AN: Some may have waited for this chapter for some time now, I know I have.

Chapter 18

Duncan's POV

11:30 PM

Bar

Tonight was the 2nd worst night of my life the first being when I was arrested 4 years ago, but tonight when Courtney's shitty parents presented us with court papers to gain full custody of Serenity.

The one thing I did enjoy was kicking them out of our place, who were they to think they could take our daughter away from us?

Courtney was crying so hard when it all happened that Mom comforted her and as much as I wanted to stay I needed to get out and get some air, so I got in my Porsche and just drove around the city not caring where I went.

But now here I am drinking my fifth shot of whiskey, while in deep thought about what's going to happen next.

Courtney and me going to court...

Fight more with her fuckin parents...

May this outcome be that Serenity never has to see those people again...

After downing my shot I hold my head in the palms of my hands, " I hate them " I whispered thinking of Courtney's parents.

" Duncan? " someone calls from behind, turning in the stool I was sitting on surprisingly to see Marco standing there.

" Woah hey man...what are you doing here? " I asked watching him take a seat next to me " I'm just finishing up a poker game I have with friends " explains Marco looking at me "You look like you've had a few " he adds checking my current state.

" Yup and for good reason " I answer waving to the bartender for another shot "Did you eat? " asks Marco curiously "Barely a thing and it's a shame cause everything Courtney made tonight looked so good " I reply remembering the nice dinner she made but was ruined.

Just as my shot arrived Marco took it away "Hey " I exclaimed looking at him as he downed it "A bacon double cheeseburger with fries and a cup of black coffee for my friend please " he orders looking at me "You need to eat and sober up " he adds " now tell me what happened "...

12:30 AM

While I devoured the food along with drinking 2 cups of coffee, I told Marco everything about what happened tonight.

It pissed me off just recalling all the details of it that I got angry all over again.

" Wow they're real pieces of shit," said Marco shaking his head "Yeah" I sighed crossing my arms " And they want full custody of your daughter...May god send them both to hell to burn for eternity " he replied making me laugh for a moment.

" So what's the course of action you two are taking? " asks Marco getting my attention "Get a damn good lawyer to fight with us and to show those assholes that if they think we're not fighting back they thought wrong " I explained just then my phone buzzed...

Taking my phone from my pocket I check to see a bunch of missed calls and 7 text messages all from Courtney...

9:15 PM

Courtney: Duncan where are you?

9:40 PM

Courtney: Duncan answer me!!!

10:15 PM

Courtney: Please Duncan, your scaring me where are you?

10:30 PM

Courtney: Please let me know you're okay!!!

11:15 PM

Courtney: Are you mad at me? Duncan answer me!!!

11:40 PM

Courtney: What's going on? Is this it!!!

12:30 AM

Courtney: Duncan just tell me your safe, please!!! I don't want to lose you!!!!

Holy shit...She's been messaging me for hours and I didn't respond to either one. How drunk was I earlier?

" looks like someone has been worried about you," says Marco glancing at my messages.

" What the hell is the matter with me? " I asked putting my phone down on the bar top " I left because I couldn't comfort her and to make it worse I scare her thinking I'm leaving " I add now I was feeling scared.

" Hey calm down you told her once that you are not going anywhere...right? " asks Marco "Yeah I promised her I'm here to stay I'm here to stay " I replied...

" Let me ask you something do you love this woman? " asks Marco...

Hearing that question made me look at him as though he had just grown 2 more heads ( or it could be the effects of the alcohol)...

" What kind of question is that? Yes, I love her more than anything in this life I would bend over backwards for her " I breathed " I'd go straight to hell for her if it meant saving her " I added...

Nodding his head at me Marco smiles "Alright you answered my second question so now last question...have you ever pictured any other woman like her to enter your life that you couldn't imagine ever having to live without? ".

Damn, that was quite the life question I was getting asked, it's as though Coach was right beside me saying it himself.

" Take your time to think of your answer," he says...

Not hearing what Marco said I suddenly thought of memory from back in Jail...

* Flashback *

3 Years Ago

Coach and I were working on an engine we took apart it was old but he saw potential in it.

" So you think this engine still has a chance? " I asked currently cleaning its parts "Oh yeah just cause it's old doesn't mean it's completely done " he answered making me smile " So tell me heard anything back from her? " he asks making me stop.

Looking up at Coach he waits for me to answer...

" It's been a year and I send her letters in the hope she writes me back " I breathed picking up another piece...

" You love her that much? " asks Coach putting a piece down...

" Yeah and if I hadn't made my mistakes I would be with her right now " I answered picturing us together " I hope once I'm out of here I can go start over with Courtney " I add.

Nodding at me Coach expresses a look of understanding and respect " I think you found your wife " he said smiling but made me choke a bit "What? how do you know " I replied trying to keep my face from turning red.

" Look at you...thinking of her every day, not wanting to give up a future with her, and lastly there is no other woman on this earth you can't imagine the rest of your life with...you just might get married young " explained Coach smiling at me.

