A/N: Guess who's back? Back again! 

Miss me...?😉

| Ariel |

Stretching my arms over what I'm sure was my messy bedhead, I wiggled my toes under my sheets and whined like a litter girl not ready in the slightest to get up for school. I nuzzled my face back into my pillow and breathed in deeply, my eyes fluttering closed again, ready to slip back into a sleep coma. It was Saturday morning and I had no pending orders to attend to, thank god! I think I deserved to sleep in!

Ever since Haley posted on her blog about my small online pastry business, I slowly but surely started to get swamped with orders and not just from our town but from various towns over! I'm more than grateful for all of it but I'm also more than a little exhausted. Baking on your feet until the late night then waking up again early morning to do some deliveries will do that to a girl.

As soon as I felt myself falling and feeling as light as a feather in my bedsheet cocoon, a loud ping from my cell phone altered me. Groaning again I stretched over and slapped my hand on the bedside table, feeling around for the insensitive device.

"I swear to god if that's..."

My sleepy words were cut off as if I had just been choked when I saw the text message that had come through. My angered state soon melted away and I felt myself slowly sitting up on the bed.

"...Damon." I voiced in a hushed whisper.

Damon: Good Morning princess...

The rest of the message cut off until I entered my pin number and unlocked my phone to view it, but that start was enough to get a cheesy schoolgirl smile on my face, subconsciously of course.

As I unlocked my phone and read the rest of it, I felt myself blushing as well but not because it was lude and dirty but because it was sweet.

Damon: It's the way you move your toes beneath the blanket that lets me know your super comfy, especially watching late movies on the couch.

This is exactly how my mornings for the past two weeks have been. Damon and I haven't seen each other since the day he showed up at my dad's house and professed his love for me but that doesn't mean that has stopped him in his mission to show me.

Every morning he will send me the sweetest good morning text with something he loves about me every day. He says he wants me to be reminded every morning of his love for me. Some days I still can't believe it and it feels like I'm in someone else body, living someone else's life but then I realize I'm not and the man of my dreams is actual trying to prove I have his heart.

I don't doubt him but I like keeping him on his toes, especially since he put me through all the doubt and heartache.

Before I have a chance to get to the bathroom and brush my teeth...and my hair, the doorbell is ringing.

Well, seems I'm very popular today. I think to myself before rushing down the stairs, also before putting a second thought into the fact that I am solely in my soft cotton white bunny PJs, which consisted of loosely hanging pants and a thin strapped tank top that said Anybunny wanna cuddle?

Don't judge me, I have a soft spot for cute little bunnies! Not very sporty of me but my innocent side takes over most times.

As soon as I open the door I'm greeted with a brightly smiling Emma, her smile quickly turns into an amused expression trying her hardest not to laugh as she looks up and down at my PJs.

"Hey bunny." She laughed.

I rolled my eyes but that didn't take away from the huge sweep of red across my cheeks due to embarrassment. "Haha!" I exclaimed with a hint of a smile peeking through. "What are you – "

I stopped myself short when I saw the huge black basket she was carrying. "What in the world, Emma did you – "

It was her turn to cut me off with another chuckle "No honey, this is all my amazing brothers doing. I'm just the delivery girl." She held the basket out to me as she finished.

"I..." shock laced my voice as I reached out and grabbed for it, taking it in my arms. I looked around and saw only a few of my favorite things stuffed inside.

I looked back up at Emma with a slacked jaw and stuttered a bit "W-Wh...Damon? But, why?"

She shrugged and sent me a cute wink "Why not?" she then held out a tall white to-go coffee cup tauntingly "Oh and..."

I gasped and my eyes lit up, coffee already makes me happy but if it was what I thought it was then I now knew who my favorite best friend was.

"Is that a Coconut Cream Macchiato from Aden's?!" I screeched happily.

She nodded with a giggle and I snatched it from her hand with my free one. Taking a long sip, I moaned and felt the hot liquid seep through my insides and create a fuzzy feeling. "So damn good." I whispered to myself more than anything.

