I've decided this is going to be the last chapter. Enjoy!

I fall asleep in Olivia's arms, worn out and still hurting, and when I wake up with a bad dream, she's still here. I can't even begin to express my love for her at this moment. She loves me – I know she does, and even after all I've done, she's still here with me.

Olivia kisses my forehead, sounding uncertain for the first time tonight. "Do you want me to go? If you're not comfortable –"

"No, I want you to stay," I say quickly, because it's true. Then I realize how demanding that sounds and amend, "Will you please stay?"

She smiles and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Of course."

She lies down on my bed and pulls the duvet over herself. She pats the space beside her, and I lie down too, but wince when the pain sears through my back once again. I bite my lip to keep from crying out and roll onto my stomach.

Olivia wraps an arm around me and strokes my hair with her other hand. "I love you, sweetheart," she whispers in my ear, and within minutes I'm asleep again. Here, with Olivia, I know I'm safe.

By the next day, we're back to normal. We don't talk about Leah, or Elliot, or the horrible things I said to her, or the healing welts on my back. She cleans the wounds for me, twice a day, and stays at my apartment indefinitely. I'm hoping that she'll move in with me soon, officially, but I'm really not in any position to make such a request.

Two weeks later, it's my birthday. For me, birthdays have never meant much, except one less year I needed to go on living, but Olivia insists on making a big deal out of it.

"I don't think so, Liv," I say with a sigh. "Birthdays don't really put me in a celebratory mood."

"They put me in a celebratory mood," she says. "An extra special day to celebrate how glad I am that you're here."

What can I do? She's so sweet, and I melt. I agree to let her take me out for dinner.

She gets back to my place at 5:30, bearing flowers – lavender, my favourite – and a gift. "We have a 7:00 dinner reservation," she informs me. "But first, I have something for you." She holds out the present.

I smile at her. "You didn't have to get me anything –"

She stops my protests with a raised hand. "I wanted to. I love you." Every time she says them, those words make me melt a little inside. She could say them a million times, and I would never tire of hearing them. "Indulge me," she says when I make no move to open the gift.

I start to gently remove the wrapping paper, being careful not to rip it. I want to save it – for posterity.

Inside is a book, one that Olivia's clearly made herself. "Open the card first," she says when I start to open it, and I rummage around for the card.

It's small, but handmade, and there's a picture of roses on the front. I open it, and the inside says simply, You are my rose. Happy birthday, and may we share a million more. Love, Olivia.

The card brings tears to my eyes, and when I turn back to her, her expression is just so priceless. Eager, but anxious, like a child on their first day of school. "You like it?"

There aren't any words for this. "I love it," is all I can think of, and then, "I love you."

I pull her close and kiss her, soft and sweet, and she indulges me for a moment before breaking the kiss. "Open your gift now."

I smile and do so, and gasp when I realize what she's done. She's written – and illustrated – a book for me. "Liv –"

"I know you're the one who's good with words, but I hope you like it anyway."

"Liv –" I try to hug her, but she gently pushes me away.

"Read it."

There's a picture of a princess on the front, who looks remarkably like me. Yes, that's exactly what she's tried to do. It's not the form, although she has that right, or even the obvious similarities – the pale skin, the blonde hair. It's in the eyes. She's managed to capture my determination, and still, my love for her all at once. It's perfect. "I never knew you could draw like this."

She smiles sheepishly. "I'm a woman of hidden talents."

"It's beautiful."

She rolls her eyes. "Do you analyze every gift someone gives you, or just gifts that come from me?"

I decide not to point out that she's the only one who gives me such gifts and open the book. Once upon a time, there was a princess, it says. She was the kindest, the smartest, the bravest, and the most beautiful princess that ever was. She fought many dragons in her day, and was victorious against each one. Everyone in the kingdom adored the princess, especially her prince. I smile a bit when I see that she's drawn a gallant prince, bowing before the princess, with her own head. My sweet Olivia. The two of them faced many challenges, but they loved each other, and that was all that mattered. No matter what happened, they were strong enough to get through it. And the prince and the princess lived happily ever after.

I close the book and look up at Olivia with tears in my eyes. "It's beautiful," I repeat.

She pulls me close and finally kisses me. "You already said that," she says when we break apart.

"You've rendered me speechless."

"Ah! There's one for the history books."

"Thank you, Liv," I say, and mean each word.

She gives me another kiss. "Happy birthday, princess."

And on a very sappy note, that's the end. Review if you enjoyed the story!