All characters that are from the TWILIGHT saga by Stephanie Meyer belong to Stephanie Meyer. All others belong to me. I do not receive profit for these stories except for the joyous enjoyment of reviews.

This story follows right after When I'm Gone: Third Installment to GONE Saga, so if you haven't read that one or the two before, please do.

The timeline of the story will coincide with Gabriel Michael Laskaris' growing up years, starting at Seth and Rosa's wedding day, April 12th and will progress from there.

AN: A long chapter -apologize ahead of time but after the last chapter, I was in a mood so now, you get a double dose of lemonade (strong lemonade with a tequila shot thrown in for fun) before the fluff. The song used at the end is a Thompson Square song called "Glass" that I took as Lian and Julie's...it is, in my opinion, perfect for those two -just as all the others I've used.

Remember to review because when you don't, I cry...and when I cry, I don't write...and when I don't write, I don't update...see where I'm going with this?

Chapter Forty-Two (10yrs old)
Wednesday, October 25th

Julie stood in the middle of their bedroom, arms at her sides and eyes closed as he touched her, his hands moving over her naked body in exploration.

A shiver ran down her back as he moved around her, his fingers skimming along her ribs to her back, his breath skimming along her shoulders. To anyone else who didn't know their circumstances, it almost looked like he was clinically cataloging every dip and curve of her body but that wasn't the case.

No, Lian was reconciling his memories of the feel of her body to what he was seeing now –four months could render a lot of changes and he wanted to find every single one.

"These are bigger," he whispered into her ear, sliding his hands under her arms to cup her breasts, his thumbs moving across her hard nipples in a light touch, "And darker."

Julie let out a soft moan as the vibrations inside her increased minutely with every touch of his hands, her skin warm and flushed as he moved his hands down her flat stomach to cover her lower abdomen, his mouth moving down her neck to her shoulder, his bare chest hard against her back.

"This isn't flat anymore," his breath skittered over her skin, her own hitching as his mouth moved down the middle of her back, his tongue tracing a line along her spine until he was on his knees.

Moving his hands to gently grip her hips, he pressed an open mouthed kiss on the small of her back, splaying his fingers around her waist, "Your hips are wider."

Julie knew any other woman would be feeling self conscious about the way he was measuring her body with his hands but not her, not when she could see the burning desire in his eyes and feel the tender love of his touch as he gently turned her around to face him.

His fingers skimmed over the round curve of her bottom, moving down the back of her thighs until he reached her ankles then doing the return trip up the front, leaning forward to press a soft kiss against the hard curve of her lower stomach, "And here's our little tadpole. I'm gonna get to see you, baby. I won't have to hear from others if you look like your mama or like me 'cause I'll get to see you myself."

Julie fought back the urge to cry, her heart melting at his words as he curved his hands around either side of her small baby bump, his lips brushing her skin with every word.

Tilting his head back, he smiled at her, admiring the way her face was flushed with desire, her purple eyes bright with need as she looked down at him, "You're even more beautiful than I remembered."

Lifting a hand to cup the side of his face, she brushed her thumb over his cheekbone, a small gasp escaping her as he slipped a hand down her stomach and between her thighs, "Julian –"

"Shh," he gently bit her stomach before moving his mouth to her hip, sucking at the smooth skin hard enough to leave a mark before moving further south, "I've missed seeing you like this. The flush of your skin, that needy look in your eyes –open for me, baby."

Julie couldn't do anything other than obey, her hands on his shoulders keeping her from falling to her knees as he slid his fingers through the tight curls to find her wet and hot, his thumb lightly brushing over the hidden swollen bundle of nerves.

"So beautiful," Lian kissed her inner thigh, one hand holding on to her hip while the other one spread her open, his middle finger stroking her slick opening while his thumb rubbed over her clit, "Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are, July?"

She shook her head, her throat tight as she kept heavy lidded eyes on him, her body trembling with desire –she could feel the fire running through her veins and by the look in Lian's eyes, he planned on reducing her to a smoldering pile of ashes.

Lian leaned in, covering her with his mouth as he pushed a single finger into her tight entrance, his lips closing over that sweet little pearl that had her crying out, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he gently sucked, giving it a soft bite as he pushed a second finger into her.

