The next morning, I was awoken by the consistent sound of chirping birds and a very loud slam coming from the direction of the hallway. I couldn't gather the motivation to wake up, although thinking about a burglar breaking in sure did bring me up on my feet in a matter of seconds. I grabbed my polka-dotted sheet and wrapped it around my body, which only consisted of loose running shorts and a light, plain tank top due to the heatwave from last night. Stepping out of the room, I could smell an inevitable aroma, one that surely belonged to the kitchen.

Staring at the bathroom to the right of me, I decided to quickly rinse my face off and brush my teeth before making my way down the stairs.

"Sorry, Luce," Troian apologized with a sheepish grin after I turned the corner and approached her, my feet enduring the cold and bare tiles. "I think I woke you up. I accidentally dropped the pan."

"It's no problem," I assured as I wandered towards the stove. The pan was being heated and on the counter next to it was a tall can of vegetable spray oil and a bowl of a yellow mixture. "Oh, no... you didn't have to make this for me, Troian. I can cook the rest for you."

I completely forgot about the fact that she had to eat for herself and for the baby, even if breakfast wasn't my thing. I made a self-note to wake up early and start whipping up food for her. She already had enough going on and extra sleep for the child would be time well spent.

"Please. I insist," Troian urged.

I dubiously stepped out of her way as she brought a spoon to section the mix onto the pan. I took a guilty glance at the side of her belly, which had become noticeable to one that had an awareness of her situation. To others, it could be presumed that she had a major lunch or a spring of weight gain in that particular area.

I bit my tongue, forcing down any words that threatened to tumble out. Although I had questions swarming my mind, I didn't want to bring up the topic just yet. Luckily, I didn't have to. Troian spoke of her agenda after I set the plate and prepared the batch of coffee. I folded my bedsheet and set it on the other side of the table where it would go unnoticed until breakfast was over.

"Keegan and I went to my appointment for the baby," she said, shyly but surely. smiled, I gasped, bringing the coffee mug away from my face and onto the table. How hadn't she woken me up as soon as she gotten home to tell me this?

"Any milestones?" I asked eagerly. Sure, it was only around twenty-something weeks, but there surely had to be something to look forward to.

Troian's smile only grew, reaching her eyes at that point. "The gender. It's a girl."

"Oh my gosh, congratulations, Troi!" I exclaimed with a small clap.

Troian seemed genuinely excited for such news as she took a stab of her syrup-covered pancake. I remembered when she was decidedly doubtful of her decision to be a mother, merely a couple of months ago. For her to take responsibility gained my respect for her, if that was possible. I had nothing but the best to say about her.

I recollected the time period in Columbia Rose where the paparazzi bombarded us in high ambitions to string out some information about the pregnancy. Judging the type of news that was, I was sure she was still being besieged by the abundance of photographers. It was ridiculous, the way they traveled in packs as a secret intimidation tactic to frighten people into giving them what they wanted. One thing was for sure, it certainly worked for me.

"How are you doing with the paps?" I questioned, conveying my supportive look as best as possible. I tried to push out Amanda's name out of my thoughts, insightful of the latent stigma that began to arise and create a barrage against my heart. I still felt guilty for the night I disclosed her secret. If it weren't for me, perchance the accumulating stress wouldn't be mountain-sized.

"I'm so annoyed by them." She sighed loudly. "I'll be okay. I haven't been swarmed, but I've been followed and I've been approached in the worst places. Aren't I allowed to fill up my car with gas in peace?"

A sad smile crossed my face. Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I convinced myself to believe that I had nothing to blame myself for. Troian told me it wasn't my fault and therefore it wasn't. But that small voice in the way back of my mind told me otherwise.

Taking the opportunity to ask another question and trump my unfavorable thoughts, I opened my mouth once again, "Do you know what you'll be naming her?"

With a shake of the head, she replied, "Not yet." Smiling again, she placed her fork on her now empty plate as it clashed with the knife. "I'm going to go get ready for set. You coming?"

