Chapter Twenty One.

Miley.

"Do you think heaven is beautiful?"

"I think it would be…"

"Do you think our parents are up there together?"

Nick turned his head towards mine our forehead's almost pressing against one another as he smiled at me. "I think they would be up there right now Miley, laughing at how this has played out," He whispered moving his hand to my cheek "How we're together now and helping one another."

I turned my head back staring up at the fluffy white clouds and blue sky framed by the autumn leaves hanging over us. It was the first day I'd left the apartment in seventy two hours, and the hardest moment of my life was taking that first step out the door with Nick knowing that I wouldn't see the world the same anymore. I was sick of crying though, of the silence and the pain, I was sick of holding onto them when they were gone.

It hurt so much to think of letting go, but at the same time a part of me felt at ease knowing that they spent their last moment together and that even in fear my dad still thought of me of making sure I had a future without them.

"Do you think they're proud of us?" Nick asked quietly,

I looked at him as he stared at the sky uncertain, "Your dad would be so proud Nick, because you've grown up and become a handsome, kind and sweet man even if not all the world see's it I do, and I'm sure he does too." I responded closing my eyes, "My parents would be proud, but at the same time I think they'd be worried…"

"Why?" Nick murmured,

"Because I didn't follow my dreams. I tried to hang onto to theirs,"

Nick turned staring at me, "You don't wanna be a cop anymore?"

I looked at the sky and shrugged, "I don't know what I want anymore,"

"Well that's okay, we have our whole life to figure it out."

"You're right, we do." I responded.

I looked towards Nick as he moved his head towards mine, "You're so beautiful Miley, so brave and I know the last few days have been absolute hell for you, for your family, and for us but I promise realizing they're gone is the hardest part, moving on is easier." He whispered staring at me, kissing my lips,

"I feel like a part of me is dead." I whispered honestly.

"She's gone," Nick murmured against my lips. "The innocent and scared little girl who always used to be in your eyes, she's not there anymore. She's gone…"

"Is that a good thing?" I asked unsure.

Nick looked at me and nodded, "It is in your case."

I closed my eyes moving closer to him as Nick wrapped an arm around me. I pressed my head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat that told me Nick was here and completely alive. The first day after I heard the message his arms made me feel safe, and through the silence when I said nothing and just sobbed the only security I had was that Nick was there the entire time. He hadn't left. He would never leave me like my parents had. The second day had been better I'd eaten, attempted to act normal while my aunt and uncle watched terrified I'd fall but I didn't, not this time. I got to mourn my parents knowing that they were definitely gone, and Nick was right the little girl who had hoped they'd come back for so long was gone too.

"Do you think we'll be happy like them one day?" I asked.

"Who?"

"My parents…"

I looked up at Nick who nodded, "I think we will be,"

"We have a future together right?"

Nick looked at me for a moment like I'd just asked the dumbest question, "I didn't sit through you saying absolutely nothing for an entire day because I like you Miley. This is the closest I've been to anyone since my dad died. I'm never letting you go because you're the first person I've let myself love,"

"What about Selena?" I asked.

Nick shrugged shaking his head, "It wasn't like this Mi, I loved her, but it was nothing like what we have."

"I love you too," I whispered after a moment.

"We'll be happy, just like them, but I want our story to have a happy ending."

"Meaning?"

"I want us to grow old together."

I looked up at him my eyes widening, "That almost sounds like a proposal."

Nick gave a small chuckle shaking his head, "Although I like the idea, I think you and me need to embrace the world before any of that is on the horizon. Plus I really don't want to ask your Uncle if I can marry you, that day alone may result in my death." I smiled and shook my head,

"It's not his say anyway, it's my dad's…"

"And what do you think he'd say?"

Nick looked at me as I stared at the orange and gold leaves rustling in the chilly wind "I don't think he'd like you very much," I responded truthfully, "But that's only because I'm his little girl and I doubt my dad would have thought anybody was good enough for me. But if dad was here I think eventually he'd love you, especially if he knew how much you've helped me."