"Julian…" Julie's sob came out strangled as pleasure and pain ran like lightning through her, the coil deep inside her belly twisting tighter.

Moving his mouth lower, he gripped her hips to tilt them forward as he lapped at her opening before pushing his tongue into her, the taste of her arousal like sweet honey coating his tongue. He was hungry for her –ravenous, really, and he had no plans to deny himself the joy that came with pleasuring his Julie.

She could feel every suck, every stroke, her lungs struggling to breathe as she got closer and closer to the edge; she knew he wasn't going to stop until she splintered but she wanted him in her –now.

"Julian, please…"

She felt his smile against her tender flesh, his tongue moving over her in one long stroke before he looked up at her, his warm brown eyes dark with burning desire, "I want to watch you come, July. Let go, baby –I'll give you what you want if you just let go."

Julie shook her head, the clip holding her hair up slipping, curls tumbling down her back as she tossed her head back, a sob squeezing past the tightness in her throat.

"Don't fight it, baby," Lian moved his hand back between her thighs, his fingers sliding through her slick folds to gently pinch her clit, pleasure streaking through her like lightning shoving her over the edge as she let out a scream, her legs giving out.

Catching her before she hit the floor, he stood up in one fluid move, taking them towards the bed.

Julie was floating in the silky wetness of her release but the pulsating ache in the pit of her stomach demanded for more as she watched him through half closed eyes, admiring the way the bedroom light casted shadows on his body as he removed his jeans, hot eyes moving over her as she laid on the bed, her legs hanging off the edge.

Kicking his jeans aside, he used his knee to nudge her legs further apart, kneeling on the bed between them as he placed his hands on either side of her head.

She stared into his eyes, her chest rising with each shallow breath she took. The seconds bleeding into minutes, the sexual charge between them increasing to such heights, they both knew a single touch would send them up in flames.

He kept his eyes on hers, loving the way they darkened into a midnight violet as he slowly lowered his head, his mouth a breath away from hers.

Julie couldn't take the waiting anymore, reaching up to pull him down that final bit, her mouth open and eager under his, her long legs moving against him as she lifted her hips in silent supplication.

Lian's hands were all over her: touching, squeezing, molding, his tongue thrusting into her mouth in a parody of what his body wanted to do to hers. Her entire body was aching with need so acute it was almost painful.

Dragging her fingernails down his back, she gripped his hips and pulled, his body crashing into hers, legs and arms wrapping around him to keep him from moving.

Lian let out a groaning chuckle, moving his mouth down her neck, one hand molding her breast, the nipple hard between his thumb and forefinger as he plotted a path down her chest with open mouthed kisses.

Julie's moan was partly due to pleasure but also frustration as she tilted her hips, his hard cock sliding between her wet folds, butting against her clit with every stroke but she wanted him inside her and it drove her crazy to no end.

"Julian," she dug her fingers into his lower back, her own coming of the bed as he sucked at her nipple, his teeth scraping against the sensitive skin, "Julian, please…I need you."

Her strangled sob was his undoing as he pulled one of her legs over his arm, his cock sliding into her in one long smooth stroke, stretching her tight pussy until he was buried to the hilt.

Gritting his teeth, he tried to breathe through the crashing waves of pleasure as her inner muscles rippled around his, squeezing rhythmically and almost shoving him over the edge.

"Move," she punctuated her demand with a tilt of her hips, pulling him in deeper when he thought he couldn't go and deeper, "Dammit Julian! Move!"

Lian chuckled, keeping her leg over his arm as he did what she asked, pressing his forehead against hers, "Open your eyes and look at me, baby."

Julie's eyes flew open, her breathing coming fast as he pushed into her, every thrust and pull getting her closer to the edge of the universe.

Lian stared into her eyes, able to see the storm inside her gathering force, certain as he slammed into her at a hard and fast paced that this one was going to tear them apart.

As long as she held on to him; as long as she didn't let go she would survive the maelstrom deep inside her.

Lian let out a growl as her unfocused eyes closed, "Keep your eyes open, July. Don't you –fucking dare –close them!"

He wanted to see it –wanted to watch as his soul became hers, as her heart became his.

They broke simultaneously, their separate worlds shattering into millions of pieces only to come together, forming one world, one heart, one soul.

