I feel like this chapter is way overdue. I'm sorry for making you all see these two go through so much crap and I can tell you the crap and sad times aren't over but enjoy this sweet chapter. Well it's sweet for Hugo and Lyric, but not so much for Blossom ;)

Chapter Thiry Four

Love you

For the first time in a week, it felt like she could sit without being bombarded by a million worries. Of course, she still had over a million worries but with her daughter stable, she could sit down and have her tea in peace. Raising the mug to her nose, she sighed at the calming smell.

"How do I look?" Hugo asked from behind.

Turning around in the chair, Lyric laughed at her boyfriend dorkishly striking a pose to show off his new uniform."Very handsome," she said, smiling back at her tea. Her first full day out of the hospital had been tough but also refreshing. She was glad to be able to walk around without having an IV connected to her, but she missed getting to look at her baby girl. During her last few days at the hospital, she'd spent almost all of her time down at the NICU, simply staring at her little girl. It was tough to be so far away, and she couldn't wait until they'd be able to bring her home.

Hugo smiled, adjusting the name tag pinned to his button-down."Well, I say we should celebrate now that I'm an official server."

Lyric rolled her eyes." How many tables have you waited yet?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

"Well, let's celebrate the fact I have a job now," he said, frowning as he looked around his parent's kitchen." I definitely don't want to be living with my parents in five years," he muttered. His mom was currently picking up his siblings from school so there was no risk of her hearing. He knew she was all about the idea of them staying with them and having Lyric and soon enough the baby move in, but he wasn't keen on the idea. He loved his mom and siblings but he didn't want to raise his daughter right in front of them.

"Sadly, I'll think it'll be a few years before we've got a place of our own," she said with a shaky smile. Unlike Hugo, Lyric was glad they'd still be at home for the first years of their daughter's life. At the moment they weren't sure of all the medical issues she'd face, so it would be nice to have some extra people around to help.

Hugo nodded, taking a swig of her tea." God!" he shrieked, opening his mouth wide to pant out. The hot liquid burned his tongue and a bead of seat formed on his forehead.

Lyric laughed, slapping his back gently."That's what you get!" she yelled, laughing harder as he began to join in with his own chuckles, still struggling for breath. As purple as a grape, Hugo gripped the table, fighting more laughter. He wiped at his jaw, waving away the drool. Neither could remember the last time they'd laughed together. It felt nice too.

"I think you should hold off celebrating, handsome," she said, pulling back her mug. Pulling her sleeve over her fist, she rubbed at his cheek, managing to wipe it clean. To focused on the spot and too focused on her thoughts, it took her some time to notice his giddy smile."What are you smiling at?"

Hugo grinned, raising his own hand to cup her cheek."You're so beautiful."

Most of the time, she would've scoffed, soft punching him in the shoulder but this time she found herself swept up in his lovestruck gaze. There were moments she'd be reminded that as kids, they'd just been best friends. No romance, no relationship, no accidental baby, just friends. But even then, he'd looked at her in that way that made butterflies flutter in her stomach. Through the years of growing up, realizing their feelings, and starting their relationship, the way he looked at her had never changed and she had to wonder why. Why did he look at her that way? Why did he look at her like she was molded by the gods when there was another human who was a carbon copy of her?

She smiled, nuzzling her cheek into his hand. She pressed a kiss against his palm, whispering back to him how he was too. Hugo smiled, pulling her close to him. It had felt like forever since they'd had any time alone, let alone time to share a kiss. Yes some brief ones, but he hadn't realized how much he'd missed it. Lyric pulled away, opening one of her eyes that hesitantly glance over at the clock on the stove. Her lips dipped into a frown. She didn't want him to leave. Their short half-hour together had been so nice that she wanted it to last all day in night.

Hugo eyed the time as well, biting down on his lip."Duty calls," he mumbled, getting another laugh out of her.

