Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for my OC's.

Here's the next one guys!

Calwitch: I agree. Well, things will be taking an interesting turn :)

Guest: Well he could but he's probably better off giving Iris and Seth some space with Seth's family. Thanks for reviewing! :)

Wolfgirl2013: Thank you! :)

CHAPTER 12:

ARIANA POV

Roman's off the next couple of days and he's decided to spend it by going down to see JoJo. He hasn't seen her in a while and figured he might as well do something productive which is good I guess. He's not really spoke since Hunter and Stephanie said he admitted to throwing the first punch. Right now he's off with Paige for the evening, they're having a nice dinner together. Hopefully that'll cheer him up for now.

Because of everything that happened with Roman and Kane, I never got to talk to Dean. And he's disappeared ever since the incident. I have no idea what he's doing though. No idea what's going through his mind. No idea what he might be planning. Since when did I know so little? That's never how it's been. I just…I can't do this anymore. I can't go through with the headache. He's hiding things from me and we're supposed to be getting married. But we can't get married if he carries on like this. Maybe I need a couple of days to myself. To think about what I want to do. I pick up a pen and paper, writing Dean a note.

Dean,

I don't know what's gotten into you these days. You're so different to my Dean that I have no other option than to do this. I love you Dean, so much that this is probably the hardest decision I'm making in my life. I think we should take a break. You're clearly preoccupied with something or someone else. The funny thing is you won't tell me to my face if you're cheating on me. Why would you though? I need time to think things through. To think about if I still want us. Because if you continue acting the way you do then I could never marry you. I'll see you in a day.

Ariana

It may not be the best decision in some people's eyes but I think it's best for me right now. If Dean's too much of a coward to call time on us, then I'll just have to do it. I don't want to but what's the point of trying to hang on to something when he doesn't give a crap? I know Dean loves me, it's in his eyes when he told me the other day. But, maybe he doesn't love me as much as he used to. Maybe he's started to love someone else too. Most of my things are on the bus and they can stay there. I grab a bag and pack the rest of my stuff in the hotel room. Tomorrow is our day off anyway so I won't get into trouble with work. As soon as I can though, I should call Iris. I keep the note in Dean's jacket which he didn't take. I don't want it getting lost anywhere and then him panicking about me having disappeared or anything.

"Ariana?" I hear his voice, surprising me. I thought he'd be back late again. I start to panic and quickly throw my bag underneath the bed, why, I don't know. It was like a reflex.

"In here!" I find myself calling out and then bite down on my tongue. What was the need for me to even let him know I was here? I could have hidden and waited for him to leave. I see Dean come into the room and he gives me a smile. I notice a bag in his hand too. "Listen, Dean I think we need to-" I start but then get cut off by him.

"This is for you," says Dean and that confuses the hell out of me. I was about to say the both of us needed to talk. He holds up the bag and I take it from him.

"What is it?" I ask, seeing an excited look on Dean's face.

"Open it and see," says Dean. I decide to humor him and look inside at the contents. Obviously things aren't going well with me and Dean which is why I'm understandably surprised when I reach in and find a blue dress.

"You got me a dress?" I ask, confusion laced in my tone. Dean nods his head and gives me a smile. "Great, uh, can we talk?" I then ask him. He looks disappointed with the reaction he receives from me.

"You don't like it?" asks Dean and I shake my head. Anything he gives me I always like. Whether it's my style or not, I love it solely for the reason that he's given it to me.

"I love it, it's a nice dress," I comment, his smile widening at what I say. At least what I think still matters to him. "I wanted to talk to you before but couldn't because of Roman," I then say.

"That can wait," says Dean, waving a hand in the air. "Right now, I want you to put on that dress and come out looking all sexy, I want to show you something," he says, throwing the bag to the side, the dress still in my hands. He turns me around as I let out protest which he ignores and places his hands on my shoulders, leading me to the bathroom. "Take as long as you want," he adds on before closing the door. What is wrong with that guy? I decide there's no way out of this unless I do what he asks of me. I get changed into the dress, put on some light make up and run a comb through my hair. Once I'm out, Dean takes me downstairs and into a car, sitting in the driver's seat.

"Where are we going Dean?" I ask as he puts on the engine. He doesn't answer me though.