Lian rolled onto his back, his arms tight around her keeping their bodies united as he worked at breathing, the weight of her body on his giving him a deep sense of peace and belonging.

He was halfway asleep when he felt her tears running hot down his chest, his eyebrows lowering as he ran his fingers through her hair, tucking his chin in to look at her face, "What's wrong, baby? Did I hurt you?"

Julie shook her head, reaching up to wipe her cheeks as the tears kept coming, "It's nothing. I'm sorry, I just…"

Kissing her forehead, he kept one arm around her waist as he sat up, crossing his legs under her bottom which drew him deeper into her, his cock growing hard with every passing second: "Talk to me, baby. Tell me what you're feeling."

She stared into his chocolate brown eyes, arms wrapped around his shoulders as she moved her legs until they were wrapped around him, her breasts flat against his hard chest, "I'm just…grateful –so grateful I found you when I did. You're giving me…the chance to live, truly live…and to love…most importantly to love."

Lian smiled into her eyes, stroking her hair away from her face, his thumb stroking her bottom lip, "You've always been mine, July. It just took a while to get there, right?"

Her swollen lips spread into a smile as she nodded, her fingers lazily stroking the back of his neck, "Do you believe in soul mates?"

Lian chuckled, breathing in every time she exhaled; a strange sense of flowing energy moved through them and set every nerve in their bodies on fire, "We're not two halves of one, July. We are one soul."

Julie smiled, gently kissing his mouth, lips clinging to each other before she slid her tongue over his bottom lip, pulling back slightly to look into his dark eyes, her whisper soft against his moist lips, "It's what a mermaid searches for –a soul. A soul freely given, freely shared because she doesn't have her own."

"You have mine," Lian tilted his head to the side, his open mouth moving down her throat, licking and sucking as his words caressed her flushed skin, his hands on her ass rocking her into him, "It's yours to do with as you wish."

She stared into his eyes, seeing the truth in his words, her heart expanding with the knowledge that she had a soul…a beautiful, giving, loving, all encompassing soul –his soul.

Covering his mouth with hers, they both knew there was no need for words anymore, their bodies moving in a slow rhythm, the music they created a perfect blend of melody and harmony transcendent in its beauty as they settled into soft, soul-stirring lovemaking, time seizing to exist for them.


Friday, October 27th

Seth sat in the middle of the couch, feet propped on the coffee table as the game unfolded before him but he wasn't really paying attention to what was going on, too busy thinking how life seemed to be so…purposefully planned.

Back before Leah left La Push in search of freedom, she had been fond of saying how fate loved to fuck her up, constantly handing her one bad hand after another. He'd never given it much thought back then but now he actually wondered about it as his wife worked in the kitchen to finish the engagement album for tomorrow's wedding.

Fate –what goes around comes around, Murphy's law and all that shit?

Was there actually a higher up who enjoyed throwing a kink into the gears of life then sit back to watch the chaos that ensued?

In the end, though, it seemed to work out so he wondered –was that fate as well or was it simply life learning to adapt and overcome?

There was the example of his sister being dealt a shitty hand but in the end, she won the jackpot.

Then there was tomorrow.

He'd finally forgive himself for his part in un-railing Julie's life but he had to wonder –if he hadn't gone to California to watch a sunrise, would she have made it into Lian's life?

He had to believe that, being they were so obviously meant to be together, somehow they would have found each other just like that whole ridiculous magnet imagery Julie had used to explain soul mates to him.

But it seemed fate had wanted some entertainment in the form of fucking them both over for a little while as punishment for daring to step outside whatever plan it had in mind.

Yeah, fate was definitely female –a vindictive bitch who liked to get her way or wreck havoc if she didn't.

But in the end, it all turned out the way it was supposed to –he had his beautiful Rose, the very woman that defined who he was and kept him tethered to her.

And Julie had found his cousin. He was able to give her the one thing Seth didn't have –a soul that could completely belong to her.

Being what he was, there had been that possibility of someone else coming along and claiming what belonged to her…somehow, Julie had known this.

He was happy for her, for both of them but he supposed a part of him wondered how much easier it would have been for everyone involved had their paths not converged the way they had.

"Fuck!"