"You act like you're on your way to save the world," she said, crossing both her arms as he stood up.

"One table at a time," he proclaimed with valor. Tugging on his shoes, Hugo turned back to her."Are you going back in today or just heading back to your place?" he asked.

Lyric thought for a second, unable to give a straight response."I'm not sure. I wanted to go back home and maybe take a shower but I might go in with my mom."

Hugo nodded, spinning the keys to his dad's car(that was momentarily inactive) around his finger."If you do go in... do you mind just..."

Lyric smiled, nodding her head."I'll tell her you love her,"

Immediately, Hugo's cheeks flamed up in embarrassment."Sorry, I know it's dumb-"

"Hugo will you shut up?" she asked, shooting up from her seat. She winced at the slight pain that still remained from her operation but she chose to ignore it, staggering over to her boyfriend. Placing both hands around his neck she stared him dead in the eye."You need to stop acting like you have to apologize when you ask me to tell our daughter that you love her. Okay?" she asked, frowning at his silence."This all has been so fucked up and the complete opposite of what should've happened-"

"That's not the problem," he cursed under his breath.

"Then what is?" she asked."Hue, I told you, we need to be able to talk to one another. So please, what is wrong?"

"What's wrong is she even our daughter?" he asked, pulling away from her."Yes I know biologically she is, but she died! We saw her dead body. We held a funeral for her. She-She should be in the ground and she was for weeks. For weeks she was dead and then one day was put back inside you." he said, gesturing at her stomach."It shouldn't have happened. None of this should be happening. It's all impossible but it is and-" He paused, sucking back tears."Is she even real?"

Lyric stared at him, able to hear the pain and frustration in every word. It was clear he was still mad about it all and she understood being confused. She had been too, and she was still pissed about it all!"You're right," she whispered softly."She did die. I had to hold my dead daughter and we had to watch her be buried in the ground. We had to endure those weeks without her, and you're right. The pain we had to go through is never going to go away. The anger towards Adrien will never go away. But she is real. She is the baby we should've had and will have. I know it doesn't feel like it now but we're parents," she smiled, laughing through it as she pointed at the two of them.

She wrapped her arms around him."She's okay Hugo. You don't need to worry anymore. We're never going to have to lose her again." Saying the words hit her in the cor and she hugged him harder.

Hugo hugged her back, wanting to believe it all. That their reality was what they'd wished for. Just one more chance with her, one more chance to care and love her unlike anyone else. He burrowed his face into her neck, tears just making it to his lashes." Thank you," he whispered.

Lyric smiled, rubbing his back."We'll go in to see her tomorrow. And you'll be able to tell her how much you love her,"

"She's going to be the most spoiled little girl,"

She chuckled."She is. Tonight Bloss said she was going to help me set some stuff up, not like we're going to need it anytime soon. But how about we pick out a name tomorrow,"

Hugo frowned."I forgot we had to pick a new one,"

"I love Posie to but we need to keep up the-"

"I know," he sighed."It just sucks." He pulled out his phone, sighing once more at the time."I have to go,"

Lyric frowned momentarily but pulled on a smile."It's all going to get easier, I promise," She left a kiss on his cheek, staring sweetly into his shimmering eyes." I love you," she reminded him even though there was no reason to.

Hugo grinned again, leaning over to kiss her back."I love you too,"

"Soooo... did you get the check!?" Sadie asked enthusiastically from the other end of the phone.

"I did," Blossom said, thinking about the check that was safely stashed away in her sock drawer until further notice. It had been tough to hide it from her parents, wanting to gleefully shout out that they wouldn't have to worry anymore. But she'd kept cool and had endured the night and morning. Now she sat on a bus when she was supposed to be at piano lessons.

Sadie squealed from the other end."That's amazing! So how the whole conversation go?"

Blossom laughed awkwardly, holding her phone up by her shoulder as she flipped her hair up into a ponytail."It went fine, I used the photo trick like you suggested. I'm pretty sure that's what got her."

