Happy Sunday to all of you Rayella shippers! I feel so blessed to have such great people like you reviewing and giving great feedback, its so valued! I'm really excited to present this chapter, as everything starts to get serious! Psyched? Me too! And as I promised, new and cool characters! Let me know what you think of them! Read on!

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING BUT MY CREATED CHARACTERS AND IMAGINATION.

"Thank God I don't have to talk about dresses, shoes, corsages or eye glitter anymore!" Stella yelped happily with her hands in the sky, the breeze from the warm summer day flying through her fingers.

"You're welcome." Ray answered with a smirk.

"How did you get there so fast anyway? I literally texted you 5 seconds before you showed up. Or are you really God?" Stella asked suspiciously.

"Oh yeah most definitely. I think a little gratitude is due." Ray said as his free hand made its way onto her knee. Stella smirked and leaned in as close as her seatbelt would allow her and kissed his cheek lingeringly.

"Thank you Mr. Ray Almighty for saving me from crazy dress land." Stella said way too sweetly. She could feel Ray's face heat up, and it gave her an inner enjoyment.

"I don't know how to repay you." She said placed a small kiss on the corner of his mouth, unable to kiss his lips fully. At this contact, Ray lost his train of thought and slightly swerved the car to avoid colliding with the curb, and annoyed honks could be heard from behind them. Stella moved back to her seat and laughed.

"Well you're definitely not God; He is a MUCH better driver." Ray mock laughed and reached over and pinched her side playfully as she went to give him a wet Willy.

"Stop that, I'm driving! You're so disgusting, why do I go out with you!" He said trying to pry her hand from his almost violated ear.

"Because you're just way too attracted to my awesomeness." Stella said mimicking Ray's arrogance. He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah. THAT"S why." He said sarcastically, but she took no offense. That was the beauty of their relationship: the fact that it thrived on smart remarks and arguments, made getting hurt virtually impossible. Before she knew it, they were pulling into the driveway of Ray's upper east suburban house. Stella though her house was way too big and expensive, but when she was in the Beech's' home, it made her look like a halfway house in comparison. Not only was it over 8000 square feet, it was adorned with a swimming pool, personal soccer field, basketball court, and movie theatre. And the garden in the backyard is something you would find in the tropical amazon. The Beechs' sure gave Extreme Home Makeover Edition a run for their money.

"Why are we here?" Stella asked confused. Then she had an exciting realization. "Is no one home?" She asked curiously and planted a kiss on his lips fully. Although he reciprocated with as much enthusiasm, Ray broke away too soon for her liking.

"Actually, um-"

"Ray!" A small voice called as a long trail of golden hair came running toward the car. Ray opened his door to have a small body fly into his chest and encircled their arms around his neck.

"What's going on baby sis?" He asked happily as he tried to escape his car as she hung from his arms.

"Mommy and I are making Oreo balls for the dance tonight! Come on so you can lick the spoon before it's all gone!" She pleaded eagerly.

"Okay munchkin, can you at least wait for Stella to get out the car?" He said and that was when she noticed the funky Asian waving from the passenger's seat. Her eyes grew wide.

"Stella!" She said and dangerously jumped out of Ray's arms and ran around to assault Stella with a bear hug.

"Hi Kayleigh! I surprised you didn't I?" Stella said as she pinched Kayleigh's nose. Kayleigh gave a wide smile that showed a gap from the loss of a front baby tooth, and dragged Stella from the car.

"I'm glad you're here, because I wrote a new song and I need an opinion that isn't from Ray or a stuffed bear." Kayleigh said as she gently tugged on Stella's hand and whispered in her ear, "Bears are so fickle. One minute they like honey, the next they want cheesecake!" Stella laughed at the little version of Ray with blonde hair lying loosely on her back and shining crystal blue eyes.

"And where did you learn the word 'fickle'?" Stella asked as they made their way up the steps to the door.

"I was reading The Chronicles of Narnia today." Stella's mouth dropped.

"Chronicles of Narnia? Aren't you 5?"

"So?" Kayleigh said incredulously.

"Smart girl. I don't know how you are related to Ray." Stella turned and smirked at Ray who was behind her.

"Mommy, mommy, Stella's here!" Kayleigh said running to the kitchen. When Stella entered the kitchen the size of a small film studio, she had to smile at the cliché housewife look Mrs. Beech was rocking. Her blonde hair pinned up in a bun with a yellow bow holding it together, and her green eyes and porcelain face was adorned perfectly with light makeup and pink lipstick. She wore a white blouse and a summer yellow pencil skirt, all covered with a floral apron, and covered in chocolate. Her eyes perked up when she saw Stella.

