A/N: Sorry it took so long. Perhaps reviewing it will motivate me properly. Lol. Just kidding. It won't. I do what I want. Anyway, thanks for reading and as always I hope you enjoy the latest chapter. Also, I didn't proofread or edit this chapter so if there are weird ass words that male no sense I apologize. Auto correct is an asshole.

I woke up slightly aware that I had spent the night sleeping in a truck out in the woods, naked. I also realized I was alone, which was a little bit alarming but I was a glass half full kind of person so I figured she had woke up already and needed to pee or something. I know I needed to. I located my clothes-which were strewn about the cab of the truck and put them on. I laughed when I noticed her panties-thongs to be more exact, hanging from the rear view mirror.

I reached up and pulled down the visor. I examined myself in the small mirror and fixed my slightly messy hair. Once I was satisfied, I pushed the visor back up and watched her as she walked toward the truck. She had been standing on the side of the cliff looking out at the city below. I was surprised to see her wearing my old letterman jacket. I hadn't seen it years. She must have found it behind the seat of the truck. I wanted her in my arms so I quickly jumped out of the truck as she approached.

"Mornin." I rasped against her neck as I pulled her against me. I took a deep breath and smiled. She smelled so good.

"Hi." She smiled pulling away so I could see her face.

"Did you watch the sunset?" I asked tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah." She softly answered. "It was beautiful."

"You should have woke me." I laced our fingers together and we walked back toward the cliffside.

"I wanted you to rest." She grinned. "I figured after last night you'd earned it." She continued to grin as she quickly glanced at me to gauge my reaction.

"I earned it?" I laughed.

"Yes. Quite vigorously." She said as we stopped at the edge of the cliffside. I let go of her hand and lowered myself into a seated position. She sat down next me and leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I should've don't this years ago." I said as I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Could you imagine where we would be right now if I hadn't of been such a chicken shit all these years?"

"Who knows." She said whistfully. "Do you want kids?" She asked suddenly, turning to face me.

"Yeah. I wanna have kids with you Sel." I answered. She gave me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

"Good. Because I could never picture having children with anyone but you." She said softly. "Promise me that when we do decide to have a baby, we'll come back to Texas. I want to raise them here with our families."

"Of course. Whatever you want baby. All you gotta do is ask." I whispered in her ear.

She turned toward me and wrapped her arms around me and then she draped her legs across my lap. I noticed she wasn't wearing shoes. I shook my head and chuckled softly.

"In that case I want you to build me a house wih a wrap around deck and a horse stable." She grinned. "I want it to have a white fence and a huge backyard." She added.

I sat and istened to her describe her dream house to me in vivid detail. I memorized every single word she told me. She didn't know it yet, but I had every intention of building her dream home. Brick by brick. Board by board. I took in every last detail. It was always about the little things with her. The way her mouth would twitch when she was trying not to smile. The way she closed her eyes when she savored the taste of something. The little things.

"Let's go home." I said breaking the silence. "Your mom wants to see me." I added with a smirk.

"What makes you so sure of that?" She asked in a teasing tone

"Your mom loves me." I winked.

We walked into the Russo house and I immediately smelled pancakes. Selena laced our fingers together as we walked into to the kitchen. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by her mother. I caught her trying to hold back a smile. I was surprised she didn't say anything. I took a mental note to keep track of how long she'd be able to hold out. We sat at the table and as I sat there, I noticed Gracie was wearing an expression similar to that of the "grumpy cat." She looked completely pissed off.

I knew that Gracie wouldn't exactly be pleased when I left, I just didn't realize how attached she had actually become. She was downright morose. She was so despondent over my inpending departure, that I was certain she would be reduced to drawing nothing but creepy black circles much like the ones that they have strange possessed children do in horror movies. I had a plan though and like any plan regarding a seven year old, I had to get her parents permission. I wanted to get her a puppy. Puppies were a wonderful distraction from your favorite persons departure and I was positive a playful, obliviously happy, chewing everything in sight puppy, was the perfect solution. I also knew the answer would be yes.

It was a funny thing, but I had somehow managed to reduce the various Russo women to piles of putty in my hands. Mandy was no exception. I'd had her wrapped around my finger since I was like eight. She was easy. The sweeter the tone and bigger the smile, the faster she caved. It was Brian I had to watch out for. He knew all my tricks and they didn't work on him. Luckily for me, he did whatever Mandy said so like I said, I always got my way.

Once breakfast was finished, I took the oppirnunity to speak to Mandy as she washed the dishes.

"Need any help?" I asked with my most charming smile as I casually strolled over to her.

"Sure." She smiled back. "It's so good to see you." She added as she handed me dishes to rinse.

"I'll make it a point to visit more often." I promised. I meant it too.

"I hope so. Gracie is gonna miss you. I don't think she's very happy right now." She said nonchalantly.

"Yeah..." I sighed. "About that. I have an idea that I wanted to run by you." I said grinning.

"Why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like this." Mandy chuckled.

"It's nothing crazy." I assured her. "I was wondering of I could her a puppy?"

"A puppy?" She asked slightly surprised at my request. The entire time she continued to scrub and hand me dishes.

"Yup." I smiled. "It would be a pleasant distraction. Plus she's at that age where a little responsibility is good for her."

