Epilogue: A five-part conclusion to Contrast.

The first time Ana had to get back on her feet, she had done it by herself. This time, she has Eric to help her get through her struggles. Eric didn't want his past to disrupt any future with Ana, so he'll burn it, knowing that's the only way for both of them to move on. Join Eric and Ana as they - and everyone around them - finalize everything in their life.

Part 1 will be from Ana's POV.

Part 2 - Edward's POV.
Edward and Myra were best friends growing up. But now that she is gone, how does he move on? How will Ana react to this new development in Edward's life as he copes with the death of Myra? Edward has invited Eric and Ana over for a meal after the holidays to meet the new person in his life.

Part 3 - Jessica's POV.
It's not easy being a single mom but Jessica Coulter does her best. She's given it her all into raising her daughter Eve - better than her Aunt and Mother had done with her and Eric, that's for sure. With her brother's wedding fast approaching, she realizes that she doesn't want to be alone anymore. She wants a family. She wants to build a home and a future. And there's only one man that both she and Eve want to put into that position.

Part 4 - Hec's POV.
It's not easy being friends with Ana Summer's. She can be a witch and a nervous wreck sometimes, especially with the trials of Marcus Eaton, Jeanine Matthews and old Mrs. Banner happening. That night, Ana wasn't the only one kidnapped - so was Hec. Now, with the anniversary date of their kidnap and the trial, Hec is finding himself in distress. He was strong for Ana. This time Ana will be strong for him because that's what friends are for.

Part 5 is from a special POV.
I hope you enjoy that story.

Here is Part 1.

Part 1: Erudite
Two months later

I placed the last box down in the living room and looked around the apartment. This wasn't as large as Eric's apartment in Dauntless, but it was still a decent size. Jordan walked out of the kitchen with a glass of water, handing it to me with a smile. We both drank our fill before we sat down on the floor - too exhausted to make our way to the couch.

Jordan let out a huge yawn before resting his head against mine. "In a way, at least we're somewhat together."

"I know," I replied. "I have a good feeling about this move, though." I moved my head causing Jordan to pull back. "I'm still upset that all your courses at Erudite University are online. I'll never see you on campus."

Jordan chuckled. "You can still call me or have me come over to help you. It's not like I'll be far. I live fifteen minutes away - twenty-five with traffic. And given the schedule of the bus, and the average time it takes to..."

"Oh my God, math genius," I laughed as he chuckled. "Could you just shut up?"

A knock sounded on the wall and we both turned to see Eric leaning up against it. "I don't know about you, but I feel like celebrating," he smiled, "we emptied out the container sooner than I thought we would."

I smiled in response and leaned back against my brother. "Now we just got to unpack everything."

"We'll worry about that later," Eric began. "I'll call UPack in the morning and let them know they can come and take their container. As for right now, like I said, let's celebrate. We'll go out and eat. I don't want to look at another box tonight."

Jordan sat up and pulled out his phone. "You know what, I should actually be going. I was supposed to meet Jonathan. He's got some internship lined up for me or something like that," he stood up and kissed my forehead.

His departure meant that I would be alone with Eric tonight - the first time since we had spoken in my room.

"At least let us treat you to dinner," I stood as well, trying to get my brother to stay. "After all the help you've given us for unpacking."

Jordan shook his head and went over to shake Eric's hand. "I helped you because you're my sister and I love you. I didn't do it for the food. Besides," he paused, turning to look at me before grabbing his backpack. "Jonathan offered. And any opportunity to spend time with our older bro hasn't really come around until now. He's kind of been ignoring me and all, spending time with Jessica. Whatever happened to 'bros before hos'?"

"Excuse me," Eric questioned as Jordan paled. I held back a small laugh as Jordan turned to Eric, put on a small smile and shrugged.

"Not that your sister is one, I was just," he stopped and gave me a look. "Anyways, I'm out," he saluted me. "See you, sis. See you, Eric. And I totally didn't mean that thing about your sister. I respect her and all. And..."

"Just get out," Eric chuckled while shaking his head. "Your brother is too much," he said, walking over towards me when my brother had left. He leaned in to give me a kiss and even though I startled slightly, he still pressed his lips to mine - gently. Eric pulled back, a small look of disappointment before holding his hand out for mine. "Come on, I got the perfect place we can go and eat at."