Nick kissed my cheek as I closed my eyes, "My dad would love you," He murmured, "You're exactly the kind of girl he would have expected me to marry, beautiful, smart and a sense of humor."

My eyes scanned to see his longing face as I bit my lip,

"Do you ever feel like you're forgetting him?" I asked.

Nick nodded staring intently at the sky, "You'll come to the day which I've already past when you forget their voices, and as hard as you try your memories…they just don't feel the same once you start to lose their voice."

"But I never will," I responded confidently, "I have the message,"

Nick gave me a look shaking his head, "Miley I don't think that message is something you should hang onto forever, keep it, but don't listen because it will just make it feel like they're still here."

"I know they're not Nick."

"I don't want to see you go through that pain again…" Nick trailed off shaking his head, "I never ever want to see you so hurt the rest of my life, because I won't survive it." He responded simply.

"Okay," I whispered,

We fell silent again as I closed my eyes feeling at ease listening to the city around me. "You know I don't think this is exactly what your Uncle meant when he told us we had to patrol Central Park, we should get up." Nick announced, as I couldn't help but laugh,

"Me either, but I'm not going to tell him are you?"

"No, we'll just pretend we're having an extremely long lunch break."

"It's been three hours," I murmured looking at my watch.

My eyes suddenly caught the eyes of a passing jogger, whose forehead was so ridden with condemning lines it actually made me feel half guilty that I was on duty lying in the park. "Okay maybe we should get up and do something, don't want to give the NYPD a bad name," I announced sitting up as Nick followed suite,

"My mom wants to take you shopping by the way…"

"For what?" I asked confused.

Nick just looked at me, "The wedding from hell,"

I looked at him confused, "I'm invited? To your mom's wedding?"

Nick rolled his eyes clambering to his feet, "Yeah we got the official invitation yesterday, sorry you were kind of…not in a good place so I didn't want to add to it." He announced as I just glared at him.

"You're suggesting this wedding is bad!"

"It is,"

"It's a wedding Nick, it's going to be fantastic! I love weddings."

Nick just looked at me and laughed, "You love weddings? Oh great, next thing I'll have you, my brothers and mother in my ear about suits, and dresses, and matching flowers to tie colors-"

"You haven't got a suit yet?" I snapped at him.

Nick groaned clutching his head, "Look don't you start, I'm going to get one this week." He announced offering his hand,

"Tomorrow." I reasoned.

Nick glared, "We have work tomorrow Miles I don't have-"

"Ask Jason for it off." I announced as Nick snorted and I grabbed his hand.

"Yeah he just gave me three days off Miles, I doubt another one would go down well. Look I'll get it on the weekend, when are you free so I can let mom know?" He asked and I shrugged kind of excited,

"I can do whenever you know my schedule,"

"I do but there needs to be Nick time for at least two hours if not more a day. I can't have mom interfering with our serious kissing schedule." He proclaimed as I stretched my arms out rolling my eyes walking towards the patrol car,

"Why don't you just move in with me then?" I asked simply.

I kept walking for a few seconds waiting for a response that didn't come. I turned to see why he hadn't spoken only to see Nick was gone. I spun another ninety degrees looking back as my boyfriend stood stationary just staring at me in shock.

"Move in? With you?" Nick questioned sounding almost horrified as I frowned confused, why was he acting like this was a big deal?

"You don't have do, chill out. It was just a suggestion."

I kept walking half insulted by his reaction, while the other half was honestly not really that bothered. Nick was committed I knew that, and moving in wasn't a big deal and I wasn't going to make it one. If he didn't want to he didn't have to. Nick ran catching up to me so he was in sync with my strides,

"Wait so you want me to live with you, in your amazing apartment?" He asked completely shocked "And to leave the little shitty piece of a cupboard I currently reside in with Joe and my best friend who he is still playing around with?"

I nodded, "I mean if you want, you already spend a bit of time-"

"Okay," He cut me off grinning, "Yeah okay, I like the sound of this. How much is rent?"