"Shit, you'll need this," says Dean and before I know it he's tied a blindfold over my eyes. "Do you trust me Ari?" he asks and I nod my head, I always have. "Then sit back and enjoy the ride," he advises and I can just hear the smirk on his face. After a few minutes Dean stops the car and helps me out.

"Dean, seriously, what is going on?" I ask, totally not knowing anything. I mean, he acts like he's going to break up with me, but tells me he loves me and now this? None of it make sense.

"You'll find out, wait a second alright?" says Dean and I find myself listening to him despite my brain telling me to get out whilst I can.

"Dean!" I squeal, feeling him pick me up bridal style, I hear him laugh at my reaction.

"Like I've never done this before," says Dean with another laugh. I keep my hands tightly on him.

"Not with a blindfold," I remind him. I feel him move around a lot before he finally sets me on my feet. He keeps his arms around me and it's a good thing too because the floor here is really slippery. Where the hell has he brought me?

"We've done plenty with blindfolds," comments Dean, making me chuckle. "Keep your hands on me as I take yours off," he says and I do what he says. Once he takes it off I open my eyes and I'm actually in awe of where we are. I look around properly, still keeping my hands on Dean. "Recognize this place?" he asks me with a smirk. How could I forget this place?

"Winter Wonderland," I comment, completely surprised at how he's managed to get a full ice rink even though it's nowhere near Winter.

"Where we had our first kiss if I remember right," says Dean and my smile widens as I look up at him.

"How is this even possible?" I question, still in awe of it all. There's no one even around, just us. Well a couple of other people but I'm guessing they're here to upkeep the rink.

"Believe me it wasn't easy," says Dean and it's at this point that I realize this is what he's been doing all this time. Planning this. But why though? "And you kept giving me the evils because you know I was acting funny, always going jogging," he says with a chuckle and in return I let one out too.

"I can't believe you've done this," I say, still amazed at where I am and what we're doing. The whole rink is decorated with lights and flowers.

"Well believe it," says Dean and then looks into my eyes. Dean leans in close, his lips inches away from mine. "Happy one-year anniversary," he says to me, surprising the heck out of me. One-year anniversary? What? As I think about it, it comes to mind that he's right. We've been together for a whole year today. I didn't even remember! Shit!

"Dean-," I start but he places his finger on top of my lips, silencing me.

"Ssh," says Dean in a whisper. "I know you've been stressed out lately. With everything that happened with Iris and now this whole Kane situation. I didn't expect you to remember and I bet this is the last thing you thought you'd get out of me but I will never forget the day you walked into my life," he says, tears brimming in my eyes as I listen to his words. Without warning I throw my arms around his neck and hold him close. I thought I was losing him when in reality I've gained a whole lot more. Out of the both of us he remembered out anniversary and he's been making plans to try and give me a good surprise and a good night.

"I love you," I tell him, pulling back and looking into his eyes once more.

"I love you more," says Dean, making me us both chuckle. He keeps a tight hold on me and leans down to place his lips on mine, the exact same way he did the night we had our first ever kiss.

IRIS POV

"How do I look?" I ask Seth, turning around from the mirror and looking at him but frown when I see him on his phone, paying no attention to me whatsoever. Today is our double date with Nicky and Macy so I'm trying to make an extra effort. If she's anything like Seth has described her then I'll need to prepare myself and get through this somehow.

"Great babe," Seth answers my question, not looking up from his phone. Who is so important right now that he's practically glued to his phone.

"What color dress am I wearing?" I ask him, my hands going on my hips.

"Blue," says Seth and I look down at myself, frowning again.

"Green," I say and roll my eyes. I walk off and go into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. How is it that he can be as sweet as sugar one minute and an idiot the next?

"Iris?" I hear Seth call as I take a seat on the edge of the tub. He must have gotten disturbed when I hit the door that hard. To be honest, I didn't think it would slam that hard. "Iris, open up," instructs Seth but I just shake my head and stay quiet. I'm a new Mother and right now, my looks are the one thing that I have issues with and when Seth acts like this it doesn't help. Neither does it help when Isabel comes around looking so gorgeous. "Iris, come on," he says, sounding impatient.

"I never locked it," I finally say with a sigh and smirk to myself knowing he must feel pretty stupid for not even having attempted to open the door.

"Whoa," I hear and look up to see him looking down at me. I avoid his gaze and look the other way. "What's wrong?" he asks me which annoys me. isn't it obvious. Seth normally is very perceptive but right now he's acting like every other guy on this planet.

