A/N: Here's the next chapter! Thank you for all the feedback. I really appreciate it!!!
Big thanks to Mandy Sueeeee for her help in this chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own made up characters!
December 18th, 2031, Aidan's POV
A soft breeze blew the porch swing back and forth as two people sat there in complete silence. Every now and then a quiet sigh broke the silence but the two were too wrapped up in their own thoughts to notice the other.
"What are you thinking about?"
Turning to the voice, I smiled brightly. "Just about everything. I can't believe junior year is all ready half way done."
Picking up my larger hand, she nodded. "I know what you mean. It's almost as if we are forced to think about the future."
"So pray tell Miss Davis, what do you see in your future?"
Smiling ever so softly, Carly looked up into the sky blue eyes that drew her in. "Well for starters, I want to go to college and study Biology so I can become a teacher. Of course I want to get married, settle down and have kids eventually. What about you?"
"Uh I want to go off to college too; but I want to study medicine. Maybe be a doctor or Physical Therapist. And I want to get married and have kids as well."
"Well can I share a secret?" Asking the question, Carly looked over at me with nervousness.
"Depends . . . is it a good secret?"
"The best secret in the entire world." Watching her face light up when she said that made my heart swell with so much love.
"Sure babe I'd love to hear your secret."
The excitement in her eyes and giddiness caused me to chuckle loudly. "I don't wanna marry any old fuddy duddy; I wanna marry you Aidan Xavier Bolton eventually and have kids with you."
Nodding my head, I leaned closer to her ear. "I wanna marry you too babe," pausing she held on to every last word I said. "But I'm not going to ask for a long, long time."
"Aidan!" Hearing her shriek caused me to double over with laughter. Her fingers found my side and wiggled with every laugh that escaped my mouth.
"That was mean!" Seeing her pout caused me to seize my laughter and lean over to kiss her pouting lips.
"I'm sorry babe. I love you."
"I love you too! Uh . . . Aidan?"
Looking over at her, she chewed on her lip with nervousness. Picking up her hand, I ran my thumb over the back of it. "What's wrong Car?"
"I was just wondering . . . how many kids do you want?"
Grinning, I shook my head at how that question always plagued girls. "I don't know babe. I was going to kinda leave that decision up to my wife since she has to do all the work."
"Well in that case, I want four kids." Nodding my head, I smiled at four being the perfect number for our family.
"Sounds perfect." Kissing the side of her temple, I realized our quietness would be interrupted with the yelling coming from down the street.
"What's that?"
"Sounds like Danforth and Belle are arguing again. I wonder what happened this time." Sighing, I realized my sister and her boyfriend were getting into tiffs a lot more frequently than before.
"Aidan stay out of it please? They've got to deal with this on their own." Turning to my begging girlfriend, I smiled sadly before nodding.
"I promise I'll stay out of it."
Hearing their footsteps on the porch steps, we listened quietly to what was being said between the two individuals.
"Quit lying to yourself, Belle. You're having those nightmares again . . . I know it." Josh tried to keep his patience but was quickly losing it with his girlfriend.
"I'm not having them Josh. Just back off and everything will be fine."
Turning my attention to my girlfriend, she shook her head. "Is she still having nightmares? I thought she got past those."
Nodding my head, I looked sadly at her. "Me too Carly, me too."
Belle's POV
Opening the front door, I looked over at my boyfriend with rage. "Josh I'm not having them anymore. I promise."
"Then why did you scream when I came up behind you in class today?"
"You scared me . . . I was taking notes and didn't hear you come up." Shaking my head, I walked towards the refrigerator.
"Belle be honest with me." Pausing his pleading voice was almost too much for me to bare. "Are you having those nightmares again?"
Looking into his eyes, I saw fear and worry all mixed together. I couldn't hurt him anymore. Shaking my head sadly, I looked up at him.
"No I'm not having the nightmares anymore."
"Are you sure?"
"Joshua Danforth, would I lie to you?"
"I believe you Belle; I really do." Walking over, I wrapped my arms around him before kissing him soundly.
"I love you."
"I love you too Belle." Walking into the living room, we sat down and started watching TV.
Several hours later Josh's POV
"Don't hurt me . . ." Mumbling in her sleep, I watched Belle with a careful eye.
"I'm not going to hurt you babe."
"Don't let him near me. Don't!" Almost screaming, Belle thrashed around in my arms.
Sighing, I gently touched her shoulder before she flew up with complete terror in her eyes.
"Dammit Belle . . . you lied." Shaking my head, I looked at my girlfriend with disbelief.
