"seeing you heals me"

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I open my eyes, slowly adjusting to the sunlight, and bask in the feeling of first waking up. When you're in-between sleep and consciousness and your brain hasn't had enough time to turn on, so all your worries are gone.

But, like the high-strung person I am, my brain works double speed to quickly end that nice feeling and I begin to remember the events of last night.

Panic attack. Sterling. Crying.

God, last night was a disaster.

I check the time, and realize it's already really late into the morning, or should I say afternoon.

About to get out of bed, I hear a knock on my door and Jemma peeks her head through the crack. "Oh shoot, did I wake you?" Her wide blue eyes stare back at me.

"No, Jem. You're good, I woke up a few minutes ago."

She smiles at me, a sympathetic look coating her face. "How are you feeling?" Jemma walks over and joins me in my bed.

"I'm okay. Still pretty tired, I guess I really wore myself out."

"I'm sure you did, it was a pretty long one, Dell. Thank god for Sterling though, I don't know how he managed to get you to sleep."

I know how.

It's because Sterling is my safe place.

"Speaking of, where is he?" I ask.

"Don't worry, he's still here. He's downstairs making food with Chase. He didn't want to leave without making sure you would be okay when you woke up," she explains. "He's a good one."

"He really is," I agree as I pull one of his hoodies over my head, loving the way it still smells like him, despite the fact that I stole it from him a month ago and he hasn't worn it since.

Jemma and I leave the comfort and warmth of my bed and head downstairs.

"Sleeping beauty is awake," my brother says as he ruffles my hair and pulls me in for a hug. "By the way, mom called me and wants you to call her when you get the chance."

"Alright, I'll talk to her a little later."

I can always count on Chase to not dwell too hard on my panic attacks the previous night. Growing up, my parents coddled me for days after my attack, and as much as I love them, I would rather have them act normal.

He grabs a stack of pancakes and brings them over to the counter, immediately stuffing his face when he sits down. That boy can eat.

I laugh at the content smile on his face, and I walk further into the kitchen. I place a quick kiss on Sterling's cheek as he continues to flip pancakes.

"Good morning, darling. It smells good."

"Well I am a master chef, that must be why." He smirks cockily.

"Yeah, adding water to store bought pancake mix, you're ready to open your own restaurant," I tease.

"Whatever, smart ass. Your brother happens to love my pancakes. Maybe I went for the wrong Lawrence." My jaw drops at his comment and he just laughs at me.

Of course, Chase hears this and has to add in his two cents. "I'm down, Blake. I'd tap that for an endless supply of these pancakes. Plus, it doesn't hurt that you're one good looking man."

"You guys are morons," I mutter under my breath.

Jemma playfully scowls at her boyfriend. "How come you don't love these pancakes as much when I make them."

"I don't know, babe. Sterling just has magical hands, I guess." Chase's words are muffled as he continues to shove forkfuls of pancakes in his mouth.

A mischievous look settles onto Jemma's face as she says, "Dell, care to comment on those magical hands of his?"

"Oh god! Please don't go there. Fuck, I take it back. Jemma's pancakes rule and Blake's are below average." My brother yells, disgusted by the direction this conversation has taken.

He's not alone. I'm not particularly fond of everyone's rather bizarre dialogue either. But, as weird as it is, I fucking love this group of people. I love that my brother and boyfriend get along. I love that everyone can joke around together. And I love that this is what we're doing, not obsessing over my horrible night.

Sterling chuckles and I roll my eyes. "Great job on starting such a lovely conversation, much appreciated," I quip and he ducks down, placing an I'm sorry kiss on my forehead.

"Thank you for last night," I change topics, as Chase and Jemma settle into their own conversation at the table.

"Of course, baby. I promised you I'd always be there for you. I'm just making good on my word." He shrugs off last night like he didn't manage to save me from myself.

Sterling's words stick with me and I spend the rest of breakfast replaying what he said over and over again.

I promised you I'd always be there for you. I'm just making good on my word.

It's a good fucking feeling, knowing you have someone who will always be there for you.

Always.

After the four of us eat our body weight in pancakes and maple syrup, I head off to work and Sterling meets up with the boys for hockey practice. But, not without making plans for the night.

