A/N Hi guys! I'm back with regular updates after taking a much needed break from this story. I'm ready to dive back in now, hope you enjoy and as always, please leave a review xxx

A few weeks later, my parent's adoption for Riley went through successfully and a few days later, she moved in.

At first, she was nervous and apprehensive. She had never lived anywhere else before. Anywhere with nice loving people in a caring and safe environment. It was a huge culture shock and Christian and I both tried our best to help her adjust to the change.

"I know it's strange," I told her, helping her unpack her things.

She barely had anything with her. A few old t shirts and faded hoodies, along with some personal items in a box that she'd saved from when she was little. Luckily for her, we'd kitted out the room with everything she could ever want or need and she walked around, touching everything several times over.

"This can't all be mine," she said, a little star struck.

"It is Riley," I promised her. "I told you we were going to help you and I meant it."

"It's too much," she whispered. "I feel like I'm not worth it."

She turned away from me, so that I wouldn't see her cry and I felt a lump in my throat. I walked toward her, pulling her into my arms and stroking her hair. She savoured the feeling and I wondered just how long it had been since she'd been held and comforted like this. Probably never.

"You're worth more than stuff Riley," I said softly. "And that's all this is. Just stuff. Never think you're not worth anything. You're worth more. Always."

She nodded reluctantly and I pulled back, wiping her tears with my thumbs.

"Come on now," I told her, smiling. "Let's get you settled in. You're happy to be here, right?"

"Happier than I've ever been before," she promised. "It feels like I'm in a dream."

Back at my internship, I continued to teach children to draw and paint. To sketch and build. I found I was most often drawn to children who needed help in other ways. The troubled children so to speak. I found that I enjoyed conversing with them. Enjoyed teaching them how to channel their feelings onto paper and canvas in a positive light. For me, whenever I'd been angry or sad growing up, painting had always been a welcome escape. At the end of summer, I was sad to see it draw to a close, but I promised everyone I would be back next year for some more sessions.

The hardest part of the end of summer however, was saying goodbye to Riley. For Christian especially. In order to dull the pain a little, we'd both agreed with my parents that when they dropped me back to college, Riley could stay a few nights with us in our apartment and we'd take her to the beach. My parents would stay in a hotel and they were looking forward to a few days in sunny Cali too. Riley didn't yet know about this and so she was upset as she helped me pack.

"I feel like I've only just found you and Christian," she said sadly. "And now you'll be gone again."

"It's not forever," I said to her. "And we'll be back to visit, and you can come and stay sometimes."

She pouted and I laughed.

"You're going to be fine," I assured her. "You're going to have the best time here Riley. I promise."

A few days before we finally left for college, Christian was spending some time with Riley and I took myself shopping at the mall to buy a few pieces of clothes to take back. I spent a good few hours there walking around, buying things I usually wouldn't. Nice lingerie, lip-gloss, bikini's and cute little tops I knew Christian would like. Afterwards, I grabbed myself an iced latte from Starbucks and sat outside in the warm sunshine, enjoying it.

As I sat, I thought about what it would be like now that we were living together. I hoped he would enjoy it and not regret leaving Riley alone back here in Seattle. Ever since we had found out about Riley, Christian had devoted all of his time to looking after her, checking up on her and spending all of his free time with her. I understood completely. He was trying to build in a sister relationship that he had been denied all these years. Yet a part of me couldn't help but feel cast aside. Whenever we saw each-other, we would talk about his day with Riley and then he would immediately want sex. The relationship that had re-blossomed so spectacularly back in college, seemed to be harbouring some of the old problems now that we were home.

I was about halfway through my drink when a shadow blocked my vision of the street. I looked up suddenly, into the bright blue eyes of Ethan Kavanagh. Despite myself, I smiled warmly and he grinned back at me, sitting down opposite.

"I haven't seen you in a long-time beauty," he said, taking me all in. "Your mom told me you'd be here and I was hoping to catch you. You look wonderful. How have you been?"

