My apologies for not updating sooner. I received some guest reviews asking me if the story was over. To answer your question, no it's not over. I have lots of plans yet for this story, but it's trying to find the time to write this story that's a killer. Things have been chaotic on the work and home front. I will be honest with you as I feel you have a right to know. I love this story and 'Leddie' but I just don't have as much time to write this story as I used to. I used to have time at work to write, but my hours/days got changed and at one of the sites I'm not able to write as much as the people I work with need special care. I have NO intention of stopping this story, but I hope you'll be understanding/patient that I won't be able to update regularly. I know some people are able to update their stories every day, every couple of days, or once a week. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people. I would love to update more often, but unfortunately there are not enough hours in the day to do so. In case you're wondering if it's only this story or all my stories I am referring to, it's all of them. I love you all and hope you'll continue with me on this journey. I appreciate all the reviews, follows, and favorites I've gotten since the story started. My computer has been giving me problems so that's another factor in my updating. I'm in the process of getting a new one though. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to send them my way. I understand if you're frustrated due to the delayed update, but I hope you won't abandon me or this story. As for my 'Fighting Temptation' story, due to the lack of reviews in the last chapter (2 or 3 reviews), I've decided to put that one on hold. I haven't forgotten that story, either, and I appreciate the followers/ favorites, but I feel like no one cares for that story anymore. It did great the first 2 chapters, but I don't feel inspired when no one takes the time to leave feedback. I have more ideas for it, but it depends on if I get more feedback on it. I've gotten more requests to update 'The Other Side' than 'Fighting Temptation', so I will focus on the more popular story. If you want me to continue 'Fighting Temptation', PLEASE REVIEW as they tell me you still care about it. I had ideas in mind for a third HH's story, but I'm leaning towards not writing it as I don't want the same thing to happen like it did for 'Fighting Temptation'. The way it looks, 'Other Side' is more popular, so I will focus on that. Please either PM me or review so I know your thoughts. Whichever you prefer. Do you want me to continue 'Fighting Temptation'? Do you want a third HH's story if I wrote one? For those of you that have left reviews asking for another update on 'Other Side', thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I am in awe at all the responses/followers/favorites I've been getting. Please keep it up.

In case any of you are Vampire Diaries or Twilight fans, I am currently writing stories on them. One of my best friends requested a story on the show, and I ended up writing 4 stories of them. The stories are called 'Torn Between 2 Loves', 'Tough Decisions', 'A Chance Meeting', and 'Give Me A Reason' and they all feature Damon, Stefan, and Elena as the main characters. I have 3 chapters written of each story so far. I am debating when to start posting so I don't take so long with the updates, but the way it looks, I would post one chapter every couple of weeks so I have time to write the stories and then for my beta to read them and offer her opinions if anything needs to be changed. I have a beta for them which is the one who requested them. She is not a writer/reader on this site, but I value her opinion. So far, she loves the stories. The other characters that will be shown so far in the stories are Caroline Forbes and Tyler Lockwood. I have another Vampire Diaries story that I got asked to write that will feature 'Klaroline' aka Caroline Forbes and Klaus and it will also include Tyler Lockwood which will be called 'A Thousand Years'. Consider it another triangle like the other VD stories. As for my Twilight story, I have 3 chapters written for that one as well. It will feature Bella Swan and Edward Cullen as the main characters, but the other characters so far are Rosalie, Alice, Esme, and Charlie (with Renee and Carlisle featured when needed). That story will be called 'Kill of the Night'. Please let me know if you are fans of any of these characters/couples and if you'd be interested in reading them. Thank you for listening and I hope you'll let me know what you think. Like I said, you can either PM me or leave your thoughts in a review, whichever you prefer. Sorry for the long Author's Note, but a lot has happened since I last updated as you can see so I wanted to share it with you.

I don't own HH's, otherwise it'd still be on. I really miss that show!

