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Soft knocks at Joanne's door are what made her look up from her Macbook with her thick clear reading glasses and stop what she was doing to see Justin standing there dressed in a gray hoodie with a pair of black skinny jeans with rips at the knee and a pair of nude colored Chelsea Boots on as he leaned against her door with a small smile and his hands in his pockets.

"You better not be watching porn."

"Oh, I take no shame in that."

"In watching porn or being caught watching it?"

Joanne took her glasses off and grinned.

"Sit down, Jay."

Justin snickered and walked inside Joanne's room and shut the door behind him before walking over to Joanne and sitting on the couch across from the one she was on and watched her shut her Macbook before pursing her lips and crossing one leg over the other.

"I'm guessing you're here to talk about the elephant of the room."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"You were busy in California, Jay. I didn't want to interrupt your life."

"For something so serious?" Justin spoke out just a bit louder than needed which made Joanne raise an eyebrow and watch Justin slide down a bit on the couch and clear his throat. "I...I'm just worried about you."

"Every old person's got to die, honey..."

"But it's not your time...you still have so much you need to give."

"Justin, honey--"

"You were the only one who understood me when I left for California. The only one who supported me...I don't want you to go. I want you to fight."

"It's already progressed, Justin...I have fought."

Justin felt his heart stop.

"What?"

"I...I have been fighting this. I'm in the fourth stage of my cancer, Justin. It's become terminal."

"Wait...how long have you had cancer? And how long has everyone known?"

Joanne pursed her lips and could feel herself on the edge of crying as she sharply inhaled a shaky breath and reached out to touch Justin's large hand which made him clench his jaw and look down at her warm hand caressing his.

Before Joanne or Justin could get another word out, the door suddenly had another knock some to it which made them both look up and see a worker coming to stand inside and clear his throat upon entering.

"Dinner is ready. Ms. Bieber asks that I gather everyone for dinner."

"Everyone except my fiancée, right?"

Silence.

"Yeah. I thought so."

Justin sighed softly and let his hand go from Joanne's warm embrace and he gave her a look of sympathy before turning around and leaving out of her room without uttering another word as Joanne found herself rubbing her throbbing temples as the worker silently left the room.

Meanwhile, Justin walked fast down the hallway and finally ended up in front of his bedroom door and opened it to find Storm sitting on the couch at the end of the bed putting her black sandal strappy YSL heels while dressed in an olive green oversized button up tucked inside a pair of black skinny jeans.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, um...dinner's ready."

Storm nodded and pushed her hair out of her face as she got up from the couch and slowly walked over to Justin and found herself taken off guard when Justin pulled her face close to his and let their lips touch in a fierce and passionate kiss that made her knees feel weak.

After pulling away, Storm touched Justin's chest with her hands and creased her eyebrows as he rested his head against hers with his eyes closed.

"Jay? What's wrong?"

"I...will never take you being in my life for granted."

"You never have...Justin, what happened?"

"I honestly don't want to talk about it."

Storm was about to speak again, but the sudden sound of a throat clearing made them both look to see Willow standing at the doorframe in a cream white woven mock turtleneck crop top with a plaid pink and white miniskirt with a pair of white pump heels and her long blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail.

"Are...you guys hungry?"

"Starving," Storm breathed out as she looked up at Justin and took his hands off her face and brought them down to her side and interlaced their fingers as they walked over to the door to Willow. "What's on the menu?"

"Something the Chef cooked."

"Chef, huh?"

Willow nodded.

Storm hummed in response as Willow led them all the way to the kitchen that was beautifully decorated and spacious enough for everyone -- and by everyone Storm looked around to see Justin's mother and Isabelle chatting amongst themselves with a glass of wine in hand making her feel a sudden urge of annoyance.

Justin must have sensed it and gave her small hand a light squeeze and caused her to look up at Justin and see him smiling at her -- almost as a sign of reassurance as a man in a white and black striped cooking jacket stepped out into the dining room with a warm smile on his red beard covered face.

"Ah, the rumors are true. Welcome back, Mr. Bieber."

"Rumors? You and the workers gossiping about us again, Philippe?"

Philippe simply gave an innocent shrug as Justin met him halfway for a hug followed by a pat on the back as he continued to laugh even after they pulled away -- until Philippe's green eyes darted at Storm.

"My my...and this must be the lovely future Mrs. Bieber?"

Meeting Storm halfway, she was instantly greeted with Philippe taking her small and soft hand into his calloused ones and pressing a gentle kiss upon the back of it making Storm laugh softly as he looked up at her.

"My name is Storm."

"Ah, Storm...bellissima."

Storm smiled wide as Justin chuckled to himself and moved Philippe away from Storm and let him hold her waist and pull her closer to his warm body as she placed a hand on his chest.

"Watch it, Philippe."

"Ah, a man can dream...but for now, everyone take a seat. Dinner is served."

