7 years later

"Cassie! I don't know why I am so nervous! Apart from the fact that i am seeing him after a month...i just..aarrgghhh!" I ran my hand through my hair and sat down on the bed.

"Mae It'll be fine alright! just calm down and...just calm down" she sighed over the phone. I have been talking to her for the past hour and have lost the count of the number of times she has told me this.

"Have to talked to him?" she asked.

"Yes in the morning" I say shifting the heated phone to my other ear and glancing at the time "He'll be here any moment now" 

"Why are you so--" she was cut off by crying in the background.

"I guess little Riley is awake?" I smile into the phone as i hear Cassie trying to shush her.

"Yeah she is" Cassie chuckled.

Let me explain...

Riley is Cassie and Ray's one year old daughter. It's been two years since their marriage, they got married right after graduating from University. Ray is now a successful corporate lawyer and Cassie followed her dream of becoming a Vet. 

Ryan and Asher completed their business degree after which Ryan took over his father's company and Asher joined as his partner. Oh and Asher is still single...

Surprised?!

No?

Okay...

But he goes on and on about some 'crazy girl' whom he met at some coffee shop. I smell potential here!

They still run the gang but now they only give orders and have taken their position as the 'boss' *snort*

I on the other hand pursued my career in Astronomy. Yes I still go on and on and on and on about stars and constellations.

"Listen Mae no need to get jittery okay? Take a deep breath and let it gooo" she said in a calm voice. 

It's been a month..more than a month actually since I last saw Ryan before he went on his business trip with Asher, and i not just last saw him a month ago but also talked to him. whenever i called either he was busy or when he called I was engaged in some work. So after so long of not hearing each other's voice I was surprised when he called yesterday and said he needs to talk to me...yes he said 'we need to talk' the most dreaded words known to mankind. He even told me that we are going to the beach...which was strange since he never and i mean never tells me where we are going.

Yes we had our ups and downs..especially during uni. We fought more than we talked and we had even taken a break but we got back together because we couldn't stay away from each other.

 So don't blame me for getting jumpy.

"I am cool. I am calm" i chant 

I hear the door bell ring "He's hear! Cassie! He's here! What should I do?" I pace the room biting my nail.

"Keep the phone and go open the door" I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.

"Wow! Thank you! Care to explain me why are you my best friend?"

"Because every brunette needs a blonde best friend. Now shoo shoo" she says and I smile before hanging up.

I move towards the door wiping my sweaty hands on the thin white cotton top I was wearing and slid the phone in my denim cut off shorts.

Keep cool. Keep calm. Keep cool. Keep calm. Kee-

My mind went blank when I opened the door to see him standing there in his casual black v neck with faded jeans and aviators leaning against his car because lately all i saw him in was his formal suits. 

How did we breathe again? Oh yes, take a breath in and let it out..repeat the process over and over again in order to stay alive.

He stood up straight and raked his eyes over my form. The intensity in them making me shiver. We stood there just staring at each other as if we are seeing one another for the first time.

"Mae" he breathed.

"Ryan" I whispered and rushed towards him.

He met me half way and hugged me picking me up and twirling around.

"Oh God! I can't even express how much i missed you!" He mumbled in my hair and I held him tighter. 

We pulled back and he took my hand leading me towards his car.

.....................................................................................

We walked together on the shore, the waves crashing against our feet. 

What did he want to talk about? By the way he reacted after seeing me I don't think he wants to break up..because If he did i don't know what will i do.

I averted my gaze and looked at the sea. The sky was tuning a deep golden and orange as the evening advanced.

"What did you want to talk about?" I bit my lip nervously looking in his bright emerald eyes.

"I..I uhh..I actually wanted to ask you something" he said drawing his eyebrows together, a series of emotions flickering in his eyes.

I looked around and saw that we were at a secluded place not many people were around. Two girls walked pass us and giggled seeing Ryan but he paid no attention to them. I glanced over their perfect bodies  then looked down at mine and frowned fiddling with the hem of my shirt.

Ryan seemed to notice this and cupped my cheeks.

"Whats wrong?" he asked in a concerned tone.

"Nothing" I mumbled still staring down.

"Mae what's wrong" He asked again with worry.

"I said nothing" I replied again in strong voice.

"Sunshine" he said softly and my heart skipped a beat. It's been so long since he called me by that name. I felt my vision get blurry and a few tears escaped my eyes.

Ryan looked panicked and immediately wiped the tears "Sunshine please tell me, what is wrong?" he pleaded.

"I..I know Ryan the past few months have been really rough and hectic for us. We hardly get time for each other now days. I..I just...please don't leave me Ryan! I love you too much! I know I am not 'hot' or 'sexy' like those girls. I just don't know what i will do if you leave me. I don't like it when we are apart and every time we fight its like I am ripping a piece of my heart out. Please just-"

I was cut off when he smashed his lips on mine. I froze for a moment the tears coming out in full force now. I closed my eyes after a second and kissed him back, the familiar touch of his lips calming me down instantly and taking me in a world where there is only me and him. 

He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine, his hands cupping my face.

"Yes i know it has been hard and we have been busy but how can you think about such a thing Mae?! How can you think that I am leaving you?!" he said in a strained voice wiping the last few tears on my cheeks.

"Well you said 'we need to talk' so I thought.." I say in a raspy voice and he sighs.

"Listen to me and listen carefully okay?" he says and i nod.

"I know we had our fair share of fights and misunderstandings but even after all these years we are standing here right now. With each other. Together. Every relationship has problems but only the strong ones make it through and we have made it through Mae, we have. Even i hate it when we are apart and it literally kills me when I don't get to talk to you. 

And as far as the thing of you not being 'sexy' or 'hot'...let me tell you this...you are the most sexy girl I know because your sexiness is in your confidence, your sexiness is in your sense of humour, your sexiness is in your goodness, in your innocence, in your wit, you are not hot..because you are not a temperature that i will measure, you are beautiful..not hot, outside as well as inside. I have loved you since I was five and I promise to love you forever with all my heart and all my soul."

He backs up and kneels down as a fresh set of tears roll down my cheeks, but this time its of happiness.

"Mae Waters...will you do the honours of becoming my partner in crime? Forever?" he grins and I grin back.

"Do I have a choice?" I laugh wiping away the tears

"No" he gives a crooked smile.

"Then yes Ryan Stone, I will be your partner in crime" I say.

He gets up pulling me in a passionate kiss as he slides the ring on my finger.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So people here is the last bonus chapter.

Yes you read it right.

It's the last...God I am emotional right now...

So it's finally completely over..*sniff* 

These characters are my babies and I don't want to let them go! I DON'T WANT TO LET THEM GO!!! *curls in a ball and cries* 

I have titled this chapter as 'As you like it' as it's up to you what you want to name it...I just couldn't think..actually I don't want to because I cannot believe it's the last. 

Anyways...i love all the readers who have have read, voted and commented on this book. You guys are simply awesome! 

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Until next time lovelies...