Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

So, supposedly I wasn't gonna update today but then I realized I was almost done so…I hope it's to your liking. Unbeta'd, I'm so sorry. Please enjoy, though! I also beta'd last chapter, ugh. So much mistakes. Hopefully this doesn't have as much. Thank you so much readers and reviewers and new favoriter [jaderabit]! This week is a tough one so I'm excited to see what you guys think of it. Major time jumps here. Oh, and Mega. Fluff. Overload. I think.

SiSi4: Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! :D Mm-hm, he is. I know he has his flaws but I really think Ari brings out the best of him. Hihihi, that will come soon ;] Omg, thank you! That really made my day! I hope you enjoy this chapter! :D PS: Hehehe, as a native here, I'm still biased when it's said in my language.
Carameltootsieroll: YES! OMG! YES! EVEN I WAS KILIG TO THE BONE WHILE WRITING IT! Conyo is the way when we are too happy, hahaha! GB is my second crib. That scene had to be here, we were actually just talking about "I love you" vs. "Mahal kita" in class a while ago, haha.
Neverlandspirit: Thank you! Hehehe. Supposedly, it would've been earlier but I needed some suspense, haha. Well let's see what she does over here ;] I hope you enjoy this chapter!
JuseaPeterson: I'm starting their relationship slow since Ari/Arthur will be alone more now but I think I'm going for them. I'm glad you think so! I'm having fun writing about their friendship. That was one of the scenes I've been dying to write, haha! Oh my, I just realized how fluffy I made the last chapter, haha. #NoRegrets You'll know what he said soon ;] Thank you! I'll miss it, too, but school must come first. :[ Yay! One of those will be my next projects (simultaneous with a humor/parody one that I've been thinking of for a few months). I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kamarooka: Oh my, thank you so much! That really made my day! And since that chapter is in my country, I'm even happier! Wait, I can't get over your review! I wanted to write one, too, but my want for suspense killed it. :[ I'm happy you still liked it :D I hope you enjoy this chapter!
D.B: THAT WILL BE AN ALTERNATIVE ENDING! It's down there! And no, I love the way you wrote it ;] Thank you! I'm so happy! Yes, we are all kilig, hahahaha!

Step Eleven: Holiday — Chicago, IL & Brooklyn, NY

(Six months after Metro Manila)

Chicago, IL

She's been running towards the Navy Pier since he called her. She needs to tell him right away.

It's been six months since she and Arthur went to the Philippines. Arthur accepted a job last January but it went down south so he had to hide for a while. Their contact was limited. There were jobs in between the last semester but nothing that needed her in the field. Ever since her job in Auckland, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she's betraying Arthur's trust so she tells him about the job offers and surprisingly, she took his advice about turning down jobs that require too much of her.

"It's your last semester," he reminded her.

She'll be graduating in a few days and Arthur promised he'd be there. The college allowed their graduates to finish all their exams a week ago so Arthur invited her to go around Chicago with him, another tour before her post-college life. She arrived yesterday while he arrived just a few minutes ago and she couldn't wait to see him again. Especially after she finally knows what he told her during New Year.

Ariadne scans the crowd and spots him by the gelato stand. He doesn't have anything but his bags and she's sure that he'll be buying her some gelato when she's with him. She's running towards him again, unable to wait.

When he finally sees her, he smiles and starts to wave but she throws her arms around him and engulfs him in a hug. "I missed you, too," he murmurs, hugging her back and tucking her under his chin. "How've you been?"

"I know what you told me," she says.

"I've told you a lot of things."

"When we were in the Philippines," she continues, burying her face in his chest, "during New Year. I know what you said. She feels him stiffen a little. "Why didn't you just tell me in English or French?"

"I was…afraid," he admits, tightening his hold on her. "I didn't know if you felt the same way."

She tries to look up at him but he doesn't budge. "Arthur, you're being silly."

"How'd you find out?" he asks.

"Valeria and I were talking about our vacation once we saw each other. I told her everything, of course. I had a bit of a hard time pronouncing what you said so we didn't get to find out until last month when Filipino delegates had come over to her college. She talked to them and they figured it out." She hugs him tighter, if it's possible. "Arthur."

"Would you like some gelato?"

"Arthur!"

He sighs. "I'm not very good at this."

"You were able to tell me before."

"Because I knew you wouldn't understand."

"I should be hurt, you know," she tells him, "just be lucky I know you enough."

"Ari—"

She tears away from his body and links her hands with his. "Fine, I'll do it." Standing on the tip of her toes, she gives Arthur a light peck on his lips. "You're silly, you know that?"

He cups her face and looks at her in the eye. "I'd like to know why."