As on cue, everyone sat down and quietly waited as the workers walked out of the kitchen with their delicious and amazing smelling food with steam rolling right off the silver trays they were placed on the beautiful and smooth wooden table before them.

"Dinner is wonderful, Philippe..."

"You're welcome. If you all need anything, I'll be in the kitchen."

And with that, Philippe disappeared into the kitchen and left the family to start passing plates around and start getting ready to eat -- all except Storm who sat with her hands at her sides and her eyes just watching everyone which caught Justin attention and made him lean close to her to whisper.

"You gonna eat, baby?"

"You know why I haven't eaten yet, Jay..."

"Storm--"

"Is there a problem, Jay?"

The sound of Justin's mother's voice made the sound of clinking and the chatter come to silence as all eyes were on Justin and Storm as they stood there quiet for a moment before Storm cleared her throat and readjusted herself in her chair.

"I...don't eat food that hasn't been blessed upon."

"I'm sorry, dear?"

"I grew up blessing my food...cause you never know if this meal...might be the last meal."

Silence.

"Well...everyone's started dining, so--"

"Oh, don't act like there's a stick up your ass, Marjorie. Storm is our guest, so let us bless this food."

Marjorie squinted her eyes at Joanne as she took a sip of her water and reached out for Storm's hand making Storm smile softly and take her hand in hers and bow her head as Justin took her other hand and placed a small kiss on the back of it as everyone else joined hands quietly.

After a moment of praying over the food, everyone began digging into their food, Storm had loaded her plate up with a piece of baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and french bread when Justin leaned back to her and whispered lowly.

"I'm proud of you."

Storm smiled and looked Justin in the eyes before kissing his cheek making him give her a goofy smile that made her laugh -- but of course, Isabelle watched from across the table and found herself clenching her jaw momentarily.

"So, Storm...what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a fashion designer...I just recently opened up my business, SB Unlimited."

"Wow, fashion you say? I'm a model, actually."

"Yes. I'm aware...you know, from when you asked if I was Justin's assistant at the airport?"

Isabelle choked on her water.

"Yes...I...I did. Apologies...but if your business needs any help getting any exposure, let me know. I'm quite popular."

"Oh, for pity? Or because you genuinely care?"

Another awkward silence fell over the table as Storm and Isabelle wasted no time staring each other down like two lions trying to fight over dominance, but Justin was too busy smiling and eating his mashed potatoes to try and budge into the argument.

Storm surely didn't joke when she said she can defend herself.

"Justin, honey, will you be attending the fundraiser?"

"No. Storm and I will not be attending."

"Why not?"

"Yeah," Willow spoke up as she took another french bread from the basket and placed it down next to her salad bowl and smiled up at Justin and Storm. "This year's theme is White Wonderland."

"Sounds fun...Jay?"

"No. Pass."

"Why not? It's your sister's first party she's hosting."

Justin turned his head in Willow's direction.

"You are?"

"Yep. I'm actually really excited about it, Jay."

"Well..."

"Come on, Jay...it's for Willow."

Justin made eye contact with Willow and saw her giving him the puppy dog eyes she always gives when she wants something making him sigh in defeat as he felt Storm nudge him which made him side eye her and see she was smiling with her fork in hand.

"Alright..."

"Good. I'll RSVP you."

Justin snickered.

"Well...now that that's covered, when's the wedding?"

"Mom. We just got engaged."

"I know...but there are things to consider. The date, the venue, the wedding registry, the engagement party--"

"And Jay and I will have those things done. In due time."

Marjorie hummed in response as she crossed one leg over the other underneath the table as she sipped her water casually from her glass while Storm raised a questionable eyebrow at her before sharply inhaling a breath and taking the last bite of her mashed potatoes.

"Speaking of...why don't we know more about you, Storm? I'm being such a rude host."

"Oh..."

"Storm, you don't have to listen to my mother," Justin interjected as he reached his hand underneath the table and placed it on Storm's thigh which made her look his way and tilt her head. "It's my mother's dumb way of playing 21 questions."

"It is just a question, Jay-bear."

"Isabelle--"

"Yeah, Jay-bear," Storm abruptly spoke out as she gave Justin a slick smile and found herself winking at him as he sighed deeply and shook his head. "No harm, no foul."

"Absolutely."

"Well...I'm from Chicago originally...um, my mom and dad both own a restaurant in Long Beach...um, anything else you wanna know?"

"School?"

"I went to Woodbury University."

"Oh. That's a private school."

"You sound surprised, mom."

"I'm not..."

Justin hummed in response as Storm nudged him and smirked just as the workers came back out from the kitchen with Philippe leading them as they came to the table with everyone's dessert which consisted of chocolate cake.

"Enjoy."

With that, Philippe and the workers left once again and left everyone to start eating their dessert -- all except Isabelle who looked up to Storm and cleared her throat before speaking up once again.