"Nothing," I say through a forced smile as I glance up at him for a second.

"Right (!)" says Seth and he takes a seat next to me. He places his hand on mine and I don't move it, one of the many down sides to being in love with him. "How am I going to know what's wrong if you don't tell me?" he then asks, looking at me as I continue to look elsewhere.

"Fine," I say and turn my head to look at him. "Ever since I've had Evan I don't feel like myself anymore. I'm a Mom, something I'm quite proud of. But at the same time, I know I've put on a bit of weight," I start and can see he's resisting the eye roll. "I know that might not mean much and it's all typical of women and whatnot but it's something important to me. I don't…I don't feel as attractive anymore. But when you can't take your eyes off of me, or when you compliment me to no end they're the things that I cling on to. And then tonight, not even a look," I finish explaining, looking away once more.

"That's it?" asks Seth and I roll my eyes. Guys never understand anything like this.

"Seth, how would you feel if you woke up tomorrow and your abs were gone?" I question him. "Instead of abs there was a beer belly, can you honestly tell me that you wouldn't have any insecurities whatsoever?" I go on and when I look at him I can tell he finally understands.

"No," answers Seth and I guess I'm happy that he answered truthfully instead of lying or whatever. "But," he then starts and kneels down in front of me, taking my hands in his. "To be honest you were deciding on what to wear for a good two hours. Prancing about in your bra and panties for quite a while, do you know how hard it is for me to see?" he asks me, looking up at me.

"Ok, now you're not making any sense," I tell him.

"Iris, I don't care that you haven't got the same shape you used to have," says Seth. "I fell in love with you whilst you were pregnant. Doesn't that tell you everything you need to know?" he asks me.

"Ok, and what do my bra and panties have to do with anything?" I ask him.

"Oh come on, you're a hot piece of ass!" exclaims Seth, making me go red against my will. "If I continued staring at you I'd probably start to jerk off. You know how hard it is to try and make sure that I don't get a hard on when my beautiful girlfriend is walking around the room wearing next to nothing?" he says as it all starts to make sense to me.

"That's why you weren't looking? You were too turned on?" I ask him innocently, tilting my head to the side. This isn't something I had heard before.

"Yes," says Seth and I start to feel slightly guilty. Maybe if we'd already had sex then this wouldn't have been a problem right now. "But it's not your fault and it's not mine. It's how it is," he states. "Just know that I'd rather be enjoying the show than watching it," he comments, making me chuckle.

"Maybe we should talk about it," I tell him but he shakes his head.

"We'll talk about it when we get back, right now we have to go and meet with Nicky and Macy at the restaurant," says Seth, keeping my hands in his. "But just so you know, I think you're the hottest girl on the planet," he says, winking at me as he helps me to get up.

"Seth I'm sorry," I tell him.

"No, I am," says Seth. "I should have tried to control myself a bit more and made sure to give you the attention you deserve," he says and I shake my head.

"No, you shouldn't have needed to control yourself," I say but he places a hand on my cheek.

"Like I said, we'll talk about it later," says Seth and I move forward and hug him. "What's this for?"

"Because I love you," I say, closing my eyes for a second and taking it all in.

"I love you too cutie pie," says Seth and then pulls away. "Shall we?" he asks, holding out an arm.

"We shall," I say, doing a little bow and hooking my arm with his. He laughs and we make out way downstairs, but not before stopping off in Rose's room and checking in on Evan. We were trying to decide who to leave Evan with but then Rose said she'd love to have the experience of taking care of a newborn as she'd be having one soon and won't get another opportunity like this. Once we check on Evan, we make our way down and get into Seth's car.

"Ok, now she might come on a bit strong," Seth warns me but I just laugh. "You're like this now but you won't be when you meet her," he says with a smirk of his own.

"I'm sorry Seth but I can't imagine her in the picture all of you have painted of her, I like seeing the best in people so I'm sure I'll find something about her that I'll like," I say, humming along to the tune on the radio.

"I know, it's one of the many things I love about you," says Seth and I rest my head on his shoulder as he continues driving. The rest of the drive is quiet and feels very nice. It's always felt right with Seth, never with anyone else. I always felt lost without him but now that I'm with him, I feel like I'm home. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm where I belong. Once we get to the restaurant we look around and eventually spot Nicky and Macy. I can't see her face though; all I see is her back. She has short hair, but it's longer than mine. It's all very straight and not one hair is out of place. Yikes! Although I like the shade of her brunette hair.