I shook my head, suppressing my smile. "I'm off today."

"Lucky," she moaned. "I have heavy hours for the next week."

"Why won't they let you have some time-offs?" I inquired, following her lead as she stood up and walked to the halls. "You are expecting. They did it for Tammin, right?"

"I'm not going to let a small inconvenience stop me from doing what I love," she said slyly. "I'll take a maternity leave when the time comes."

And with that, she disappeared. I grinned at her perfectionist behavior before picking up the plates and taking the time to rinse off the piling dishes, humming away at a tune that cemented itself into my head quite quickly. I couldn't pinpoint what song it was, but I was aware that it was a Top 40's genre.

"I'm leaving," Troian announced hastily as she raced for her purse, which was slung against the chair handle. "I let Ian in, by the way. He was knocking but over the water and your singing, you probably couldn't hear it."

My head jerked at the sound of his name. "He's here?"

As if on cue, a tall figure appeared from around the corner with a youthful smile on his handsome face. I grinned, turning my head back to the sink to quickly rinse my soapy hands off and dry my hands. As I heard a slam of the door, I embraced Ian in a hug. He was warm and his shirt smelled like laundry detergent infused with a nice smelling and natural scent. It was felicity at its finest.

Keeping his arms wrapped around me, he lowered his face closer to mine and matched our lips together. I lifted my face, giving him better admission to what my face had to offer.

Perhaps the middle of the kitchen wasn't the most suitable place to share a moment of deep romance, but I payed no mind to that unofficial rule as I pulled him closer to me, bringing my petite frame to lean against the counter table. Heightening the kiss, I wrapped my arm around his neck and stood on my toes, defiant of the upcoming smile that threatened to expose how elated I truly was by his presence. His occupancy in the room was enough for me to be content to the fullest.

A groan escaped from my mouth as his hands took grip of the backs of my upper thighs and pulled me up onto the counter. The moment I took a grasp of his shoulder blades, he tore himself from me, a half-smile spread on his lips. The panting of our heated breaths mixed well and harmoniously.

"That was a nice good morning session," I joked with a brief giggle to match. I played around with the front of his hair, smoothing it out and scuffing it up invariably. As I tightened my leg grip around his waist, Ian scooped me up and traveled to the living room where he sat me down onto the couch gracefully and flopped himself right next to me.

I positioned myself to face him. Out of nowhere, a vacant look delayed his eyes, furthermore expiring a flash later. He smiled.

"Where did you just go?" I asked him curiously. "Just right there, you went somewhere."

His smile faltered slightly. "I just thought about today and what we have to do."

I exhaled, taking a hold of his hand with mine. My hand was tiny compared to his. The way he reassuringly convoluted our fingers together indicated just how safe and serene I felt with him. "We'll get through it. A twenty, maybe thirty minute lunch with Medusa's daughter shouldn't be too bad."

With a laugh, he kissed the side of my head and pulled me towards his built physique. I leaned against him, the shuffling close enough for his words to become imperceptible. Just barely.

"How do you feel about this whole thing?"

I bit the insides of my cheek. I was hesitant on spilling how I felt. Most of the time, I was alright with expressing how I felt, no matter how heavy the topic was. I was beyond complacent with sensitive topics, even extremely intimate ones. That's just what the base of our relationship was built on — a strong foundation of honesty and outspokenness, even from the beginning when our connection evolved more than anyone else on set.

However, this was something entirely different. How exactly was he expecting I'd feel about my boyfriend's ex-fiancee having a sudden baby and claiming it was his as well? I still couldn't get myself to terms that they had sex, let alone the development of a baby. It would have taken me a shorter time to learn that Hell had frozen over, above this news.

"I don't know," I mumbled. My pulse sped up at the lie I told. Of course I knew. I didn't like anything about it.