"Wow, I don't know whether or not I should tell Damon you were more excited by the Coconut Cream Macchiato than his gift?"

The mischievous glint in her eyes and teasing grin on her lips told me she was messing around with me.

So, I found it only fair to mess with her right back. I grinned taking another slow sip "God forbid he finds out how much I love Aden's Coconut Cream..."

This was truly all jokes. Aden and I never happened; in fact, we never went on that date. The day which was supposed to be our date, I showed up at his bakery that morning, sat down with him and shared a coconut cream macchiato, while telling him everything – for the most part. I explained to him how there was something, something big between Damon and I, and it was wrong of me to lie to him in the beginning and I didn't want to lead him on by going out on a date with him when my heart wasn't in it. I deeply apologized and told him we couldn't be more than friends.

He was more than understanding and commended me even more for me being honest with him. He also said he kind of felt there was something between us, he was debating on canceling the date on those grounds as well. He wished Damon and I the best and from there was sipped our Macchiatos and cheered to new friendships. Two weeks later and Coconut Cream Macchiato is my go-to, favorite drink from his place.

She gasped loudly a huge smile threatening to break through the slack jaw. "Ariel!" she shook her head "Ooo, I'm so telling him now."

"Oh, don't do that now, the repercussions would be catastrophic." I said dramatically with a wink.

She laughed out loud "Okay who are you and what did you do with the innocent Ariel who wouldn't dare upset my brother?"

"Upset him, never." I felt my cheeks heat up again as I mumbled "Disobey him, maybe..."

Emma gagged before sharing a generous laugh with me. She looked at her watch and then back up at me with an apologetic smile.

"Listen I have to get going babe. Ty is working the night shift tonight and I want to spend some time with him before he goes and make his dinner and all that..."

"So domestic already and not even sporting his last name." I teased, the basket now weighing down on my arms causing me to bounce it back up.

She rolled her eyes and a shy smile appeared on her face "Shut up." She mumbled before leaned forward and giving me a tight hug.

"Enjoy the basket Ari," she pulled away looking me dead in the eyes "There's no reason for the gift and there doesn't have to be, He's showing you just how much he knows you, he showing you that he cares."

I smiled at her words and my heart beat sped up in my chest.

"I know."

I left it at that as she gave me another tight, best friend hug. You know, the ones that last all of ten minutes and feel like nothing can penetrate you when your best friend is there to make it all better?

I closed the door behind me after watching her car back away from the driveway and place the basket on the kitchen counter. I smile brightly, like its Christmas morning and I received the best present of the bunch.

There was a red rose taped to the top of it with a note. I slowly pulled it off and flipped it open.

Princess,

This is not me trying to show you I love you with gifts, using money, no. It's me trying to show you I heard you every single time you told me something you loved, something you hated or even an old memory. It was never just sex, I heard everything and I want to hear more. I want to listen to your voice speak to me, tell me all your dreams and desires for the rest of our lives if that is possible.

Love always,

Damon.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry!! Oh my...I don't think anyone has ever said anything so sweet to me, nobody other than Damon and certainly not any other man.

As I peeled open the basket and sifted through it, I gasped, jaw dropped and smiled brightly, realizing he missed nothing. Not one thing. He truly had all his bases covered.

A box of chocolate covered strawberries, dark chocolate, a red rose scented candle, three new harry potter mugs to add to my collection, a silk red short and tank nightie set, fuzzy red knee socks, a bottle of my favorite wine, and an Eiffel tower keychain with a promise that we will be there one day. This was all placed into the basket surrounded by red rose petals. But there was one last thing and I knew right away it was a record but when I realized what record it was, I almost screamed.

"Is he crazy?!"

With gentle hands I lifted the Sex Pistoles, God Save the Queen copy on vinyl. Not only did I once tell him it was the one thing, I wanted for my vinyl rock collection but I also remember telling him it was a rarity to find and when found it was worth thousands.

"Did he..." I couldn't even finish because I was so excited. Excited and utterly speechless. This was too much, how much did this cost him?