"Guys!" says Nicky and stands up to greet us. He hugs Seth and then gives me a side hug. "Macy this is Iris, Seth's girlfriend and Iris this is Macy, my girlfriend," he introduces and as soon as I see her face, I smile. I shake her hand and greet her. Hmm, she is pretty indeed. Seth pulls out my chair and I thank him after which he takes a seat beside me.

"So, uh, what do you do?" I ask Macy and she smirks before answering. Ok, I get what Seth was warning me about. She has an aura about her that makes you feel inferior to her.

"I own various beauty salons," answers Macy. "It's a lot of work, well that's what some people would say but I find it quite easy. I don't know how some people actually manage to fail one business," she says, reading the menu and Nicky looks at me. I instantly give him a smile, oh I bet he's nervous that I won't like her either. If she continues on like this, I might not though.

"Well, I'm a wrestler and that is a lot of hard work," I tell her, reading my menu too.

"I know, I've seen you and you're quite good," she tells me which shocks me because that's the last thing I expected to hear her say.

"You watch wrestling?" I ask her and she nods her head which makes me smile.

"Since when?" asks Nicky looking just as surprised as me and Seth.

"Since always," answers Macy. "You just never asked," she says, picking up her glass of water and taking a sip. Nicky sits back in his chair, seemingly dazed.

"So, who's your favourite?" I ask her, putting my menu down and giving her my full attention. "No pressure, you don't have to pick me," I tell her in a lower voice which makes her chuckle.

"I don't really have a favourite," replies Macy. "But I always get Goosebumps when you have a tag team match with Ariana, they're always something to look forward to," she says to me.

"Yeah, sorry about not giving you any recently but I had Evan inside me so…" I trail off and shrug my shoulders and she nods her head in understanding.

"Yeah, I read an article that said you were doing everyone's hair," says Macy and I nod my head confirming it. "No wonder it didn't look sloppy for a few months," she then muses.

"Gee, thanks," I say with a big smile. Ok, what the hell is wrong with everyone? Macy seems really nice to me. I don't see what it is that they all hate. She seems like she's made of steel but apart from when I first met her, she seems alright.

"Too bad your career choice is wrestling, you could have made me a lot of money," says Macy which makes me laugh and she laughs along with me, Seth and Nicky looking astounded.

"So what got you started into your business?" I ask her eagerly as Seth and Nicky get into a quiet conversation by themselves. It turns out Macy's inspiration was her Mother who would always do her hair in a unique way which impressed and astounded her. After her Mum passed away, she feels like it brings her closer to her Mother which I found very sweet.

"I'm going to quickly use the restroom before dinner arrives," announces Macy as she stands up.

"I'll come with," I say instantly, getting up as well.

"What is it with girls and this particular rule?" questions Nicky.

"We like to make out in there," I joke and laugh at the dumbfounded expression on his face. "Seth, could you please check in with Rose?" I ask him and he nods his head. I bend down and kiss his cheek before leaving with Macy. Once inside the restroom I go into one of the stalls. I flush the toilet and then come out, washing my hands as I glance at Macy who is reapplying her lip gloss. "Cute colour," I comment which makes her smile.

"Thanks, I only wear it because it drives Nicky crazy," says Macy, pausing for a second and then continuing to apply it. I am still so confused on how everyone could hate Macy. She seems perfectly decent. I can't imagine Rose or anyone else, except for Angie of course, disliking her. I use a paper towel and dry my hands, looking at my own appearance. "Are you going to hate me like everyone else?" she asks all of a sudden and I look at her in surprise.

"Excuse me?" I ask, that being the first thing to come out of my mouth.

"Oh come off of it," says Macy and puts her lip gloss back inside her purse. "The only reason you're being nice to me is because Nicky is Seth's brother otherwise like the rest of the family you'd hate me too," she says at which I frown. And everything was going all so well.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I say, deciding to play the innocent card.

"I'm talking about the fact that their whole family is nice to my face and then talk behind my back like as if I'm trash," explains Macy and I feel sorry for her. She never asked for this.