I shook off my nervousness and entwined my fingers with his as he led me to the door. He handed me my bag and grabbed his keys, wallet and phone before we exited. Every move was tense, and the atmosphere was quiet as we got into his car. I didn't know why I was so overworked. Eric and I were moving in together, there would be many nights where it would be just the two of us. But now, it seemed as though we had nothing to say to one another. Or perhaps, it was still my post-traumatic stress sneaking up on me.

"It's the first time we're by ourselves, isn't it," he asked.

"Yes," I replied before looking over at him. "You know Eric, I feel safe with you. I really do. I feel like this is home, that we could start our lives here."

"But something is still holding you back," he finished for me as my eyes turned to stare at my lap. I nodded guilty as I heard him sigh. "Did you want to schedule a therapy session with Dr. Edmonds?"

"It's been almost five months, Eric. I shouldn't need her to get better."

"There's nothing wrong with you, Ana," he glanced at me before turning back towards the room. "Maybe we should both go in together."

"Eric," I shook my head. "You don't have to go through all that trouble for..."

"Are you joking right now," he gave me an incredulous look. "Ana, I love you. I want to become your husband, the person you'll be with me for the rest of your life. We're moving in together. There's a reason why they call your spouse - your other half or your better half. They're supposed to complete you, make you whole," he said. "I want to do that for you. Just please, let me. Okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

And so, the following day, Eric scheduled an appointment to meet with Dr. Edmonds. He forwent work and I skipped classes. And I realized that in Eric's mind we - us, me and him - were the main priority.

"How are the two of you," Dr. Edmonds asked. "I'm quite surprised to hear from you, JoyAnna. Last month, you stated that you had moved on and were feeling better - as a whole."

I took a deep breath before explaining. "Well, I do feel better. I feel happier," I turned to Eric and smiled. "But I still feel off, like a part of me is missing."

Dr. Edmonds hummed in thought before jotting something down. "Can I be straight-forward with the two of you?" Both Eric and I nodded in agreement. "Have the two of you been intimate since the kidnapping?"

As shocked as I wanted to be, I realized that that was what was missing.

"What does that have to do with anything," Eric questioned.

"Everything," Dr. Edmonds answered.

"She went through a traumatic event," Eric narrowed his eyes. "You have to understand that these things take time, doc. I'm not going to rush my fiancé into something she's uncomfortable with."

"Of course, we don't want to push her too hard. But there is something under all that outer tension. And what I see is the two of you want to move forward, wanting to move on. To do that, we need to discuss things that were present in your lives before. And I'm sure the two of you had intimacy in your relationship before, am I right?" Dr. Edmonds smiled kindly at Eric before shifting to look at me. "JoyAnna, can you tell me what helped you the first-time things ended with Cain Banner? You were on your own for a while, weren't you?"

Nodding, I answered, "My parents told me that I could go home but instead I didn't. I stayed, I toughed it out in Dauntless. I got fired from one job," I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Three different jobs fired me, actually. One of them found out that I was Cain Banner's fiancé and they basically kicked me out because of something Cain's family did."

"When you met Eric," she prompted, "what was your situation then? Were you working?"

"I had just got a call back from an interview at the bank. They wanted to hire me," I smiled.

"I remember you telling me that they were casual meetings."

Another nod. "The next two times Eric and I saw one another was at my place of employment. I didn't think that I was ready to start dating again. I wanted to find myself in Dauntless, find out who I could be without Cain."

"But what happened," she smiled, knowingly. Dr. Edmonds knew the answer - she just wanted me to say it, wanted Eric to hear it.

"Eric helped me find myself. Myra and Lauren may have shown me what it means to be a woman. Hec, Edward, Peter and Dillon offered me their support as friends and cousins. But you were the final piece of that puzzle, Eric."

Smiling, I turned on the couch that Eric and I were sitting on and took one of his hands in mine.

"I didn't feel confident as a woman. Myra and Lauren helped with that. They gave me strength. I didn't feel like anyone was in my corner, but the guys did that. They looked out for me. I didn't feel loved. Then you came along and showed me what it felt like to be in love," I said as my eyes started to water. "I may have said it in my old room back in Amity, but I think Dr. Edmonds is right," I smiled at her before glancing at Eric and shyly looking down at the passionate expression on his face. "I want to feel it and be consumed by it as we had been before."

"Intimacy is an integral part to a romantic relationship. Now, my recommendation isn't for the two of you to go back to your car and let him fuck you in it," Dr. Edmonds said with a light tone as Eric chuckled. I, on the other hand, blinked rapidly at hearing my therapist curse so openly. "What I will suggest is that the two of you come here at least once every other week - together," she gestured between the two of us. "It will help the two of you to stay on top of things. Not everyone who sees a counselor about their relationship has problems," she held up one hand, "I just want to stress that out."