Seth's thoughts halted as he looked towards the kitchen, dropping his bare feet to the floor before standing up, placing the remote on the coffee table them moving into the kitchen.

Rose sat at the kitchen table, a finger in her mouth and he was able to deduce she had somehow gotten a paper cut but still, "Did I just hear you say fuck?"

Rose's cheeks flushed as she gave him a cautious look as she spoke around her finger, "Maybe."

Seth shook his head, a smirk on his face as he leaned against the archway, "Tsk, tsk Rosie. Good girls shouldn't use that kind of language."

The flush in her cheeks deepened, her eyes dancing as she pulled her finger out of her mouth, "Are you going to punish me?"

Seth's smirk grew while his pants got tighter –damn, but that woman knew how to push his buttons, "What would you do if you herd Marc talk like that?"

The confusion in her eyes was adorable and downright sexy as she tilted her head, biting her bottom lip for a few seconds before answering, "Wash his mouth out with soap?"

"That makes sense," Seth pushed away from the wall, moving the couple of steps to take her hand and pull her out of the chair, picking up the baby monitor on the kitchen table before leading her down the hall, "Dirty mouths should be cleaned."

Her voice was slightly high pitched as he pulled her into their bathroom, Seth giving the crib where Carlos slept a glance before closing the bathroom door behind them, "You're washing my mouth out with soap?"

"Mhm," Seth set the monitor on one of the shelves before turning his eyes back to his wife, slowly stalking her until her back hit the bathroom door, "I've got a better idea for that dirty mouth of yours."

Rose swallowed, her breath hitching slightly as he dipped his head to give her earlobe a tug, his tongue sliding into the inner shell of her ear before he whispered hotly into it, "You've wanted to learn how to do this for a while now…"

Seth couldn't hold back a chuckle at the eager look in her eyes, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he smirked at her, "You're a naughty girl, Rosie."

She couldn't help blushing, her breath catching in her throat as she looked down, Seth's erection pushing against the denim jeans he wore.

Reaching with trembling fingers, she popped the snap open, pulling the zipper down halfway before he stopped her, his mouth at her throat as he pulled her hands way, "Hold on, baby. You first."

Rose moaned as her head fell back against the door, her hands trapped over her head by one of his as he covered her breast with the other, his thumb rubbing circles around the hard nipple, the friction of her bra and top taking her breath away.

Sucking at the soft skin behind her ear, he pushed his hips into her, wedging a thigh between hers until she was riding it, her toes barely touching the tiled floor.

Letting go of her wrists, he grabbed the hem of her top and yanked it up and off, tossing it aside before taking her small waist in his hands and pushing her higher up the door until her breasts were at the same level as his mouth.

Rose let out a soft moan, wrapping her long legs around his waist as he gently nibbled along the edge of her bra, his hands inside the back of her jeans, squeezing her ass as he grinded his hard-on against her.

Rose's lower abdomen clenched, able to feel her panties getting wet with her arousal, her fingers tugging at his hair as she covered his mouth with hers –taking control of the kiss, he moved one hand out of her jeans to undo the button and zipper of her jeans.

Grabbing the back of his t-shirt, she pulled it over his head, tossing it aside and sliding her hands down his muscled back, her fingernails dragging lightly against the hot skin, making him shudder as he pushed his hand into her panties, finding her wet and hot, "God, baby, you smell so fucking good when you're turned on."

Rose groaned, tilting her hips as he pushed his hand in deeper, his thumb rubbing over her clit, his fingers stroking her opening before pushing in, "Oh God, Seth…"

He pushed his two fingers in deeper, curling them against the tight walls of her pussy every time he pulled them out, her teeth biting into his neck, raising his temperature higher up the scale.

"I want you naked, baby," Seth whispered, his breath hot against the soft swells of her breasts as he kissed his way down between them, tugging at the front clasp with his teeth until it popped open.

She shrugged her bra off as he slid his hand down her smooth back, hooking his thumb into the waistband of her jeans and panties before dragging them down over the swell of her ass, a whimpering protest escaping her as he removed his hands from what it was doing.

Unwrapping her legs from around his waist, he pressed his chest against hers to keep her anchored between him and the door while she gained her footing, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he slowly dropped to his knees, his hot mouth charting a trail down her stomach as he dragged her jeans and panties down to the floor.