She smiles. "You know so much about me. You bring me to places you know I'll love. You buy me gifts you know I'll appreciate. You're probably one of the smartest people I know. Dangerous, too. Yet…you have no idea how a grad student feels about you."

He chuckles. "I'm sorry to burst your bubble, Ari, but I do know how you feel about me."

She frowns. "What?"

"I've known how you felt about me for quite some time already."

"Then why are you afraid?" she wonders. "Don't tell me it's because of what we do. Because of what happened to Dom and Mal."

He doesn't answer, he simply starts rubbing her cheeks with his thumb, almost memorizing the feel.

"You know I don't care. I'm in this job, too."

"I'm in more danger than you," he tells her.

"Then we'll take every job together! Then we'll both be in the same kind of danger. The best Point Man—"

"Working with the best Architect," he interrupts her.

She smiles. "Well…yeah. A package deal. That way, we'll always have each other's backs."

"Your future…you're a smart, beautiful architect graduate."

"What did your dad say when you started dream sharing? Your mother?"

"They assigned me as international researcher for the company. Edward doesn't know about dream sharing so he really thinks that I'm an international researcher. I'm sure he's mad at me for not seeing them for a while." He shrugs.

"But you really are a researcher. And a very skilled man."

He smirks. "I am very skilled."

She blushes and hits his chest. "I'd like you to prove that to me one day."

"Maybe later," he teases, leaning forward.

"So you're willing to make this work?" she asks hopefully.

Arthur fingers her scarf and sighs. "I told you before that kissing you was worth the shot. And this past year that I've been with you…I didn't even know I was capable of feeling this way. I didn't even know that I was in love with you until I was looking for the perfect Christmas gift for you. Then when the job went down south…" he pauses, "I realized that…we're different from the Cobbs. As much as you and Mal have the same personality…you're different, I'm not like Dom."

"We won't get lost," she murmurs. "We can make it work."

"We will," he agrees, bringing his face closer to hers. She can feel his warm breath, the electricity she feels when she's near him intensifies. It's tourist season yet, no one else but him and her are here. "We'll make this work."

"Move in with me," she says.

Arthur smiles a little. "What?"

"Whenever you're in Paris, you practically live with me. And whenever we're in another country, we also kind of live together. Only this time…my apartment is our permanent residence."

"You do have a very nice apartment," he says, chuckling.

"And I just got it, sort of…and you know how much I love it."

"Security's good."

"It's a pretty convenient place."

"Nice view, too."

"Homey."

"With a wonderful girl living in it." He chuckles. "I'm sold."

She hugs him again. "I love you, Arthur," she tells him. 'Finally,' she thinks.

He brings her face up to him and kisses her. It isn't like the one in the dream, it isn't like the one she gave him a while ago. It's a kiss that tells her that he loves her, too. A confession. "I love you, too, Ariadne." When he releases her, she giggles and buries her face in his chest. "Do you want some gelato?"

There was a little scare in the scheduling of graduation. Valeria had just gotten both her invitation and Ariadne's invitation back in Paris. When the two best friends decided to video chat, they found out that it'd be on the same day. It was a good thing Arthur had asked the blonde to scan their invitations, she noticed that her's would be in the morning while Ari's in the afternoon.

"Oh good. Arthur you should come, too. Maybe bring monsieur Eames, I'd like to see him again," Valeria told him.

Arthur frowned but nodded.

They're on the couch in one of the Grand Deluxe Suites of Trump International Hotel and Tower. Ariadne had argued that they wouldn't need a two-bedroom suite, a sly smile on her lips, but Arthur wanted to be prepared for any surprise visitors—"Eames," he said, frowning. Whenever she and her family had gone on a trip to Chicago, they would stay in a three star hotel. The Trumps did not disappoint her. In fact, as much as she's used to the grand hotels she and Arthur had been to, this one still amazed her. Maybe it's the plush and comfy custom designed furnishings that she could afford but wouldn't buy for herself, the different rooms that are as big as her bedroom and guestroom combined, the soft gray floor, the overdone bathroom with two sinks—"Who needs two sinks?" she asked, and the 10-foot floor to ceiling windows with an amazing view of the city.

There's steak and wine on the coffee table. They're keeping the curtains open, wanting to see glimpses of the Chicago nightlife. Ariadne grew up watching the musical Chicago; her mother loves it. The evening news isn't all that interesting but Arthur likes to know what's happening. His arms around her and she's half snuggled in him.

"When's your family arriving in Paris?" he asks.

"In two days," she says. "They'll be staying with my grandparents. I offered them the guest room in my apartment and I'm glad they said no."

"What would've happened if they agreed?"