I bit my tongue forcefully, wincing in the process. My thoughts were moderately harsh, but true nonetheless. I wondered if Ian would take my side on things if I told him my severe speculation. There was a point where he took Amanda's side, so it could happen, right? As it might have been, with Ian's mother and her death in the scenario, Ian was going to have a child now.

Or was he?

Was he going to take care of this child? He could turn his back and abandon everything and live his life just as he was doing now.

I rolled my eyes at the high level of stupidity at such idealization. Ian was too good of a guy to reject a new life that belonged to him. I couldn't imagine him doing it, regardless of the full knowledge that if he didn't, Amanda would have to tone down her full-time occupation and possibly disregard the fame business for a while, giving us time to climb to the top of successful figures in Hollywood. It just wouldn't happen. And even if he offered to do so with the sole reason being me, I wouldn't allow him to do so.

"Lucy," Ian breathed huskily. For five years of saying my name, I still had yet to find no emotion arise out of me when he spoke it.

"Mm?" I hummed, raising my head from off his chest and looking at him.

"If, at any point today, you want to leave," he started, "just say it and we'll go right away."

I nodded my head, my tangled hair bobbing along. It was going to be as grueling as it was significant.

Something in the abyss of my stomach lurched. I had such an unsettling feeling, not only physically, but mentally as well. I bit down on my lip, restraining the upcoming sigh. I had never felt so precarious about something as I did with Amanda. The sudden availability that there was a baby involved just when things weren't going Amanda's way made me doubt everything that was alleged to be in the realms of authenticity. What if it was convenient for a reason? What if this entire thing was the equivalent of Amanda's chest — fake?

I chuckled out loud, shaking my head as if to get rid of the idea. There was no way Amanda would go so far as to fake a pregnancy just to ruin my relationship with Ian and a method to completely decimate my reputation once and for all. There was absolutely no way. She may have been an insane person, going as far to kidnap me during her wedding and finding the courage beneath her blurred rage to nearly push me off a rooftop and send me to my absolute end, but there was no way she'd ditch narrow heels and alcohol for maternity shirts and a humongous baby hill on her stomach.

"What's so funny?" Ian inspected, provoking a string of laughter to follow. It was truly a comical theory, but one that could upset Ian and reveal how I really felt about it all in all.

"Nothing, nothing." My existent grin was plastered as I shifted myself so that our legs were parallel towards one another. I settled my hands against his cheeks and kissed him. "Are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat?"

He shook his head, a look of confusion and amusement mixed on his face. "No... why are you so happy, all of a sudden?"

"I just had a funny thought, that's all," I laughed again. "What, do you want me to be sad and mopey?"

"No, not at all," he said in a tone that sounded like he was resting his case. I felt his hand inch to my lower back as he leaned in and placed a kiss against my jawline before attacking my neck with a large capacity of tender neck kisses. It seemed like all we were doing as a new couple was talking about complex matters, cuddling, and making out. To be honest, I was far from complaining about any of it. I loved every single second of it.

I easily glided my fingers through the back of his hair, the softness of the black tresses feeling absolutely satisfying to my senses. Being definite that he wouldn't detached himself from my neck, he slipped off his light jacket, only in a indigo colored t-shirt that showed off his arms exceptionally.

We spent the rest of our morning with our bodies clung tightly to each other, the only other removal of clothing being his shirt. If we went any further, we'd miss our imperative appointment. That was what it was like to be Ian Harding's girlfriend. It was the best feeling in the world and every moment we had together wouldn't be disregarded. I couldn't take him for granted. I loved him way too much to do that.

After stepping in the shower and getting dressed in something a little more conservative for such hot weather, I stepped out and let Ian guide me to his car, where we blasted tunes and obnoxiously sung-along to songs until we reached our destination. My voice was hoarse to a degree and my lips were sore and swollen from all the kissing, but when Ian took a hold of my hand just as we hit the sidewalk, I was ready for more of either.

