Note: I know it's Emilia in that pic with Matei but let's just pretend it's Jemma, alright? ;)

It had been a few weeks since finding out about my parents. I was trying to deal with it the best way I knew how - ignoring the problem. It hadn't been too hard - especially with how sick I'd been feeling lately. And...several dates with Matei didn't hurt either. Like today, he'd invited me to help out with the Kafe. I already felt like I was becoming apart of their group...even if I wasn't a Wolfblood.

As T.J. and Selina went to sit down, Jana grabbed some drinks to go serve the customers. After that, it was just me and Matei behind the counter to help Jana. It wasn't awkward being alone with him though. It was nice. I turned to grab a plate then but as I did, I failed to notice the dish towel that had fallen onto the floor. My Sketchers slid on the towel and I lost my balance.

I squeezed my eyes shut and braced for the cold hard impact of the tile but it never came. When I opened my dark eyes again, I was met with warm brown orbs. I smiled, a light blush tinting my cheeks. His arms were encircled around me, hands on my waist. Where he touched left a trail of fire across my skin but I loved it. Slowly, I reached up my fingers and brushed a stray curl from his forehead.

He leaned into my touch and pressed his forehead against mine as my hands snaked around his neck.

"Is this how it's going to be from now on?" I whispered, my voice only loud enough for him to hear.

He smiled warmly down at me and I felt butterflies erupt in my belly. Slowly, he nodded to my question.

"From now on." he confirmed and I couldn't help the huge smile that broke out across my face.

"For so long...I didn't have anyone..." I admitted to him then, my smile faltering slightly as the memories of my childhood began to resurface in my mind.

He shook his head at me before taking my hand and bringing it up to his lips to place a chaste kiss on my knuckles.

"Those days are over... You have me now, Jemma..." he told me softly, his fingers tracing over my cheek in a sweet caress, "And I'm never going anywhere,"

"Even after knowing about my parents? What they were, what they did-" I started but he cut me off.

"That doesn't matter. That wasn't you, Jemma. You had no part in it. It doesn't change anything for me, alright?" he said, brown eyes boring into mine intently.

I nodded in understanding, feeling like a weight had been lifted off my chest. Matei released me then, albeit reluctantly and we both picked up towels, making our way over to the tables to wipe them down. Suddenly, T.J.'s phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket before answering.

"Hello, mum?" he said into the phone, "Yeah, I'm just helping out in the..."

We all glanced up as he trailed off.

"Okay, yeah, I'll let her know." he nodded before ending the call.

"Um, Mr. Mackenzie, I'm really sorry but um, I'm gonna have to go." Jana piped up suddenly, stripping of her apron.

I glanced at Matei who had already made it to the door and he nodded for me to come too. I left my towel on one of the tables and pulled off my apron before we all filed after Jana out the door. Jana and the others headed towards T.J.'s house to talk to Imara but I turned to go the other way. Matei put a hand on my shoulder then.

"Hey, where are you off to? I thought we were headed to T.J.'s place?" he asked me, concern in his eyes.

I faked a smile and shook my head, strands of blonde hair falling over my shoulders.

"I was going to stop by the shops actually. But I'll meet you guys there." I told him, nodding towards the other end of the street.

He nodded, shooting me a small smile before walking off to follow the others. I turned around and started heading the other way, knots forming in my stomach at what I was about to do.