"I didn't think that far ahead," she says, shrugging, "I also knew they'd say no. And anyways, I would've kicked them out for you."

"You hardly see your parents."

"And I don't know if you'll slip out on me. I still don't trust you in that way, okay?"

Arthur chuckles. "If it makes you feel any better, I promise to never slip out without telling you."

She frowns and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "It doesn't." Lacing her fingers with his, she asks, "Are you ready to meet my parents?"

"Do they know about me?"

"I mention to them about a dashing co-worker I have a crush on," she says, smiling.

"It's not Eames is it?" he groans.

"No, it's Dom."

"That's even worse!"

"You've been spending too much time with him. For your information, Arthur, Dominic is handsome." She giggles. "But really, that dashing co-worker is you. I promise. Even ask Maman how I describe him—you. Is there anyone else I've worked with who's tall?"

"Norman. Oh, and there's also Harry. Remember him?"

"Eew, not Norman. Creepy guy. Oh yes, Harry. Have I told you he reminds me of Eames? But no, not him either. Dark haired?"

"Yusuf. Hewitt."

"Arthur!" She nudges him. "Handsome?"

"You said so yourself. Eames and Dom." He frowns. "What am I then?"

Ariadne laughs and shifts so that she's facing him. "You are sweet and loyal," she kisses his left cheek, "intelligent, creative and incredibly charming," she kisses his right cheek, "conceited sometimes but understandable," she kisses his nose, "adorable," his forehead, "dangerously sexy," she murmurs, "undeniably good looking…" she's starting to lose the courage she recently had, "do you see yourself in your suits?"

He brings her closer to him. "I take it that you enjoy it."

"I love it when you give me a smile," she continues, "it wasn't as rare as it used to be."

"All because of you," he taps her nose.

"And your cute ears!" She touches them. "Look at them!"

"I can't right now," he tells her.

She rolls her eyes. "I can find you anywhere!"

"They're not that big," he defends.

"They're one-of-a-kind," she says, "and the cutest. I haven't seen any cute ears." He shifts and moves over to lie on his back, his head resting on the armrest. Ariadne blushes at the intimacy but reminds herself that they're together now. They're allowed to do this. "You're not wasting any time, are you?"

"I think I waited long enough," he answers. "You make me sound flawless…when we both know I'm not."

She sighs and rests her head on his chest, her eyes watching the television. "I know. I hate how you always have to disappear. How you're always in danger."

"Those aren't really flaws, Ari."

"You can become arrogant. Your temper. When you get a bit too protective. When you and Eames bicker. Oh, and when you make sure my name isn't on the list. Have I told you that you drool?"

"I do not." He pauses. "Okay, maybe sometimes. But that's human nature."

She laughs. "Well, you also spend way too much."

"I like to look good."

"Narcissism."

"But not to the point of telling myself I'm beautiful. That's reserved for you."

"To tell you that you're beautiful?" She tilts her head. "It's truth so I don't mind."

"It certainly will boost my ego, but I didn't mean that. I mean, I'm going to keep telling you that you're beautiful."

"Oh my god, we really still are early in the relationship, you're still so cheesy."

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of telling you that. Hey, how do you feel about going to Millennium Park tomorrow?"

"Just as long as we go to the Field Museum of Natural History."

"We'll have two days booked with visiting museums and aquariums. I know you also want to see the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. How about Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo?"

"I'm excited to see the elephants," she says.

"I'll even take you to Buckingham Fountain. And then I'll kiss you when they turn on the lights."

"You're not being spontaneous."

"I sometimes like to be prepared," he says, chuckling.

Paris, France

(A week and a half after Chicago)

The day of her graduation is bigger than she expected. Her parents, brother and grandparents are there. Arthur is there. Valeria and her parents are there. Eames is there. Dom and the kids are there with Miles and his wife, Jacqueline. Sadly, Yusuf isn't able to go because his son had a recital on the same day. Saito, who is still in contact with Dom and Arthur, had given her a box filled with professionally made scarves (her name is embroidered in each one) made from the finest silks; a card with a written greeting and apology about why he couldn't come came with it.

Arthur has been standing close to Dom and his family. Eames is too busy having a carefree chat with Valeria. Ariadne can see them all in her peripheral vision. Right now, she's talking to her mother, Cassie, her father Damian, and her brother, Theo.

"You've got a lot of…guests," Cassie muses, looking at them and then back to her daughter. She's the person Ariadne got her looks from, except for the freckles and red hair. "Are you sure those three gentlemen are just your guests?"

Ariadne flushes. "We've been friends for a year. We're all one big happy family."