Chapter 25

(At the café, Adam and Melissa are seated in a booth. Adam is looking at his friend with so much nervousness in his face that he feels like he's starting to sweat. He swallows hard as he continues to look at her. In a way, he should have known she was going to ask him that question. But he admitted to himself that he wasn't prepared yet to answer it. He knew the answer in his heart, of course. Adam has had feelings for Melissa for a long as he could remember. But because of the fact that he didn't have a clue how she felt, he's never gotten up the nerve to tell her how he felt or ask her if she reciprocated those feelings. As much as he cared for the woman beside him, he valued her friendship more. Truth be told, he's wanted to be more than friends for awhile, but he didn't want to risk ruining their friendship to take a chance on a possible romance because what if it doesn't work out? It would be so weird between them and he wasn't sure they could look at each other the same again. But he knew right now there was no going back because of the question Melissa just asked him)

(He looks down at his hand and sees hers on top of his. He doesn't know why he's so nervous. This is Mel, one of his best friends. Who he can always be himself around, who he can tell anything to. He's never been nervous around her before. Well, all that changed now, in that moment. He looked up to see the young woman before him. He couldn't help but be lost in her eyes. Her beautiful carefree eyes. But he quickly shook his head and blinked his eyes. Melissa was staring at him, waiting for an answer to her question. He took a deep breath. Great, he thought to himself. How was he going to get out of this one? He wasn't prepared to answer her. He knew she had a right to one, but it doesn't mean he was ready to give it. But he knew damn well whether he was ready to or not, he needed to say something. Adam continues to stare into Melissa's eyes, causing her to look at him weirdly)

Melissa: "Adam, did you hear me? Did you hear what I asked you?"

(Adam quickly nods in repliance. He smiles a little)

Adam: (chuckles nervously) "Yeah, I heard you."

(He looks down briefly before facing her again)

Adam: "You were wondering if I had feelings for you."

(Melissa stares at him for a minute before looking impatient)

Melissa: "Well, do you?"

(Adam gets nervous again before shrugging)

Adam: "What makes you think I have feelings for you?"

(Mel rolls her eyes in frustration and sighs softly)

Mel: "I'm not blind, Adam. I've seen the way you've been looking at him. I know you've been trying to hide it." (chuckles softly) "But don't you know me by now? I'm not blind."

(Adam studies her facial expressions and can't tell if she's trying to get him to confess or if she really was telling the truth and that she knew how he felt. Just in case she was trying to get him to confess, he decides to play along. Whether or not it's a good idea, that he wasn't sure of)

Adam: "If you already knew I supposedly had feelings for you, why didn't you say anything before now?"

Mel: (tilts her head & shrugs) "Because I was wondering if you'd confess to it." (smirks) "But it's clear you won't." (sighs) "How come you've never said anything before now?"

(Adam studies her facial expressions once more before he speaks, shaking his head)

Adam: "I never said I had feelings for you, Sanders."

Mel: (raises her eyebrows) "Are you saying you don't?"

(Adam looks at her curiously before raising his eyebrows as well)

Adam: "Do you? Have feelings for me, I mean."

(Mel realizes what he's trying to do and shakes her head)

Mel: "Mm-mm, mm-mm, no. We're not talking about me." (points at him) "We're talking about you."

(Adam shakes his head and can't help but laugh at her)

Adam: "No, no, no. You don't get to do that."

(Melissa gives him an accusatory look)

Mel: "Do what? What am I doing?"

Adam: (points at her) "You know exactly what you're doing."

Mel: (shrugs) "Okay, Mr. Sparty Pants. What am I doing?"

Adam: "You're trying to get me to confess to my so called feelings when you're not doing the same."

(Mel shakes her head and shrugs, but can't help but let a small smile appear)

Mel: "I never said I have feelings for you."

Adam: (smirks) "Neither did i."

(Melissa opens her mouth in shock at him. She couldn't believe him. She was almost positive he had feelings for her so why wasn't he admitting it? Usually she was good at getting people to confess to things. But this time, Adam wasn't giving in. Melissa was starting to get frustrated at this)

Mel: "Why can't you just admit it?"

Adam: (tilts his head) "Would it be fair if I did and you didn't?"

(Melissa narrows her eyes slightly. She briefly looks away from Adam before facing him again. She knew he was right, but she wanted him to admit it first. She blushed briefly, causing him to smile)

Adam: "If I admitted it first, then will you?"

(Melissa looks at him and a half a smile appears across her face)

Adam: "I know you have feelings for me, as well."

Mel: (raises her eyebrows) "And how do you know that?" (shakes her head) "I never said I did."

Adam: (shakes his head & smiles) "Neither did i."

(Melisa looks at him and softly scoffs, but he can tell she isn't really mad at him. Adam can't help but chuckle softly at how cute she's being. He clears his throat before slowly putting his hand over hers and gently massages it. Mel looks down and feels the warmth of his hand before meeting with his eyes. She smiles at him, which he's already doing)

Adam: "I have wanted to tell you so many times."