We entered the air-conditioned restaurant and followed the usher to our reserved seats, which was a little more luxurious and isolated per Amanda's request. I concluded it was because of the recognition she could undergo as an acclaimed icon. Despite the unnecessary treatment, I didn't mind too much being there first with Ian.

The area was dimmed with a beautifully arranged table awaiting us. It was very amorous and absolutely impeccable as a romantic setting.

"We have to come here another day, just the two of us," I suggested with a smile as he pulled out my chair for me. I nodded as a thanking gesture.

"You can count on it," he promised, taking a seat himself just beside me. I looked behind me, and just in time to see the view of a gathering of photographers chasing after a tall woman in sunglasses, who had just gotten out of her gold Lamborghini and was strutting her way towards the sidewalk. Eyes were being shot towards her, whether of curiosity, envy, or excitement. It made me remember just how much power she had, even without trying. It also made me rethink my odd theory and how she could possibly be faking the entire thing. Why would she do that when she had such a captivating lifestyle?

She walked into the restaurant. At that point, everyone else had, at one point or another, taken a peek at what was attracting so much attention.

"Diva," I muttered under my breath, earning a back rub from Ian. I turned my head and faced him, appearing as though I hadn't recognized her presence until she stepped into the detached area, pulling a curtain down that I hadn't even noticed was existent.

She pulled off her sunglasses, which looked very much designer-like, and placed them into her Prada bag. I noticed it was from the new line that hadn't even come out yet. I knew this from the ad I saw her represent as I coursed through all the latest Prada clutches. She must have gotten it as a reward.

"Amanda," I greeted vaguely as I picked up the menu on the table, finding anything to distract me from the disconcerting feeling that dared to emerge in my stomach.

"Morons," she nodded as she took her seat across from us and picked up the second menu, flipping her silky dark hair behind her shoulder.

After calling over the waitress and ordering, we all sat in an exasperating silence, waiting for the other to speak up. Without any surprise, Amanda was the first to say something as she took her eyes off the menu and glared at us.

"What do we need to touch up on first?" Amanda questioned. "I'm sure you guys have tons of uneducated questions you'd like to ask, am I right?"

As if she was educated enough to have the answers herself. Just as I felt myself develop an anger, Ian's hand snaked clandestinely down my thighs, unquestionably doing some magic as he found a solution to soothe me from Amanda's words. I gave Amanda a smile, just as she did whenever she wanted to compress a hidden angle to her.

"Right," I said, very nearly stammering in the process. "I'm going to go to the bathroom really quickly. That gallon of water is messing with me, so."

I looked at Ian, giving him a signal that my bluff wasn't to be called out, before excusing myself once again and walking out to find the ladies bathroom. I shut and locked the private door behind me, becoming short-winded. I walked over to the sink mirror, taking in my reflection.

Ashamedly, I was on the verge of tears. I despised the troublesome emotions that were materializing. It was all at the wrong time. It wasn't fair to Ian and it brought my pride range lower and lower with every tremble I took. Swallowing the giant mass that compiled within my throat, I blinked rapidly to get rid of the watery edges before exiting and heading back to the table.

"..don't understand. How could this happen?"

"Condoms break, Ian."

That wasn't what I wanted to overhear.

"But we didn't e—"

I made my entry very theatrical, clearing my throat and shuffling my feet across the floor. I closed the curtain behind us and sat in my seat, where Ian's hand returned to its position on my thigh. I saw the food was placed in front of us. Amanda and I had taken salads, but different types, while Ian settled for a more filling meal. I wasn't hungry at all, not with that knot in my stomach.

"What were you guys talking about?" I asked, seeing if they'd tell me the truth or hide it.

"How this all happened," Ian said promptly, eyeing Amanda before looking down at his food. He took two or three fries and placed them in his mouth, presumably as a resort to keep himself saying nothing more.