He watched her face, his eyes dark and hot as he slipped his thumb in to rub against her swollen nub, her flushed face and chest letting him know she was close to coming.

Using him to keep her balance, she stepped out of her clothes, her breath embarrassingly loud as he reached up to cup her ass in both hands, pulling her into him as his tongue slid into her slick folds, flicking her clit a couple of times before he closed his lips around it, pushing his thumb into her and rubbing that soft spot he knew would set her off.

It was almost unfair, the way he knew her body so well –Rose tried to bite back the scream building inside her but it still came out although a bit strangled as her entire body tightened until it finally snapped, the pleasure of her release washing over her as she muttered inconsequential things in her native language, her fingers relaxing from their tight grip on his hair.

He leaned back on his heels, letting her slide down the door and into his arms, his body temperature keeping her from getting chilled as he wrapped his arms tight around her, his own body still aching with need for release but he wasn't going to say anything.

He swallowed back a groan at how painfully aroused he was, the idea of her mouth on him dominating all other thoughts.

Kissing the top of her head softly, he slowly rubbed circles against her back, trying to subdue images of her doing what he'd promised her he'd teach her.

They'd been married for almost five years now and although she had asked, more than once, for him to teach her how to 'suck him' –damn Rachel for her big mouth and lack of discretion –he had refrained for fear of hurting her or having her feel…used.

Don't get him wrong, the idea of her sucking him made him so fucking hard it bordered on painful but he couldn't get over a couple of things –one, the proportional difference between her mouth and his cock was a bit of a concern and two, his sweet wife was about as innocent as they came, having learned everything involving sexual satisfaction from him.

Despite her interest in learning to please him this way, he knew some women didn't like it and he didn't want to subject her to it just to find out she was one of them.

Pressing a kiss between his pecs, Rose was completely oblivious to the thoughts going on in Seth's head, simply focusing on the burning curiosity she'd had for a long time as she dragged her fingernails down his flat stomach, looking up at him with a sultry smile, "Your turn."

Seth swallowed hard, staring into her beautiful eyes, able to pick out the green and gold flecks that seemed to heighten in color whenever she was aroused.

Letting out a breath, he decided to suck it up…well, yeah –she was going to be doing that. He'll just have to take it like a man if she didn't like it, not to mention keeping himself from losing control.

Burrowing his fingers into her hair to tilt her head back, he kissed her swollen mouth, sliding his tongue across the inside of her bottom lip before he stood up, grabbing one of the fluffy blankets she kept on the shelves behind the bathroom door, "Put this under your knees."

Rose did as he said, looking up at him, the utter trust in her hazel eyes, rocking him to the core. Trying to control his breathing, he gently dragged his thumbs down the sides of her face, pushing her long hair behind her shoulder before cupping her chin in a hand, "Undo my jeans."

She bit her lip, reaching up to finish unzipping his jeans, her core clenching with need –for some strange reason, it really turned her on when he got all bossy with her which she was certain meant having him teach her how to do this was going to have her hot and bothered in no time at all.

Curling her fingers around the waistband and pulling them down along with his boxers, she swallowed nervously, eying his erection –dear God, was she actually going to be able to get it all into her mouth?

Seth could see the nervousness in her eyes, feel the apprehension rolling off of her, "You don't have to do this, baby –"

"No," she shook her head, dragging his jeans the rest of the way down, watching as he stepped out of them and kicked them aside before reaching up and gently wrapping her fingers around him, "I want to do this…for you. Please."

Seth swallowed back a groan, about ready to blow his load at the sight of her on her knees, her face openly showing eagerness in wanting to please him, "Breathe through your nose…and…relax your jaw –and your throat…take it slow baby and be careful with your teeth."

Rose gave a small nod, lowering her eyes to the thick cock she held in her hand, her thumb rubbing the plump vein that ran underneath it, watching with interest as a bead of liquid formed at the tip, "What do I do when…when I…when I have you in my mouth?"

Seth let out a soft groan, the hunger in her eyes as she surveyed his cock making him shiver as he reached up to brace himself against the bathroom door, "Just…just think of a lollipop."

Rose's lips slowly spread into a smile that had him lose his breath as she moved her small hand up his turgid length, tightening her grip slightly before sliding back down towards his balls.