Theo combs his brown hair back and snorts. He's tall, much taller than Ariadne. Almost Arthur's height. "I can tell one of them isn't just a guest. Or at least, wants to be more than just a guest."

"What?"

"That man in the grey suit," he says, jerking his head, "he's been looking at you. Have you noticed?"

"Oh, Arthur," she whips her head back and gives him a smile, which he returns, "I'll go call him. He's great. I've always wanted you guys to meet him. Wait here." Turning around, a smirk forming in her lips, she skips to Arthur and the Cobbs. "You don't mind if I borrow him for a while, do you?"

Dom looks at her family and laughs. "No, not at all."

Ariadne grabs Arthur, despite his protest, and drags him to her family. Her grandparents had arrived and they greeted Arthur warmly. They've liked him for quite some time already. "This is Arthur," Ariadne introduces him to the remaining family members. "We've been working together for some time now, sort of like a package deal. Arthur, my parents, Cassie and Damian, and my older brother, Theo."

Arthur holds out his hand. "It's very nice to meet you all."

Cassie's face brightens. "Hello. Please, call me Mom."

Ariadne's eyes widen. "Maman!"

"I'm already planning your wedding, Ari," Cassie says bluntly. "And don't hide it from us. He's your boyfriend, isn't he?"

"Oh! You didn't tell us!" Her grandmother points an accusing finger at her. "You should've told us! We're ready for great-grandchildren!"

"Grand-mére!"

Damian laughs and shakes his head. Unlike his wife and daughter, he's 6'3. Genetics says you get your father's height, that's untrue for Ariadne. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Arthur. If you're going to start calling my wife Mom, might as well call me Dad."

"Dad!"

Theo quietly stays in the background with Grand-pére. Ariadne smiles at him. He shakes his head and walks away. She frowns but Cassie stops her. "He'll need some time, okay? Why don't you head backstage, the ceremony's about to start."

"Belaire, Ariadne Maeve!"

Brooklyn, NY

(3 months after Ariadne's graduation)

Ariadne never got to talk to Theo about her and Arthur. The two were busy catching up as a family and he could only stay for a week because of his job. Every time she tries to bring up her relationship with the Point Man, he changes the topic quickly. But since her parents had asked her to bring Arthur for Thanksgiving, she knows it's her chance to finally ask him about. She has to know.

"Why are they asking me to go to their Thanksgiving dinner?"

"Because you're family now," she replies, squeezing his hand. "You get to meet the relatives."

"I have to socialize," he says, sighing.

"I'll be with you all the way. I'm not allowing any of my cousins to steal you away from me."

"I like this side of you."

"You like the side of me when I wore that lacy lingerie Val got for me."

Arthur grins. "Yeah, that's a fun side, too."

Ariadne nudges him. She continues to walk a bit faster, knowing that the house she grew up in is getting closer. She can already see the old swing-set that she and her brother had used. "Arthur!" she exclaims excitedly. "We're here!"

Arthur is careful with the box of marshmallow cake they bought for the occasion. "What are we waiting for?"

They dash towards the house. Cars are parked along the street and she dusts imaginary dirt away from her simple, green dress. She pats her hair and turns to the suited man. "Ready?"

"If you are."

Without using the doorbell—really, this still is her house—and she's greeted by her mother ready to engulf her in a hug. "Ari!"

"Maman!" She hugs her back. "We brought cake."

"Oh, Arthur! You came!" Cassie walks over to him and gives him a hug, too. "Ari will lead you to the kitchen, set the cake and mingle, okay? I want everyone to know how handsome and charming my future son-in-law is!" She clasps her hands together and turns to her daughter. "We'll talk again later, okay?"

Ariadne nods and grabs Arthur's hand. "Where's Dad and Theo?"

"Probably in the backyard," Cassie replies.

"Okay. Thanks…Mom," Arthur says.

Cassie laughs and pats Arthur's shoulder. "Have fun."

On their way to the kitchen, Arthur asks, "I thought this was a dinner." He looks around at the sea of people around him.

"Maman doesn't really know the difference between dinner and party," Ariadne replies once they reach the kitchen. People give her curious glances but she dismisses it. "So, we'll go find Dad and Theo and then we'll mingle. Grand-mére and Grand-pére are probably just entertaining some guests in the back, too."

They find Damian talking to some of her Uncles and Theo bonding with cousins. Ariadne groans when she sees a familiar blonde. "Oh, great, she's here."

"Who?"

"Alexandra. Whatever you do, do not talk to her."

Arthur hugs her by the waist. "I do like this side of you."

'So I have to leave Arthur for a while, but it's for a good reason!' she tells herself. She finally has Theo to herself, they're in the front yard, her on the swing and him leaning on the tree. "I know you like Arthur. I can tell that you approve of him."

