Happy Monday, my lovelies! Again, I missed a Saturday update, but depression is still kicking my butt. I hope this phase passes quickly because it sucks. This chapter is a bit of lead up to the Valentine's Day dance (where things are going to get spicy, yikes), so I hope you lovely people enjoy! ~Shaymie

"Happy Valentine's Day, Lo!" I kissed my girlfriend on the head and smiled as I breathed in her berry-scented shampoo. Lo smiled back at me as she finished brushing her hair. I had to resist the urge to run my fingers through it since she had literally just spent about half an hour fixing it. She smoothed down her dress and examined herself in the mirror again.

"Are you going to be all sappy and romantic today?" she asked with a smirk. I nodded and wrapped my arms around her waist. I was determined to make today the most romantic day of our lives… At least until Valentine's Day next year. I wondered how she would feel about the song I had for her. I felt slightly inadequate, considering she had actually written me a song and I was just singing one that already existed. But it was the thought that mattered, right?

Lo and Darcy had been on edge ever since they found out that Darcy's father was coming to visit. Her birthday is next week (the day after Angelica's, in fact), and she's been in a complete panic. I didn't know much about her father, but from what little I did know, I could tell that he was a world-class jerk. I could see why Darcy didn't want him to visit and why she had ran away. Not that she'll admit that she "ran away", per se. She just says that she moved out.

Laurens and I had made an agreement to try and distract our girlfriends from Darcy's father's upcoming visit. At least for today. It was Valentine's Day after all. I didn't know what Laurens was doing for Darcy. Then again, I barely had any idea of what I was doing for Lo outside of singing and taking her to the dance. I had bought her some chocolates and a teddy bear, but maybe she would think that was a bit too cliche?

"I'm going to make today the best day of your life, Lo. You deserve it." She blushed and looked away from me as she put a cherry clip in her hair. Her entire outfit for the day seemed to be fruit-themed. Her blouse was white with cherries dotted on it, while her skirt was quite literally cherry red. Her socks were thigh high (which she knew I loved) and matched her skirt perfectly.

"You're too nice, Alex. Sometimes I… I feel like I don't deserve you," she murmured as she left the bathroom. She grabbed her school ID and her backpack and looked back at me, a sad little smile on her face. "Sorry. This is supposed to be a happy day and I'm bringing it down. I'll just… go downstairs."

I sighed as Lo left the room. I was determined to distract her from every single bad thought today. I went into my room and grabbed the box of chocolates and strawberry-scented teddy bear I had bought for her the other day. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and carried Lo's gifts downstairs. I could see that Laf had a similar idea, seeing as he was carrying flowers and balloons. Lo was talking quietly to Darcy at the dining room table, but looked up when I walked in. Darcy arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow when she saw me.

"Really, Hamilton? Chocolates and a teddy bear? I would have thought that you'd have somethin' a bit more original," she drawled, resting her head in the palm of her hand. I noticed that unlike her sister, she wasn't afraid to let her accent slip out every once in awhile. And thankfully it wasn't over-exaggerated like Jefferson's. It was nice and subtle.

"I thought we were on a first name basis now."

"It comes and goes," Darcy smirked, playing with the tablecloth. I handed Lo the box of chocolates and set the teddy bear down on the table. She smiled up at me and leaned up to kiss me. I could taste her lip gloss and felt slightly disappointed when she pulled away. She grabbed my hand and giggled. Darcy rolled her eyes and went back upstairs, muttering about how we were too sweet for her to handle.

That just left Lo and I alone, although Dumpling and Alexander were running around at my feet. I took my seat next to Lo and watched as she hugged the teddy bear tightly, inhaling its scent. It was hard to believe that just a few months ago, I was shamelessly flirting with Lo. From the beginning, I knew that there was something special about her. I just felt this pull to her. Love at first sight truly did exist.

"So, master of romance, do you have anything special planned aside from the dance later?" Lo's eyes were bright as she looked up at me. I leaned over to kiss her nose, smiling as she giggled.

"I was hoping we could just go on a walk around the park before we go to the dance." I didn't mention that I was going to serenade her underneath the tree where we had our first date. That part was going to be a surprise. Lo's smile was as beautiful as she was. I couldn't help but smile back. I could tell that today was going to be a good day for her. She had a lot of ups and downs, but she was trying. She didn't hold things in anymore. She told us if anything was bothering her. She wasn't telling us much about therapy. I couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing. Maybe it just meant that she didn't think there was anything worth telling us.

"That sounds nice," Lo hummed, resting her head on the table. Her wavy hair fanned out onto the table. "The dance isn't really formal or anything, so we don't need to get dressed up. I think what we're wearing now would be fine."

"Great. I don't think I would be able to handle another grand makeover from Herc. The guy's insane."

"He is planning on majoring in fashion. He has to get his practice in some-" Lo squeaked as Laf came bounding downstairs, his hands full with gifts for Peggy. He stumbled over to the table and heaved a sigh as he set everything down. Lo raised an eyebrow and laughed as she lightly fingered a flower petal.

"Aren't you going a bit overboard there, bro? How much did all of this cost?"

"My love for Peggy has no price, Lorin. Now are you two going to help me take these out to the car, or will I have to do everything by myself?" Lo and I looked at each each and rolled our eyes. If Darcy thought that I was a lovestruck fool, she clearly hadn't seen Laf at his worst. I could already tell that this was going to be a long day.