"Of course not," Eric shook his head. "That actually sounds like a promising idea."

"Now Eric," Dr. Edmonds looked at him. "You got a little defensive when I first mentioned the idea of intimacy. Is there any reason why you've been holding back?"

My hand tightened on Eric's, encouraging him to answer.

"I had nightmares," he admitted. "I saw her die and there was nothing that I could do to stop it. She called for me and I didn't get there in time."

"It mustn't have helped that she wanted to go to her parent's."

"It didn't," he added. "And I talked to her about that."

"That's excellent. Keep things open between the two of you," she suggested. I wondered briefly why she had asked about that. I had told her before during another session that he had nightmares. But then she asked the question that I didn't think to ask Eric before. "When you look at her - want her, desire her - does the image of her being held down by Cain enter into your head?"

Eric took a moment to answer before licking his lips and nodding. "It does. If I rush her into being physical too fast, I won't be no better than Cain. It will be like I'm raping her. I don't know how much she's told you about my past, Doc. But I've done some terrible things, too - things that would make you look over your shoulder in an empty parking lot."

He took in a deep breath before continuing.

"Ana doesn't and shouldn't have to go through that again. The fear on her face when we entered that room, what if I look down at her and see that same fear - that fear being because of me? I..."

Eric's voice cracked, and he shook his head.

"You're not him, Eric," I shifted closer to him on the couch. Shaking my head, I gave him a small smile and leaned in to kiss him softly. "You both lived the same lives - this life of crime. But you chose to end it, to do something different, something right."

"Did you know that I helped kidnap a couple girls like you," he questioned.

"Eric..."

"Jess helped them get out from the Center. She was the one who had woke me up, made me see that our Dad didn't want that for us. I could have been one of the guys he ended up giving you to instead of saving you." He turned away from me and looked at Dr. Edmonds. "Don't you see, Doc? I'll be just like Cain if I force her to move on. I don't want her to look at me like that."

"Do you give her reason to fear you," Dr. Edmonds questioned. "Are you keeping her tied up to a bed?"

"What," I turned to her and narrowed my eyes. "Why would you ask something like that? Eric would never harm me."

"He seems to think that an old-self will emerge."

"But it won't," I proclaimed. "He's had opportunities before and that never happened. Eric has been considerate and patient. He makes me feel sexy and wanted and..."

"Are you defending my past actions," Eric turned to me.

"No," I answered. "I'm defending who you are right now. I'm," I paused and nodded. "I'm in love with the man you are, the man you became."

"You helped me, you know," Eric stated, smiling gently as his hand reached up to hold my face in his palm. "My sister and my father's memory may have pushed me to do so. But I never had a reason to stay out of that world, a reason to be a better man. Until I saw you."

"Smiling at my cousin on the camera that you stalked me on," I added as he chuckled.

"You don't know what I saw that day," Eric replied, "what I still see."

"That's exactly what I want you two to build on," Dr. Edmonds gave me a reassuring smile. "And that is normal in couples - to forget the early stages of love, the excitement, the falling," she added. "Eric the only way you'll get past everything that's holding you back is to remember all the reasons why you wanted to move forward. It is because of Ana. Show her, tell her."

Eric nodded before reaching over to pull me tightly to his side. He dropped a kiss to my forehead before we both turned back to Dr. Edmonds.

"Until we see each other again, my homework assignment is for the two of you to take a weekend trip, spend an entire day - a full twenty-four hours at the very least - with each other. Just the two of you," she admonished, "no cell phones, no social media, no one in your family accompanying you. The prescription isn't to rush into sex but to explore one another again."

"Affection and attention," I added with a small smile.

"The right type of attention," Dr. Edmonds said. "Cain Banner came back into your life - both of your lives - and took away what you both had given to one another. Restore that. And Eric, you're a patient man," she looked at him. "But sometimes a woman likes a man who takes charge. From what I understand, you've done that before with JoyAnna. Pursue her, romance her. The two of you can do it. I have faith in the two of you."

Eric and I left Dr. Edmonds' office hand in hand. We had reached the car when Eric tugged on my hand, whirling me around to face him. It was quite reminiscent of the first days of us dating. Eric smiled as he pressed me against the side of his car.

"Let's go next weekend," he said as he cornered me in.