I flushed a little. "Really well," I said honestly. "Everything's been going great."

"I can see," he said, nodding to my ring. It sat prettily on my finger, sparkling brightly in the sun. "I heard you're engaged. Congratulations."

I nodded, murmuring thanks, quick to change the subject. "How are you?" I asked. "I haven't seen you around in forever."

He sighed, leaning back.

"Things have been…difficult," he said eventually.

I leaned forward slightly, immediately concerned.

"What's wrong?"

He let out a breath of air, not quite meeting my gaze. "Mom hasn't been well," he admitted. "It's been hard on all of us."

"Helen?" I asked, worried. "I saw her just the other day. She seemed okay."

He nodded. "She puts on a brave face, but she's been suffering a lot."

"What's wrong with her?"

"We don't know yet. Doc thinks it's the big C, but we don't know what type. She's going in for more tests on Friday."

I looked down at the table, tears pricking my eyes. I had known Helen practically my whole life. How could she be ill? How could Kate not have said anything? Had we really drifted that far?

Ethan leaned across the table, holding my hand in his own. His thumb ran over mine and I looked up into his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Ethan," I said. "I had no idea."

He gave me a small smile before standing.

"Come and take a walk with me?" He asked. "There's a little park just a while away."

I nodded, knowing where he was referring too. Christian and I used to go during summer breaks in high school. As we walked, Ethan held my bags and we talked about my college and his PT work. He was currently in the process of renting out a gym space to start his own business which was very impressive.

The park was lovely as ever; wild-flowers growing on the freshly chopped grass. He picked me one and put it in my hair which made me laugh. We sat down by a fountain and carried on chatting. It was nice, having him to talk to again. I realised that I had missed his friendship and caring nature. He asked me endless questions and it felt nice being the centre of attention.

After several moments in silence, watching the puffy clouds glide past the sky slowly, he turned toward me.

"The bracelet I gave you for your birthday last year," he said quietly, "did you like it?"

I avoided his gaze, nodding.

"I didn't expect that from you," I admitted.

He laughed a little. "I didn't expect to give it to you."

We were both quiet for a few more seconds before he spoke again.

"I had to give it a try," he said, so quietly I wasn't even sure it was meant for me. "You're an amazing girl Ana, anyone would be lucky to have you."

He stared down at the ring and I stared back up at him.

"You said you didn't like me in that way," I murmured, my heart hammering.

"I lied."

We looked at each-other for several long breaths before I finally looked away, shaking my head.

"I don't know what to say to that," I said firmly.

"You don't have to say anything."

I sighed, blowing out a big breath as I lay my head on the tree. Why did boys have to complicate everything? It had been nice having a male friend.

"You know I'm engaged," I said, a little forcefully. "I love Christian. I'm in love with Christian. I always have been."

"I know," he nodded. "And because of that I never said anything. I respected your relationship. I respected you. But it is possible to love more than one person."

I glared at him.

"Look," he sighed. "I'm not trying to cause trouble or anything. I care about you a lot and I genuinely wish you so much happiness Ana…but I'm not completely self-sacrificing. I've seen the way Christian has treated you these past few years and I'm not convinced he's completely changed. He's young. You deserve somebody older. Somebody who can take care of you properly."

I stood up abruptly, pacing around the grassy area we were on. I couldn't listen to any more of this. He stood too, coming over to where I stood.

"You're not married yet," he whispered. "You still have time to change your mind."

"I don't want to change my mind," I snapped. "I've wanted to marry Christian ever since I was a little girl."

"Exactly!" He exclaimed, coming closer. "You've never even given anybody else a chance."

He was so close that I could smell the aftershave coming from him. Feel the soft breaths blowing on my face. His eyes were the bluest I had ever seen.

He bent down, kissing my forehead softly – lingering. I closed my eyes, breathing hard.

"I have to go," I said, flushing. I was confused and not myself.

He withdrew, nodding.

"I'll walk you back."