Ending (Part 1)

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Kylie

"Are you sure this shirt is okay?" Christian looks over to me as he eases the car onto the driveway of my Aunt Becca's house. "It's not like I don't have more decent looking clothes."

"It's fine, Christian. We're visiting my family; not going to the GRAMMYs." I laugh, gazing out the charming house with adorable and colorful flowerbeds my aunt grew herself.

The house wasn't enormous and glamorous as Christian is probably used to. He grew up in a mansion and maybe partied at his rich friend's pool houses growing up. We have a small lawn that they kept groomed and a handmade mailbox that was a decade old. He's probably used to beautiful green vistas – anything extravagant – but when I glanced briefly at him, he was regarding my home like it was the sweetest home just as the sign on the doormat says.

He turns off the engine, squinting slightly at the windshield. "Is that a fat cat sunbathing in your lawn?"

"Oh." I giggled. "That's Tabby." I leaned over, smiling at the cat with a brownish fur lounging on the grass. I push the door open, climbing out.

Christian did the same thing and walked around to my side, holding my hand with his clammy one. He was... nervous. And I couldn't help but find it adorable. He expelled a nervous sigh then lead me to the door. He pressed a tentative finger on the doorbell, giving my hand a tight squeeze.

"Hey," I turn to him with a reassuring smile. "You're going to be fine. You're the best boyfriend ever."

His mouth crooked. "Okay. Reassuring enough."

Moments later, there are excited high-pitched voices behind the door along with a thick baritone and there were scrambling feet as if they're all racing whoever gets to open the door. Typical. The door finally opens, and it was my aunt Becca who jumped to give me a hug.

My three cousins stood giddily at the door, their dad behind them.

"Kyles!" They chorused then pulled me into a small huddle as they hug me, arms awkwardly tangled with one another.

"And this is the boyfriend?" My aunt Becca stood next to Christian, looking up at him with a wide gaze.

I squeezed my way out of the hugs and held out a hand to Christian which he took immediately. "This is Christian Parkinson, yes, my boyfriend." I couldn't help the cheeky grin. I stepped to his left side, my aunt Becca still speechless on his right.

My cousins made a crowing noise.

"Let me take a good look at you, son." This came from my Uncle Sam who nudged his daughters aside and stepped to the doorstep. "Sam McLaren." He sticks out his hand for him to shake. "Proud uncle of that beautiful girl right there."

"Christian, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." He stiffened when my uncle pulled him into a man-hug and patted his back. "Let's all get stuffed. My wife is the best cook."

It was just then that my aunt Becca broke from her trance and lets out a delighted laugh. "Oh, my. You're really good-looking." She shakes her head, then clapped her hands. "Right. Let's go get you fed." She calls out to Tabby and the cat races inside the house.

Olivia, Tricia and Maggie introduced themselves as we go to the kitchen where there was plenty of food on the table. Lunch was loud and messy – but in a really good way. Christian won over my family just as I expected. Which is why I couldn't fathom his uneasiness in the past few days prior to our visit.

The meal was great, so were the conversation. Especially the part when Maggie kept fishing for details of our "meet-cute." I hardly contributed any details myself. It was all him. And I was half-baffled, half-dazzled that he seemed to remember the day we met. He seemed to remember as that not-so ordinary woman looking picturesque with my choice of wardrobe that day. And that whenever he thinks of me, he sees flowers because I seemed to love them on my clothes and hair.

The conversation carried on even after lunch. I'd like to say, they were not that clichéd type of family that embarrasses that one family member with childhood photos along with that mortifying childhood memories. I'd really like to say that. But, no. We're now in the living room, my uncle Sam showing Christian our photo albums. My three cousins had stories for every single photo there was.

I smiled to myself. Happy despite of the embarrassment. I'm happy that he's gotten along well with them. He even won ever Tabby who was currently on his lap as he pets him. I padded quietly to the kitchen, offering my aunt Becca a hand with the dirty dishes.

She simply shook her head and gestured to the bar stool. "Just sit still and look pretty."

I laugh.

"They're still looking at the photos?"

I groaned. "Yes. At least I'm not in the same room anymore."

She chuckles. "He's a fine young man."

"He is." I smile. I took out my phone to make a rain check. We still have one more visit to make. My smile widened when I saw he just sent me a photo. It was a picture of me and my mom when I was eight. Then he texted I looked exactly like my mom.

"Is that him?"

I look up from my phone. "No. I'm just making a raincheck."

She nods. "Kylie," she began, turning all the way around so we're face to face. "Have I told you that when you were little you had this glow in your cheeks when you smile?"

