Bonus Chapter.....

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Six Years Later.... (Alex is now 29 and Riley is 28, and so is the rest of the gang. Harper is now 17.)

Song above is.... Glad You Exist by Dan + Shay. Its perfect for this chapter!

"I want you home by 2:30 the latest. Everyone is going to be here at 3 so you better not be late." Alex said in a firm tone as he watched his little sister walk to the door.

"Yes dad." Harper said with an eye roll before slamming the door just behind her.

"Did you see that eye roll?" He turned to me with a disbelief look on his face. "Since when did the sass kick in."

"Babe she's seventeen of course she's a bit sassy." It never seemed to clue into Alex that his little sister wasn't so little anymore. Gone was the cute little six year old I met. In her place stood a beautiful seventeen year old. A seventeen year old who wasn't a fan of her older brother telling her what to do.

"She's lucky I'm letting her go hang out with her friends." Alex said with a shake of his head, hands on his hips. I held back a chuckle. "Especially when she could be out there doing god knows what." No doubt a million different scenarios running through his mind.

"Harp's a good kid babe. You know she wouldn't be out doing anything she shouldn't." His mind may be running wild with scenarios but we both knew Harper was a good kid. She was raised right by her brother.

"I know." He sighed, coming up behind me as I finished folding the last batch of laundry. "I just worry." His arms came around my middle as he rested his chin on my shoulder.

"I know." I placed my hand over his. I worried just as much over Harper as he did but I also knew she was a teenager, almost an adult now. She can make her own decisions without her brother breathing down her neck. If it were up to him she'd be locked inside her room until she was 50.

"Are you excited for everyone to come over?" Alex asked after a minute. I nodded a smiling appearing on my face.

"Its been so long." Which is has been. In the last three years we've only seen the gang twice. Everyone was now busy with their lives and doing their own thing. We all still talked and called but physically seeing each other has been a long time.

Everyone was coming to seeing our house for the first time since Alex and I decided to moved back to home to Astoria. Everyone wouldn't be coming until a bit later but I was already bubbling with excitement.

"You know with the house empty its just the two of us." Alex breathed, softly planting kisses along the column of my neck. Closing my eyes I leaned back against him with a sigh.

"The whole house to ourselves." I hummed. "How long do we have?"

"At least two hours." Alex gently sucked on the side of my neck. When it came to Alex I could never say no. Not that I wanted to either.

"Okay." All it took was one word before he swooped me up in his arms and took me upstairs, my laughter trailing behind us.

* ** * * * * * * *

"Do you think it's going to be a bit awkward?" I asked two hours later as I finished placing food on the table.

"With Liv and Derek?"

"Yeah. I mean they didn't end on horrible terms but its been a few years since they saw each other."

About four years ago Olivia and Derek broke up. He got a job in California with some huge IT company. It was just a good opportunity that he couldn't pass it up. And with Olivia still working on her residency in Seattle she couldn't go. From what Liv told me they didn't see a way it could work. So Derek moved to California while Liv stayed here.

That was four years ago and from what I know they haven't seen each other since that day. They were both coming tonight and I wasn't quite sure whats going to happen. I do know they still love each other but who's to say they would want to get back together.

"It will be fine. They are adults and can figure it out themselves." Alex sent me a pointed stare as if to say don't get involved.

"Need I remind you of how well my meddling has worked."

"Babe your meddling..." He started to say when I sent him a look. "always works." He wisely finished.

"Thank you." Alex just shook his head. Poor guy always had to put up with my shit.

The sound of the door opening told us Harper was back and just in time.

"See back in time." Harper said as she walked into the kitchen in one piece.

"Cutting it close there Harp." Alex spoke from behind me. She looked at me to which I just shook my head.

"That's a lot of food, are you expecting an army?" Harper eyed the plates of food I put out.

"I wasn't sure if everyone would be hungry and with Lexi and Nico bringing their kids I wasn't sure what to make." I gnawed on my bottom lip. It was hard planning what to have and make with so many people coming and not knowing if their tastes have change. Now adding in two kids. Sure we've met their kids a few times now but how do you know what they like?

About a two years ago Lexi and Nico surprised everyone by fostering two siblings who they later adopted a year ago. Out of all of us Lexi and Nico having kids was the least unexpected but when Lexi heard about these two siblings that were 6 and 8 and needed a home they took them in.

I know with Lexi's past about being in the foster care really made the decision to take the poor kids in. She didn't want them to have a horrible foster family like she did. And as weird as it sounded Lexi was a great mom to them. So now the two were parents to a 6 year old girl and a 8 year old boy.

"You did great sweetie." Alex came up and kissed the top of my head.

"Ew gross." Harper gagged pushing off the counter. Alex just laughed at his sister. The door bell rang just then interrupting whatever comment Harper was gonna say back.