With the record still in my hand I ran to my room and grabbed my phone. Dialing Damon's number, I stared speechless at the record in my hand. It looked distressed and used but very well maintained. I could almost feel myself slipping into 1977 and watching as people shouted at their concert.

As soon as I heard him pick up, I spoke before he could even get out a hello. "Damon Hendrix! Y-You bought me – "

I could almost hear the smug grin on his face "The Sex Pistols rare single on vinyl that you have been wanting? Yes baby. I did."

| Damon |

I was expecting her call, I knew as soon as she got to the bottom of the basket, she would call me, frantically. I could help the grin that appeared on my lips, I tried to stop it but it was no use. I love this girl and seeing her utterly speechless is my goal, as long as it makes her happy.

The buzzing of needles and loud chatter from the tattoo shop went through my ear and into the phone as I responded to her.

"D-Damon I can't accept this! T-This must have cost a fortune!" she exclaimed through the phone and I could see her now, jaw dropped, flustered to the point where her cute studder returned, and maybe a little angry that I spent so much money, because I knew she knew how rare that record was but it didn't matter to me. It made her happy.

My grin turned into a soft smile "Don't worry about that. You've been wanting it in your collection for years, now right?"

"Well, yes but – "

I cut her off "Your happy to finally be able to hear it, now right?"

"Yes, Damon, but – "

"Good. That's all I care about."

She sighed through the phone and mumbled "It's too much, I can't accept this Dae."

I smiled her words. I knew she would say so, she too sweet to accept something so expensive and I know it's hard for her too but now that I have the chance to keep her mine forever, I'm not letting it slip through my fingers. I have much more than just a simple basket up my sleeve to prove to her how much I love her and how much I want to atone myself for all the times I made her cry, for all the times I made her hurt. I need her to give me one more chance – I only need one.

"Get used to it princess, because I will do whatever it takes to keep you happy."

"Money doesn't mean happiness Dae."

I nodded in total agreement. "I know that and that's not what this is. I explained that in my note, this is just extra, a plus. I know what makes you smile and I have the money to give It to you, so why not?"

A few seconds past before her soft voice spoke "Thank you Damon." I felt her smile "I love it. Everything."

I licked my lips, smug grin back on my face as I sat back on my chair "Good. Now I have a proposal for you."

She gasped softly "Damon..."

I chuckled lightly at her misinterpretation of words. "Not that kind. Not yet anyway baby. Believe me you would know when the day comes."

"If the day comes Damon. I never said you were forgiven."

I let out a breath and my heart twisted in my chest. She really was stronger than I've ever known her to be now and it scared me even more because I knew this woman could now face the world on her own. I didn't know if she was teasing or serious. It still pained me either way but I deserved it. "I know. Sorry, I just – "

"I know your trying Damon. I see it. Just a little more time, please."

Leaning back in the chair, I squeezed my eyes shut and whispered into the phone. "I'd wait eons for you princess. Take all the time you need."

"Eons? That's it? Seems very little." She teased.

I growled, forcing the smile off my face "Ariel."

"Oh, he growls."

"Ariel." My tone warning now. She was becoming way too comfortable with teasing me but I loved it which was way I let her do it.

Her laughed filled my ears and a smile immediately appeared on my face, that's all it took.

"So, what was your proposal Dae?"

I sat up straight once again and finally asked what I'd been wanting to ask for two weeks now. "So, you know Uncle Eric's birthday is tonight. Will you come with me? I'll pick you up?"

There was a slight pause and then she said "As your girlfriend?"

"As whatever you're comfortable with. Friends is perfect Ariel." I said it and I meant it. Whatever it takes.

There was silence again and I wasn't sure if she was in her thoughts or she was shocked with my response but either way I hope she accepted. I have one last grand gesture I want to do and Im hoping that after tonight she will finally be mine. Forever. Im hoping that she will forgive all that I have put her through and give me the one last chance I desperately want. After tonight, Im hoping to have it all with her. I hope what I have planned it enough. 

"It seems I still can't say no to you Dae."

I chuckled softly "So that's a yes?"

"Yes."

