After dinner and one too many glasses of wine, one by one, the rest of their family stumbled out the door, escorted either by their rides, or piling into whatever car they ordered to take them home.

"It was so nice meeting you." Kim said, leaning in, quickly kissing my cheek goodbye.

"You too." I managed, gently taking Evalyn's hand as she reached out for me. "And you too!" She gave me a tired wave as they carried her out the door.

By now, Sam had left to take Leah home, and I could only assume that Josh had put himself to bed. I should have suspected there wouldn't be much else to say tonight after everything, but I knew it was for the best. We just needed some time apart at this point.

So much for tonight being special.

I hung back, watching as the house eventually cleared out completely, leaving nothing but the emptiness of silence, now accepting that I would be walking myself back home tonight. I slowly made my way down the hall, stopping to admire their old family photos that filled the walls. I couldn't help but smile at just how cute they were, their eyes always wide with excitement, their toothy grins as big as they could manage.

Finally, I grabbed my jacket from their coat rack, turning around to button it up when I saw Jake sitting alone on the floor of the living room, propped up against the couch, holding his stare on the fireplace. I could feel the heat from here, so warm and inviting..

And then my heart jumped as he turned around, flashing me a tired smile, motioning for me to come over. I hesitated for a moment before slowly making my way over, sitting down next to him, between him and the fire.

"So, where'd you disappear to?" He said softly, his voice deeper, raspier than before, which only happened when he had too much to drink. I shook my head, leaning it on his shoulder. He then wrapped his arm around me, pulling me in closer. Peeking over, I could see the glare of the fire reflecting from his bracelet. I reached over for it, spinning it around on his wrist.

"You never took it off." I said. He shook his head, lifting his hand to show me his ring too. I cuddled closer, reaching up and taking his hand, intertwining our fingers.

"It was never over for me, Jaime." He whispered, gently kissing the top of my head. I felt my heart beating faster, unable to keep myself from him any longer. I then reached over, unclasping his bracelet and putting it onto my wrists.

"What are you doing?" He asked, now turning towards me.

"I realized.. we never got yours engraved, and I want to make sure it's done before you leave again." He smirked back at me, his smile growing.

"We have no idea if I'm ever gonna leave again." He said softly. I could hear the disappointment in his voice. Despite not being happy on that tour, I still wondered if he regret punching Liam. Who knows what that could've lead to?

"I know you are." I said, gently running my fingers through his hair. He stared back at me with tired eyes, but that same lovestruck grin on his face. "And.. I need you to know, I really do appreciate what you did. It wasn't for nothing. I think about it all the time, and I hate that I'm the reason why you're not out there getting to do what you love."

He shook his head, now gently caressing my face.

"Jaime, I knew what I was doing. And I'd do it again. I.. I don't regret it. I was protecting you, and I'll always protect you. No matter what that means. When I said that you come first.. I meant it."

I knew that trying to resist it was useless.

It was just so easy to love him.

"And I forgive you." I said. "For not coming back." My heart started beating faster as he gently ran his fingers down my cheek, his eyes moving down to my lips.

"I promise, next time, I'll be there. I will always be there, Jaime."

"I believe you." His hand then carefully moved to my neck, pulling me in and up onto his lap, leaning his forehead against mine.

There was just something about the way he held me. It was like time stood still. He ignited something in me that no one else could, no matter how hard they tried, and the sooner I stopped resisting it, the sooner we could just be happy together.

"Maybe.. I'll just stay here with you." He said softly, leaning in, gently kissing my cheek. "I.. I can help you with everything.. just like you've always done for me, I.. I can-"

"No.." I laughed. "I know that.. any day now.. someone else is going to call you and-"

"Oh, I love you.." He sighed, leaning in closer, his lips gently brushing up against mine.

And then I just couldn't take it anymore, pulling him into a passionate kiss, tightly tangling my fingers in his hair, as I felt him kiss me back that much harder, his grip on me getting tighter as his hands slowly traveled up my body. How much I missed his hands on me, the taste of his lips, even sweeter than I remember. He slowly unzipped my jacket, sliding it off of me and pushing it onto the floor, making it clear that I wasn't going anywhere tonight.

He clung to me, like if he let go, even for a second, I would disappear. But I wasn't going anywhere, not when I was finally where I had always wanted to be.

"I love you." I finally sighed, leaning my forehead back against his, trying my best to catch my breath, all the while wanting nothing more than to suffocate within him again. He held his stare on me for a moment, his eyes in a daze before pulling me back into a long, deep kiss.

"I love you, Jaime."

"Take me back." I whispered, showering him in gentle kisses, all across his face until making my way back to his lips again that greeted me with an excited grin. I felt him nod, kissing me back harder.

"That's it? Just like that?" I asked, giggling to myself. "You're not gonna make me beg? After everything?"

"Just like that." He sighed, flashing me another tired grin, like it was taking everything in him just to keep his eyes open, despite staring back at me with that same look I have longed for since that day he walked out of the hotel room.

"You're not even gonna push back a little?" I laughed. He shook his head.

"Nope." He said, his smile growing, lightly rubbing his nose against mine.

"Okay."

"Okay." He sighed, pulling me back into a deep kiss, my heart jumping at the gentle feeling of his tongue against mine as it slowly made its way between my lips. I could feel him smile at my quiet, involuntary moans as his lips slowly moved up my neck.

"So, was it the baby that convinced you?" He giggled, his kisses getting harder, his hands slowly moving up the back of my shirt, so warm and comforting.

"Partly." I laughed, clinging onto him, pulling him in closer. "It is a good look on you. Who knew someone could look so handsome holding a bottle." He moved away, shaking his head as he giggled to himself, flashing me a toothy grin.

"Yeah, well.. I wouldn't do it with just anyone." He said softly. I felt my face get hot, my heart beating faster. "It would have to take.. someone pretty special to get me to want to settle down like that."

"Oh yeah?" I asked, running my fingers through his hair again. He nodded, his dazed eyes not leaving mine for a second, memorizing each and every detail, convincing me that my subdued shade of brown could be seen as the brightest, most beautiful shade of gold.

"Yeah, so.. you want one?" He joked, biting down on his lip. I smirked back at him, shaking my head before pulling him back into another passionate kiss. As playful as he liked to be, I knew that was his way of saying that.. he would only want that with me.

And I knew, one day, I'd want that with him too.

He kissed me back harder with a permanent smile pressed against his lips.

"Not yet." I laughed. He nodded, kissing me again.

"Okay."

He pulled me into another long series of kisses, each softer, gentler than the next before finally pulling away, staring back at me with nervous eyes, motioning towards the stairs. I hesitated for a moment before nodding. He took my hand and helped me up, leading me upstairs and into his bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind us.