Leaving the two in the kitchen I made my way to the door and practically threw it open. Standing there was Liv. She honestly looked the same as she did in high school but I swear she got prettier. Her blonde hair was now cut short to her jawline making her cheekbones look sharper.

"Riley!" She squealed launching into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her frame as the two of us swayed hugging each other.

"It's so good to see you." I beamed once we pulled apart. "Look at your hair!"

"I needed a change." She said with a shrug. She always said she'd never cut her hair but I had to say it suited her.

"I think it looks great."

"We have so much to catch up on." I lead her into the house shutting the door. "Like the fact that you and Alex bought a house in our home town."

"Yeah-"

"Livvy!" Harper interrupted my response as she walked into Liv's outstretched arms.

"Damn you have gotten tall." It's crazy cause Harper is now taller than me.While the two of them chatted the doorbell rang again. Leaving them to be I went to open it, a grinning spreading across my face at the sight of Noah.

"Hey!" I pulled him into a tight hug. Noah was the one we saw the most sense him and Alex did work together but its been about 7 months. He's been busy working overseas in London with the company.

With the help of both Alex and Noah their families hotel business has expanded well over the states and into London. It's actually been insane what they have achieved in just a few short years.

One of the best things about their job was the traveling. For the past five years Alex and I have been able to travel all over the world for his work. While he worked I got to explore and when he had time off we would do it together. Its literally been incredible.

"I'm happy you made it."

"Of course. I had to see my favorite person." He smiled down at me. I noticed how tan his skin looked and the happy glow around him. I looked him over feeling like something was different with him. As I went to open my mouth to ask Alex came in.

"We all know thats me."

I stepped to the side as the two of them hugged, slapping each other on the backs. I would definitely be getting to the bottom of that later. I went to shut the door only to be stopped by yet another familiar voice.

"Knock knock." Peering around the door came a smiling Lexi. My own smile widened as I re-opened the door showing Nico, Lexi and now their two kids standing there.

I pulled Lexi in for a quick hug before smiling at Nico. He stood there holding an adorable little girl in his arms. Holding hands with Lexi was a cute little boy who peered up at me with wide eyes. In a weird way they almost looked like Nico and Lexi even though they weren't.

"Come in." I stepped to the side as they trailed in. Getting up on my toes I pressed a quick kiss to Nico's cheek and softly tickled the stomach of the little girl in his arms. She giggled and flashed me a bright smile with a few missing teeth.

The next few minutes was a flurry of saying hi after such a long time, introducing us to the little kids, and directing everywhere to the snacks and the living room.

When the doorbell rang one last time I excused myself from the group to answer it. I already knew who it was at the door but when I still had a giant smile on my face when I opened it. My eyes widened slightly as I looked at Derek.

"Wow look at you." I took in the new set of glasses that sat on the bridge of his nose. Weirdly enough I always could picture him with glasses and it made him look even more attractive. He was now sporting a clean huge beard, unlike the horrible mustache he tried to grow over the summer after graduation. He also seemed....bigger. His shoulders were wider and the shirt he was wearing seemed to stretch the fabric of his shirt.

"Ri you have a husband." Derek teased as I finished my gawking. "But we can sneak off together later." He winked making me laugh. Shaking my head I hugged him. Same old Derek.

"Everyone is here already." I added a small emphasis on everyone hoping he'd get what I am meaning. Just a small heads up that Liv is in the next room. I watched him swallow but nod.

When the two of us walked into the living room my eyes immediately landed on Liv.

"Look who finally showed up." I teased. While everyone greeted Derek and made some comments about his glasses I kept my eyes on her. I watched as she looked him up and down, her cheeks flushed. I didn't miss the way her eyes lit up at the sight of him though. There was definitely still something there even if it has been four years.

Even though I wanted to force the two of them in a room and demand they get back together I wasn't going to. They were adults now and the rest was up to them. They may love each other but sometimes that isn't enough to get back together.

The greeting between Liv and Derek was a bit awkward but Alex came to the rescue and offered to show the guys the backyard. While all four went out back, along with the kids and Harper, us girls stayed inside for another minute.

"Well that was interesting." Lexi said with a raised eyebrow leaning back.

"What was?" Liv tried to act coy but the three of us knew each other too well.

"Don't think we didn't miss the look on your face when you saw him walk in." I said, a smirk on my face.

"There was no look." Liv scoffed.

"Uh huh. Those were clearly 'come fuck me' eyes."

"Lexi!" Liv swatted her arm only making Lex laugh.

"What its true." I nodded in agreement. "Just admit you still love him."

"I don't." But her voice was small and I could hear the lie in her words.

"Liv." I placed a hand on her knee. "Just talk to him okay? Doesn't have to be right now and in front of everyone but later. If anything clear the air between you two." I hated seeing Liv the way she was when they broke up.