I smile wryly. "No. Why?"

"Well, I've never saw it again after your family's passing. I knew we can't replace them entirely, but I really hoped it'll come back in time." Her brown eyes warmed. "I have never seen you this happy. And I'm very happy myself because somehow I could see the glow of that little girl who was carefree and loving." Her eyes watered.

"Aunt Becca." I rushed to her, taking her to my embrace.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so happy." She kissed the side of my head. "I love you, sweetie. You're so wonderful to be around. I know Christian feels that way too."

I stroke her back. "I love you too."

***

"Now I need you to blindfold yourself," I say, handing him a strip of velvet fabric.

He just parked the car under the shade of an oak tree. Just as I expected, his brows lifted up and he gave me a crooked grin. "What are you up to?"

"I told you it's a surprise."

He took the blindfold and look at me with narrowed eyes. "You're not going to propose to me, are you?"

I snorted. "Why would I propose to you?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, maybe, you're so into me you can't stand not putting a ring on my finger." He wagged his brows. "Besides, you haven't told me where we are."

"Firstly, it should be my finger. Secondly, you're too conceited." I opened my side of the door and commanded him to do the same. "Put on the blindfold."

"You should do it. You're the one with the surprise up your sleeve." He leans against the hood, pulling me between his legs.

I click my tongue irritatedly. "Give me the blindfold."

His face lit up. "Great."

"You're such a big baby." I put on the blindfold over his eyes, securing a tight knot behind his head.

His hands brush my sides. "But I'm your baby."

Certain he wouldn't be able to peek through the blindfold, I take both his hands in mine and guided him to the grassy field. There weren't any slopes, thank God for that. Or he might end up stumbling down the field, and with my size I doubt I could be of any help at all so make that two bodies slithering helplessly down the slope.

My head snapped up when he cursed through his breath. "Son of gun, was that a branch?"

I wince, realizing he's way taller and more likely to bump his head into tree branches. "Sorry."

"That hurt, Buttercup."

I bit on my lip as I look up to the red spot on his forehead. It's definitely going to end up a bruise. "You're fine. Just a tiny branch." No, it was thick one. And must've hurt like a hell.

I guided him to the four headstones by a tall, crooked tree that provided enough shade. I shifted to the tips of my toes, reaching behind his head to loosen the knot. The blindfold fell into a crinkled mess in my hand.

Christian blinked, reorienting himself with daylight.

I look up to him, smiling. "I want you to meet my parents. My brothers would've liked you."

The crease in his brows flattened to understanding. His baby blue eyes softened, then he tugs me to his chest squeezing me so tight it's taken my breath away. He kisses the top of my head, keeping me in arm's length.

"Say hi." I gesture to the headstones, my heart thumping at the sight of him.

He glances at me one more time, as if confirming my permission. He then turns to the headstones, swallowing. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Preston. Hi, Robbie and Gab. I'm Christian Parkinson. I hope you don't have tabloids up there in heaven. I left a nasty reputation behind me and I doubt you'll approve of me given that."

I laugh quietly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Preston, thank you for deciding to have another kid to your family. I'm sorry that you have to leave so soon. But I need you to know that she grew up with wonderful people and they were more than happy to have her around because you raised a kind, smart and beautiful girl. The latter I give credit to Mrs. Preston."

My eyes went suspiciously moist, but I didn't say a word, afraid to break the spell. Not when he's being endearingly sweet. Not when he's talking to the most important people in my life like they were still here.

"Mr. Preston, Robbie and Gab, I want you to know that I'll guard her with my life. I need you all to know that I love her and that I'm grateful she's here making my life way better than when she wasn't in it." He smiles down to me, taking my hand to his lips and looked deep into my eyes. "I promise I won't let her feel alone. That she might find it really annoying but I'm here to stay and stand by her as long as I live."

I struggled to keep my tears at bay. Failing, one glistening tear made its way down my cheek.

His thumb caught it. "And I promise to catch her tears. I promise to make her cry only of happy tears. If I ever break the promise, please haunt me in my sleep."

My sob turned into a giggle.

He smiles down to me. "I love you so much, Kylie."

"I love you." I sniveled, stepping into his toes and latching my fingers over the back of his neck. "So much."

Christian's fingers spread on the small of my back, keeping me in place. "Am I allowed to kiss you in front of them?"

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

He chuckles, pressing a lingering kiss on my lips.

Surprise! Did you like the update? :) There's going to be an Ending (Part 2) and an Epilogue. Thank you so much for supporting Kylie and Christian. What do you like about the book? Do tell me on the comments. Love you!

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