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Next update is going to be on the 2nd or the 3rd of August. Depends on when I have the chapter ready by.

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I sit in front of my vanity as I finish applying my red lipstick. I press my lips together and stare at them to make sure they look perfect. Perfect? What does perfect even mean? Everyone tries to be perfect, but they're never perfect enough for some people.

It's been 2 weeks since Jacob has come home. It's been 2 weeks since I've been waiting for Jace to come. He had to be a de-tour because his mom ended up in hospital, he apologised many times. But I understand his situation. Carter talked to me the other day telling me how we have to keep our distances. He wants to know exactly what Emily is planning.

I glance down at my long black dress with hand a deep neckline and then glance down at my stomach. A tear begins to form in the corner of my eye.

"No more crying Sophia," I whisper to myself and wiping the tear away. My face looks perfect, it looks like I got a good amount of sleep. Even though I didn't sleep a wink. My red eyes are covered my concealer and a black smokey eyeshadow.

I pull my heels on and begin to walk downstairs into the party, it's more of a formal party. It's Carter and Harper's birthday. If you didn't know already, their twins. Even though they don't look like twins.

I've kept my distance from Harper and Jake, also I've tried to stay from Jacob. Every time he was with me, Harper's gaze wouldn't leave him. If we went outside, she would come too. It's like she didn't trust me with him.

"Sophia." Danny stands at the bottom of the stairs in a clean black suit and tie. I smile slightly and take his hand. He helps me down the last few steps and into the Garden where lights and people are. The living room is also full of people, the sofas and everything were moved so there was more space.

"You look beautiful," Danny compliments me.

I look at him curiously, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I feel bad for everything I said to you when I met you." He shrugs. "This is my way of making up for it."

"Thanks, your maybe the only person in the house actually coming up and talking to me."

Danny shakes his head, "don't worry about Harper. She just a little tense with everything that's happened, she'll come around."

I give him a tight-lipped smile and nod. Even though I know that's not true.

"Come on," he drags me to where his other brothers are with his parents. Noah sees me and runs towards me leaving Jacob playing on his own.

I crouch down in front of him and wrap him in a hug. "I missed you." I ruffle his hair and he swats my hand away pouting.

"Don't," He mutters.

I let out a laugh and pinch his cheeks, "your adorable." Standing up, we both walk to the others.

My eyes spot Carter next to Emily. She's wearing a gorgeous red dress which comes up-to her knees. Carter handsomely stands in an all black suit. I have the urge to walk up to him but refrain from doing so.

"You look stunning, Sophia," Brandon says sending a small smile my way.

I flip my softly curled hair behind my shoulder and grin smugly. "I think I look hot."

"I totally agree." Cole comes behind me and wraps an arm around my shoulder. I lean into him, in a friendly matter.

"Can I have your attention, lady and gentlemen," John yells clinking a soon gently against his glass of wine. Getting everyone's attention, he calls up Harper and carter on the small stage.

I walk over to the small bar and the other side of the garden and grab my sledge a quick drink. Turning around, I can see the stage perfectly from where I'm standing against the wall drinking my drink.

"Today, was and still is a very special day to our family. My first ever daughter was born, along with her twin brother." He announced in the microphone. "Carter and Harper Collins. Both turn 19 today. A big age for themselves. It's a time where they're finding out what they want to do in life."

"I wish both of them a long and happy life and very happy birthday." Cheers were heard everywhere as Carter and Harper both hug their father. John puts the microphone down but picks it back up again and stands in front of everyone. Everyone looks at him confused, even me.

"That's not the only thing I want to say tonight." His eyes look around the crowd as if he's looking for something or someone as his gaze lands on me.

"There a girl out here. She came into my house with a big smile on her face last year besides a tragedy that happened." My heart rate picks up. "That girls have done a lot for this family. No one else might see it, but I've seen it. I've seen what she's been through, I've seen what she does for her loved ones." The crowd was silent as they listened to him.

"She proved that family isn't always blood because that girl isn't even related to my family yet she puts her own life at risk trying to protect it." He lets out a proud smile. "I'm very, very proud and very thankful to have her in my life and that she came to my house. I'm very thankful her parents gave birth to her."

"Any guy out there is lucky to have a girl like her. Any person is lucky to have a girl like that in their life. I feel lucky to have her in my family." A tear slides down his cheek and he looks at me. "I love her like my own daughter and I'll always be here if she needs anything." He finishes and people begin to clap.

I bite my lip to stop myself from crying. The music starts up and people begin to dance and chatter among themselves. I let out a shaky breathe and walk inside to get myself a drink of water.

Placing my glasses into the sink and turn around, John stands there staring at me. "Thank you, Sophia. For everything. You've helped me, you've helped this family."

I shake my head and smile. "It was nothing."

He holds his arms open and I don't even hesitant and run into them. It reminds me of my father's hugs. I let out a small sob into his chest remembering my dad.

"I love you too," I whisper. "You'll always be like my dad." I pull away and wipe away my tears.

"I better get back before Elizabeth starts looking for me." I nod and he walks out of the kitchen. As soon as he's gone I hold onto the chair to hold myself steady. I walk out the kitchen a small up the stairs not wanting anyone to see me cry.

I shut my door closes and slide down the foot of the bed. The door opens and closes again and arms wrap around. The familiar scent of cologne hits me. I instantly wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

"Shh. . . Let it all out, Sophia." Jace whispers.

"I missed you." I hiccuped.

"I missed you too." He pulls me closer to his chest.

"You never called, you never answered my calls, Jace. I thought you hated me."

He pulled away and looked at me intensely. "I would and could never hurt you, Sophia."

"You reminded me of Maria. I knew whenever I saw you, I'd break down and cry and I couldn't let you see me weak."

I shake my head, "your not weak Jace. Crying isn't a weakness, it shows you have feelings and emotions. It shows your strong and human."

"Have you ever thought of listening to yourself?"

"No," I whisper knowing what he meant.

"Your strong Sophia. You're very strong."

"I'm not. I'm weak Jace. I'm broken."

"No your not." He shakes his head. "You're not weak. You'll never be weak, I won't let you be weak." He pulls me up and wipes my face a bit and smiles.

"There. Now let's go and show Everyone how strong you are."

"I can't Jace."

"Yes you can and you will. What would Maria want you to do?"

"She'd want me to go down and show everyone I'm strong," I said mumbling saying his words.

He nods and grins, "let's go show everyone the real Sophia."

I let out a small laugh and follow him down. If there one person who can make me laugh, it's Jace.

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