"Stella sweetheart! It's so good to see you! Come give me a hug, but be careful, Kayleigh got a little overworked with the chocolate." Mrs. Beech said with stretched arms and Stella gladly gave her a hug. It still shocked Stella how much the Beech's liked her, and how much she liked them. She was more than positive that when she met Ray's parents they would be as snarky and rude as Ray was to her at first, and be uptight rich people who would judge her by her looks like most. However, to her surprise, Mrs. Beech was welcoming and sweet, and admitted she was thrilled to have Patty out of her life. Plus, Kayleigh took to her like she was her own sister. For being in a family of little brothers, it was nice to have a little sister for a change. But Mr. Beech…well, he's a different complicated story, and exactly what Stella expected.

"Mom, I thought you were going with Dad to some conference thing and I had to babysit Kayleigh?" Ray asked as he stuck his finger into the blender and ate some of the left over batter.

"Yes, but his plans changed, he decided to go alone. I tried to call you but your phone was off, and you know I don't know how to message- what do you kids do again?" Asked Mrs. Beech. Stella just laughed.

"Texting Mrs. B."

"Oh right that. So are you excited for the dance tonight Stella? I know you're going to look stunning!" Mrs. Beech said overly excited, showing her almost commercial-like white teeth. "My Ray has been gabbing about it all week." She said and pinched his cheek as he swatted her hand away annoyed. Stella laughed with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh really now?" Stella said as she saw the blush creep to the confident blonde's cheeks.

"Don't flatter yourself. I was talking about me and Wen's performance for tonight. He may be awkward and dorky, but he can spit a rhyme." Ray covered up as Stella rolled her eyes and let herself be pulled down onto Ray's lap.

"I like Wendell. He is a fine young gentleman," Mrs. Beech complimented busying herself with cleaning the counter as Kayleigh keep secretly sneaking Oreo balls out of the tray. Stella and her locked eyes and Stella winked as Kayleigh giggled in appreciation. "You two should hang out more often; he'd be a good influence on you. Teach you how to talk to your girlfriend properly." She chided hitting him playfully with her dish rag. Stella nudged his ribs.

"Yeah. I wanna be treated properly Beech. Where's my chocolates and diamond tennis bracelet?" Stella said in fake anger. Ray just scoffed and held Stella to his chest tighter and pressed soft kisses along the side of her neck.

"I treat you just fine." Stella's face began to burn hotter than the Sahara Desert and she shifted awkwardly.

"Ray, your mom and your sister are here."

"So?" He said still focused on her neck, as Stella secretly thanked God his sister was engrossed in stealing sweets and his mother now washing dishes, her back to them.

"So if you want to continue this, here is not the place." She whispered. Ray immediately shot out of his chair almost knocking Stella on the floor in the process.

"Mom we're going to my room." He announced as he led Stella by hand to the stairs.

"Okay, but leave the door open!" Mrs. Beech yelled after them, as she went to answer the telephone that began to ring.

"Okay!" Ray yelled back but shook his head no at the same time. Stella laughed behind him. It was a shock to Stella that he was still in breath by the time they reached the third floor where his room was located.

"You people are freakin millionaires, and it never occurred to you to get an elevator in this monstrosity?" Stella said taking in air as she walked into Ray's room.

"Stop complaining." Ray said as he closed the door behind them and lightly pushed her against the door and kissed her hard on the lips. Stella let out a small moan at his force and wrapped arms around his neck as his fingers roamed around her waist. However, Stella was less focused on their current position, and at the sight she saw behind his head.

"Oh my goodness Ray, have you ever heard of a vacuum cleaner?"

"Uh huh." He replied distracted and tried to kiss her again, but she turned away.

"No seriously. This is what you live in? You have like an entire episode of Hoarders going on in here!" She said now completely focused on his messy room.

"Stella-" He whined as he saw her concentration was dropping and she slipped out of his grasp and kept on her roll.

"An old pizza box in the bed, clothes everywhere, underwear on the lamp shade, and-"she stopped and cautiously picked up an odd smelling object. "What in McJagger's name is?"

"My cup."

"Cup?' Stella asked confused.

"Yeah for," Ray said awkwardly and motioned to the lower region. Stella's eyes grew wide in realization and tossed it across the room. "Ewwww! Okay we are definitely not making out after that." Stella said in disgust. "I need to wash my hands." Stella said opening the door to use the bathroom but almost ran into an elated Kayleigh who was at the door.