"Well I'm glad I could help," she exclaimed with her sweet smile on her face."Hey to celebrate you wanna come over later and make so macrons with us? Papa and Mama have a big event their catering and there are bound to be extras."

Blossom was surprised by the invitation but instead of leaving her happy she simply shook her head and frowned."Sorry, I've got another lesson in preparation for our next recital. But thanks,"

"No worries, well how about I drop some off tomorrow or you can stop by."

"Ya, I'll do that," she said, a smile surfacing. the bus halted to a stop and along with it so did her heart." I've gotta go, see you tomorrow," she said, swiftly hanging up. Although she wanted to urn aya she friskily exited the bus. The series of dingy apartment buildings glared down at her and that one, in particular, was her own personal hell. Every part of her told her to run, but she couldn't. Pushing her phone away she climbed the many flights of stairs, ignoring the strange odor that wafted through the apartment building. Three stories up she stopped in front of the black door with a rusting handle and chipped paint. She could see the door was unlocked, as she expected. Pushing it open, she made sure the lock clicked before she stepped in further.

The smell of stale cigarettes and old beer filled the air around her and she wanted to stick out her tongue at the sight of dirty clothes piled up. Empty cans scattered the floor and she sighed, picking up a few and tossing them into the overflowing trashcan. The sound of the shower running cut off and just a minute later she could hear the bathroom door crack open. Her hairs stood on end as a hand slid beneath her hair, coaxing at her neck." Thought I told ya to keep your hair down," he whispered towards her. Cigarette smoke rushed up her nostrils and she held in a cough."You look sexy with it down,"

"I was hot," she mumbled, sending both her hands up to the elastic band once his hands let go of her neck. She tugged twice and the tie came undone, letting her long hair fall down her back.

"Bullshit," he cursed, walking to the window to flick the cigarette out."It's freezing out." Blossom chose not to argue. The better she behaved the quicker she'd be able to leave.

She managed to raise her eyes, surveying his, as usual, unkempt state. Hair soaked, towel wrapped around his waist, and a torn t-shirt hanging from his lanky frame. He wasn't strong from a man's standpoint but he was easily stronger than her. His muddied brown eyes looked out at the alleyway before landing back on her.

"You going to take that off or do you want me to?" he asked, wagging a long finger at her sweatshirt.

Blossom shook her head slowly, frowning at herself in shame." I've... got it," she said loud enough he'd hear. She pulled off her sweatshirt, dropping it to the floor. Not even a moment finger his hands were back on her, one on her neck to other on her shoulder.

He let out a yell that made her jump."I thought I told you to wear something that made you look hot, not like a child!"

But I am... a child.

Those were her only thoughts whenever she went over. He was only eighteen, only two years older than her but whenever he was around her she felt like a child that could do nothing to defend herself. But even at 16, she was a child. She should be worrying about her upcoming recital and the new school year. She shouldn't be worrying about pleasing a guy she wanted to get far away from. Right now, she should be with her sister, helping her, but she stood in that apartment, unable to leave.

"I was in a rush," she sighed, thinking about all the lies. All of those 'extra piano lessons' and 'longer piano lessons' that were all simple lies. She was honestly lucky neither had questioned it or asked her piano teacher how the extra lessons were going."I'll wear something else net time,"

"Ya, ya, now where were you rushing to?" he asked, eyebrow raised."Because it sure wasn't me,"

She stifled, wanting to shrink down into her sweatshirt that was on the floor beside her. Her short-sleeved t-shirt provided no warmth and she wished he would close the window."I had... a meeting,"

He groaned, ripping his half-drunk beer can from off the counter."Come on! I told you those stupid therapy meetings were a waste of time! What are they telling you that could possibly make you any better?" he asked, waving his beer can in her direction."God and you should drop that piano. I heard you the other day and you sound like trash. Just a waste of your folk's money,"

Blossom nodded, not taking the time to respond. His words always cut deep than anything. She didn't believe them but they always made her want to curl up in a ball and sob. But she didn't want to cry in front of him, that would only make him want to see her more.