"Alright. If you're going to be a part of the baby's life, there are going to have to be some terms and conditions," Amanda said professionally as she set her fork down, sounding incredibly like a sign up page on a social media website. "They're all very reasonable, I assure you both."

"Go on," Ian voiced after swallowing down his food.

"Well, first off," she began, "I don't want you—" she pointed to me, "—being a part of Ian's life after the birth of the baby."

Immediately, chaos ruptured.

"No deal," Ian declared.

"And this is supposed to be reasonable?" I accounted her words, outraged with what she thought should be a prerequisite.

"Very," she shrugged. "If, by some chance, you two are still together and happy, I don't want the baby thinking that you're mommy number two. I'm the mother and I'm the only moth—"

"Key words: together and happy," I cut off, although that didn't seem to stop her. We spoke at the same time, overlapping each others words until Ian diffused it before we got too loud and anarchic.

"Let's talk this out instead of yelling it out," Ian advocated, any sign of goofiness completely wiped away. He was dead set on getting everything done and over with, I could discern that. I apologized to my boyfriend, shooting a glare Amanda's way. My hand instinctively reached for his hand and he didn't hesitate in braiding our fingers together. It relieved some of the tension.

"Lucy's my girlfriend," Ian notified, causing an involuntary smile to cross my lips. "And I want her to share a part of my life."

"I'm willing to work around that rule," I offered. Knowing Amanda and the dynamic shift in her expression, I knew things would take a turn for the worse if I didn't help Ian out. The last thing I wanted to do was have her ban him from being a part of the matter. "I can stay out of the child's life until he or she gets a little older and they're able to know that you're the only mother."

Amanda kept her arms crossed, fixedly gazing at me. I did everything in my power not to break the stare, aware of the dominance she was pursing to demonstrate. It was an uneasy duration, to say the least. She seemed to be looking into the depths of my soul, deciphering whether I was being as genuine as I was coming across as. Judging the intent of her stare, I felt like she could foresee my future. It wasn't impossible; after all, she was the devil's spawn.

Her skeptic eyes finally fluttered, licking her lower lip. "It's not a bad idea. For having the IQ of your age, you sure came up with something alright."

"No kidding," I commented, looking at Ian, who seemed to be fed up with the pettiness of the gathering.

I noticed how parallel these sequences of events were compared to the night Amanda came over with her newly engaged husband slung around her arm. It wasn't Amanda who had the prize, it was me. It wasn't Amanda that was more content between the two of us, it was me. It wasn't Amanda who wasn't in a major crisis, it was me. It was amazing to be on the brighter side of things, for once.

"Next term," Amanda continued. "I want a written contract that says we share eighty-twenty custody."

"What?" Ian bellowed. It was my term to allay him back into the low-key mood he was in previously.

"You heard exactly what I said," Amanda challenged in a provoking manner. "You're going to be out booking films and events and all that while I'm forced to stay at home with the child."

She made it sound as though it was a burden to have guardianship over a living, breathing human. Ungrateful was what she was from head to toe. It was such a shame that Ian's gullible side was lured into her web of schemes and conspiracies, not that I blamed him for it. If anyone was to be held responsible, it was Amanda for being such a cruel person.

We could have been done with her after the wedding. Ian and I could have shared a life for ourselves where we'd start fresh in the industry together after Pretty Little Liars took its final season to a conclusion. But no, she had to be such an immense obstacle for us.

Was I thinking selfishly or was this some sort of karma that I refused to grant consent into my mind? A part of me, the cheesy romantic side, guaranteed that Ian and I were meant for each other and that this was a small bump in the road of love. That other side of me, the one that was linked to the monstrous knot in my stomach, sent waves of doubt and conviction to my mind, displaying that the meeting was going nowhere, just like my relationship with Ian.

I loved him too much to give up, but Amanda was making it awfully laborious. Every idea Ian and I pitched had been smacked down like a basketball on the court.