"Hi Stella! Say hi to Nana!" She said holding the phone up to Stella.

"Nana, Ray is completely gross!" Stella yelled into the phone and heard a faint "Tell me about it" before she rushed to bathroom to wash her hands.

"What'd you do now? And why does it smell like feet and Doritos in here? Haven't you ever heard of Febreeze?" Kayleigh asked annoyed.

"None of your beeswax, now scram munchkin." Ray said and lifted Kayleigh out of the room and closed the door.

"What's up Nana?"

"What's up disgusting baby brother?" Nana said through the phone with a laugh. Ray had to smile, as he could envision his older sister with a smirk almost identical to his on her face.

"I'm 16, I'm not a baby." Ray retorted, taking Stella's advice and throwing away the old pizza box on his bed.

"Yes, but your skin's still as soft as your toosh when mom brought you home from the hospital." She said amusement in her voice.

"Nana, if you just called to taunt me, we could have waited until Thanksgiving." Ray said in annoyance at his older sister, but only half-heartedly.

"Fine, I'll lay off. I just wanted to check in since our last juicy conversation." She said with excitement in her voice. Ray mental slapped his forehead.

"Why did I even tell you?" He said. Although his sister was 20 and miles away at college, they still held a very strong bond. Ray had a tendency that few knew about to confide in his sister some of his darkest secrets, fears, and even his greatest joys. They have been incredibly close since they were little, being only 3 years apart. It only felt natural for him to tell his tomboy sister everything and anything, even when she was thousands of miles away.

"Because I know you better than anyone. Now, have you told her yet?" Her question was met by silence.

"Raymond David Beech!"

"Nana, it's not that simple. I need a strategy. Stella isn't like the other girls I've dated. She won't fall for some lame cliché line, or a cheesy gift or card. If I tell her straight out she'll laugh me out of this universe and I'm not going to make a joke out of myself." Ray said as he made a disgusted face at some old molded food that was on his floor and threw it in his trashcan.

"Ray, I know for a fact that Stella will not do that. If anything she feels the same way." Nana paused. "But your right, she's not like the others. But believe me, under all that tough talk and leather, Stella's just like any other girl. You just have to be creative, and wait for the right moment." Then it was as if Ray heard the light bulb go off in Nana's head. "Oo! You can tell her tonight at the dance! Yes, that's perfect!"

"Yeah sure, that's not cheesy or cliché." Ray said.

"Well little brother, we talked about this 2 weeks ago, so you had all the time in the world to get it together. You leave tomorrow morning, so unless you want this burden until August, I suggest you do it tonight."

"What am I supposed to say Hanna? 'Oh Stella, aren't these cheese sticks good? And by the way I'm in love with you.'". At this statement Ray heard a clank out in the hallway. He chalked it up to being Kayleigh and ignored it.

"Well please don't say the cheese sticks part, but why not come out and say it? Stella seems like the type of girl who likes up front honesty. Get some balls and confess it. Saying you love someone is like the rule for burping: better in than out." Nana remarked.

"Great advice Nana. I might as well of asked Scott."

"Take it or leave it little bro. But as a girl who isn't quite conventional, I'd be more impressed if a guy just admitted it straight out than took forever because he wanted to be overly romantic."

"Really?"

"Really." Suddenly Ray heard the door creak open and saw Stella.

"Hey Nana I have to go. I'll call you later."

"Okay and Ray?"

"Yeah?"

"She's going to feel the same way. Believe me." Ray smiled at his sister's reassurance.

"Thanks Big."

'No problem Little. Peace out!" Nana said and hung up the phone. Ray sat the phone on his bed.

"Nana says hi. I think she likes you more than me sometimes." Ray joked but Stella just nodded her head and seemed increasingly interested in his desk. Ray just shook it off.

"So you happy now? No undies on the lamp, pizza boxes, or cups in sight." He said enthusiastically trying to grab her attention, but was unsuccessful. He moved closer and lightly touched her arm with his fingers. "Are you alright?" She seemed to snap out of her trance.

"Yeah, I just…I need to get back to my house. I'm supposed to be at Mo's soon and I need to get some stuff to get ready for tonight." Stella said reaching for the door knob.

"But it's only 5-"

"Yeah but I need to eat, and Mo has this strict plan and she'll have my head if I mess it up even more." Stella said in a rush swinging her book bag onto her back.

"Okay well I'll drive you home."

