~

They went separate ways. That doesn't mean their paths won't ever cross again.

~

I now know what love is.

-

Thatmorning when I was getting ready for work my eyes flicked to the box and letter surrounding my apartment's floor. I had spent the whole night reading all 365 letters. Each hand written for each day of the year until I would be expected back. But I think we both knew it wouldn't just be a year.

It wasn't the neatest my apartment could be, so I cleaned up a bit that the papers weren't strewn around the floor but rather left on my coffee table. I could clean it up when I got back. I had a feeling today was going to be a big day. There were whispers around the office that Markus wanted to ask me a big question today.

Arriving at work, it was obvious that people were talking about Markus's proposal. I headed straight for his office, knowing that he wanted to speak with me but also annoyed at being the center of office gossip. Markus had spoken to me briefly about it beforehand but nothing was set in stone. I knocked and walked in as soon as he answered.

"Emilia. I'm glad you're here." Markus adjusted his tie as he walked towards me. "Mind if we leave the office and go get some coffee or something. The staff all seem a bit chattier than usual and it's annoying me."

I smiled despite being annoyed and nodded. With an office so central to many cafés and restaurants, I found it strange that we were walking away from that and more towards the busier parts of the city.

Markus must have picked up on my tired appearance which I should have tried a bit harder to hide with a bit of make up, "I'm sorry it's such a walk but I also wanted to fetch Jacob, if you don't mind. The nanny cancelled, I would've have thought she would call you but anyway it's not too much of a problem with me. I'll just take him back to the office with us."

"That's strange. She was there in the morning. I made sure she arrived before I left. Something must have happened that she needed to leave, maybe?"

"Maybe. But I'm not complaining," Markus smiled, "I love spending every moment with my baby boy."

"He's grown so much already. Soon we'll have to be looking for schools." I teased.

"Parenting is the hardest job." Markus joked.

Julia, the nanny, was waiting outside the apartment block with Jacob in a stroller. I ran up to Jacob while Markus spoke to Julia.

"Hey! How are you?" I said in my awful baby voice while I tickled Jacob and his laughter echoed down the street.

I couldn't help but smile at the sound of his laughter so I picked him up while Markus pushed the pram.

"You're brilliant with children, Emilia. When are you getting your own?" Markus teased and I glared at him.

"Very funny boss. But now that we've got the baby, can we please talk business? I'm assuming there's a lot we'll need to talk about and maybe staying out of the office for too long isn't the best idea. You've heard them talk." Trying to be taken seriously while bouncing a baby on your hip was difficult.

But Markus knew me well enough to know that when I wanted to talk business, there was no fooling around, "I'll get straight to the point then. We're opening another branch and I want you to run it."

My steps faltered and I stared up at him, "What?"

Markus burst out into laughter, "Please put my little boy down. I can't concentrate with you two pulling the same face."

When I looked at Jacob, he was playing with my necklace but his mouth was wide open. Smiling, I gently put him back down.

"Will I have to relocate?" I asked.

"I wouldn't think it's necessary. The firm needs a smaller branch, just on the opposite side of the city. I don't need an answer now, I'm just telling you so that you know."

"Everyone was talking about the expansion. I mean, you've mentioned it to me before but this is the promotion everyone was whispering about?"

"We both know you're got too much talent to be working as my PA. And I'll be the first to admit that even I take you for granted. Like the fact that I send you to my apartment to check that Julia arrives for Jacob every morning. It's out of your way and it's an aspect of my personal life that you shouldn't have to be involved in."

"It's not a problem. I enjoy the little man's company. And your place isn't out of my way." I shrugged.

"Don't lie, Emilia. Your address is on the staff records."I blushed being caught in a harmless lie. Markus smiled to ease the tension, "I would like an answer by the end of the week though. Journalism is an important job you know?"

I was about to make a joke when I walked into someone. Sure, it was a normal occurrence to bump into someone when you were walking the busy streets of New York City, but not walk into them that you knock your head against their chest.

I lifted my head to apologize to the person. And that's when I saw those bright, mischievous eyes I had spent the whole night thinking of.

"Hunter." I breathed out.

"Emilia." He sounded breathless but he managed to smirk.

"What are you doing here?" I stared at him.

"New York needs biologists too." He joked. I was still staring at him but when he shook Markus's hand, I was brought out of my trance.

"And who is this little guy?" Hunter crouched down to greet Jacob.

"That's Jacob." I smiled at the sight of Hunter and Jacob.

He had always been good with children. Which then lead to the thought of having children with Hunter and then to the thought of how children are made and mine and Hunter's last night together. It was a miracle that people weren't using my bright red face as a stop sign.

"Sweetheart?" My heart leapt at the nickname instead of sinking like it used to after the situation with Jaimie. I took that as a sign that I had healed.

"Sorry." I mumbled and looked down. When Markus nudged me, my head snapped up.

