A/N Hello. So I'm terribly sorry about the slow updating but my computer broke and I had to wait until I got a new one. So thank you for your patience. Also, this is a bittersweet moment as it's the last chapter. Thank you all so much once again for the amazing reviews and tweets in response to this story. Alright, here we go.

I'm not affiliated with Lucy or Ian in any way.

For the first time in Ian's life he felt completely happy. Content. That was what love could do to man. It could make him feel strong. As if nothing in the world could defeat him. Though at the same time it could make him feel vulnerable. Like the whole world could come crashing down and he would simply continue to hold Lucy in his arms. It was the moment he had waited for since the day he met this beautiful woman. Now it was here, and there was no better feeling.

"Ian?" Lucy mumbled sleepily as she snuggled closer into his bare chest.

"I'm right here," Ian assured her as he planted a small kiss on her cheek. As he felt her warm skin against his lips the memories of the night before came flooding back to him. Lucy had told him from the start that she didn't want to jump into something that she wasn't a hundred and ten percent sure about. Ian, on the other hand, had never been so sure about something before in his life. Which was not to say Lucy had created the rule in spite of him, she had just wanted to take things slow for now. So Ian respected that. He would wait forever for the beautiful girl, never pressuring her into something that made her feel uncomfortable. He would wait forever to be able to make love to the woman he could now call his. But even without sex, the night had still been perfect in every way.

They had kissed all through the night, like there lives depended on it. Tongues dancing and hearts racing. They talked for hours. About the future, about their future. Ian's heart skipped a beat when Lucy admitted she didn't see her future without him in it. Then, when Lucy began to doze off to sleep, she had cuddled into Ian's chest and he had wrapped his arms around her small frame. It was the way they had stayed all night. Ian never wanted to let go.

"Are you hungry, beautiful?" Ian asked when he could tell that Lucy was awake enough to answer a question.

"Yeah a little bit," Lucy told him after a little thought, "What's cooking chef Harding?" She teased and kissed the tip of his nose as she leaped out of bed. Ian chuckled and threw the covers off of himself as he began to chase her to the kitchen. Once he caught up to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around as she giggled wildly. It was a sound that was pure joy to Ian's ears. Lucy's laugh was something he wouldn't trade for anything. Just knowing that Lucy was happy made him happier than words could express.

As they entered the kitchen, Lucy seated herself on the counter while Ian raided his fridge for something to eat. Lucy watched him quietly, taking in the beauty of the few dark curls that fell into his face. She reminisced about how his lips felt pressed against hers. Yesterday, if someone were to ask Lucy if she was in love with Ian, her answer would've been full of uncertainty and carefulness. But if you were to ask her now, her answer would be simple and clear. Yes. She was in love with the boy with the goofy smile and gorgeous blue eyes. He could've asked her to travel around the world with him and she would've said yes simply because it was Ian.

"Alright Miss Hale," Ian said, removing his head from the fridge and snapping Lucy out of her thoughts, "I can make you some eggs and pancakes because it seems I'm overdue for a trip to Whole Foods." Lucy laughed and kissed the top of his forehead as he set the egg carton on the counter next to her.

"That sounds absolutely perfect to me," She smiled as he moved closer to kiss her. His lips met hers and immediately Lucy felt warm inside again. "Mmm...okay chef, start cooking. I'm starving." Lucy joked, ruffling his hair as he walked away.

Ian finished breakfast in a timely manner, but it didn't seem to take long as Lucy preoccupied him with lively banter. Together, they took their plates and sat down at the dining table. For a few minutes, they were both quiet as they were busy eating. Lucy couldn't remember a time she had been this hungry but she had been focusing on other things lately so food hadn't necessarily been at the top of her list. It felt good to be able to sit down and enjoy a meal and the company with Ian. The men she had dated in the past two years had never treated her like Ian did. She always felt like she was more of a prop to them if anything. But Ian made her feel special, he made her feel wanted and loved. It was better than anything Lucy could ask for.

"I love you," Lucy blurted out unexpectedly, looking up from her food to gauge Ian's reaction. He looked up from his food as well and seemed startled for a second, until a wide smile spread across his face.

"I love you too, Lucy," He told her, reaching across the table to take her hand in his. They stayed quiet for another moment, until a thought popped into Ian's head. "Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"Ok I know this sounds crazy and you have to promise me you won't freak out," Ian's voice sounded shaky.

"I promise," Lucy was confused but she hoped her promise would calm Ian down even the slightest bit.

"Oh man, I wish I was doing this another way," Ian took a deep breath as he looked into Lucy's large, beautiful, green eyes, "Lucy Hale, I have spent the past five years loving you more than I ever thought it were possible for a man to love a woman. Everyday I spend with you makes me happier than the last. I know this seems rushed but it's me, Luce, you've known me forever. We've been friends forever and there's no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?"

Lucy sat silenced for a moment, not quite sure how to respond. It seemed like a big step, but Ian was right. They had five years full of laughs and memories under their belts and marriage would just be a chance to add more and more. Lucy knew very well that no one would love her the way that Ian did. No one would ever be able to love her more, so what was the use in looking for someone else? Ian was exactly what she had wanted all these years, she'd just been too blind to realize it. Two years ago, she'd let him slip away but she wouldn't make that mistake again.

"Yes, Ian, I will marry you."

I smell a sequel ;) Haha once again thank you all so much for the awesome support. It's the last chapter so do me one last favor and leave me a review!

Alright this is it. Love ya'll

-Jill