For some reason, I was excited at his playfulness - his forward charm. My hands touched his midsection before slowly running up his chest. This was definitely something that I had missed between the two of us. My body could tell. It had been trying to tell me for a while now - my mind just hadn't caught up yet. I was surprised that I wasn't frightened at the thought of being alone with Eric anymore.

"And where are we going," I questioned as he leaned his body against mine. The pressure small but enough to make me melt.

"They have those villas on the other end of town," Eric proposed. "After your class is done on Friday, we'll go there and just spend the weekend together - the two of us. There's still a lot of Erudite that you haven't seen."

"It is a large city," I replied. "And who better to show me around than you?"

Eric growled softly as he wrapped his arms around my middle, slightly picking me up as he bent his head down to brush his lips against mine. "It's a date, then."

"It is," I mumbled against his lips.

The weekend for our little get-away came around quicker than we both expected. Eric didn't tell me exactly what we were doing so I packed a little bit of everything. It was only when we were checking in to the hotel that I remembered, there was barely any underwear in my luggage. I could always just sleep without it, I thought folding up a sleep-shirt.

"So," Eric walked back into our room. "I was thinking that we could eat at that new sushi restaurant on top of The Eye."

The last time Eric and I came to Erudite - to look at Erudite University and check out apartments - we had eaten at The Eye. It was a nice steak and BBQ place on the second level. There was on a sports bar on the first level. But the third level - the rooftop - there was a sushi restaurant. Real fancy, according to Jess and Jonathan who had gone there to eat dinner - as friends, not a date (what my brother had stressed).

"Isn't it kind of expensive," I turned towards Eric as he sat down on the bed in front of me. "I mean the villa," I gestured around us, "is a whole lot nicer than I thought it would be. I'm pretty sure one night here is the equivalent to one month of rent that we pay. And we're staying here for three nights, Eric. We don't need to eat..."

"Hey," he reached out, gently tugging on my hand to stand between his legs. "You let me worry about the kind of money I want to spend on my fiancé."

I'm not worth it, I thought. He must have sensed it because he reached up to caress my face before pulling me in for a sweet kiss.

"I really want to show you a good time here in Erudite."

"I know."

"Will you let me?" Eric pulled back and looked up at me. I gave him a small nod as he stood up and kissed my forehead. "Now, onto the sushi dinner."

Dinner went exceptionally well. Eric had looked nice in his button down and dress slacks. I put on a cute purple and blue floral bodycon midi dress that I was proud to say made Eric stare at me a few times as we got into the car, to the restaurant and basically whenever I moved. We first sat on the opposite end of each other in the booth but before dinner came out, he gestured for me to sit by him and I realized that I enjoyed being held in his arms, throughout dinner.

Being close to him helped keep me grounded so that my emotions weren't going all over the place. Feeling the heat from his body along with the comforting smell that was only him, made me relax. He always knew just what I needed and when I needed it.

"This is actually pretty good," Eric said while eating a piece of chicken karaage. I smiled and took a sip of my wine. It was different than what I was used to, but I found that what they say about drinking and company is correct. A good beer - or in this case a good wine - always tastes better with a friend. "What should we try next?"

"Honestly Eric, I'm stuffed," I patted my stomach. "I think I gained a few pounds."

"You will look beautiful either way," Eric growled lightly, as his hand replaced my hand and ran along my waist. He had just leaned down to kiss my neck when our waiter reappeared, asking if we wanted anything else.

"The check," Eric answered.

A beautiful walkway was next to a river that lined the restaurant. It was a wonderful night out - with just the two of us. Two people had mistaken us for newlyweds - the second time, Eric decided not to correct the person. Instead, he kissed my forehead, tucked me under his arm and we continued our stroll through the city - looking at the lights dancing on the slow flowing river.

When we went to sleep that night, I slept on his chest looking up at him as he smiled down at me. Closing my eyes, I felt cherished and important being there with him.

The sun shone through the curtains as we were tangled in each other's arms, whispering little nothings to one another, the next morning. We had a full morning of sight-seeing planned - things I hadn't seen the first time I had come down here. We visited a botanical garden and ate lunch at their diner. After our visit to the Erudite Science Museum, Eric said he wanted to take me to someplace special.

"Every place you've taken me so far is special, Eric."

Eric hummed before turning to glance at me. "This is extra special," he replied and then turned his attention back to driving.

We were on the far end of Erudite when I realized that the group of homes we were driving pass looked out of place. It was almost reminiscent of Eric's father's house in Dauntless. "Where are we?"