"What are you talking about Josh?" Her confusion did nothing for me as I pushed off the couch.
"You had another dream, didn't you Belle?"
"I was dreaming . . ." Letting her eyes look downward, Belle slowly nodded her head.
"I can't be here. You lied to me Belle . . . I guess I'll see you later."
I started walking towards the door but a quiet voice caused me to stop. "Don't go . . ."
"I can't stay here Belle. I'm afraid of saying something that I might one day regret. I'm sorry but I'll call you later after I cool down."
Walking out to the porch, I sighed loudly before looking over at Aidan and Carly sitting there laughing at something.
"Hey man what's up?"
Shaking my head, I tried to keep my temper in check. "She lied Aidan. She's still having those nightmares."
"She is? She's been so upbeat these last few weeks that I thought they were gone." Aidan's surprised tone made me realize he didn't know either.
"Well she's been putting up a brave front and not telling anyone. Anyways, I've gotta go before I say something I regret. Watch over her Aidan for me?"
Waiting for my best friend's approval, Aidan finally nodded his head. "I'll go check on her for you."
"Thanks Aidan." Walking down the steps, I tried to get my anger out but nothing came.
Aidan's POV
"Do you want to come with me?" Looking down at Carly, she nodded before pushing off the swing.
Walking through the door, the heart wrenching sobs reached my ears. I shook my head as I made my way towards the living room where my little sister sat.
"Belle . . . what's wrong sweetie?" Latching herself to me, I rubbed her back as she continued to sob.
"I screwed up big time Aidan. I threw away the best thing ever and now he hates me."
"He doesn't hate you hon. He's just confused why you lied to him." Thankfully my girlfriend stepped in with the right thing to say. Looking up at her, I shot Carly a look of thanks.
"I didn't want him to worry about me anymore."
"I'm sorry to break this to you Belle," Pausing, I looked at her tear stricken face. "But he is going to worry about you no matter what happens."
"Aidan . . . I don't want him to worry. I can take care of myself." Sobbing even more, it broke my heart with every word my sister said.
"I know you can babe but Josh wants to take care of you. He wants to do everything for you."
"Belle you need to calm down." Sighing loudly, I tried getting my sister to calm down.
"Aidan . . ." She gasped trying to breathe more air in.
"Shhh . . . Belle you've got to calm down. Come on Belle; take slow breaths." I coached hoping she would calm down.
"I can't breathe Aidan." She gasped as I looked to Carly for help.
"Anabelle, slow down and take some deep breaths." Coming to sit beside her, Carly helped Belle breath slowly in and out.
Finally, after ten minutes, the attack seemed to be over as Belle sat motionless on the couch.
"Are you feeling better?"
Nodding her head weakly, Belle glanced over at me. "Thanks Aidan. I think I'm going to go upstairs and rest for a little bit."
"Ok Belle . . . call if you need anything." Watching up walk slowly up the stairs, I turned to Carly with worry.
"I'm worried about her Car." Nodding her head, she silently agreed with me.
"Me too Aidan; me too."
Mack's POV
Twirling the ball in my hands, it felt really good to be back in my gym. Sighing, I threw the ball up into the net and grinned when it perfectly went in.
"Yes!" Throwing my hands up in the air, I twirled around in victory.
The quietness of the gym had been calling my name all school year but I stayed away knowing I wasn't allowed to play basketball again. But today I decided I wanted to play basketball in my gym.
I continued to throw the ball up into the net and grinned each time it went in.
The entrance door to the gym flew open as I whipped around and fear crossed my face. An angry man walked towards me.
"Brandon what are you doing here?"
"Better question, Mackenzie, is what are you doing here in the gym?"
"I was just, tossing the ball around, that's all." Smiling at him I walked behind him, shooting it as it landed right into the basket.
"Why are you playing? You're not allowed to, Mack." His voice grew stronger with each passing word.
"Brandon you don't understand." Looking at him with pleading eyes, I shook my head letting the ball drop to the ground.
"What don't I understand Mack? All I see if my girlfriend, who isn't even supposed to be in the gym, standing here looking at me with a guilty look on her face."
"You don't understand how hard it is to walk by this gym everyday and know that you'll never be able to play the one sport I loved just for fun or officially." Pausing I wiped a tear away quickly. "Basketball was my life; the one thing that was a guarantee for my future. It was violently ripped away from me and the hole in my heart that basketball held has never been replaced."
At that point, tears were rolling down my eyes as I looked over at him. "Don't stand there and yell at me. Aren't I allowed to spend some time in the place both of our hearts love? Aren't I allowed to grieve for the sport I'll never play again? Brandon I thought you were the one person that would understand what I was missing out but I guess you're just like everyone else."