She tried to act fine but she wasn't. She threw herself into work and worked long hours, rarely going home and spent most nights at the hospital. She was there for me when Alex and I had our small break up and so I did the same for her, even if she tried to act like nothing was wrong.

"Okay." I knew that was the best response we were going to get out of her. Letting it go I turned to Lexi.

"So...your a mom now."

"And to think we thought she'd be the last of us to be one." Liv joked. Back in the day the three of us made predications on who would get married first and have a baby first.

The marriage went to Liv and Derek. All of us knowing the two of them were end game....but apparently not. As for the baby they both deemed Alex and I the winners of that one. No where did we think it would be Lexi and Nico to do both first.

Nico and Lexi tied the knot about 5 years ago. I knew Nico was going to propose since I heard him on the phone with Alex one day but a week after that call I got a FaceTime request from Lexi to which she showed off her ring to both Liv and I. Even after all these years the two of them were madly in love and as strong as ever.

I was just thankful I would be seeing more of them now that Nico finally agreed to work with Noah and Alex. It took a bit of convincing to get Nico on board to help design their hotels but he agreed two weeks ago. I know Nico didn't show it but I knew he was happy to work alongside his best friends again.

Now all Noah and Alex had to do was convince Derek to join as well. I heard them talking about it a few months ago but they never brought it up again. Wouldn't surprise me if they used today to talk to him about it.

"I know it's a bit crazy isn't it." Lexi shook her head but she had a loving smile on her face. "The two of them have become my everything guys." The way her voice dropped had my heart clenching.

Growing up all Lexi wanted was a loving family. A family who was there for her and here she is with a family of her own. Loving those two kids like they were her own.

"They are really adorable." I smiled.

"Alyssa simply adores Nico. Whenever he's in the room she's attached to his hip its so freaking adorable. And Ayden actually loves coming to the salon with me. All the ladies fawn over him which he loves." She chuckled at her kids.

"We are so happy for you Lex." Liv squeezed her arm.

"You and Nico really are great parents." I knew the words got to her as her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh god. No crying." Lexi fanned her face. All of us wiped at our eyes before standing up and going to find the boys.

Loud giggling brought my attention right to my husband who was lifting Alyssa and spinning her around. The smile on his face brought one to my own.

It's still sometimes hard to imagine that he is mine. Even though we are now married, going on four years, I still question why he is with me. We've been together 11 years now. 11 years of being with the same person and never once has Alex made me seem unloved.

After our brief breakup 6 years ago the two of us realized we still needed to grow as a couple. We had to learn how to live with different schedules and jobs. Life was different with more responsibilities. And while that brief two weeks without him hurt so much it made things better between us.

When he proposed to me five years ago I was literally on cloud nine. I barely let him get the words out before I was jumping on him, knocking us both to the ground but I didn't care. I was finally marrying the love of my life.

Exactly a year later I did. We had a small wedding in a beautiful flower garden with both of our families there. Liv, Lexi and Harper were my bridesmaids. While Nico, Noah and Derek were Alex's. My brother and Nicholas came home for it as well and Trent was the one who walked me down the aisle. Of course my parents didn't show but I wasn't surprised. I had Ava and Mason there for me and that was good enough.

It was literally the best night of my life. Finally being able to call Alex my husband and have Kinley as a last name. It was everything I could have imagined it to be.

Now four years later here we are. We bought a gorgeous house sort of near Noah's parents. I now had a great job at the same high school I went to as a counselor. Harper was back living with us for another year before she graduated. We were happy.

Looking around at everyone I wished my brother could have made it. When Trent finished his final tour a few months ago he came back...different. More reserved and within drawn. I tried to get him to talk about it but he wouldn't. Nicholas came back the same way but he's gotten a bit better. The two of them decided last week that they were going to go on a hiking trip to clear their heads. They needed some time after whatever happened over there.

Ava and Mason were also gone off on their own vacation for their anniversary. I know they would have loved to see everyone but they'd be back next week.

"Hey freckles." My heart still skipped a beat when Alex called me that. It never got old coming out of his mouth.

My husband came around me and stood at my back, his arms once more coming around my middle. The two of us stood there on the porch watching as our friends laughed and talked with each other. Nico and Lexi's kids running around Harper chasing them. I saw Liv and Derek talking to one another a hope flared in my chest at the sight.

"This is everything I have ever wanted." Alex whispered, his chin on my shoulder as he spoke. I placed my hands over his that were laying on my belly. Alex's hand softly rubbed against my belly, not yet showing, but the two of us already knew what was inside. I will always be thankful for that day in the high school parking lot where I first met Alex. If it hadn't been for that day I wouldn't be standing here with my husband, surrounded by our friends, and about to start our own little family. 

"It really is." 

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