He parked the car at the end of a street and got out. I did the same, following him towards a clearing. We had come to a gate - that I thought we were going to walk through - when we took a right and continued down a hidden path. Eric reached for my hand which I gladly offered. Our walk was quiet but after arriving to the desired destination, I had to pause and gasp.

In a large meadow or field, stood one lone huge tree. "This property was owned by my great-grandfather," Eric explained. "He gave it to his son who in turn, gave it to his son. Finally, my father let my sister have the property. So, I own the Dauntless lot and my sister owns the Erudite lot."

"It's beautiful. And peaceful," I glanced around.

"On that tree," he gestured to the field, "is where my father carved his name next to my mother's. My grandfather did the same for my grandmother. And my great-grandfather did the same also. I thought that, you and I could come here and carve our names on it, too."

"Oh Eric," I whispered, turning to look at him.

The tree was magnificent - something you would see in a movie. The branches hung around it perfectly, giving it that romantic feel as Eric carved our names. I traced the outline of his parents' names as I waited for him to finish. Touching his mom's name, I felt a chill go down my back and tried to shake it off.

"What's wrong?"

I looked back at him and then nodded towards the name. He sighed and came to wrap his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him.

"She asked Jess and I for a second chance - another opportunity to be a mother and a grandmother to Eve," Eric stated. "I told her to go to hell. My sister, on the other hand, said that we should allow Eve and you to make the decision about giving her another chance."

"She's still your mother, Eric."

"She's not the same anymore. I highly doubt that she'll ever be."

My body shifted until I faced Eric. Looking up at him, I could see how serious he was on the matter.

"My mother didn't care about what Cain Banner did to you. She and my aunt allowed it to happen. Do you remember that day I went to them for help? You were watching Eve," he prompted as I nodded. "Do you know what they told me back then? That you were dispensable. If I wanted someone to keep my bed warm, there were other options, other women," he shook his head and looked away from me, back to the tree. "They made a mistake in dismissing my love for you. I know your parents taught you to forgive those who offend you. But don't expect me to welcome my mother with open arms."

I took a deep breath and rest my head against him. This woman - though heartless - was still his mother. I didn't want to completely extract her from Eric's life. I knew that one day, he'd want to our children to know her. Eve would want a grandmother. I had seen her interacting with my own. And Jessica, I thought as I pulled my head back to look up at Eric. Every girl needs her mother. At the same time, I knew that Jess and Eric had made up their minds.

"She is your mother, Eric. You shouldn't cut her out entirely." Eric went to open his mouth, but I lifted my hand to touch his lips, killing the interruption he wanted to make. "But I understand your position. If you believe that there's no chance, no retribution for her, then I'll support you."

He nodded and kissed my forehead.

"If years from now, our children want to know her, and she has shown a change of heart, then will you reconsider it?"

Eric sighed before resting his forehead against mine. "I'll think about that when the time comes."

The weekend was nice and relaxing. It was also romantic and exciting. We had our moments of deep and meaningful conversation, along with those moments of pure silliness. It wasn't until our last night at the villa that things had changed. We stayed in that night for dinner, ordered a pizza and wings, and had a comparison movie night. A comparison movie night is where we'd watch a movie from the past and then watch its remake. I sat in Eric's lap as he played with my hair, every now and then we would exchange comments about the movie and how they differed from one another.

It was a spontaneous moment - one that hadn't been planned. We started a playful argument about the movie that turned into wrestling. I had hit Eric with a cushion from the couch, causing him to fall over. But in the process of him falling, he had wrapped his arm around me and pulled me with him.

"Eric," I laughed, looking up at him as smiled down at me.

"Don't contradict me," he chuckled.

"Don't argue with me," I threatened playfully.

"Mm," Eric groaned before leaning his head down to give me a kiss.

The kiss was slow and gentle. And before I knew it, Eric began to run his lips along my neck, sucking and nibbling on the flesh that was there. I released a moan when Eric settled his body over mine. The heat causing my hands to grip onto him.

"Eric," I whispered as his large hands slipped under my sleep shirt, running up my sides.

This was dangerous for so many reasons. One, I wasn't wearing any underwear. And the moment Eric touched my waist, he knew. He lifted his head and looked down at me. "If I do something you don't want me to, you let me know."

My heart was beating so fast. Truthfully, I was still a little scared. But I wanted to be with this man that I loved, I wanted to be loved by him in return. "I will," I assured him as he adjusted his body.