She jumped again at his cold hand grasping her shoulder. She tried to inch away but didn't try too hard. There was no point in fighting."Morgan, I-I can't stay long,"

"And why's that pretty girl?" he asked, chin rested on her shoulder. His breath smelled like old beer and she wanted to puke."Come on, be a good girl and tell me,"

"My sister needs help with some... stuff," she said, not wanting to share too much of her personal life. He terrified her and her knowing a thing about her life, like her sister's name or her full name also terrified her. It was scary enough that he knew where she had her piano lessons, she would do anything to keep more personal information from him.

"What stuff?" he asked, whispering in her ear.

"Just stuff," she managed to say. She'd gotten good at ignoring her want to cry, but it was still uncomfortable to have him touch her, even if it was just a shoulder.

"Well it doesn't seem very important, I think you've got a few."

It hadn't been just a few. Blossom sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. How had she let this go on for so long? Why couldn't she just say no? Why couldn't she just ignore him for the rest of her life? Leaning over she picked up her shirt from the ground, quickly pulling it over her head. She tied her hair back into a ponytail, glancing back at Morgan. She frowned, turning to stand up but a hand caught her wrist.

"Love you,"

She frowned again at the sleepy mumble. That's the advantage he had over her and the advantage he used. Therapy had helped her control her anger with her family, but that didn't mean it had helped her thoughts on love. She knew her parents and siblings loved her and she knew one day she'd find someone, but when Morgan said it, it felt so real. She was well aware he only said it so she'd come back when he asked, but it still made her feel good.

Maybe it was the thought he really did, or that she just wanted to hear those words. She wasn't sure.

All she was sure of that she hated seeing him. She hated him with every bit of her being. He made her feel like a disgusting human but he always knew what to say to make her come back. He had his claws in her and although she wanted to escape them, she knew she couldn't.

Three missed calls. Five texts.

She sighed, reading over each message before dialing her sister."Hey, sorry, my piano class ran late," she said, lying with a straight face.

"No, that's okay. sorry for all the texts, I was just getting worried." Lyric said from the other end.

Blossom leaned over, holding the phone up by her shoulder as she pulled her sweatshirt on." I'm leaving now so I should be there in 15." she said, unlocking the door. Blossom frowned staring back at Morgan. She never wanted to see him again but was well aware she would.

Hanging up on her twin, blossom slid both her hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt, trying to hide as much of her body as possible. She hoped that she wouldn't chicken out of coming clean about it all. She didn't want to tell her mom that she'd been seeing a guy for months who used her for his own pleasures, but she wanted to feel free. Since that first night, she'd felt trapped. Opening up that once she had seen a guy, resulting in her pregnancy had been hard enough, she hadn't dared to tell the whole truth.

Telling Lyric what she'd done had felt like the world had been raised from her shoulders, but could she handle confessing the rest of the truth? And even if she managed to tell her mom everything, the timing was awful. Everyone was stressed out enough regarding the baby and Adrien, she didn't want to pile her own problems onto them.

"It's important to remember you've got a support system. Many people who love and care about you."

Her therapist's words echoed through her mind. She knew she had people who would be there for her and she knew if she told her mom she wouldn't be mad. She'd give her a hug and make her feel safe. Morgan was another thing stopping her. He knew her name, granted not her last name but he could easily find it out. He had her number and knew where she had piano practices and recitals. She didn't want to ghost him then have him get angry at her. But at the same time, she couldn't keep doing this for the rest of her life.

She didn't want to feel trapped anymore, she didn't want to feel disgusting every time she faced herself in the mirror, she didn't want to lie to her family and hear some gross guy whisper that he loves her. She wanted and needed to tell someone the truth, for her sake.