I didn't think or look at it that way but maybe it could be possible that I want that with Courtney one day.

" Yeah...but til then I gotta make something of myself " I replied knowing I wanna be a provider.

" The stupid kid finally learns something " teased Coach smiling "Now just imagine when all those little Duncan juniors arrive " he adds making my eyes roll "Too far coach " I laughed shaking my head "True maybe it'll be mini Courtney's " laughs Coach now making me smack my head.

* End Of Flashback *

My eyes bulged up and I immediately stood up from the bar...

God why are all these realizations coming to me all at once!!!!

" I think I know your answer boss," said Marco patting my back "Yeah...I need to get something at the shop, but do you mind driving? " I asked looking at him "Yeah I got you " he answers putting some cash on the counter before we leave.

Courtney's POV

1:30 AM

After the events of yesterday with my parents, I couldn't have felt more depressed than I had been.

I had a small amount of hope thinking, my parents would understand and get to know Duncan, see that he's been taking care of us and being a great dad to our daughter.

But I guess it was impossible and now they want to take our baby away from us. I'm not letting them do that and I'm going to put up a fight.

When I had finally calmed down and walked out of the bathroom Duncan wasn't anywhere.

I had the worst panic attack when I couldn't find him anywhere, it was hard to believe he left. Was he having second thoughts about us?

Immediately grabbing my phone I started sending him messages but when he didn't reply, I panicked thinking if he was hurt or somewhere else.

I needed to know if he was somewhere safe, so I called everyone asking if Duncan was with them but when they said that he wasn't with them my heart raced.

Trying to breathe I started drinking wine and continued texting more...

" Where are you? " I whimpered staring at my phone

After waiting for a couple of hours more exhaustion finally got to me, I decided to call it a night I changed into my all-with floral silk shorts and bra-like top with a matching robe.

When I lay down I held Duncan's pillow hugging it as if it were him.

I just want him here with me.

* knock * * knock *

Why was I dreaming of loud knocking...

* knock * * knock * * knock *

Moving I tighten my grip on the pillow more, why was it getting louder...

* knock * * knock * * knock *

Opening my eyes slowly I finally realize that there was an actual knock, " who is that? " I yawned sitting up I close my robe before standing up.

Walking to the door I rub my right eye " geez...enough " I sighed getting annoyed by the knocking, clearly it must be some idiot who has no respect for others sleeping.

Sighing heavily I arrive at the door and take the locks off...

" Okay, I'm here what do you...want? " I said suddenly feeling the sleep leave my body...

I wasn't sure if I was seriously sleep-deprived or if I was having a dream but I don't think either one could have made my eyes fill up with tears.

" Duncan...* sniff *...what are you doing? " I whimpered covering my mouth with my hands as I stare at the man I loved...down on one knee looking at me with the grin that I loved.

" I only want you to listen to me..." he states keeping eye contact with me "Long ago on a TV show I met this uptight CIT chick who I never would have imagined being the one who could ever see anything good in me...yeah we hated each other at first but eventually with enough teasing and calling her Princess we ended having something more," said Duncan smiling more at me as he talked about our story.

Wiping my tears away I smile back at him...

" You were such an ogre back then trying to get me to like you," I said as he nods...

" Hell yeah I was...but when the show was over the greatest prize I got was you Courtney all I wanted was to be with you and to continue...then I made the biggest mistake of my life that cost me 3 years of us not being together but I missed out on being there when our daughter arrived...during that time away I only thought of you babe " he explains " I never want us to lose time again but I also want you to always know I am never going to leave you or Serenity " Duncan finishes wiping his eyes.

" I always want you here Duncan my life isn't complete without you," I said stepping closer to him.

" Same with you...I don't know where I would be " sighs Duncan reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box " Oh my god " I gasp "A king knows when he's found his queen, " he says...

( AN: inspired by TDA )

" I love you Courtney and no matter what comes to us in life just know that I'm here forever " I couldn't believe this was happening " So Courtney will you marry me? " Duncan asks smiling nervously.

The tears I was trying to hold back started flowing " Yes...yes, Duncan...yes of course I'll marry you " I answered as he finally got up and kissed me, my arms around his neck couldn't be any tighter but I wanted him as close as possible to me.

Finally, when we parted I couldn't help but chuckle a little " Is this real? Or am I dreaming? " I asked looking at Duncan "No it's real this is happening," he said opening the ring box to reveal a beautiful ring " Oh my god it's beautiful " I breathed watching him take it out of the box.

Reaching for my left hand Duncan slides it on my finger carefully " This is my grandmother's ring, it would mean the world to me for my queen to wear it " he explains holding my hand " Oh Duncan...I'm honoured " I said before kissing him once more.

I couldn't have imagined my day to start like this, but with everyone coming our way we'll now be facing it together as a stronger couple.

AN: Let me know what you think