Mandy considered my proposal in silence. I could tell her mind was going a million miles a minute. "Before I say yes, I need to ask you something." She said sounding a little excited. "Are you seeing my daughter?"

I nodded. "I am."

I was slightly startled when she let out a delighted squeal and wrapped her arms around me. "I have been waiting for this for so long!"

I hugged her back. "She's the love of my life. Always has been an always will be." I said softly.

"I know sweetheart." She said as she continued to hold me. "I know."

Needless to say, the answer to my question was in fact yes, and shortly after receiving the go ahead, I collected my grumpy little sidekick and we set out in search of the perfect furry little friend. It took me a while to get her to stop scowling and sitting there hunched over with her arms crossed firmly against her chest, but the second she saw the puppies, I won. After careful consideration she picked out a gray and white colored Pit bull. It was a boy dog and by the looks of him, he was going to be huge. We loaded him in the car and I could tell Gracie was excited.

"Have you picked out a name?" I asked sweetly.

"Hmmm." She said wrinkling up her nose. "Not yet."

"We gotta name him!" I said with a smile. I turned and examined the small, but actually ginormous puppy in the back seat. "He looks kinda like a Petey to me." I said glancing at Gracie.

She giggled. "Not to me. I think he looks like you! I'm gonna name him Demi!" She said with a smug expression on her face.

"You're naming your dog Demi?" I said laughing loudly. "He's a boy."

"So." She shrugged.

"Demi is a girls name." I said trying to reason with her.

"Not any more." She said in a sing song voice.

Once again I laughed. "Alright then. Demi the boy Pit bull it is."

We brought the puppy home and everyone was completely in love with him. He was adorable and absolutely charming. He was definitely living up to his namesake. His name of course, was the source of quite a bit of laughter. Even Brian thought it was funny.

"I'll be able to teach Demi to do tricks and obey." He grinned at me.

"Haha. Very funny." I smiled rolling my eyes. Selena of course couldn't help but laugh.

"He does kind of look like you." She smiled wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her chin on my shoulder.

"Sel. Baby. It's a dog. We do not look alike." I said nuzzling into the side of her face.

"You're my puppy." She said softly in my ear.

"Like all puppy's I'm all about eating a little pussy." I said suggestively. Selena blushed.

"Demetria!" She scolded. "Not in front of my dad." She said through clenched teeth as she smiled.

"Relax. He can't hear us." I said giving her cheek a quick peck.

We spent the rest of the day with Selena's family watching movies, playing board games and snuggling with the puppy. Once evening rolled around we headed out to my parents house.

Spending time with my parents was a very laid back affair. Eddie fired up the barbecue and we hung out outside by the fire pit. Like Selena's family, mine was also thrilled about our new relationship status. I opted to hang out with my dad while Dallas, Selena, and my Mom all gossiped.

"The truck sounds good." He said as he flipped the chicken.

"Thanks for your help by the way." I smiled. "I appreciate it."

"Anything for you kiddo." He said as he stole a quick glance over at the girls. "You really love her don't you?" He asked.

"Yeah I do." I said softly. "She's the one."

"Wait right here." He said before he disappeared in the house. He returned shortly afterwards carrying what looked like an old ring box.

"Is that what I think it is?" I asked as my heart started to race.

"Look." He said clearing his throat. "I always thought that one day I'd give this to my son and he'd give it to the woman he loves. I don't have a son." He said with a smile. "I have three girls. Not that I'm comparing you to a boy, but you're the closest thing I got. Big trucks, chasing girls, playing sports, causing trouble..."

"Dad." I interrupted.

"Let me finish." He said taking a breath. This ring has been in our family for years. I'm giving it to you now. She's the one that this ring is meant for. You're supposed to give this to her." He said pointing at Selena. "She's your person Demi."

"I don't know what to say." I swallowed as he handed me the small box.

"With that being said, when you give her this ring you're making a promise to her. Don't give it to her until you're ready. She deserves the best of you." He said his tone serious.

"Dad...I...thank you." I said softly. "The ring is beautiful." I said as I glanced down at the princess cut diamond set in a platinum band. The band had several diamonds embedded in it as well.

He pulled me in for a hug. "I'm so proud of you. You make me so proud." He said as he held onto me tightly.

"I love you Dad."

"I love you too."

Once dinner was finished and almost everyone was in bed, I took a moment to myself outside on the front porch. I had never felt so complete in all of my years of existence. I literally had everything I had ever wanted. I sat down on the porch swing and let out a long sigh. It had been one of hell of a trip.

"I haven't had a moment with you alone all day." Selena said softly from the doorway.

"Come sit." I smiled gesturing for her to join me. She climbed into my lap and laid her head against my chest.

"You're mom is already expecting grandchildren." She said yawning. "You better get on it."

"Ha!" I said loudly. "Too bad says science."

"Demi." She said softly.

"Yeah baby?"

"I love you." She said, lifting her head and placing soft kisses along my jawline.

"I love you more." I smiled.

"That's not possible." She sighed.

"Let's just call it even."

"Mhmmm." She mumbled into my neck.

We stayed like that for several hours. She fell asleep which was pretty common for her. I was her version of a sleeping pill. I wrapped my arms around and held her tightly. She was everything. I suddenly found myself very aware of the small box tucked away safely in my pocket. In that moment I had never been so sure of something in my entire life. My dad was right. That ring was hers and the longer it stayed in my pocket, was time wasted.