I bit my lower lip and forced myself not to fist bump the air. I had to remind myself I was still at work and I had a client that just showed up for their 10am tattoo touchup, waiting on me. I reluctantly had to cut our conversation short and told her so.

As soon as we said our goodbyes, I sat there for a good minute thinking about her. Just her and what it will feel like when she finally takes a chance on me. I'm never letting her go, that's for damn sure.

I want to be the man she wants me to be. I'm done running and hiding from my feelings, I believe in Ariel and I know she won't break me. I know she loves my vulnerability to her and she has shown it over and over again how much she will care for me. She won't take advantage of my love. I fucking know that for a fact now. I don't doubt us anymore.

Fuck the man I was these past few years. I'm taking back the man I was before Daniella and giving that and more to Ariel. She deserves it.

I groaned and let my head fall forward into my hands. I can't wait to have her back in my arms. I need to feel her warm, bare skin against mine again. I want her red hair splayed against my pillow, her body beneath me trembling, my hands gripping her wrists above her head as I sink into her warmth. Home. Fucking hell. I need her.

Scrubbing my face, I groaned once more and forced myself to get up off the seat to take care of my next client. I was done early today, I only had one more person to tattoo after this guy and then I would be able to go home and get ready to pick up the woman of my life. 

| Ariel |

Later that night, around six o'clock I was all ready to go to Uncle Erics party and I was more than excited to see Damon again. My heart raced and I couldn't stop chewing on my lower lip at the thought of holding him again, seeing him with that sexy grin confidently plastered on his lips. 

I missed him, there was no denying that. My heeled boots clicked through the foyer as I stepped out into the cool fall breeze. I held my phone between my cheek and my shoulder as I responded to Emma who I had been on the phone with for the past few minutes. She had called to see where we were. Unfortunately we were more than a few minutes late -- like half an hour late. Amusingly enough, it was Damons fault, not mine. Someone called the tattoo shop just before he stepped out and made an appointment for two o'clock which ran well over two hours for him to finish; hence us being late. 

"Yeah, I'm stepping out now, so Damon and I will see you guys soon." I spoke through the phone holding it between my cheek and shoulder as I locked the front door shut.

"Great! Can't wait! Is Damon there yet?" Emma questioned me as I fixed my purse on my shoulder and held the phone once again with my hand, jogging down the front steps. I figured I would wait for Damon outside, he said he was right around the corner, I just figured to make things quicker.

"Nope, not yet but he said he was five minutes."

"Ok, so I'll see you when you guys get here! Be safe Ari!"

I smiled softly and nodded "I'll be sure to pass the message along to Damon..." my voice trailed off as we said our goodbyes.

I clicked off my phone and smoothed down my outfit. I wasn't going to lie and say I wasn't nervous because I was, kind of. Damon hasn't seen me in two weeks and for some reason it's as if it's been years and I want to make the best first impression possible. I want him to be stunned.

I wasn't wearing anything to knock his socks off really, it was simple but I thought it looked really pretty. I was wearing a tan corduroy skirt that buttons up the front, a long sleeve black mock neck bodysuit, and black over the knee boots. My hair was half down, half up in a perfect messy bun and soft curls falling around my face, and my makeup was really neutral and light.

See? Simple. But as I looked in the mirror, I found it really pretty and perfect for mid-October.

I was starting to get cold, maybe he was a little further than he said? I'm starting to rethink waiting outside, I didn't expect it to be this cold – I wanted to mentally kick myself for that because how else would it be mid-October at past six at night?

Maybe I'll just go wait back inside, he'll probably get mad at me for waiting out here anyway. I turned on my heel to walk back up the steps and towards the door when a heavy arm wrapped around my waist and a cold hand closed tightly around my mouth.

Hot breath whispered in my ear "Miss me cupcake?" 

IM BACK GUYS!!! 😁 I have finally gotten the chance to post Chapter 40! YAY!! 

Please tell me how you guys like it and if it is what you expected? I can't wait to hear what you guys think and don't forget we are almost done! We have a few more chapter left and it will be the end of