Present Day

The following morning, Erin had asked Liam to explain what happened to him very first thing. He promised to tell her if she ate breakfast. With pursed lips and narrowed eyes, Erin did eat the not so pleasant hospital food while eagerly listening to Liam, hanging on his every word.

"So...you saw me once?" Erin was amazed. "And you...walked away?"

"It was the most difficult thing I've ever done but I had to," He replied softly, eyes downcast at their entwined fingers.

"I'm very proud of you for going to college," She grinned, stroking his beard. "By the way...I'm loving the full beard."

Liam laughed and pecked her lips lovingly. Erin raked her fingers into his hair, tugging him closer then licked his lips seeking entry. Liam growled and succumbed. Their kiss quickly deepened but a knocking on the door of her hospital room interrupted them.

"Good morning, Erin!" Her doctor greeted. "I have wonderful news!"

"Please tell me," Erin replied.

"I'm sending you home today," Her doctor smiled.

A surprise knock at the door made them all turn. Erin's face went pale. Standing in the doorway with a gun pointed at Liam, was Garret himself.

"Garrett..." Erin whispered. Liam gripped her hand tightly, attempting to reassure her that everything would be ok.

"Hello, Principessa," He cooed, a wicked smirk tugged at his lips.

"How did you get passed the security?" Liam demanded.

Garrett shrugged, "You really think I don't have the LAPD on my payroll?"

"What do you want?" Erin asked softly, knowing full well his answer.

"I want you...and Ashlynn," He shrugged as if the demand wasn't a big deal.

"No!" Erin spat. "HELP!"

Guards and police ran in, quickly rushing Garret, managing to wrestle the gun from his hand.

"We've been looking for you," one of them growled as he yanked Garrett's hands behind his back and tightened the cuff's with several clicks.

The husky familiarity of the voice gave Erin goosebumps. Familiar eyes met hers from under his cap just as he hauled Garrett out of the room.

"He's in violation of an active restraining order," Erin explained.

"This guy won't be bothering you again, Ma'am," the officer reported then hauled Garrett out of the room.

Erin let out an audible sigh of relief and pressed her check to Liam's chest as he embraced her.

"It's over," She repeated in a hushed voice as tears fell down her cheeks.

****

Later in the afternoon, all the paperwork was signed and Erin was wheeled out of the hospital. Once through the doors, she took in a deep, cleansing breath.

"Ahh, LA smog," She grinned. The nurse pushing her wheelchair laughed, shaking her head. Soon after, Liam pulled up in a dark blue Tesla.

"Your chariot awaits, My Lady," He called through the window, eyebrows wiggling matched by a teasing grin before getting out and helping her transfer into the car.

Soon they were off and it was odd for Erin to see Liam driving a car. She chuckled to herself at how comfortable he appeared driving.

"I never would have guessed I'd ever see you drive," She laughed lightly smiling at him.

"I never would have guessed either but I had to learn so I can escort you around properly on dates," He smirked, reaching over and holding her hand as he merged onto the freeway.

They drove in comfortable silence. Erin allowed Liam to concentrate on maneuvering the LA freeway, until she realized she didn't know where they were going.

"Um... This is not how you get to my house," She commented.

"I know," He grinned. "It's how you get to mine, soon to be ours."

"What?" Erin's eyes went wide but a smile tugged at her lips.

"I minored in architecture to manage this one," Liam grinned with pride as they exited the freeway into the exclusive Hollywood Hills. "A good friend of mine from college who lives in Chicago now helped me with the designs to make them accurate but still following codes."

Not long after, they pulled into a long driveway that curved into a horseshoe and Liam parked the car in front of a castle. Erin's jaw dropped as she exited the car and stared at the massive beauty.

"Liam! It's modeled after..."

"After O'Hagan Keep," Liam finished as he came around the car and wrapped an arm around Erin's shoulders. "Inside, however, has every modern amenity you could ask for, including a state of the art security system, electricity, internet and indoor plumbing."

He pulled away from Erin heading confidently toward the door, glancing over his shoulder to see her still wide eyed, slack jawed and awestruck but with a shimmer of tears in her eyes. Erin soon padded after him. Once Liam opened the door, Erin was greeted by none other than Ashlynn's cheerful squeal, happy giggle and unmatched embrace.

"Mommy!" She called, running straight into her mother's arms.

"Ashlynn!" Erin embraced her daughter for the first time without tubes. It was a wonderful feeling.

When they released, Erin took Ashlynn by the hand, stood next to Liam and laced his hand in her other one.

"Now, we are complete."

****

One month later

Carrying a fresh stack of copies, Erin walked into her classroom during her free period to find Liam standing in the middle and looking around, his back turned toward her.

"Hey, what a surprise," Erin exclaimed setting the papers down on a nearby table, truly happy to see him.

Clad in a handsomely tailored black suit, Liam turned to face her and kept his arms clasped around to his back but still gave Erin a light kiss.

"What are you doing here?"

Liam sighed. "I couldn't wait until tonight, I just couldn't. I had the whole thing planned out for tonight then I just...I couldn't wait."

"Wait for what?" Erin was confused. "Is this a breakup?" She asked sarcastically.

"No, love, not at all," Liam grinned then whistled. At that signal, twenty one giggling 5 year olds, including Ashlynn, came out from the bathroom and the closet each holding something behind their backs.

"What is going on?" Erin giggled, putting her hands on her hips to playfully scold her students. "You guys are supposed to be in music."

"I borrowed them," Liam explained.

"For what?"

"I needed to ask you something. Properly. OK, kids...now!"

Each one revealed a piece of construction paper with a single letter on it formed with glitter. Erin read each letter carefully to decipher what the cards spelled.

W-I-L-L Y-O-U M-A-R-R-Y M-E P-L-E-A-S-E-?

"Will...you...marry...me...please?" Erin read slowly.

It took a moment to sink in but when she realized what Liam had done, she pivoted back toward him only to find Liam bent on one knee holding a breathtaking ring. Not just any ring, a claddagh ring dotted with emeralds. Erin gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

"I know I asked you once already," Liam smirked. "However, I felt I needed to ask you properly, meaning with a token. I have loved you since the day we first argued. We were torn apart but then brought together. I never want to be apart from you again. So, Erin Clark, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Erin cried, throwing her arms around Liam's neck and kissing him fiercely. She temporarily forgot about the students watching. Some aww'd, others said yuck but the real surprise, was several faculty members crowding around the door to her classroom clapping.

****

The End

Well, the beginning...

****

Here it is!  What a journey!  Epilogue will go up tomorrow.

Sequel, yes that's right!  The Sequel will go up Sunday morning!

Enjoy, vote and comment!

<3