the next morning as I woke up with the sunrise to find my girl, my world, my everything sleeping peacefully against me.

We still had things to discuss, and I knew we'd get to them in good time. Would she move back home? Would we get a place together? Did she want to go back to Surf City?

There were still so many unknowns when it came to our future. But one thing was certain- I had her back, and I'd never let her doubt my love for her as long as I lived. She was my everything, and nothing in the world would ever convince me otherwise.

Tessa Rhodes was my world, my heart and soul, my happily ever after.

She was my forever. And I was hers. 

A/N: 

Alright, our lovebirds have finally made up. Sadly, there's only one more chapter left in their story (the epilouge, coming Monday). How are we all doing? I love to hear your thoughts. 

I'll post some more information Monday at the end of the Epilouge regarding publishing and what extras/changes will be included in the published copies. I'll also give some info about potential next works and/or post a poll about what you guys want to read next. I have lots of ideas that I can't wait to share with you, but I'd love to hear from you what kind of story you want next. 

As always, thank you for reading, and I'll see you next week! 

<3