I let out a deep breath as I laid Ellie down on her bed. This was not how I was expecting my night to go. I was hoping to find Lydia in her dorm and pretty much grovel for forgiveness. I was not planning to find her at a frat party and I was not expecting to get kicked in the groin.

After everything that happened on our road trip, I signed Lydia up for self defense classes and she was all for it. Clearly, they had been paying off. I definitely did not expect to have to help Lydia rescue her roommate from those two assholes.

I didn't actually record them, but they didn't know that. I did take their pictures, though. If a time came and I did hear about them trying this shit again, I knew what they look like and I had evidence.

I sat on Lydia's bed and waited patiently while she took off Ellie's shoes and put a cool washcloth on her forehead. Lydia really was the most caring and loving person I had ever met besides my mother.

The women I dated before Lydia always seemed to be more interested in the amount of money I was making rather than the person I was. Lydia was a different story completely. For God's sake, she wouldn't even let me help pay for her tuition or her dorm room. She wanted to be independent, and I admired that about her.

As if satisfied for now with Ellie, Lydia started walking across the room towards me. There was a partition in the middle of the room for privacy and she expanded it. I got to my feet as she came to stand in front of me and I pulled her into a hug.

She tightened her arms around me and side into my chest. "Thank you," she breathed.

"For what?" I asked.

She stepped back a little to look up at me, but kept her arms around my waist. "For coming here and for helping me with Ellie."

This was one of the many reasons I loved her. "Babe, you don't have to thank me. For anything. I love you."

"I love you, too," she said with a smile.

I held up the Chinese food in my hand. "Hungry?"

"I'm starving," she replied and grabbed the food from me. "I'll go heat this up and be right back."

I slept my shoes off and shrugged off my jacket while I waited for her. I hung my jacket on the back of her chair at her desk and I caught some of her new paintings that were spread out. She really was talented. I knew her dream was to have her own art studio one day and I could see that happening.

I smiled as I remember the conversation clearly when we first talked about it. Lydia had terms and conditions for everything.

"So, what's your plan after you graduate?" I asked as I looked through the different college brochures she had.

"I really want to have my own art studio. I want a space where I can show off my work and other people's work. I want to help them get discovered."

I sat down the brochures and walked up behind her. I slid my arms around her waist as she Googled something on her phone. "You know, there is an easier way to get your studio started..."

"No," she said in a stern voice as she turned around to face me. "You are not allowed to buy me a studio."

"Okay," I said and she must have caught on to what I was thinking.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "You are also not allowed to rent, sublease, or otherwise spend money with the intent of me getting a studio. Understood?"

"Lydia, I just want you to have what makes you happy. If I can provide that for you, why not?"

She cupped the side of my face and gave me a smile. "I know you do. But I don't want to take the easy way or any shortcuts. I want to earn this for myself. That will make me happy."

I sighed and sucked my teeth. "Fine. So, what now?"

"Now, you help me pick a school."

My thoughts came back to the present and I took a seat on her bed. At first, I didn't get why she wouldn't let me simply buy her a studio. But then, when she said she wanted to earn it for herself, I understood completely.

She didn't have much to her name. Getting into school on her own was one of her proudest moments. I also understood why she didn't want any handouts; and I was so proud of her. I agreed I wouldn't help her get the studio my way, but I would help her with anything else she needed. 

Like tonight. This whole roofies thing brought back memories I didn't want to think about. I remembered all to vaguely what happened when PSYCHO Amy had me drugged. Lydia and I had not been together then, but we seemed to have this 'unspoken thing' between us. That was the night I first kissed her. Yes, I was in a drug haze and she was terrified since she had never really been kissed, but it definitely counted. 

The door to Lydia's dorm opened and she came inside quietly. She had changed into one of my t-shirts and a pair of pajama bottoms before coming to join me on the bed. Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head and I couldn't take my eyes off of her. 

"What?" She asked as she tucked some hair behind her ear. I knew her pretty well and that was something she did when she was uncomfortable. 

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" I asked as nostalgia filled me. That was what I asked her before our first kiss. 

I could tell by her expression that she remembered that night all to well. "No," she answered; the same as before. 

I leaned forward and placed my lips against hers. She sighed against me and I deepened the kiss. Fuck, I missed her. I didn't realize how much. Maybe we could take a weekend trip somewhere and spend some quality alone time together. 

She pulled away with a shy smile as she grabbed the warmed up Chinese food. "Let's eat," she said as she opened the container. After taking a few bites of her food, she asked, "So, not that I'm not happy, and grateful, that you showed up here, but why did you?"

Well, this was my chance to crawl out of the doghouse. "Well, Michael called me." 

"Oh?" She asked, not looking up from her food. "And?" 

"He basically called me an idiot. He told me I was in the doghouse because I cancelled on dinner for work. Considering you just got back to town and we haven't seen each other." 

She looked up and me and took a bite of her food before raising her brow, "What do you think?" 

I held her gaze before I laughed. "I think I'm an idiot who's currently living in the doghouse."

She laughed as she glanced away. "Well, I wouldn't say the doghouse. Maybe just the front yard." 

I sobered before reaching out to stroke her cheek. "I'm sorry, baby. I was so consumed with work I wasn't thinking. Can I make it up to you?"

She bit her lip shyly before tapping her chin, "Hmmm, how can you make it up to me? Can it be my choice?" 

"Yep," I said immediately, "anything you want. Name it." 

She knew I would give her whatever she wanted. I was just hoping she asked for something she really, really wanted. Ever since we met, she hated whenever I spent money on her.

I understood her reasoning and it was hard for me to adjust to it. I honestly enjoyed spoiling her. With the horrible, tragic past that she has survived, she deserved it.

Even though she did overcome a lot of her demons since I met her, the darkness still seemed to sneak up on her sometimes. When it did, sometimes she would get lost in herself for a few days or even a week. She would tell me she needed space and I would give it to her. Sometimes, she needed the opposite and would stay at my apartment with me until she felt better.

"How about this," she started, bringing me back from my thoughts, "I have some tests this week that I need to study for. So, how about next weekend, we spend it just the two of us. No school, no work, nothing. Just you and me."

I pretended to ponder her offer. I was already going to say yes, but I wanted to throw something into the mix. "Can I pick where we spend said time together?"

She eyed me suspiciously before she said, "Yes. But no where crazy expensive. I just want a cozy, relaxing few days with you."

I had an idea of where I wanted to take her, and I really think she was going to like it. It also falls within her demands. "Scout's honor," I said with a smile. "Now, let's finish this meal before it gets cold. Then, since I know you aren't going to leave Ellie in the state she's in, you and I can lay down here and put on one of your favorite movies."

The way she was looking at me caused a tightness in my chest. She had a look of pure love and adoration on her face.

"What did I do to deserve you?" She asked so quietly I barely heard it.

I leaned forward and stroked her cheek. How could she even ask me that? Didn't she know she was the best thing that ever happened to me? After my parents died, I thought I didn't know how I could make it through each day any longer.

"Babe," I said as I held her stare, "it's me who doesn't deserve you."

I pulled her closer and gave her a good, sound kiss. I knew she still had a hard time believing she was worthy of happiness and love. I didn't care if I had to spend the rest of my life proving her otherwise.

She was worth it.