A/N: So the results from the poll on my Instagram were up & wayyy over 50% of you guys asked for chapter 38 to be posted today and wait a few more days for the next. Soooooo, here it is ya'll 😉 (Sorry my fake country girl ass came out) 😂😍

| Ariel |

"He's not ready and I'm not sure he will ever be. I'm trying to be so understanding of him this past month but that twinge of pain fails to leave me every time I think about him."

"...And you're not ready to move on to someone else knowing you will not give them your all. You're not like that Ariel, your too sweet to lead another man on."

Ricki explained perfectly from the laptop in front of me. His cute face was on perfect view in the video chat, complete with a green face mask that claims to give nourishment and rejuvenate his skin.

I looked up from the cake batter in front of me. I dipped a finger in the chocolatey goodness, a very rookie move, and couldn't resist sucking the Dutch chocolate batter off my finger. I smiled a smile that didn't reach my eyes as I glanced up at him on the computer screen.

"No, I'm not..." I gave a resigned sigh. "I don't want to spend the rest of my best years holding out my heart to Damon, waiting for him to accept all the love I have to offer him either." I shook my head while I grabbed my cupcake tin and lined the 12 molds with silver cupcake liners.

"I'm not going to pathetically wait for him for the rest of my life but I'm also not going to jump into something with Aden, no matter how sweet he is, when I don't feel like it's the time..." I explained to Ricki now as I poured the chocolate batter into the lined tins.

I was making an order of four dozen Drunken Dutch Devil cupcakes for a 21st birthday, or as I love to call them the triple D cupcakes. I recently created this new recipe a month ago and it's been a hit ever since! Simply put, its double chocolate cupcakes, the middle bursting with red ganache and a shot top flavor infuser filled with berry Bacardi.

"...I think I'm just going to call off the date." I mumbled.

He sighed and switched his position to now lay on his stomach on top of his bed, instead of Indian style. "I get it beautiful. What you need to do is focus on yourself! After all the horrid bullshit he who shall not be named, put you through and now this heartbreak with potentially the man you are meant to be with, meant to have babies with, meant to spend the rest of your life – "

"Ricki!" I cut him off, the mixing bowl slamming on the table as I sent him a glare through the computer screen "Do you have a point to this very overdrawn statement?" I truly didn't mean to snap at him, I was just tried of loving someone who couldn't find it within themselves to admit their love for me.

He winced and eyed me sheepishly "Damn. I'm sorry Ari. All I meant by that whole thing was focus on yourself. Do what makes you happy and you'll see life will slowly turn around."

I smiled and chewed on my lower lip. Leaning my arms against the counter, I pushed the mixing bowl away from the screen and pursed my lips, sending an air kiss Ricki's way. "Thank you. That's exactly what I'm trying to do."

Ricki quickly go into conversation about Lena and Emma and how they were doing and from there we spoke about Lena's new fashion line with her husband and Emma's wedding planning. We spoke for close to an hour before I asked the gnawing question that has been on my mind since we started our video chat.

I cleared my throat and looked away "Have you heard anything on D-Dr...his whereabouts? Anything suspicious?"

Even though I had given up on him a long time ago, moved on, and erased him from my memories as well as my life, I still feared the real person Andrew was and what's more is I feared he didn't forget me and maybe he would do something drastically stupid to find me and get me back.

He swallowed; I saw the indecision in his eyes before he answered me "Nothing. It's all been very quiet since he got out."

I nodded and straitened my back with a sigh "Good. If I don't ever see him again, it's too soon."

"Who's that sweetheart?" My dad's voice sounded from beside me and he soon came into view, giving me a kiss on the cheek and a smile towards Ricki. "Hey Rick, how you doing?"

Ricki became giddy and smirked "Great Mr. McQueen. Your lookin' as fine as wine, can I take a sip?"

I gasped "Ricki!" I scolded him but the huge grin on my lips betrayed me. I looked over at my dad who turned about fifty shades of red and shook his head at my best friends' antics.

"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Henry, Rick?"