Looking at Ian with pleading eyes, he nodded. It was the signal that it was becoming too much for me. I didn't want to cut in between the time, but it was palpable at that point that the conversation would be going nowhere.

"Leave now and I'll bring my lawyers into this," Amanda threatened as we stood up in sync.

"I'm glad you'll be involving them," Ian admitted, pulling his wallet and throwing a hundred dollar bill on the table, letting it dance in midair before falling right on the checkbook. It seemed clear that he had no intention of slipping it inside its respective place as he tangled himself into dialogue. "I'll have increased chances of getting fair custody."

"I don't think you heard me. I said, my lawyers," Amanda repeated. Finally coming to an understanding of what she meant, my body froze.

"Amanda, I don't respond to threats," Ian told her as he pulled my rigid form closer to him. He didn't seem tense in the least. "We'll get a lawyer that none of us know. You won't bribe them and we'll settle this fairly."

"And what makes you think I'm going to go through with that?" Amanda countered, standing up herself. In her pumps, she towered over me but was slightly shorter than Ian, who was almost six feet tall. She sashayed towards the male, a sly smirk replacing her keen lineaments.

"You just will," Ian merely said, his voice cool and calm. "You aren't the only mastermind. Have you underestimated me that much?"

"I have, actually," Amanda shrugged. "You actually fell for the fact that I knew who your mother was and that it was a hit-and-run when you're about as irrelevant as a towel boy."

That was my cue to disseminate them. Amanda took it too far with her heartless words. I dragged Ian out from the curtained room and down the narrow course, departing the restaurant swiftly, entirely oblivious of the row of paparazzi until I felt the radiating heat of the sun hit me in a whirl.

Our names were being chanted, followed by snapping of pictures and a myriad of questions. As they encircled us with a narrow path to walk through, I felt myself become panic-stricken. I wasn't claustrophobic, but something about being raided with such aggression alarmed me. I felt Ian's grasp on me grow tighter. I brought my hand to shield my face from the cameras. I wouldn't lose my dignity over a camera hitting me in the face and another camera capturing that sight.

We reached his car and I made sure to lock the doors in case they were actually cannibals just waiting to feast on us. That irrational part of my brain soon died out when Amanda exited the restaurant and they found their main attraction.

"That was—"

"Crazy," I finished his sentence. I hadn't noticed how fast my heart was racing. I despised paparazzi with all my might. Before, they weren't much of an interference and truth be told, some were even friendly and only had a job to do. But these had a different approach to them. They reminded me of wolves, who traveled in packs and ganged up on their prey.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking at me worriedly.

"Kind of shaken up," I breathed, looking down at my quivering hands. "But I'll be okay."

He started up the engine and drove off just in time, when a few reporters made their way towards our car. Based on the speed, I could tell it was Ian's priority to get as much distance from us and them as possible. In time, my jitters calmed.

"You tried really hard today," Ian expressed. "You didn't provoke an argument or try and cause unnecessary drama. Thank you."

"But all of our efforts didn't pay off," I recalled, bringing a hand up to massage my temples.

"It was a step in the right direction," he said confidently. His optimistic attitude reminded me why I was so attracted to him in the first place. "You know how hard it is to get Amanda to cooperate with anything. We'll give it time."

"And the lawyers?" I prodded. "We can't control Amanda's every move and we're not so useless with money that we'd hire the paparazzi to follow her every move and report back to us. So, where do we go from here?"

With one hand clutching the wheel, he let his other hand grab onto mine momentarily. "We go with the flow. We become pliant to any barrier Amanda or anyone else throws our way until the very end."

I compared Ian's words to angelic music. He was a jewel. I treasured him so much, it almost drove me insane. Not Amanda insane, but love-struck insane.

I felt my phone buzz, alluding to our hands disconnecting with his on the wheel and mine on my cell. I checked out the caller ID, smiling at the picture of the half-blonde, half-pink haired male striking a hilariously kooky expression.