I was the one to stop this time as I looked at him laughing, and he frowned at me confused, "Rent? Nick you're my boyfriend, I inherited the apartment and my trust fund pays for everything from electricity down to gas. There is no rent, unless being by my side every night counts." I smiled at him and Nick just gave me the brightest smile offering me his hand,

"I'm in," He announced.

I took his hand as he pulled me forward planting his lips on mine. "But I'll do all the shopping, it's the least I can do." He announced as I smiled against his lips,

"Done, and the washing?"

Nick pulled back still grinning excited, "You're pushing it now."

"Damn worth a shot."

I watched his face suddenly fall again as I frowned, "What's wrong now?"

"Jason? If he finds out I'm moving in with you he'll think that we are-"

I laughed rolling my eyes, "Well we might be very very soon. Plus I changed the locks again. Jason doesn't need to know everything. My life, my apartment." I announced as Nick just looked at me with raised eyebrows, "But yeah we probably should tell him, but let's just have fun first."

"Fun? Miley having fun? I didn't know you knew what that word meant?" He mocked as I slapped him.

"Shut up, let's go idiot."

Nick.

"He's been in there a while," Selena whispered to Demi.

"Maybe he's getting fired?"

"I heard he's been stealing the drugs from evidence lock up."

Demi snorted giggling, "That was Joe though, awkward if he gets blamed. Sandra in reception said he sent a crude and sexiest email around the office about one of us."

"Us meaning?"

"Meaning the women in the work force idiot."

"What a dick."

"I heard Kevin saying it was something about his conduct on an arrest the other day." Miley whispered to the girls as I groaned and all three of them turned and stared at me like I'd interrupted their graduation speech.

"Guys, do you really need to have this discussion on my desk?" I snapped. "I'm working, and not at all interested in your little gossip session."

"We're sharing a desk Nick, until-"

"Miley you have a desk, over the other side of the office." I responded.

Miley glared at me her jaw clenched, "Jason did that on purpose so I'd be separated from you, I'm taking a stand. Plus all the guys over there are jerks, like David." She announced shivering as they all looked towards the Commissioners door.

David was a senior officer, honestly I didn't know a lot about him, but he had a bad reputation in the office for his conduct. He'd been called into to see the Commissioner while Miley and me had been out on patrol, and he still hadn't come out. It was about to hit the twenty-minute mark and no one survived the Commissioner's lair for that long without coming out with some kind of war wound, Miley the exception of course.

"I hope he does get fired, that means Justin will get promoted." Selena gloated,

"What happened to the FBI? They realize he wasn't stupid enough to join yet?"

Selena gave me a look, and much to my surprise so did Miley. Demi scoffed standing up, "Come on let's move this discussion to my desk. At least then we don't have a running critique."

"I'll still be able to hear you from there."

"Yeah but if you interrupt we can ignore you more easily." Miley replied smirking.

I went back to work trying to ignore the girl's gossiping. I suppose it was good though, Miley seemed normal today which was a change from the last few horrible days I'd spent with her. I glimpsed across to see her smiling while Selena whispered to her, we'd made the right decision I was sure of it now and I was happy that Miley was at least accepting this now. It was still a long road though, no one could simple be cured of heartache in a day.

"Oh and I have some news..." Miley whispered to the girls.

I glimpsed over to see Miley was looking at me her smile bright as she gave me a wink and looked back to Selena and Demi. I watched her lips moves trying to work out what she was telling them only for Demi's mouth drop,

"Move in with you?" She hissed loudly. "Girl that's a bad idea, you don't even know if he has weird habits-"

"I'm sitting right over here Demi." I snapped not looking up.

"Apart from interrupting private conversation he seems normal enough to be allowed into my apartment." Miley announced.

"Normal enough?" I asked tilting me head looking at her,

She smiled turning back to the girls, "Plus supposedly Nick and me used to know each other..."

"Nicholas!" A voice proclaimed loudly.

I watched Miley's head snap up confused as did mine turning towards the door.

"Mom?" I hissed confused seeing her familiar form.

I stared blankly at my mother who pulled off her scarf throwing a huge grin in my direction as she strutted towards my desk like she owned the place. I couldn't help the words that spilled from my lips as I looked at her bewildered, "What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed furiously quickly glancing around embarrassed, "And who the heck let you in?"