It's weird considering this is only our second official date but It feels like we've already had about a hundred.

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Work was slow tonight. It's almost Christmas break so more than half of my kids were missing and my last class was canceled. Luckily, that meant I could get home quicker and start prepping for our date.

I managed to convince Sterling to have our date at my house since Jemma would be gone all night. It took a while to get him to agree to having me cook because he didn't want me to, quote "have to do everything myself after the night I had."

It was sweet, I know he's just concerned and probably not very used to seeing me so panicked. But, I told him I just wanted to move on and cooking would be a good way to do that. So, now I'm making my mom's famous lasagne recipe, and hoping it tastes half as good as her's does.

While I wait for it to cook in the oven, I make my way upstairs to start getting ready. I decide on a basic, yet really flattering, spaghetti strap red dress. It hugs my body nicely without being overly tight, and it cuts off just above my knee.

I go light on the makeup, not wanting to break out, but finish with a dark red lip. Finally, I loosely curl my dark hair, letting it flow past my shoulders.

I'm pulling the lasagne out of the oven when I hear a knock at the door followed by Sterling's footsteps down the hall and into the kitchen.

"Fuck, Laney. It smells great in here," he says but I don't process his words. Instead, I stare at my boyfriend, shamelessly checking him out.

He looks damn good. He's dressed in a fitted white button-down and black dress pants. Both of which do a great job at exposing his muscles and showcasing his jacked body.

Who gave this man permission to be so hot. It's just not fair.

"I would've brought wine but I don't drink and I know you don't like to either. So, I brought the next best thing." He sets down my favourite drink on the counter and a smile breaks out on my face. "Fruitopia."

Call me a child, I don't care, I've heard it so many times it doesn't phase me. It's just so good, sue me.

"You're the best." I have to go up on my tippy toes to plant a kiss on his lips, but, like always, his hands go to my hips to steady me, and I melt into his touch.

We spend the next couple of hours eating and talking, just enjoying each other's company. Eventually, the two of us have eaten all we can and we quickly throw our dishes in the dishwasher. Sterling turns to me, giving me a quick peck. "Dinner was amazing," he says.

"Oh yeah?" I ask as he wraps his arms around my waist, nodding his head. "I think I know how you can express your gratitude." My comment leaves little room for interpretation and I know he knows exactly what I was suggesting as his eyes darken and fill with lust.

In an instant, his lips find mine, and I moan into the kiss.

I break apart from him long enough to rasp out, "upstairs." He doesn't acknowledge me with words, but when he picks me up and starts walking us to my room, I'm fairly confident he's got it. My legs wrap around his waist and I use this position to rub myself on his hard-on, desperate for some friction.

Before I can even register it, we're in my room and he's lowering me down onto the bed, hovering over me. If a hockey boyfriend is good for nothing else, it's damn nice that he can carry me up the stairs as if I weigh nothing.

By the time both of us are naked — with the exception of my panties still on —, we're a panting, moaning mess. He focuses his attention on my breast, licking and sucking on my hardened peaks. But, as good as this feels, I need more.

My hand reaches for his impossibly hard cock and I stroke it a few times, memorized at the way my actions affect him. He throws his head back and groans. "As good as that feels, baby, if you don't stop this night won't last nearly as long as I need it to."

I blush at his words as he lowers himself down my body, leaving a trail of wet kisses across my chest and torso, until he's where I need him most.

He strokes me over the fabric a few times. "Sterling," I let out in a whine. He chuckles at my expense before he gives me what I want.

"Hips, Laney," he mumbles out.

"What?" I ask, confused under my daze.

"Lift your hips for me, baby."

Oh.

So I do, using my legs to press my hips off the bed as he hooks his fingers into the sides of my underwear and pulls them down in one movement. "Fuck, such a pretty pussy, you're soaked for me."

My brain just about short circuits, this man knows exactly what I want to hear before I know myself.

My mouth falls open and I throw my head back as he presses his tongue to my clit, sending a jolt of electricity throughout my whole body. It's been too long since I felt his tongue on me and I'm overly sensitive.

He continues his assault on my clit as he enters a finger into me. When I start to rock my hips back and forth, he adds another finger, increasing the already intense amount of pleasure I'm feeling.