"You want to tell the poor guy or must I?" Markus nodded towards Hunter and he was standing straight, but his smile was forced.

"Tell you what?" I asked Hunter.

"Don't make me repeat myself please, sweetheart." Hunter rubbed his face with both hands. It was difficult to concentrate because my heart was already going racing and my thoughts were all over the place.

"I really don't know what you're - "

"Oh for fuck's sake." Markus groaned and I looked at him in surprise. He never swore but I knew he wasn't angry because he was smiling, "I'm Emilia's boss and Jacob is my son and my son only." He addressed Hunter who looked very pleased and then turned to me, "Emilia, please take the day off and celebrate because we both know you'll take the job and also try to clear your head for tomorrow. It's going to be a busy day and I don't need you gaping like a fish every five minutes."

I was stunned into a longer silence at what Markus had said but his last few words had made me mumble a thanks before he turned around and I was left alone with Hunter.

"You're looking great." I eventually managed to make eye contact with Hunter.

"And you look better than great." He smiled at me and I felt that same feeling in my gut every time I thought about Hunter.

A feeling of excitement, passion and security. A feeling of love. I would have thought that over the years that my feelings would have diminished, but they only intensified. Each date I had gone on in the last years were spent wondering what fun date idea Hunter might have had instead of the usual dinner or movies.

"You want to come over to mine. I can make some lunch for us? My cooking's improved over the years without my personal chef." I teased Hunter.

"Yeah. My portions were crazy after you left. I kept making double the amount of food that I needed." Hunter was joking but I could hear the sadness in his voice.

"I'm sorry, Hunt." I whispered, watching his expression through my eyelashes.

"Skylar explained everything to me a few months after you left. I understand so you don't need to apologize for anything." His hand reached for mine and I held his fingers between mine. When they were together, Hunter squeezed my hand and that small gesture spoke when words could not.

"So Skylar and Paul, huh?" Hunter asked after a few minutes of walking in silence.

"I know!" I beamed at the idea of the couple, "She called me before she went out with him. She thought it might be weird since he was my sister's ex but I told her not to stress. Apparently they were really there for each other then."

"Yeah. You should have seen how they grew closer. It was actually quite amazing to watch. The age gap doesn't bug her?" Hunter looked down at me when he asked the question.

I shrugged, "I think it did a bit at first but she quickly got over it. It's only seven years and that's definitely not the worst." We walked in silence again with our hands swinging between our bodies, "I think he's good for her and she's good for him. An unlikely couple but when they visited for the first time I could tell they worked together."

"I don't know if you know but I guess I should tell you. When you left and then when Paul and Skylar started dating, him and I got to know each other better."

"And your point is...?" I raised and eyebrow and smirked.

"He's going to propose to her."

"Oh my gosh! Are you serious!? This must be the best news I've heard in forever!" I was smiling from ear to ear.

"Are you forgetting that I told you I'm moving here just a few moments ago?" Hunter smiled sheepishly.

"That's good news too." I smiled at him and stopped in front of my apartment building.

"Just don't tell Skylar please!" Hunter quickly rushed.

"Never! After 4 years, it's about time so I'm not going to risk spoiling that. I'm excited to hear it from her though. Maybe they can fly here after."

Hunter nodded. It was the last we spoke until we entered my apartment. I sighed when I saw how untidy it was and then I realized why.

All of Hunter's letters were on my table. I rushed to clear it before he could see but he was right behind me.

When he picked one up and read over it quickly his eyes flickered to the table and then to mine, shining with amusement. My instant reaction was to blush. Again.

"You kept all of them?" I saw Hunter's eyes were shining and that's when I realized he had tears in his eyes.

"I could never throw them out, Hunt." My hands rested on his cheeks and wiped away one stray tear. It was strange seeing him cry but it reminded me that he was just as vulnerable as I remembered.

His hands went to his pockets where he took out his wallet.

"Professor Jones gave it to me after you left." I looked down at my six word story and then back up at Hunter, "You never said you loved me back at the airport but as soon as I read this you didn't need to because I knew you did. I think I was just too quick to walk away."

"I whispered it back after you wouldn't turn around." I finally admitted.

We were staring at each other. With my hands on Hunter's cheeks and his on my hips.

"I love you, Hunter."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

He kissed me with so much feeling and emotion that the last six years were forgotten and all we were focused on was now.

•

Yay!!!! Reunited and I couldn't be happier! Hope you guys are too. And as promised, finished before the 17th :) Did you guys like the small change in point of views and the way I changed the font? I was quite proud of myself for thinking of that :)

I'm really happy with the way this book ended so I've decided I'm no longer doing a sequel but I'm not exactly ready for Hunter and Emilia's story to end yet. So I want you guys to send me ideas for one shots. Anything you want to read between any of the characters. So scenarios you can think of, it can be "life after" or somewhere even during this book.

So leave your suggestions here and I cannot wait to write them!

Remember to vote, follow, share and comment :)