"Might as well get this over with, huh?" He shrugs. "When I think about you and Arthur, I remember that you're growing up. I'm not really ready for that. I still remember when you'd chase me around and when you said that I'm your boyfriend but you'll marry dad."

Ariadne scrunches her face.

"Seeing you with a man like Arthur…why can't your first boyfriend be…you know? A boy? Why does he have to be a man already?"

"He's a boy at heart," she defends. "Sometimes."

Theo shakes his head. "I certainly don't see it."

"He's not a very open person."

"I can tell." He rolls his eyes. "But he makes you happy and he looks like he's happy with you, too. That's fine with me. I have to remind you, though, that if he breaks your heart he'll be facing me."

Ariadne chuckles nervously. "Um…Theseus, I'm pretty sure you'll be the one that'll be hurting in the end."

Theo frowns. "What do you mean?"

"He can take out about…five men with his bare hands, more than ten with a gun."

"Who are you dating?" Theo gasps.

"Aren't you happy I'm well protected?" she chuckles. "But, really, Theo. He's a great man. I promise I'll be safe with him. I work for his family's company. I'm head architecture consultant." Not a lie. Arthur talked to his dad about it. "I'm earning a lot. He's the international researcher. He flies around a lot."

"He's loaded," he mutters.

"Yeah." She shrugs. She sees Arthur walking towards them and she smiles. "I have to apologize to him now. I left him alone in a house filled with our relatives."

"Good thing he survived," Theo laughs. "I'll see you inside, Ari." He gives her a hug and whispers, "Can he really take five people down without any weapons?"

"Probably more," she whispers back.

Theo lets go and nods. He passes by Arthur and straightens himself. "Hey."

"Hello." When Arthur reaches her, he asks, "How'd it go?"

"Good. We've cleared things," she replies. "I'm sorry I left you."

"You owe me. Alexandra was chasing me around."

Ariadne bolts up. "Haven't I made it clear to her that you're taken? Mine, specifically?"

"She doesn't give up."

Huffing, she retorts, "I hate her. She's my cousin but I hate her."

Arthur pulls her towards him, engulfing her in a hug. "You're so cute when you're pissed. Let's not go in yet."

"Okay." Ariadne wraps her arms around his waist. She can see simple Christmas ornaments already hanging around. "Halloween isn't a holiday, is it?"

"It's not a seasonal holiday."

"We didn't get to spend Halloween properly," she tells him.

"We were supposed to. Client was demanding."

"Paid really good though."

"But you were mad for about a week."

"I had my Shadowcat costume ready! Your Nightwin costume was ready, too!"

Arthur chuckles. "We'll wear it next year, I promise."

She sighs and pouts. "Fine." She remembers that last year, she had asked him about his favorite season: winter. "It's winter. Well…almost."

"Yeah."

"You spent your winter with me last year."

"The best."

"You didn't see your family." She isn't expecting a reply. "I think I already know but…what's your favorite holiday?"

"Christmas and New Year. Now it's not just because my family was always complete."

"Let's go then."

"Where?"

"To your family."

"Ari—"

"It's not like they're mad at you."

"Edward probably is."

"Talk to him."

"I'm scared."

"I'll go with you…if that's all right?"

Arthur rests his chin on her head and sighs. "Okay."

Have an alternative ending of the last chapter, courtesy of my friend, D.B.:

"Ariadne, you don't understand Filipino, right?"

"No," she shakes her head, "why?"

He looks at her and sighs. He cups her face and rubs her cheek with his thumb. He looks deeply into her eyes and moves slowly towards her face. He feels her warm breath, her nervousness and sudden blush. He whispers, "Mahal na mahal kita." Arthur closes his eyes, then gently, he kisses her on the lips.

I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt's ears. And there's a candid picture of him sticking his tongue out during the filming of Inception. So cute. Ellen Page is so pretty. Those two…ugh.

Don't worry, Arthur will tell her why he loves her in about…eight…chapters. I was supposed to but I remember that that's reserved. Sorry I didn't put Yusuf and Saito, I figured there'd be too much. Not much interaction with other characters, too. Ugh.

And also, I wanted Ari's family to be laid-back because again, this isn't a drama fic and I've always pictured Ari's family to be like that. We'll be seeing Arthur's very soon. And an explanation on their jobs. I know I named Ari's mother Anita (I'm not sure if I did here, but I did in At the Beginning) but I just didn't like it so I changed it. People whom I see as her family members will be announced next chapter. :]

Advance apologies if I can't update next week! :[

Step Twelve: Family — Las Vegas, NV & Seattle, WA