"Mack . . . I . . ." Stuttering I shook my head before looking at him.
"Brandon don't even try . . ."
Walking out of the gym, I headed towards my car. I didn't bother wiping the tears away. Placing my head on the steering wheel, I just sighed and realized I possibly could have lost the one thing I needed the most in my life.
A silver band caught my eyes as more tears pooled in my eyes. My eyes stared at the ring that was on my left hand; the promise ring Brandon gave me a mere three days ago.
Belle's POV
Sighing, I stared out into the backyard where Josh and I had spent so much time these last few days. My heart ached for him; I had been having those dreams but every time he was near, I felt so much better. Truthfully, these last few days had taken a toll on me; one that was starting to gain the attention of the parents.
Tiny tapping sounds brought me out of the daydream I was in. Looking around the room, I searched for the source of the sound but frowning, I found none.
Slowly my eyes drifted over to the window before crossing the distance. I sat down in my window seat and was surprised who was standing below throwing tiny pebbles to gain my attention.
Slowly opening the window, I peered down at the man I've loved all my life. "Can you come down please?"
Nodding my head, I quickly closed the door before flying down the stairs and out the back door where he safely caught me in his arms. His embrace caused the biggest smile to cross my face.
"Hi!"
"Hi! Look Belle I'm sorry."
Shaking my head, I looked into his brown eyes. "I'm sorry too babe. I should have told you about the dreams. I guess I didn't want to admit it myself."
"It's all right but you need to let me know when something's bothering you." Titling my head up, he leaned closer, closing the gap between us.
Our lips met in an Earth shattering kiss. We stood there making out and just enjoying the fact that we had made it through our first big fight.
"Come sit and star gaze with me?" Finally breaking the kiss, Josh looked at me hopeful.
"I'd love to." Taking hold of his outstretched hand, he led me to the basketball court where a packed picnic sat waiting for us.
Talking about everything that came to our minds, Josh and I caught up on what we had been doing in the six hours since our fight had taken place.
Smiling, I knew this is where I wanted to be for the rest of my life; right here by Josh Danforth's side.
Troy's POV
I heard my wife sigh as she watched our daughter and boyfriend interact on the basketball court. "Is everything all right between them?"
Catching her attention, she turned around with a smile on her face. "Yeah they're all right. Josh was throwing pebbles at her window. Bring back memories?"
Smiling, I nodded before wrapping my arms around her. "Of course. I used to get the attention of a certain brunette by doing that same thing."
"Ahh the sweet memories of high school. That seems so long ago."
Her sweet giggle rang lose as I looked at her strangely. "I hate to point this out to you, but high school was so long ago. We've been out for almost 25 years."
"Thanks Gabi . . ." Noticing her smirk, I shook my head.
"For what?"
"Making me feel so old." She threw her head back and laughed. She laughed so hard her body shook violently from the sweet sound.
"Again I hate to point this out, but you're old hun."
"If I'm old then so are you Bolton." Kissing the side of her head, I looked over at her grinning face.
"I've come to terms with it unlike yourself Bolton." Nodding, I ran my hand through my graying hair.
"I'm still superman and I can accomplish anything I put my mind to."
Still laughing, she shook her head at me. "My man can accomplish anything he wants."
"So can my wife."
"You know what Troy?" Wrapping my arms around her waist, I placed my chin on her shoulder as we gazed out into the massive backyard where our daughter and her boyfriend stood talking quietly.
"What Gabriella?" Smirking, she shook her head as I pulled out her entire first name.
"In the 22 years we've been married, we've have eight kids whom we've brought into our lives, successful jobs, maintained an awesome relationship between each other, and tons of memories we've created."
"I love you." Lowering my head, I gazed her lips with mine resulting in a sweet kiss between us.
"I love you too Troy. We've made a pretty good life for ourselves."
Nodding my head, I agreed whole heartedly with that statement. "Yeah we have. But you wanna know one thing that'll never change?"
Turning around, she looked up at me with her big brown curious eyes. "What's that?"
"I'm going to continue to love you forever and ever and ever." Sealing my promise with a kiss, she moaned before deepening it.
"And I'm going to do the same."
Standing there in the kitchen, kissing my wife was the best part of the day and I knew that no matter what happened, we would be together forever.
Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Classes start tomorrow so I don't know when the next update will be. The next chapter will be Christmas in the Bolton household. Feedback would be awesome and thank you guys for everything!!!