(Melissa looks at him in confusion, tilting her head)

Mel: "Why didn't you?"

(Adam sighs and looks down before meeting her eyes)

Adam: (shrugs) "Same reason you didn't. Because I didn't know how you felt about me." (silently chuckles) "I thought you only considered me a friend."

(Melissa shakes her head and smiles tenderly)

Mel: "Maybe at the beginning I did."

Adam: (tilts his head & smiles) "And now?"

Mel: (smiles) "I have feelings for you, too."

Adam: (chuckles a little) "Sounds like we both were wondering how the other had felt."

(They continue to look at each other and admire the other, appreciative of the fact that everything is finally out in the open. Meanwhile, at the MK in Max's upstairs apartment, Max continues to look at Nora with a shocked look. Did he just hear her right? He shakes his head and looks down at his hands. No, he couldn't have. Because if he had, he would have heard that she shared those same feelings for him as he did for her. He couldn't see her eyes as her back was turned towards him, but it's like he could still read her mind. He knew he didn't know Nora Tate real well, but there was something about her he couldn't shake. The moment he first met her, it was like he's known her for years. He will always love Katy, but he couldn't help but feel that she brought Nora into his life for a reason. But what he couldn't understand was why Nora? Why Nora Tate? Nora Tate was married and at the time of their introduction, a happily married woman)

(But then a strange realization came to him. Was Nora meant to come into his life? He felt an immediate connection with her and from the way it sounded, she felt the same. He would never force her to feel something she didn't feel or she wasn't ready to feel. But it's like he could read her thoughts. Even with her back turned towards him, he could read her thoughts from the way she moved. Max sighs softly before speaking)

Max: "I know I don't have any right to ask this, Nora. You're a married woman. I would never try come between that. But from the moment we met, I felt something between us. Am I imagining it? Or do you feel something to?"

(Nora sighs deeply and raises her head to the ceiling and from the sound of her breathing; he could tell she was softly crying. It made him feel even worse than he already did. It was never his intention to make her feel this way. Hell, he would risk his own happiness in a second and give her up if it meant she found peace. But he admitted to himself he didn't want to give her up. In that moment, he was starting to realize he was falling for her. He was falling in love with Nora Tate. Gosh, he thought to himself, why does he keep getting himself in these situations? If he would have kept his distance from the get go, maybe this wouldn't be happening. But he sighs softly when he knew everything happens for a reason. Finally, after what felt like hours of silence, Nora speaks)

Nora: "I have felt something since the moment we met, since the moment our hands touched when we shook hands and shared a friendly hug. At first I thought it was just friendship. But the more I got to know you when I was here with Loren…you brightened my day. You made me smile. I know usually a husband would normally do that for his wife, but to be honest, it's like Trent and I have slowly been drifting apart for awhile and I didn't even know it. I can't explain it."

(Nora turns around to face Max, who looks up at her)

Nora: "It's like he's changed."

Max: (puzzled) "What do you mean?"

(Nora looks at Max in confusion)

Nora: "His mood has changed lately. It's like he's a different person than what he was before." (shakes her head) "Which is weird because Loren has never said anything about it. But then again, she doesn't say much anymore and that worries me. It's not like Loren."

(Nora puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head, looking confused)

Nora: "I think she's been trying to tell me something for awhile now. I don't know what about or if I'm imagining it."

Max: (tilts her head) "Have you ever asked her?"

Nora: (shakes her head) "No, I haven't. To be honest, there have been times where I don't know whether to let her come to me or if I should go to her. The times when I did go to her, she brushed me off, saying she was fine." (sighs sadly) "Sometimes I feel like a bad mom."

(Max looks at her with concern and gets up from the couch and goes to her. He looks at her seriously in the eyes)

Max: "You listen to me, okay? Are you listening?"

Nora: (nods a little & whispers) "Yes."

Max: "You are the most loving mother I know. You go out of your way to help Loren. There is only one other woman besides you who was that kind of a mother…" (smiles a little) "…and that was Katy."

(Nora can't help but smile at Max's kind compliment. No one has ever said that to her, especially Trent. A few tears form in her eyes and she sniffles)

Nora: "Thank you for saying that. I appreciate that."