I heard a giggle as I caught sight of Demi covering her mouth.

"Oh," Mom stated tossing her hand at me casually "I'm not here to see you, I'm here to talk to Jason, but thanks for the warm welcome-"

"What? Why are you seeing Jason?" Someone cut in before I could even utter the same question.

We both turned to Miley who was staring at us confused, as she quickly took a few steps smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry Denise, I mean why do you want to see my Uncle? This isn't about me, or us being together is it?" Miley asked trying to rectify her approach as mom smiled not caring,

"Of course not hun," She grinned, "I want to invite him to the wedding."

"The wedding?" I asked confused.

Mom rolled her eyes, "Yes, my wedding, remember the event you still haven't even started planning for? Nicholas I expect you to make a speech, you realize that right? And your brother's tell me you still haven't picked up your suit-"

"Why are you inviting Jason?" I interrupted not caring the slightest.

Mom scowled, "Because he was a close family friend Nick, and seeing as our families have once again reestablished the broken link I think it would be a good opportunity for all of us." She announced simply.

"I feel like that's a bullshit mom."

Mom just frowned at me pinching her lips together turning to Miley, "You are going to come shopping with me right?" Mom asked as Miley got in half a nod before she continued, "Good, we're going tomorrow one pm I'm thinking fifth avenue but we'll see where the day leads us." She turned back to me smiling, "It was nice seeing you Nicholas, and don't forget to pick up your suit."

With that she walked past both of us heading towards the Commissioner's office.

"What the hell was that about?" Miley asked looking at me,

I turned and looked towards my mom, "I have no idea, but I feel like it's going to lead to trouble for both of us."

"Maybe it is just about the wedding?" Miley whispered.

I shook my head analyzing my mom, "No she's up to something, and I don't think it was her choice to come here today…I think her and Jason are up to something." I murmured.

"Like what Nick?" Miley asked mocking me, "You're overthinking this."

"You don't know my mother."

"And neither do you Mr. family man."

Miley gave me a look as I frowned insulted and she turned back to the girls retaking her spot in the gossip session. The door opened to the Commissioner's office as I glanced once more at my mom, I wasn't stupid something was up I just couldn't put my finger on what exactly her motives here were.

"You can't do this to me! I didn't do anything wrong!" A voice yelled interrupting my questioning.

My eyes fell on David as he bustled through the doorway red faced fists clenched, "I'm a senior member of this force you can't fire me!" He yelled loudly as I noted the deadly silence which had fallen over the office. Jason appeared looking unusually sedate, his arms crossed and unprovoked by David's tone.

"Then take it up with my superiors David, and by that I mean the courts. You're done here." Jason responded.

"Done? Me?" David laughed shaking his head, "You're a corrupt son of a bitch and by God I will make you pay."

David turned and through himself towards the doors, only for his bright blistering eyes to fall briefly on Miley. He stopped smirking at her tilting his head, "It was worth sending the email around, you're a dirty whore and everyone deserved to know it you slut." He spat directly at her.

My mouth dropped as did Miley's and for a second it took me a moment to comprehend what he'd just said to my girlfriend. By the time I realized I needed to defend her honour, the door slammed to my left announcing David's final departure from the force. Miley however was just looking blankly around her skin paled as she turned towards her Uncle,

"Miley, my office now please." Jason stated pinching his noise.

His eyes then caught mom as he sighed motioning for her to come inside too. I went to stand up as Miley's gaze caught mine and she gave me a weak smile shaking her head,

"You okay?" I mouthed.

Miley nodded confidently heading towards her uncle's office. I watched completely confused as mom spoke to Miley for a moment pressing her hand against my girlfriend's back before they both disappeared into the office. The last thing I saw was Jason's eyes glaring at me before the door slammed sending the whole office once again into a tension filled silence.

A/N: Hey guys thanks for the reviews- super busy at the moment all my assignments are due and i have exams coming up! Stay with me though I will finish all my stories eventually :)