I feel the familiar pit form in my stomach and I know I'm close but I don't want to come on his fingers, I want more. "Sterling, wait," I pant and he stops immediately, sitting up to look at me. "What's wrong, are you alright?" he asks concerned.

"Nothings wrong, trust me, you feel incredible. But, I want you, I want to come on your cock."

He blows out a deep breath of air, "Fuck, you're killing me." I can tell he's using every inch of control he has not to do what I ask and pound into me. "But, you're not ready yet, love. You're so fucking tight and I want this to feel good for you," is all he says before he dips his head back down in between my legs and continues.

I don't protest when he makes contact with my centre once more, how could I when it feels so damn good. He sucks hard on my clit and, at the same time, shoves a third finger into my entrance. It only takes a few strokes until I lose control, clenching around his fingers.

"God, Sterling," I moan as I come for the first time tonight.

"That's right, baby. Let go." He coaxes me on.

Sterling places one last kiss to more core and then rises up to meet my eyes. He stares into me and, suddenly, the monumental pleasure I just felt is not enough, I need him inside me.

"I'm ready for you, I promise. Please," I whine. "Just fuck me."

He lets himself give in to his desires and he reaches over to his pants on the floor, taking a condom out from his pocket.

I watch intently as he tears the wrapper and sheathes himself with the latex. His arms cage my head in and hold up his body. He places a sloppy kiss to my lips, letting his tongue deepen it as he swallows the moans that leave my mouth.

I open my legs for him and he holds himself in his hand, dragging his tip across my slick folds. "Are you sure? We can stop at any point, just let me know if the pain gets too much."

"I've never been more sure of anything. Now, get inside of me already."

He smirks cockily and I melt under his gaze.

I feel a small amount of pressure as he presses the tip of his cock into me but I try to focus on anything but my nerves and the inevitability of pain. He's not even halfway inside of me before the pain sets in and I know he can sense it when I look up at him and his face is full of concern.

"I'm okay," I assure him and I press a delicate kiss to the corner of his lips.

He dips one of his hands down to play with my clit and the pleasure of that makes the rest of his entrance a lot easier.

"God, you're huge."

He doesn't move once he's fully inside of me, he just allows me to adjust to his size, but I can tell this is killing him. "Breathe," he reminds me and I do, taking deep breaths and calming myself down.

"Sterling," I warn, suddenly needing to feel more. "Move."

He allows my words to reassure him before he pulls out of me and slides back in. Suddenly, the pain eases up and is replaced by a whole new world of euphoria.

Sterling continues to rub my clit with one hand as his mouth lowers to my breast and he begins sucking on my nipple, all while he moves in and out of me. "You're so god damn beautiful."

This time, he pushes into me deeper, hitting a spot his fingers could never reach, and I scream out. "Fuck! Keep doing that."

He wouldn't be him if he didn't listen to my words, granting me my wish. His cock enters me over and over again, and I feel my climax near. I dig my nails into his back, clawing at his skin, desperate for an outlet.

"God, you feel so good. Your sweet, tight, pussy is taking me so well," he praises. "So. Fucking, Good."

His words are enough to push me over the edge and my body tenses. "I'm coming," I whine as a wave of pleasure crashes over me, leaving me writhing under his body and clenching onto his cock.

"Shit," he curses before he thrusts into me a few times more. He comes shortly after, dropping his head into the crook of my neck and breathing heavily.

We just lay there, relishing in what just happened before he pulls out of me and discards of the condom.

The rest of our night is spent together in the shower. Nothing happens while we're there, much to my dismay, because Sterling didn't want me to be too sore. But we clean ourselves off and admire each other as we do it.

Finally, after one of the greatest nights of my life, we climb into bed and he wraps his arms around me. I nestle my head into his chest and it takes me less than a minute before I'm out like a light.

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I put this chapter off for like a week because I was scared to write this. I feel like this chapter was a big deal and I didn't want to disappoint you all. But, overall, I feel pretty happy with what I wrote.

I love these characters dearly and I'm so sad it's starting to come to an end. I want to thank you all for your support and sweet comments, they mean the world to me.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed and if you did, please comment and vote!

Question of the chapter: Favourite Disney princess?

Stay safe and healthy <3