Rose couldn't help thinking how Seth always told her she tasted amazing and as she stared at the liquid bead precariously perched at the tip of his cock, she briefly wondered what he would taste like.

He watched her through hooded eyes as she leaned forward, her pink tongue darting out to lick the pre-cum from the tip of his dick.

The explosion of taste on her tongue had her eyes grow wide, the humming inside her resonating through every nerve. Without another thought, she swirled her tongue around the head of his cock before sucking it into her mouth.

"Oh fuck," Seth groaned, his head falling back onto his shoulders as he forced himself to keep still, the wet suction of her mouth feeling gloriously amazing as she slowly sucked him deeper, "Ah, shit, baby –fuck –that feels so…so fucking good!"

Rose hummed around him, stopping briefly to remind herself to breathe through her nose before she slid her mouth off him only to swallow as much of him as she could, the rush of power that swept through her causing a shiver to skitter down her back, her thighs clenching in an attempt to relieve the pulsating ache in her core.

"Argh," Seth groaned, a hand tangling in her hair as he lost the fight to keep still, his hips thrusting forward, "Fuck, Rosie, that…ah, shit, baby –just like that…"

Rose sucked him hard, her cheeks hollowing as she took more of him in her mouth, her small hand keeping in rhythm with her mouth fingers tight around what she couldn't reach.

"Ah, fuck –fuck, baby," Seth couldn't think past how she was deep-throating him, his eyes rolling into the back of his head at the amazing way her mouth pushed him closer to the edge.

His baby girl was a fucking natural at this –not to mention enthusiastic –and he couldn't help but let out a growl as she pulled back to swirl her tongue around the head of his cock. Reaching down, he pulled her up by her shoulders, spinning her around to face the bathroom sink.

"Seth," her bottom lip poked out in a pout as he placed her hands on the lip of the sink before yanking her hips back and nudging her legs open with his knee, "I'm not done."

"Yes, you are," Seth reached up to grab a fistful of her hair, pulling her head back as he leaned over her, his teeth biting into the back of her neck as he slid into her.

She was so damn wet and hot that he had no problem pushing into her tight pussy until he was buried as deep as he could go.

Rose let out a low moan, her entire being focusing on the full feeling as his thick cock stretched her to the point of almost hurting, every thrust of his hips pushing her closer to the precipice.

Seth was about to explode but dear God, he needed his Rosie to go first. Reaching around her, he slid his fingers into her folds, finding her swollen clit and giving it a gentle pinch, her inner muscles clamped around him hard, his own orgasm rushing through him so fast he couldn't catch his breath as they both exploded.

Pulling out of her, he stumbled back until he hit the wall, Rose still in his arms as he slid down to sit on the floor with her in his lap, her head falling back onto his shoulder.

Breathing hard, he kept his arms around her, burying his face in her neck as he breathed her in, the scent of their combined release bringing him some peace.

"Wow," Rose muttered as she wiggled in his lap to snuggle into his side, "That was…"

"Amazing," Seth reached up to sweep back the tendrils of hair sticking to her face, pressing a kiss against her forehead, "Fucking amazing."

She nodded, closing her eyes as she let out a sigh of satisfaction, her entire body molded into his like warm putty.

Seth watched her for a few seconds before pressing a kiss against her swollen mouth, his breath hot as he whispered, "I love you, Rosa…so damn much."

Rose smiled, forcing her eyes to open as she looked up into his, her own glinting with a teasing light, "You're only saying that because I sucked you."

Seth laughed, his head falling back against the wall for a few seconds before he looked into her eyes, "You did a pretty damn good job too…you definitely know how to put that dirty mouth of yours to good use."

Rose giggled, moving until she was able to wrap her arms around his torso as she gave him a teasing smile, "Was that my punishment?"

"Mhm," Seth ran his fingers through her long hair, his other hand drawing patterns against the smooth skin of her thigh, "That depends."

"On what?"

"Did you learn your lesson?"

Rose blushed, her eyes dancing as she tilted her head until her lips were only a breath away from his, "Fuck no."

His laughter shook both of them, pulling her in for a tongue thrusting kiss but not before saying into her mouth with a grin, "Good."