"No!" She said loudly. Stella immediately regretted her tone. "I mean, I can walk. It's not that far. I need the exercise to fit into my dress. Throwing back tofu burgers everyday doesn't help the gut." She nervously laughed and Ray looked at her suspiciously.

"Okay, well I guess I'll see you tonight."

"Yup tonight, bye." She said giving him a quick peck on the lips and rushed out. Ray was left dumfounded.

He flopped on his bed exasperatedly. "Well I cleaned my room for nothing."

As she walked home, Stella's feet pounding on the pavement was as fast as her heart rate; she was rather running than walking. At this moment she probably needed an inhaler as she semi-hyperventilated. She tried to take in deep long breathes to slow her racing heartbeat and cool her burning face. Stella ran her fingers roughly through her short black hair and spun around in anxiety.

"Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my god!" She screeched silently to herself as Ray's words played back in her mind. "Oh Stella, aren't these cheese sticks good? And by the way I'm in love with you." "I'm in love with you." "Love with you." Love…you." Stella couldn't think straight. How could he…feel those things? They had only been dating 5 months, and they had never talked about anything as serious as…love! They had just moved past the point of hate not long ago, then like, and she was assuming they were now in serious like. And Ray, a boy who could barely express his feelings without breaking a sweat, was feeling such a strong emotion and was going to tell her that? Stella's brown orbs grew anime big. "Oh my god, he's going to tell me tonight!" She said aloud. What the hell am I going to tell him? Stella thought. This set her into another state of panic. Stella closed her eyes and tried to breath. "Okay Stella, just calm down. You're a confident, intelligent, rational girl you can figure this out without panicking. Just be cool and think." She told herself. However, even if she had the rationality of Socrates, she was only a teenage girl and she did what most would do.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed throwing her head back. In the quiet suburban neighborhood her voice echoed loudly. When she finally opened her eyes again, she saw a little boy on his bike just staring at her. Her eyes narrowed.

"What are you looking at? Nothing to see here, move along!" She shooed as he continued to stare.

"My mother says that when people scream out loud that they are expressing psychological frustration at the universe to compensate for the yearning for parental love or classic denial." He said in a 10 year old voice, but spoke the words of an adult woman presumably a psychologist.

"Well you can tell your mother that I have two loving parents, and am not denying anything. At least I think not…or maybe I am… ugghh!" She said in frustration. The strange little boy pulled out a snack rom his pocket.

"Pixie Stick?" He asked. Stella contemplated for a moment. 15 minutes later, she was sitting on the sidewalk doing one of the strangest things she's ever done: spilling her guts to a 10 year old in a Spiderman t-shirt, eating pixie sticks.

"And then he just said he loved me! I mean that is a big jump from calling me a scrawny pointy-earned nuisance yesterday. Who falls in love at 16 anyway? He's being an idiot, and a jerk for putting me in such a position. And telling me this before he leaves tomorrow and my tour? He's trying to throw my game off for the tour, that's what it is! I wouldn't put it past him. Urr I though he changed! I thought he wasn't the same jerk who humiliated us at Rising Star, but that's exactly who he is! Ugh, I can't believe I made out with that slim bag. With tongue too!" She ranted irately. The little boy held up his hands in protest.

"Now we're going into the TMI zone." He said. Stella's ears burned.

"Oh sorry. I just-"

"Listen," The little boy interrupted, pushing his helmet out of his eyes, "I'm not a shrink, but I've been to and lived with one long enough to know one thing: you're in a dysfunctional relationship, and making ethical decisions on Pixie Sticks is not a good choice." He said taking the large stick out of her palm.

"Well what would you do Mr. Smarty Pants?" Stella asked.

"I'm not a teenage girl, but from being forced to watch romantic comedies with my mother, the answer would be to get all dressed up in a salon montage and make a slow motion walk down a staircase and tell him you love him before he freezes to death and the lifeboat saves you." Stella gave him an incredulous. He shrugged. "I'm 10, my views are skewed." Stella laughed and fist pounded him.

"Thanks little dude."

"No problem." He said and stood up and got back on his bike. "I'm missing watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey marathon with my mom-ANYTHING is better than that." He grimaced. As he went to peddle away he turned around. "And by the way, I think you love him too." With that he left Stella stunned. Did a 10 year old just best her? And, could she who had just chewed out Mo and Olivia for being in love with their boyfriends at such a young age, be in love with her own? Honestly she didn't know, but her recent elementary therapist just gave her a good idea.

Cliffy! What do you think Stella will do? Well, can't wait to give you chapter 4, but first something important: Review! TTYL lemonade luvers!

Allure xoxo