Completely ignoring my dad's comment, he continued with excitement in his voice. "What your dad is hot!" he teased, as if my dad wasn't as straight as the day is long. "You sure you don't want to take a ride on the wild side, Henry?"

I groaned and slapped a hand on my forehead, meanwhile my dad couldn't help the chuckle that passed his lips. My dad was always a good sport when it came to Ricki and always allowed him to joke around and joked right back. It didn't phase my dad one bit; he was used to Ricki by now just as he was used to Lena and Emma.

"Not in a million years. You couldn't handle me stud." Dad fired back and I gasped at him, my grin getting impossibly wider. "Good god, Dad!!"

He chuckled and Ricki blushed furiously before a very handsome and young teacher came into view – one I knew to be Ricki's current boyfriend whom he was utterly smitten with; but right now, with the look on Jake, his boyfriends face, it's safe to say he's utterly screwed. No doubt Jake heard Ricki's conversation with my dad.

This was going to be interesting.

"Baby," Ricki whined turning back to his glaring boyfriend "I was just playing, don't look at me like that, you know I think you're the sexiest ..." his voice trailed off as he continued his statement.

Ricki's head snapped back to the camera on the computer and frantically rushed out "Ariel, I got to go girl. Talk later. Love you!" and with that last bit, he slammed his computer shut and my screen went dark.

I giggled and shook my head. Dad gave off a chuckle of his own from right beside me as I closed down my laptop as well.

"I'd love to see how he's going to get out of that one."

I scrunched my nose and shook my head "Believe me –" I started, making my way past my Dad to put the cupcakes in the oven " – No, you don't!"

One hour, 48 cupcakes, and four pink and gold decorated boxes later I was done! I blew out a deep breath, the exhale of it causing pieces of my fallen hair to blow out in front of my face. I plopped down on the couch and let my head fall back and my eyes flutter shut.

My dad, who was busy on his phone, tapped his palm to my leg "Tired?"

I groaned "Oh yeah. I'm ready for a hot bubble bath then a soft bed." I opened my eyes and tilted my head his way and smiled.

He nodded "What time do you have to deliver them tomorrow?"

I opened my mouth, the words just about to slip past my tongue, but was cut off by a frantic ringing of the doorbell. My dad and I both looked at each other confused as to who it could be at this hour and curious as to why they seem so desperate.

"I got it sweetheart," he patted my leg again "Rest your feet."

I watched as he lifted off the couch and rounded the corner, walking to the front door. I lost view of him when he rounded the corner but I was still able to hear voices clearly, my eyebrows furrowed and my heart pounded. I knew that voice.

Despite the ache on the balls of my feet, I stood and slowly crept closer and closer to the foyer. Both my dad's voice and the newcomers voice could be heard much louder and much clearer now.

I gasped softly as the man's voice was no longer a mystery to me. My throat dried and my heart dropped. It couldn't be!

I froze in shock.

Damon was here? At my house, asking for me...?

And if I was hearing correctly the conversation wasn't all that pleasant. Damon's voice sounded desperate, frantic but my dad sounded like he wanted to throw Damon out on his ass.

| Damon |

I didn't blame Henry for being wary and angered with me at this point; he was a smart man and he knew very well there was something complicatedly serious going on between his daughter and I.

I can't help but relate with his reaction because if I were my daughter and she were having to put up with loving a man like myself and the way I have brushed off her love in the past, I would want to punch my ass in the face too.

As soon as I pulled up to her house on my bike, I was rattled with anxiety and nerves. I wanted to confess to her all my love and pour all my emotions into one fierce kiss. I love her and I knew that now, there wasn't a doubt in my mind. I needed her in my arms again and I was ready to do anything, beg for her forgiveness but I knew her dad was home and I was sure Henry was not going to be happy to see me.

When he opened the door and saw me standing there, breathing heavy and frantically begging to see Ariel, he simply stood there with a stoic look on his face, a permeant glare in his eyes, and slowly crossed his arms over his chest. The first words he said to me, when he looked me up and down were...