Saturday, October 28th

He was having a hard time standing still but every time he shifted in place, he caught a glare out of the corner of his eye from Rachel Lahote.

Of all people for his Julie to go to for wedding planning help, did it have to be her? He knew she worked as a therapist at Forks Memorial but now he was starting to believe she had some hidden dream of being the wedding planner from hell.

About to shift his weight from one foot to the other, and incur the wrath of the bitch with the headset, he completely forgot the annoyance of having her glaring at him on his wedding day as the music changed.

The soft hum of steel strings heralded the beginning of his future as he looked across the beach, smiling with indulgence as Lyn walked towards him, looking beautiful in the peach silk dress Julie had picked for her being she was the matron of honor…and the only member of their wedding party.

Lian hadn't asked Seth to be his best man considering the past history between his bride and his cousin which he thought would be too weird, so they'd agreed on just Lyn's company.

His train of thought completely derailed as he finally caught sight of the woman who owned him body, heart and soul.

Red-brown curls hung down her bare back, strands of pearls with a hint of blush –her aunt from Weihai had send them –were weaved through the tresses. Her lips tinged a soft peach and her eyes looking large with dark lashes surrounding them, a light shimmer of silver across her lids bringing out the beautiful violet hue that always took his breath away.

The halter style bodice of her dress lovingly hugged her from breasts to waist, leaving her entire back bare as it fell from her hips to the middle of her shins in a waterfall of ivory silk as the cold ocean water crashed over her bare feet.

As she drew closer to him, he could feel his heart expanding in his chest, air escaping his lung in a rush without any possibility of it being replaced –God, he couldn't believe he'd gotten so damn lucky to be able to give everything of himself to this…this…ethereal being.

Julie smiled into his eyes, the dozen irises she cradled in her left arm trembling as she carefully walked towards him, the smooth pebbles shifting under her feet as the moon's pearlescent light spilled over everything stretched out before her.

Reaching him, she slipped her hand in his offered on, an odd tingle running up her arm and settling in her stomach as he gently pulled her closer. Once he had her close enough to wrap his arms around her, he did so, lowering his head until their foreheads gently touched, neither looking away from the others' eyes even when the preacher began to speak.

Jiao wiped at a tear with the back of her hand, her heart feeling full as she watched her daughter –her beautiful baby girl –staring into the eyes of her soul. Pressing her hand against her chest, she couldn't hold back her smile, or the tears, as she recalled the day her little July had been born…it had been such a beautiful experience, so different from her first time when she gave birth to a son she never even got to see.

Her arms, having felt so empty for so long, were occupied by this sweet little angel with features so perfect, so exquisite…and when she had handed her over to the one man who not only knew who she truly was but loved her for it, she hadn't been able to stop herself from crying. He had been the first man to love her baby, to look at her and see the entire universe in those beautiful violet-hued eyes of hers but Jiao had known, just as her own mother had with her –he wouldn't be the one to offer her the anchor needed to live a life full of love and joy.

Taking the handkerchief her father quietly handed her, she carefully dabbed her eyes as the preacher nodded towards Julie for her vows.

Handing the irises –tied together with the five ribbons he had used for his proposal –to Lyn, she placed her hands on his chest, his steady heartbeat under her right hand, "True love is hard to find –some people go through a lifetime without ever experiencing the joy and acceptance that comes with it. When you offered to give me what I've long been searching for, I was too much of a coward to take it…and in my cowardice, I hurt you."

Lian gave her a soft smile, reaching up to frame her face in his big hands, the rough pads of his thumbs brushing away the tears rolling down her cheeks, quietly waiting for her to continue.

"But like true love, you didn't give up on me. You stuck around…continued to be my friend…you saved me."

She stared deep into his brown eyes, seeing her whole life in them –from beginning to end. She touched his squared jaw with trembling fingers, "You have kept every promise you've made to me…and I know you'll do everything in your power to continue keeping those promises. So now, in front of our family and friends, I promise to honor you by always standing by you no matter what. I'll forsake all others but never you. I will guard our future together from here on out, never allowing anyone outside of ourselves to change its course. I'll dedicate my time, my energy, my everything to make our dreams come true. Most importantly, I will love you –every day –and my love will grow and mature and will always be yours."