"Mikey!" I exclaimed as I answered the phone.

"Goosey!" Mike shouted with the same excited tone as I did. "Are you busy? I want to go shop before we leave tonight."

I let out a melancholic moan. "I'm sorry, I'm with Ian right now. We're kind of driving to my house."

"Hey, I thought you told me you two weren't supposed to be together in public, hm?" he reminded. My eyes went wide in realization.

"Oh my god, you're right." I brought my hand to my forehead, recollecting the amount of photos that had been taken by the pap. I was sure Mario would be calling me up in a matter of hours. "Well, we went out anyways. It was strictly business, I swear."

"Mm," Mike purred, skepticism oozing out of his tone. "Business, I see. Text me when you reach the airport, I'll order your usual from Starbucks."

"Alright," I sighed before hanging up. I looked at Ian, biting down on my lip. "You know what we forgot?"

Ian glanced at me, keeping an abundance of his attention on the road but enough on me as well. Everything on his face read uninformed. It wasn't too big of a deal for him, but for me, it was going to be a lot to handle. I was most certainly going to flinch every time my phone flinched.

"What?"

I told him what Mike reminded me of before proceeding to a full blown rant on ways Mario was going to get me back.

"Maybe he'll make copies of the keys to my house and give them to a bunch of homeless people," I pondered aloud. I heard Ian snicker at my commentary, causing me to smile myself.

We turned the corner to the rocky path which looked as though it would lead into a band of trees, but instead, displayed my house. Troian's car wasn't around, an indication that she really was working heavy hours. Not only did she have set work, but I remember her talking about going to a few universities to speak personally to them.

She wasn't the only one that was jam packed with work. I wanted to go inside and take a nap, but I had to pack and get ready to go to Memphis, Tennessee — my hometown. The land of my home would be my inspiration for a few scenery based songs I wanted to add on my album. I would also get to see my sister and my parents.

"Should I come in with you?" Ian asked, almost uncertainly, as though he would disrupt me.

Realizing that it would be the last time in days that we'd see each other, I wasn't ready to part with him so soon after the unsteady conference with Amanda. An idea formed into my head. I bit my lip, knowing it was a long shot, but I had to ask.

"All I'm going to be doing is packing for tonight, so I'm not sure you'd want to come in," I advised. Before he could get his question out, which I had a strong feeling I knew what it'd be, I spoke again. "I'm going to Tennessee for the weekend. Do you... do you want to come? You know, if you don't have plans."

He looked marginally surprised at my question. "I don't have any plans. Are you being serious or is the gullible, sucker side of me falling for it?"

I chuckled. "No, I'm dead serious. Come with me. You can meet my mom and my dad and my sister and see where I grew up in. You can watch my music team and I make some music. Plus, we'll have our freedom. There aren't any paparazzi in Tennessee, so we can go out and have fun while we can."

His eyebrows met, the surprised look remaining on his face. "Y-Yes. I'll do it, let's go."

I giggled, clapping and throwing my arms around his neck in a hug. "Wait for me here, I'm going to get packed and we'll go to your house and get you packed too."

He seemed just as gladdened as I was. The weight of everything from an hour ago had lifted off and vanished. Although it'd come back the moment I stepped foot in Hollywood, all I could think about was how much fun I'd have with Ian back in Tennessee. We were going to have an amazing weekend.

The next chapter will be full of fluff! Ya'll deserve it after enduring so many cliffhangers and barely any Lucian fluff, so yeah. I just finished writing the outline for the climax of the ending of the story and I promise you it'll be heart-wrenching and emotional and exciting, and most importantly, it will be one hundred percent satisfying. You will love the results. Sidenote: after the next chapter, I'll start up on the sneak peeks once again. Please review and let me know what you're looking for in the next chapter regarding fluff! I do have the next chapter 3/4 written up, so depending on the amount of reviews, your next update could be this Monday :)