"So, any siblings, Storm? You're an only child?"

"Um...yeah. Only child."

Isabelle hummed in response as Storm felt a sudden pain in her chest which caused her to clear her throat and excuse herself from the table as Justin clenched his jaw and looked over to Marjorie and Isabelle. "Happy now?"

"What?"

Justin scoffed and shot up from the kitchen table and quickly followed after Storm and couldn't quite find her which made him crease his eyebrows and puff out a breath as he headed for their bedroom and didn't find her inside.

"Damn..."

Justin rubbed the back of his neck and pulled his phone out of his pocket as he headed out of the bedroom and called Storm, as he walked down the hallway, he placed the phone to his ear and saw one of the workers walking by with laundry folded neatly in a big basket which made Justin stop her.

"Have you seen my fiancée?"

"No, Mr. Bieber."

After hearing Storm's voicemail ring through his ears, he sighed heavily and hung the phone up and licked his lips as he walked all through the house -- up until he was walking outside and he found himself heading for the pool where he found himself sighing in relief once he saw the petite and curvy figure by the pool.

"Storm..."

Storm turned around and looked at Justin briefly before turning back around and let her eyes fall onto the glistening blue water, it was honestly beautiful to see at night -- the way the water danced to its own rhythm and how it glistened perfectly in its own reflection onto the walls.

Storm had suddenly felt Justin's strong arms wrap around her and pull her into his toned chest which made her briefly close her eyes and shake her head as Justin gave her a light squeeze and felt her rest her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry they made you uncomfortable."

"Justin...I haven't quite been honest with you...you know, about my past."

"Ah, more secrets, huh?"

After chuckling to himself, Justin noticed that Storm had fallen quiet which made the laughing come to a sudden end as Storm turned her body around to face Justin and give him a serious look and cause him to crease his eyebrows.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm...not an only child. I had a brother, older brother actually...his name was Royce."

"Had..." Justin breathed out as Storm looked down and avoided eye contact with Justin making him place his index finger under her chin and make her look up at him with those beautiful brown eyes

"Royce got killed by some...trigger happy cop before his nineteenth birthday. Royce was stopped on his way home from work and...since he was affiliated with a gang...you know."

"Is that why you left when Isabelle mentioned you having siblings?

"It's just hard...to move on from what happened..."

"But you can never forget. You shouldn't have to forget him, baby...he was apart of your life, he'll always be with you, you know? No matter what anyone says."

Storm smiled up at Justin as his hands moved up to touch her face and brush her hair out of her face which made her sigh in contempt and melt into his warm touch as he rested his forehead against hers.

"You remind me of the good in the world...this crazy...messed up world, Jay."

"You keep me sane, too."

Storm giggled and pecked Justin's lips which made him moan at the small action and make Storm sharply inhale a breath and pull back quickly before she did something she would regret and whisper softly. "Jay..."

"I know...you just make it so hard to--"

"I know, but...I think we can bend the rules for one night..."

"Wait...what?"

"I...think we've both had a rough day, maybe we can help each other unwind--"

Storm didn't even get a chance to finish her sentence before Justin picked her up and wrapped her legs around his waist and caused her to squeal in his ear as they headed back for the house and back for their bedroom where Justin made sure to quietly take them inside -- only to stop at the sight of Bruno which made them both clear their throats as Justin safely put Storm down.

"Bruno..."

"Good to know my presence is still forgotten."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Bruno."

Bruno looked down at Storm's hand and hummed to himself.

"If you two plan on having sex tonight, just remember I'm across the hall from you two."

And with that, Bruno walked away from Storm and Justin and leaving them there speechless which made them both look at each other as soon as he shut his bedroom door, they suddenly found themselves laughing silently.

"I just feel like my mom caught me sneaking a boy into my room."

"Bruno can be...blunt."

"Blunt and antisocial, huh? I'm guessing we're going to bump heads."

"Well, I'm not going to let my little brother stop us from having a good night with my fiancée."

"Justin...you know how...loud we can get. Let's just respect your brother's wishes for the night."

Justin sighed heavily.

"Yeah...maybe you're right."

Storm nodded and went to walk away from Justin and into the bedroom -- but Justin had swept her up into his arms and made her squeal as he placed kisses on her neck and quickly took her into the bedroom to ignore Bruno's wishes and have a passionate and euphoric night.

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heyooo! so i know it's been a while since i last updated ): i honestly had half this chapter typed and abandoned it cause of work and such, but i'm getting back into the groove!

also, just know the drama is really about to start after this chapter lol, so get ready because it's about to get crazy!

how do you guys feel about storm's past and her brother? how do you guys feel about justin's grandma keeping her cancer a secret? how do you guys feel about storm at the dinner table? do you think she handled herself well? lemme know your thoughts!

but don't forget to vote and comment! thank you for reading! and stay safe my loves! see ya in the next chapter! 🦋✨