Rick's p.o.v

Walking out that front door while hearing Layton sniffle and whimper was the hardest thing I've been through. All I wanted was to run back to her and hold her but I knew if I did, there was no chance I'd be able to leave again.

It's better to rip off the band-aid in a quick motion than to slowly tear it off, that's what I had to remind myself- this was going to work out better for the long run.

I had met Jamie a few days after my conversation with Kiandre and told him of my plans.

He immediately told me how crazy I sounded but this just felt like the right thing to do, being the great friend that he is- he offered to come with me but Layton couldn't take two loses from her life simultaneously.

Perhaps once Kiandre and herself rekindle their romance, Jamie could join me.

Of course I'm still going to keep everyone up to date on my recovery, I'm just giving them some breathing space to continue with their lives, after all the spotlight has been on me for too long- they made me a priority in their lives now I'm making them a priority in mine.

For now this is where my story comes to an end. It's being a beautiful one, I discovered true love and happiness and it felt like something straight out of the movies but even the sun sets in paradise, let's hope for something better.

End of p.o.v

Layton's p.o.v

It's been 7 weeks since Rick left, from what he has told me the few times we have messaged his treatment is going well, I just wish I was there to witness that for myself.

Work has been great, I attended my first trail as part of council even though my job was to do research and take notes. Watching lawyers in action, fighting for their respective clients reminded me just how much I loved my profession- a love that won't leave.

After my situation came to light everyone kept asking if I was okay and honestly I know they do it out of love but it was getting really annoying, all I did was focus on work and go home to cuddle in one of the shirts Rick left behind.

Although one person broke through to me, Kiandre. He and I actually had lunch together a few days ago and it was so nice just catching up as friends.

He is doing so well and radiates happiness, he certainly knows how to brighten up a room and that was something I needed right now.

We began to hang out more and more much to Cassidy's disapproval- he still held a grudge against Kiandre but if these past few months taught me anything, it's that life's too short to hold onto the pain, one should instead turn it into power.

'If you get another chance at love, take it.' Ricks words played in my mind as I look at my former engagement ring sitting on the dressing table- was he hinting at something? Nah I'm over thinking things now.

End of p.o.v

Kiandre's p.o.v

I respect the way Rick left even though I to completely disagree with the way he went about doing things but hey everyone experiences life differently.

You would think been friends with Layton would be extremely difficult and weird but it isn't. Our story started off with friendship were I had to learn who she was- the same applies here.

She isn't the same girl I fell in love with now she's a women and this is our chance to start over. Sometimes you have to burn things to ashes so something better can grow from it.

There was a few nights this week were I kept her company and brought her dinner at the firm's library while she did case work, I would often fall asleep and she would cover me with her coat- its 2020 people gender roles are fluid! It doesn't make anyone less of a man or women for doing what needs to be done.

Sure there is still some disapproval from Cass and Jamie but how I'm going to love proving them wrong.

I'm in Layton's life to stay for good this time, sure I have a lot of making up to do but I'm taking steps in the right direction in doing so.. The last thing Layton needs now is someone trying to get in her pants- good things come to those who wait right?

End of p.o.v

Knock Knock

"Who could that be? This is the first Saturday evening I'm home in week's argh." Layton groaned as she goes to answer the door.

"I want to take you somewhere."

"Well hello Kiandre, it's nice to see you to." She mocks him

"Please come on." He begs her.

"Fine let me go and get dressed." Layton couldn't resist the puppy eyes he was making at her.

"No you're perfect, I mean dressed perfectly." Kiandre fumbles his words.

"I'm in my track wear."

"You're comfortable that's what matters."

Kiandre grabs Layton's keys and ushers her out of the apartment while he locked up.

A 10 minute drive later.

"Was it really necessary to blindfold me?"

"Yes it adds to the suspense doesn't it?"

"Look if you're going to drive me off a cliff because I ate the last slice of pizza you called dibs on last week, I'm sorry."

"Hush we are here."

Kiandre carefully guided Layton out of the car and to their destination. As they were walking she could smell freshly cut grass and popcorn in the near proximity and wondered what was going on.

"You can take off the blindfold now."

Kiandre had adorned the backyard with fairy lights setting an enchanting ambiance. A blank sheet was mounted against the wall while a projector rested on a nearby table.

Layton's eyes widened in admiration of the whole set up- from the comfy looking blanks to the table full of snacks. She couldn't believe he did all this.

"It's my friend's home but we have the place to ourselves."

"This looks like something out of a fairy tale."

"What's the first movie we watched together?"

"When Harry met Sally- the only movie we both agreed on at the time."

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

"I think the universe orchestrated my whole life just to lead me to you and well even after our time apart, destiny brought me right back to you. Sorry I just needed to get that off my chest."

"Someone once told me that if I have another chance at love to take it, I thought he was crazy but now I know what he meant."

Kiandre and Layton looked into each other's eyes and it was like they were transported into the past, before the pain and sorrow, when it was just two teenagers experiencing their first love- if only it was possible to bottle up moments.

You are my love story and I write you into everything I do, everything I see, everything I touch and everything I dream, you are the words that fill my pages. - A.R Asher