Max: (smiles tenderly) "I wasn't saying it just to be nice. I hope you know that. I know we don't know each other well, but everyone knows I don't say things just to be nice. When I fully believe something, I say it. And I admire your strength and the way you care for others without asking for anything in return." (chuckles softly) "That's one of the things I l…"

(Max catches himself before he goes too far with his sentence. He's shocked at what he was about to say, but he can't help but smile a little at how he feels, at all the emotions that he is feeling right now in this moment. Nora looks at him and sees his expressions across his face and can't help but look at him curiously)

Nora: "What's going through that head of yours, Max Duran?"

(Max smiles and shakes his head at the woman before him)

Max: "Nothing. I-I was just thinking."

Nora: (tilts her head & smiles) "About?"

Max: (laughs a little) "Maybe someday soon I'll tell you…" (smirks) "If you're good and you play your cards right."

(Nora can't help but laugh out loud on that comment. She shakes her head and touches her hand with her head before she blushes. She feels nervous all of a sudden looking at Max. She can't help but blush at the way he is looking at her. She was beginning to have her suspicions on what is going through his mind, but she decides to drop it. She clears her throat before a thought comes to her)

Nora: "Do you need help cleaning up? Downstairs, I mean."

(Max closes his eyes and sighs. Damn it, he completely forgot about it. He rubs his eyes with his hands)

Max: "With everything that happened just now, I forgot all about it."

(Max shakes his head before speaking)

Max: "You don't have to, Nora. It's not your mess to clean up."

Nora: (scoffs) "Yeah, well, it's not your mess, either. It may be your club, yes, but you're not the one who trashed it." (angrily) "If anything should clean it, it's Trent."

Max: (scoffs) "Yeah, well, I highly doubt he will. And besides, he can't stand the sight of me." (raises his eyebrows) "…And to be honest, I'm not too fond of him, either."

Nora: (scoffs) "Don't blame you on that."

(Nora walks to the door and opens it before turning around to face Max. She smiles and points her head towards the downstairs)

Nora: "Come on. I really don't mind."

(Max looks at Nora and can't help but smile happily at her. He couldn't believe how lucky he got to know someone like her. What he did know was he wasn't gonna take it for granted. He nods at her before speaking)

Max: "Thank you. You are a great friend, Nora."

Nora: (smiles & shrugs) "You're welcome. I'm always here for you."

Max: "That goes both ways."

(Nora nods in repliance before Max walks with her downstairs where they begin to clean up the mess Trent made of his bar. On the hill, Loren is in Eddie's arms where he gently soothes her)

Eddie: "I'm here, baby. I'm never letting you go."

Loren: (sniffles) "I hope you won't, but I'll understand if you do."

(Eddie looks confused when he hears this. He breaks free enough to look her in the eyes but still has his arms around her waist)

Eddie: "B-Baby, I-I don't understand."

(Eddie looks down slightly before facing his girlfriend)

Eddie: "When-When you said your fathers been hurting you…w-what did you mean by that?" (worriedly) "How has he been hurting you?"

(Loren can't fight the tears that are falling down her face. Eddie studies her and knows something is going on by the way she's acting. She tries to break free from his embrace)

Loren: (sniffles) "It's-It's nothing."

(He painfully lets go and she walks a few steps past him. He watches her and it's tearing him up inside that she's this upset)

Eddie: "L-Loren? H-Hey."

(He walks to her and goes in front of her. She does everything she can not to look at him in the eyes because she knew if he captured them, she'd break down and confess everything. She wanted to, more than anything in the world. She wanted to tell him what her father has done to her for so many years, but felt Eddie didn't deserve to be pulled into her chaotic world. He's a rock star who's making a name for himself. Why the hell would he risk that to be there for her? If Trent ever found out what Eddie knew Loren was worried what would happen. She wasn't worried about Trent, but if Eddie found out, he'd go after Trent and Trent would have Eddie arrested. Loren could never forgive herself if Eddie got in trouble over her)

(Loren shook her head. No, she told herself. She wouldn't tell Eddie. She knew she technically did when she said Trent hurt her, but she could cover it up or make something up. Yeah, that would work, she told herself. She wasn't worried about herself. No matter how much she tried to fight back, it felt like she never got anywhere. But Eddie, she vowed she would protect him with her life. She never imagined a guy like Eddie Duran would come into her life. Not only that, but she's never known anyone like him. How kind, gentle, and funny he was. Honestly she didn't know what to do. Does she open up to the man she loved more than her own life or does she shield him from her disastrous life? Her thoughts are interrupted when Eddie gets her attention)

Eddie: "Loren, I-I don't know what's going on. Who are you trying to protect?"