Lian fought back the tears threatening to fall, touching his thumb to her bottom lip as the preacher looked at him with prompting he didn't need, "Not long ago –at someone else's wedding –I made the comment that marriage was for the strong man…and I wasn't one of them…but even then –even then I knew you were mine just as certainly as the first time I heard you sing…but in my cowardice, I hurt you."

Julie bit her bottom lip, her hands moving up his chest to link behind his neck, a strand of pearls getting caught between his fingers. Rubbing the pearl between his thumb and forefinger, he let himself get lost in her purple eyes, "You…you hold my soul, my heart…my very life. You have made me a better man –a stronger man. You've given me the strength to be here right now, to be the man you need…I'll keep being that man, July. I'll keep my promises –the ones I've made and will make…I'll keep them because you've given me the ability to do so. I'll love you, stand by you, chase our dreams with you –I'll hold you through the good times and the bad…it's a lifetime guarantee, baby, that I'll be your man…because I know no other way to be."

They exchanged rings, everyone erupting into applause and cheers as the preacher pronounced them husband and wife, Lian pulling her flush against his body as she tugged his head down for a deep, drawn out kiss.

The dark sky lit up with fireworks, Seth along with Lance and Derek letting out high pitched wolf whistles that had the bride and groom breaking apart with a laugh, their eyes dancing as they grinned at each other.

The fun was just getting started –


Round tables were set up around the dance floor, the centerpieces simple yet uniquely designed by Julie herself: five white candles held together to create a star by five ribbons alternately weaved around them –green, yellow, blue, red and purple.

Seth bounced Carlos on his knee, the four month old laughing at the faces his daddy was making as he waved his arms, tiny hands opening and closing in glee. Rose watched, smiling in enjoyment at the sight of her boys bonding.

Everyone turned their attention to the band on the stage –the reception was being held indoors at St. Anne's –as one of the guitarists stepped before a microphone, "Hello everyone! I'm Mitch, one of the guitarists of the Young-Star Band…it's been a while since we've all played together but I can tell you, none of us have ever been more excited to play than we are right now so without further ado, the first dance –and song –of the night. Give it up for Mr. and Mrs. Lian Young!"

The applause thundered in the enclosed space as a spotlight lit up the middle of the dance floor, Julie standing in the pool of light as the band seamlessly launched into the opening notes, Lian stepping into the circle of light as she began to sing, her voice smooth as whiskey picked up by the earpiece microphone she wore:

Trying to live and love
With a heart that can't be broken
Is like trying to see the light
With eyes that can't be opened

Yeah, we both carry baggage
We picked up on our way
So if you love me do it gently
And I will do the same

Lian's deep baritone joined hers in the chorus, a perfect blend that took everyone's breath away:

We may shine, we may shatter
We may be picking up the pieces here on after
We are fragile, we are human
We are shaped by the light we let through us

We break fast, 'cause we are glass
'Cause we are glass

Her eyes never left his as he sang the second verse, the words they wrote together resonating deep in their soul:

I'll let you look inside me
Through the stains and through the cracks
And in the darkness of this moment
You see the good and bad

But try not to judge me
Cause we've walked down different paths
But it brought us here together
So I won't take that back

As they slowly moved around the dance floor, eyes never looking away from each other, they sang the rest of the song together, no one paying attention to anything else other than the perfect couple before them:

We may shine, we may shatter
We may be picking up the pieces here on after
We are fragile, we are human
We are shaped by the light we let through us
We break fast, 'cause we are glass

We might be oil and water
This could be a big mistake
We might burn like gasoline and fire
It's a chance we'll have to take

We may shine, we may shatter
We may be picking up the pieces here on after
We are fragile, we are human
We are shaped by the light we let through us
We break fast, 'cause we are glass

We are glass

Natalie reached up to wipe away at a tear, feeling so happy for them, the excitement at sharing this moment with their multitude of fans humming underneath the joy of seeing them so in love.

They had agreed to give her a copy of their wedding video –she herself had found the best videographer in the business –and allowing her to edit it to be launched as the music video for this song. After five months of sabbatical, fans were anxious to know what was going on with Lian Young and July Star –Natalie knew, without a doubt, this song –and its subsequent video –was going to hit the top of the charts and stay there for a long, long time.

Just the way those two would be together for a long…long time.