"Fine," I say acknowledging that I do know what she's talking about. "But let me tell you one thing, it doesn't matter to me what the whole family thinks. I like making up my own mind about people and so far, I'm impressed. You're young, smart, beautiful, and successful and you have someone like Nicky who I can tell loves you very much so what is there about you that makes me think you are trash?" I say, seeing her look taken aback.

"S-so you weren't coming here to see if I'm a bitch?" asks Macy and I shake my head.

"I only came to see Nicky's girlfriend," I tell her. "Yes, Seth told me you can rub people the wrong way and criticize them which I have to say had me worried but I did come with an open mind".

"He said what?" asks Macy with an angry expression.

"Crap, I shouldn't have said that," I say, looking on worried. "Forget him for a second, you've been really lovely to me tonight so far but what I don't get is why you're not with everyone else," I say.

"I admit I can come off a bit showy and look down on people," starts Macy. "But, it's hard to make people like you when they're constantly judging everything you do. I've been through it before so I make sure I'm at my best and make sure others know. I know that's not been a great thing to do but it's all I know," she explains as I start to sympathize with her. "As for you, you're the first person that Nicky has introduced me to who hasn't given me the stink eye after talking to me for five minutes," she further explains and I give her a smile.

"Because I know what it's like," I tell her simply. "As Damien once said, we outsiders have got to stick together," I say which makes her chuckle. "Just so you know, Seth has agreed to stop doing all that nonsense so maybe just…" I trail off and she nods her head.

"I will," says Macy. "We better get going before Nicky actually thinks we're making out in here," she jokes which has us both laughing as we exit the restroom. Once we get back to our tables we take our seats next to our respective partners and just in time too because our dinner is served.

"What took you guys so long?" asks Seth curiously.

"Oh, my fault," says Macy, putting her hand in the air. "I wanted to try tongue," she says, sending me into hysterical fits of laughter.

"Keep your eyes off this one Macy, she's mine," says Seth, putting a protective arm around me.

"Why? Jealous she might actually like it more?" asks Macy and Nicky and me go about letting out an 'ooh'. Seth joins in and starts laughing with all of us.

"You're alright," says Seth with a nod just before we start eating. I look at Macy and give her an I-told-you-so look and she nods her head in acknowledgement. The rest of the dinner goes by smoothly and we end up going to a dessert place and ordering ice cream.

"And when he goes to the bathroom, he's in there for exactly 15 minutes," says Macy, talking to Seth about Nicky as they compare their notes.

"Not a minute more and not a minute less," says Seth and Macy nods her head.

"Exactly!" exclaims Macy and gives Seth a high five. "The other day he was using my moisturiser," she then says, a hand on the corner of her mouth and whispering it really loudly.

"No way!" says Seth and bursts out laughing. "I swear he's gay sometimes," he then comments.

"You'd think so, but then he gets naked and shows me just how much of a man he is," says Macy, leaning into Nicky as Seth looks like he's been handed horse manure to eat or something.

"And that is where this conversation ends," says Seth, shaking his head and probably trying to get that visual image out of his head, like me.

"Iris, say something to your freak of a boyfriend!" exclaims Nicky and I raise my eyebrows. "He's corrupting my Macy," he says with a pout and I can't help but laugh at that.

"Alright," I say, giving in. "Seth, stop making fun out of your younger brother, it's not nice," I tell him off in a calm way and Seth nods his head, taking another mouthful of ice cream.

"Whoa, dude you're whipped," comments Nicky with an amused expression.

"So if Macy asked you to do something you would decline?" asks Seth and Nicky nods his head. He then looks at Macy and shakes his head. "So, who exactly is whipped?" he then questions with an amused grin.

"So how did you guys meet?" asks Macy, changing the topic of conversation. "Obviously I know how you met but how did it all go about?" she then questions as I look at Seth and all the rocky roads we went through start to resurface.

"It's a long story," I say to her but she just shrugs her shoulders.

"I can eat ice cream really slowly, just ask Nicky," says Macy, throwing a wink in Nicky's direction who starts to look uncomfortable. I'm guessing something really gross happened.

"Well, it all started with Iris checking out my ass," starts Seth in a loud voice and I hit his arm. "What? It's true. I was in the gym and stretching and she was totally checking me out," he says and I go red because that part is actually true. My mind goes back to that day though. The day that I first talked to Seth. What a day that was.

Reviews are loved! :)