He moved lower on my body, scraping his teeth on my shoulder, the side of my breast. I felt the cool breeze hit my lower body and knew that the shirt had lifted quite a bit. Eric growled and pressed his lips against my stomach as I released a loud moan and twisted my fingers through his hair. "Did you miss me?"

That question held so much meaning as I felt his caress my body. Eric's body felt hot and hard against mine, but comfortable at the same time. It was like I had been coming in from the cold. Feeling Eric's breath on my neck, his lips trail down my skin and his fingers lovingly touching me meant so damn much that I couldn't even form the words. This right here, right now - it was beautiful, and I didn't want it to end.

"I have," I admitted.

"I've missed you too," he said softly. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I am," my head bobbed. "I'm just nervous."

My eyes opened and saw Eric looking at me with concern. His hand reached up to wipe a few tears away from my face. I didn't even know that I had started to cry. "There's no need to be nervous, Ana. It's just you and me. We've done this before."

My head nodded again as I sniffed. Lifting my hand, I wiped the back of my palm against my cheek, feeling the wetness. "I just feel so silly." Silly for crying and getting all emotional, I thought.

"Don't," Eric replied. "Seeing you conflicted is tearing me apart, Ana. I could just lie with you in my arms and I'll be okay with that. If this doesn't happen tonight, then I'm..."

I lifted my fingers to touch his lips. Shaking my head, I pushed him gently back to sit up. "I want this. I want you. I've just got to get pass that in my head." He went to argue again but I shook my head. "Don't say anything about stopping this." I maneuvered our bodies until he was sitting down, and I was straddling his lap. Slowly, I lifted my sleepshirt over my head and watched as Eric took in a deep breath.

His eyes roamed my body in an appreciative manner, they weren't greedy or disgusting. There was a huge contrast and I soaked it in.

It was a reminder of who I really was with. Eric would never demand something of me that I didn't want to give.

Eric circled his hands around my waist and pulled me even closer to him. He picked me up as he stood from the floor and carried me in his arms towards the bedroom. The entire time, his eyes never leaving mine. A small smile on his lips to show me that he was happy. Eric laid me down gently on the bed - very much like the first time we had made love. I was already bare and watched as he slowly began to strip his clothes off.

"You look so sinful," I stated with a smile.

Eric smirked as his pants and briefs dropped. "Like someone that would be on the cover of adult reading material," he questioned with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

I shifted back on the bed as he crawled in after me. "How would you know what goes on there," I gave him a look.

Eric chuckled and pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "I don't. There's no reason for me to look at one when I have a stellar woman by my side."

Gasping, I clutched his shoulders as his kisses trailed everywhere on my body. I had just lifted my head to look at where he had disappeared to and noticed that Eric was kissing my stomach - a small scar that was still present from my kidnapping. But that was not the only thing I had noticed. I sat up quickly, and Eric began to panic.

"What is it," Eric asked, hurrying to get off from me.

But my arms shot out and held onto him. I traced my finger slowly on his shoulder where the tattoo he had got in memory of his father sat before my fingers moved to a new tattoo. One that I had never seen until now. It was very small, something I would never have noticed unless I looked closely.

"When did you get this," I asked Eric.

He had kept his eyes on my face the entire time. Knowing what I was asking about, he answered, "About two months ago, maybe. The day after I left you in Amity to pack up everything in Dauntless."

"Why the..."

"I remember that night in your room back in Amity. You looked like a fallen angel," he explained as I touched the small image of an angel breaking her chains and flying heavenward. "I want to be there to help pick you up. I want you to know that you can lean on me, the same way that I'll lean on you. You're my angel."

I quickly wiped my face as the tears fell. I offered him a smile as he touched his hand to my face. From any other man that would have been such a cliché thing to say - something just to get in my pants. But not with Eric. That would never be the case with Eric. Anything he said, he meant. He wanted honesty and therefore he gave honesty.

"I really don't deserve you," I whispered, moving until I was embracing him.

"You do deserve me. We deserve each other," he mumbled before guiding my body back to lie down. "There's a reason you walked into my life. And I'm not ever letting you leave it."

Running my hands down his chest and to his hips, I smiled. I watched as Eric's eyes darkened when I dug my fingers into his hips, pulling him closer to me. "Then show me," I whispered.

Eric chuckled, the deep tone of it lulling me in a comfortable, sexual sort of way. He buried his face in my neck, kissing, sucking and biting until his hand gripped my waist. In one movement, he entered me - my name falling from his lips like a prayer. And just like that, things were exactly the way they were supposed to be, and I knew that we would be just fine.