(Loren scoffs and turns her face away from his. As much as he wants to give her the space she requested, he decides to help fight her demons. He has a determined look on his face as he moves his head so it's in front of hers)

Eddie: "Hey. Look at me. Loren, please look at me."

(When Loren continues to try fighting his offer of comfort, he knows what he needs to do next)

Eddie: (pleads) "Don't you get it, Loren? I love you! I have never, ever felt for someone the way I felt for you! The moment I met you was the greatest day of my life! I never really felt I had a purpose in my personal and work life until you came along! Chloe was a mistake! I don't care that you're younger! I don't care that you're still in high school! When you're hurting, I'm hurting! I want to do everything in my power to help you! PLEASE, talk to me!"

(Loren stops fighting him and tearfully looks at him directly in the eyes)

Loren: (shouts) "Don't you get it?! You can't help me! No one can! My mom can't help me! Mel can't help me! Adam can't help me! No one can!"

Eddie: (pleads) "Yes, I can! I can help you, Loren! If you would just let me!"

(Loren shakes her head in determination. She loved Eddie too much to let him put himself at risk)

Loren: (seriously) "No, I won't let you."

(Eddie shakes his head before putting his hands around the side of his head and sighs in frustration. He takes his hands off and raises his hands with tears in his eyes)

Eddie: "Who the hell are you protecting, Loren?!"

(Loren scoffs in response before facing her love)

Loren: (sniffling) "Don't you get it? I'm protecting you!"

I hope you enjoyed the update! What did you think of all the scenes in this chapter? Nora & Max's conversation, Adam's & Mel's confession, & Loren confessing to Eddie she's trying to protect him? Please review and tell me your thoughts. You guys have been so amazing so far! Again, thank you to those who requested this update! Thank you also who review, follow, and favorite! Until next time!

FYI: In regards to the Author's Note at the beginning of the chapter….In case you were wondering about my new stories (the summaries) that I am currently working on, here they are. Again please let me know what you think so I have an idea on who is interested in them. Thanks! Any questions on the future stories, feel free to leave them in a review or PM me, whichever you prefer. I will respond as soon as I can.

Vampire Diaries:

A Chance Meeting – Stefan/Elena/Damon

Summary: Damon has never cared about what others think of him, not even his brother. He's always been a 'taking risks' kind of guy. But when he meets Elena, she helps him realize it's okay to let your guard down and let people in. Read to find out how the story unfolds. AH. All Human.

Give Me a Reason – Stefan/Elena/Damon/Caroline/Tyler

Summary: Elena and Stefan have been dating for three years. Stefan's brother, Damon, comes back to town after being gone for years. Although Elena loves Stefan, she can't help but feel an attraction towards the town's 'bad boy' Damon. Will she stay loyal to Stefan or will her sudden feelings for Damon take over? AH. All human.

Torn Between 2 Loves-Elena, Stefan, & Damon

Summary: Elena is new in town. She meets Damon and Stefan separately and is instantly smitten with them, not realizing until it's too late that they're brothers. What's a girl to do when she knows she can't have feelings for two brothers? AH. All Human.

Tough Decisions-Stefan/Damon/Elena/Caroline/Tyler

Summary: Elena befriends brothers Stefan & Damon & can't help but develop feelings for them. Her family and friends tell her Stefan is the safer choice, but she can't help but be drawn into Damon's chaotic world. She knows she needs to make a choice, but in the end, just what is the right choice? AH. All Human.

A Thousand Years-Caroline/Klaus/Tyler

(I haven't started it yet, but thinking of putting Elena and Rebekah and some other recurring characters)

Summary: After going through a bad breakup w/ Tyler, Caroline vows to stay away from relationships. But will that change when Klaus comes back and admits he still loves her & wants her back? He's always said he'd never change who he is for anyone. But will he finally decide to change for her? Will she choose him or the ex who comes back to town to claim her again? AH.

Twilight

Kill of the Night

Characters: Edward, Bella, Carlisle, Esme, Charlie, Renee, and Rosalie

Summary: When Bella accidentally uncovers Edward's secret, that he's a vampire, his family decides she must die to keep their secret. But when Esme sees the growing bond between the two, she makes the shocking choice to spare Bella's life. Knowing the family wanted her dead, how will this affect the Cullen's and their secret? AH.