After we finished shopping, which was exhausting, we returned to Owen's home, and it was 10 pm. "What took you so long?" I was attacked by Hunter's worried expression when I opened the door. Can't a girl be happy? Who am I kidding? Lilly is awful when it comes to shopping.

"We told you... Lilly is a major shopaholic," Jaxon replied and pointed at Aaron, who was holding her bags. He was putting them in his car.

"Oh, that's bad." Hunter was shocked by the bags. Yep, it's that bad.

"Guys, I'm not that bad. I just love everything cute," Lilly said with a pout.

"Yeah, Lilly, you said it... everything cute; literally!" I pointed out with a tired sigh. She thought about what I had just said and looked at the floor like a little guilty kid.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"Okay, babe, let's go," Aaron called to her. He looked at me with a sad smile when he was beside her. "I guess this is it, huh?" he said, and I nodded.

"Yeah, but won't you be here tomorrow morning to say goodbye?" I asked weakly. I hate goodbyes.

"Sorry, we can't. I have an appointment with my doctor, that's why Ariel, goodbye bestie, I'll talk with you all the time and don't worry, Aaron and I will come and visit you from time to time. Hamilton is not that far from here," Lilly said with a reassuring smile, and I felt like crying and laughing simultaneously. She hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back.

"Bye, Ariel. It was nice getting to know you better. You were an awesome friend and always will be," Aaron said and gave me a friendly bear hug.

"I'm gonna miss you guys. Make sure to come every once in a while, and we will too." I ordered firmly. To sound serious, which I am. Wait... How can I forget? What about Jaxon? Will he stay here? What about us? The last question reminds me of a song! Not now, Ariel, haven't you learned?

"So see you later, Ariel. This is not a goodbye. We will come, do not worry, so see you later." Lilly reassured me with her famous soft, soothing tone and smile.

"Yeah, see you later, my dear friends," I replied and hugged them one last time, and they were gone.

"Come on, let's get inside," Jaxon tugged my arm, and I followed them.

"Ariel, we leave at six am, so go to sleep. You will need it." I nodded at dad before I headed to the guest's room that Owen had prepared. "Noah, Owen, you will come to the airport, right?" I asked them with a hopeful smile.

"Of course, it's gonna be torture to wake up early, but for you, we can manage," Noah commented with a playful smirk. I laughed at that and hugged them both.

"How much I love you guys," I told them, and they smiled.

"We love you too," Owen and Noah replied.

"I'm going to sleep. Good night," Davin said, and Hunter and dad nodded. I kissed their cheeks and said good night. When they were gone, Jaxon and I were the only ones awake.

"So..." I began while looking into his dazzling eyes.

"Yes?" He said as he sat me on his lap on the couch.

"I guess this is goodbye?" I started and felt like crying, he was about to speak, but then I continued. "I'm gonna miss you so much, Jax. Make sure to come and visit. I'll video chat with you every day. I -" I could not continue talking because his soft lips met mine in a passionate and lustful kiss, telling me to shut up and kiss back, and so I did. I broke the kiss panting hard. "I'm gonna miss this, kissing you," I pointed out with a sad smile. His smile was so wide when I said that. So he's okay with me going away?

"Ariel, I love you. I won't ever let you go. I see you in my future. That's why I'm coming home with you," he explained, but I froze like Anna. "I'm coming with you," he repeated, and I returned to earth.

"Seriously?" I asked, then put my hands around his neck.

"Yep," he assured. I hugged him and let out a breath I did not know I was holding.

"Guess I was being a drama queen for nothing," I commented, and he laughed.

"Oh, Ariel." Then he kissed me again, and we went to sleep in separate rooms. I don't want my ape brothers attacking Jaxon in his sleep if I cuddled with him.

~~~

We were at the airport and bidding goodbye. "See you later, Ariel. I'll come and visit for sure. Don't worry, I know where you live," Noah winked and hugged me.

"See ya later, little bro. Make sure to bring Tori with you!" I hugged back and winked at him. He blushed. Aww, he's still cute.

"I will." Then he let go of me, and I was in another pair of arms, Owen's warm embrace.

"Oh my God, my little sister is going far away from here forever, no," Owen cried. He was actually crying. I saw his tears.

"Oh, stop being a drama queen. I thought I was, but it turns out that role suits you better," I joked, and he laughed with me.

"See? You always make me laugh and were the first to make me cry, you little devil. When we kidnapped you, and I saw your first wicked laugh, I thought that you were saying Welcome to hell, boys, because you were pure evil with your pranks. Hey, did you know that she pranked the pilot?" Owen directed the question to my brothers and dad.

Their eyes went wide, and they grabbed me. "You what now?"

"Didn't you hear him? I, Ariel Lee O'Connor, pranked that pilot on the first day I was kidnapped," I stated with a proud smile.

"Oh dear," dad sighed, and we all laughed.

"Bye, for now, Owen. Make sure to bring your future wife with you next time. Don't you dare come without her," I threatened, and he gulped. "And Noah, don't you dare come without Tori. I'll kick you out even if you were at my door's steps," I glared, and he smiled.

"Don't worry about me. Worry about my fella over here because he will die alone," Noah joked, receiving a punch on the shoulder from Owen.

"Let's go, Ariel," Davin said, and we went to the plane.

I sat between Hunter and Jaxon. Dad and Davin were in the row behind us. "Hey guys, wanna prank the pilot?" I asked, and they stood up.

"No!" they shouted, and I burst out laughing.

"Relax, I was joking... Maybe," I replied. They sat, and we took off home.

When we landed, mom and Adrian were waiting at the airport for us. I was so overwhelmed by the sweet moments and hugs that I did not talk. Mom cried for half an hour, and my fluff bear did not let go of me.

How much I missed my family, how much I missed home!

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