"I don't know if you're brave or stupid to be showing up here after all my little girl has had to endure with you being in her life the past few months..."

I opened my mouth to try and speak, try and beg him but he continued.

"If you're here to cause her more hell, you can just turn right back around with you tail tucked between your legs and head back home."

I swallowed the huge lump of guilt and regret that clogged up my throat and let out a deep breath "I promise you Henry, it was never my intention to hurt her or cause any hell in her life. Our relationship was complicated, but special and I just need a chance too – "

My pleads cut off by red hair peaking from behind Henry. Her small hand grasped his arm and she looked up at him.

"I've got this dad."

He gave me a once over again before turning to look down at his daughter "You're sure?"

She smiled softly and padded his arm with her hand "Positive. Just give us a few minutes to talk things out."

He nodded with a sigh "Alright, if you need me, I will be in my room." He gave her a kiss to the forehead before glanced back at me "I'm warning you. Watch you tone in my house Damon."

I gulped and nodded, suddenly feeling like a scolded seventeen-year-old boy, about to take his crush on their first date. I admired Henry, I was just as protective of my family as he was of his and it tore at my chest even more that I caused the princess standing before me such grief.

As soon as he walked away and was no longer in earshot, Ariel nodded her head toward the porch where there were a couple wicker chairs waiting to be sat on.

"Let's talk here..." her voice timid and low as she closed the front door behind her and brushed past me to the empty chairs.

She looked even more beautiful today, if that was possible. Her hair in a messy ponytail and her full, thick curves taunting me, covered in tight black leggings and an AC/DC t-shirt, knotted up on the side. Such a simply outfit had me fucking frozen in my spot as she sat on an empty chair, waiting for me to follow.

I'm not sure if my reaction towards her right now was because I haven't seen her in over a month or because it's the first time seeing her as the woman, I love...

Finally gaining enough thinking capacity, I followed her lead with my heart in my throat, praying to God she would accept my apology and come back to me. For good. I was a fool to ever doubt my burning emotions for her.

She sat and I decided on sitting across from her, giving her all the space, she needed to feel comfortable. She didn't look happy to see me but she didn't look angry either and it killed me just a little bit more that she couldn't smile for me.

"You're alive." Was the first thing she said, her voice filled with accusation. "And you're here..." she added with a shaky breath.

I grimaced a bit before looking away, down at my shoes, ashamed from blocking her out. Regardless we may have both needed this time apart.

"Yeah. I...I spent this past month on myself, looking within me, focusing on my career. I actually work at a tattoo shop..."

I didn't know why I was telling her all this when all I really wanted to scream was, I love you! I love you so damn much!

She sighed and cut off my babbling "Damon, what are you doing here? You've ignored me for a month so If you are here at my door step it must be something important..."

I looked up at her as she paused. She's different, there a slight spark of fire in her eyes but her voice sounds pained, she's hurt but she's strong. She did what she promised, she didn't let our "break up" break her. And I wanted to revel in her strength, smile at the strong woman my princess has become since I visited her in Colorado that fateful day.

"...You want to fuck? Is that it Damon? Easy for you to come back to the girl who would crawl to you on her knees for one more night?"

Oh yeah, she's found her strength alright.

My lips parted in shock at her words and it was like a ton of bricks hit me. The phrase 'Who is this girl right now?' ran through my mind but what came out of my lips was a breathless...

"...What?"

I think I speak for everyone when I say... & I Oop -- 🙊

Our girl Ariel is throwing a mean right hook right now. Shes mad and shes not going to be broken down and shes going to let Damon know!👊

Do you think Ariel is feeling deep down as strong as she is putting off? Or is she just doing this in front of Damon?

How do you think the rest of this conversation will go? Will she let her walls fall and let Damon take her in his arms again or will she challange him to prove his love before she give him any of hers ever again?

Chapter 39 should be posted soon. I will try my hardest to have it up on or before Saturday!🤞

Comment & dont forget to vote! ⭐

Much love my beautiful readers and stay safe, as always!🙏

Xoxo
Lisamariee💋