A/N: Last chapter – I feel like crying! :( . I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the writing! Check out the Footnote for reference to the music – none of the lyrics I used throughout the story were mine. Neither is the characters of SON. (and Girltrash)
Next fic… first chapters will probably be up in two weeks or so… have to go binge watch the movies now! I've got ideas for 2 fics – still deciding if I should run them together or do one at a time. Let's see.
Thank you to each and everyone for the wonderful reviews and support while writing, and thank you for reading!
Special thanks to ChezzLove and Anjela78 – your reviews throughout the fic were the inspiration for the last two chapters! This one's specially for you!
Ashley
How To : Appreciate Love
I saw my family through different eyes this morning. I watched intently from the kitchen table; my mother and father engaging comically in front of the stove, cooking up a breakfast for kings. Dad occasionally whispered sweet nothings into Mom's ear, making her giggle and blush.
How come I've never noticed this before?
I tried to remember other happy mornings, but there were really just so many, and normally I'd gag at all the love being shared around the kitchen.
But today was different. Today I embraced it.
My gaze landed on Kyla and Jim; she handed him his special mug – the boys gave it to him for Father's day. Jim smiled and lovingly kissed Kyla after taking in the scent of Mom's special brew of coffee. She still refused to tell me what beans she used – said it was the magic potion that kept her children visiting. Well, part of that was true – I did love Mom's coffee!
I never thought the day would come where my heart would warm seeing my sister being kissed. I never particularly liked Kyla being in relationships – for the fear that she'd get hurt. When Jim Woods proposed to my little sister I went berserk. But when they had the boys, and later Leigh, I was in love with their family. Secretly jealous, even. And I finally understood why.
A giggle escaped me as Jim tried to kiss Kyla again, but she turned her attention to Leigh who let out a giggle of her own. Jim's lips connected to Kyla's ear. It was funny indeed.
And finally, I felt butterflies as I saw Leigh giggle again in Spencer's arms.
Spencer.
Her features were soft, glowing, as she interacted with my niece. She was pulling funny faces, and of course, Leigh loved them as much as I did. Who wouldn't find my blonde irresistible?
I took sips of my own magical coffee, feeling appreciation well up inside me. I'd never thought this day would come, where I'd feel the kind of contentment that Kyla always babbled about. I never thought I'd understand the love she was always talking about. Just a month ago I hated the word, the thought, the whole idea of it.
But when love came in the form of Spencer Carlin, you didn't say no to it. You couldn't. I tried, didn't even last the week. I was broken without her.
Even now, the thought of almost losing her made me choke up.
"… game and thereafter lunch and a quick bike ride?"
I didn't realize Dad was talking to me until his hand waved in front of me. "Are you with us, kiddo?"
When five sets of eyes turned to stare at me I couldn't help but blush slightly. "I'm here."
"So what do you say? Same teams, kick some butt today?"
I figured he was talking about baseball. I was definitely in. My eyes met Spencer's, and that familiar feeling of wanting to hold her gaze forever washed over me. I think we just silently made a bet about hot sex and the winning team getting a treat. I couldn't be too sure…
So I had to admit, Spencer kicked ass on the baseball field. Topping her previous record to a staggering total of six home runs, I could no longer pretend that she just had a lucky day. I wasn't even as annoyed as the previous time. In fact, I was actually quite proud of her.
I was even more proud as she managed to get onto her dirt bike without any help, and followed me without trouble to our spot at the waterfall. Her bike… I was going to paint her name on it.
She went for a swim again but I found it somewhat cold; so I was more than happy to hold her close to me and warm up her freezing body afterwards with some much needed intimate affection.
"And that sigh?" she asked softly as I released a contented breath. Her head rested on my chest, listening to my racing heartbeat as we lay on a blanket close to the water.
"It's a happy sigh. I can't believe you're here, in my arms."
"Yeah… I'm happy too, you know. It really hurt to be away from you," she admitted quietly.
"It hurt me too," I confessed. "Spence, I'm really sorry for hurting you. And for the things I said."
She lifted her head to look at me. "I'm sorry too, Ash. I wish I'd done things differently – "
"No, stop," I interrupted her. I leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead. "You know, we wouldn't have met each other if it wasn't for our jobs. So let's focus on that part – and the good times. Though you did drive me crazy," I couldn't help but chuckle, and finally let out a soft laugh as she blushed.
"Yeah, about that…"
"I know you're not crazy. Or bipolar. I must give it to you, though, you were brilliant – you definitely had me fooled." It felt good to finally laugh about it. "I have to know, though… the Golfer's Digest – "
She let out a hearty laugh and I fell in love with her even more. "Oh, God no. I hate golf. I knew you hated it too, so that's why…"
I was suddenly intrigued by all the things she'd driven my insane with. "And uhm… the toilet cover, mat, and towels?"
She pulled herself up a little, leaving a soft kiss on my lips. "My favorite color is dark blue. I got those at a garage sale."
I was somewhat scared of the next one. "And… the itch?"
She laughed again, blushing profusely. "I was surprised that you packed it for me last weekend. It was Tylenol in there – Chelsea made the label."
Relief washed over me. Not that it would have mattered, I did, after all, confess that I loved her unconditionally, but it put my mind at ease.
My silence had her laughing until tears escaped her eyes.
"What about the chicken?" I kept prodding. I wanted to know everything about her. Even the little things. Especially the little things.
"I love chicken. I would have devoured that meal in minutes – it really looked delicious, Ash. I hope you'll cook for me again." She was suddenly shy.
"I'll cook for you, every day, for the rest of our lives," I blurted out before I realized what I was saying.
Spencer's eyes met mine within seconds, but I suddenly felt safe, even after betraying my heart's secrets. "I guess I'll bring you coffee in bed then, every day, for the rest of our lives…"
It was way too soon to talk like this. But Spencer had just made me the happiest woman on the planet. She sealed her promise with soft kisses on my lips, until want took over and it became more urgent. I gladly obliged, and pulled her close to me, sealing my own promise with kisses that made her scream my name.
I wished the moment would never end. I didn't want the day to end.
But even if it did, it would be okay.
Because I was in love, I had my girl, and tomorrow we would wake up together. Who knows, maybe it would just be for the rest of our lives…
Disclaimer : I don't own any of the characters used in this fic, except for Josie Hemmingway and Carmen Matheson.
Original Storyline :
Written by : Brian Regan, Burr Steers for the movie
Based on : How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days by Kristen Buckley and Brian Regan
The lyrics/songs belong to:
CH7 : How To : Reel in bait – The little things – Colbie Caillat
CH9 : How To : Keep calm when the switch flips – California King Bed – Rihanna
CH9 : How To : Keep calm when the switch flips – I will find you – Zedd
CH16 : How To : Build castles in the sky – Hold on to me – Mandy Musgrave ft C.C DeVille
CH17 : How To : Build a Lego house – Lego House – Ed Sheeran
CH18 : How To : Have your heart shattered – She hates me – Puddle of Mudd
CH21 : How To : Lose a girl in 10 days II – Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
CH23 : How To : Love Unconditionally – Unconditionally – Katy Perry