And we're back to Nemma! This chapter takes place about a month after the Christmas shenanigans with Noah finally getting into this next chapter of his life by moving into his own place closer to Emma and settling into his new career. Hope you all enjoy it! :)

(Emma's POV)

I buzzed myself in at Noah's Condominium building, almost not believing what was going on or that this was even a sentence I was saying in any capacity.

He just moved in yesterday, and for some random reason was triggering my 'girlfriend guilt' big time because I couldn't be there. Honestly, it was almost the same level of guilt as when we were in Alberta during the race.

Don't ask me why…

Either way, I had 2 classes back to back yesterday afternoon when he was moving in, so I physically couldn't be here to help without missing class.

But, now that it's Saturday… I guess I could see if he needs help unpacking.

A couple of minutes later, I saw Noah round the corner with a smirk when he saw me there and opened the door for me as he started, "So, are you really here because of me? Or did you just want to see my place?"

I crossed my arms and smirked back before saying in a tone that matched, "Who says there's only one exact reason?"

We both laughed and I couldn't help myself as I immediately gave him a hug, considering we hadn't seen each other in a month. And even though it doesn't make any sense whatsoever… it was like this past month of not seeing him was almost torture for me.

Even though I knew I really shouldn't be complaining since everything happened very fast between Noah getting his first job outside of reality TV and finding and moving into his first place.

Unusually fast.

But, hey, I wasn't going to question it!

Especially since the real estate agent Noah used somehow fast-tracked him to getting a decent 2 bedroom condo in the city and helping him close on it in just 3 weeks?

Honestly, I feel like I want to give his agent a raise or a bonus (even though I don't have the money for it) and I've never even met them.

That and Noah's parents helped him move over here relatively quickly too, so… yeah, not complaining!

We just kept holding the hug and I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I just took him in right now.

It was almost on that same level of relief I had when I somehow managed to dig him out from underneath all those rugs in Indonesia during the race after he accidentally got buried.

But, also… it was like all this felt surreal.

Almost like I was still trying to come to the realization with this situation that Noah was here. As in Noah was here 'here' now. Not driving 22 hours back and forth or flying between here and Winnipeg or going off for months at a time to do reality shows.

He was just here now…in Toronto… with me.

I had to snap myself out of almost going into a Noah Daze just thinking about that. Even though it only justified why I'm glad we don't live together.

I mean, not that I'm opposed to living with Noah, really not opposed to it since why wouldn't I want to wake up to this every morning?

But, I know I can't since I am sure I would get nothing done if we lived together.

My GPA would tank, I'd fall behind, and then I'd have to drop out of law school!

Okay, I know Kitty always accuses me of being dramatic, but I know what I'm like. Again, I may be better, but 'love' still shoots me in the foot and turns me into a total nightmare sometimes, especially with Noah.

Noah distracts me and I just think it's best for me to have my own place to study and stay focused until I graduate in a couple years.

Well, at least during the week.

Now that I've proved to myself that I can have time to be with Noah on the weekends without my grades slipping, I can definitely get used to this!

What?

At least I've proved to myself I can make time for a relationship while I'm in Law School. So, what's the harm in using my time outside studying to visit my boyfriend at his condo?

And maybe spend the night at his condo now that he has his own place with no parents around to kill the mood.

That and this could be good practice for when we do live together eventually!

Then get married, have kids, and…

UGH! Stop it! Get it together!

Luckily Noah pulled me out of it when I felt him pull back from the hug, smiling slightly at me and I couldn't stop myself as I leaned in and kissed him.

I felt him tense up for a second before eventually leaning back into me and pulling me closer, holding the kiss for a few seconds.

Even though by the time I put my hand on the side of his face during the kiss, we both pulled back. And even though it should have been obvious after I touched his face and looked at him seconds ago that he was still keeping up the short beard, it was still taking some getting used to.

But, not in a negative way or anything!

I mean, I know I said I preferred him clean-shaven and kissing him without the beard initially, but looking at him right now with that slight smirk and a quirked-up eyebrow combined with the short, neat beard he grew out?

Ugh, he looks so hot.

Eventually, he said, "So… wanna see my place?"

I just smirked and grabbed one of his hands before I said, "Lead the way."

He smirked and said, "Sure, although I don't know if there's much to show you. There's 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a galley kitchen/dining room, and then a living room. Honestly, it's basically like your apartment with just an extra bedroom and a few more square feet tacked on. So… just want to make sure your 'expectations' aren't being set too high here."

I snorted out a laugh as I just smirked and shrugged as we got into the elevator before saying, "Noah, you have a condo in the city that you can afford on your salary. That's honestly pretty impressive within itself. Besides, I just felt bad about not being able to help you move in yesterday."

Okay, I know that's still just my feeling like a crappy girlfriend guilt coming through again, but I still do feel terrible about it.

But, I was surprised when Noah almost scoffed before saying, "Seriously, don't be. I was kind of glad you weren't there. Between my dad talking about how 'weird my mattress was' that I picked out for my bed frame that he made and my mom crying and hugging me every five seconds about the fact that I'm finally 'out of the nest'... yeah, I was kind of glad you weren't there honestly. If I wanted to be hugged and subjected to amplified emotions every five seconds then I'd just hang out with Owen. Sure the big guy would probably crack my ribs and vertebrae, but at least him hugging me is somehow a thousand times less embarrassing."

I snorted out a laugh again, knowing how true that sounded for him and even his parents as I commented, "I know I've only met your parents once, but… I can see all that happening. But, what do you mean by your dad saying how 'weird your mattress is'? What's wrong with it?"

Noah scoffed and rolled his eyes again before saying, "Nothing, it's just a hybrid memory foam mattress that I ordered online and showed up compressed and rolled up. Dad thought it was a rug until I rolled it out on my bedframe and he watched it reinflate itself. You've seen how archaic he is. If it was up to him we'd all pretty much go back to writing with quills and parchment by candlelight. You know, considering he despises anything to do with technology beyond a TV. Seriously, do you have any idea how long it took me to show my dad how email works? After he had to upgrade to electronic records and finally get a computer in his business's office when I was 15, he'd only been using paper for everything since he started in the late 70's. Well, then take all that by comparison to him grumbling about whatever the hell kinda mattress that is about MY mattress. You know, because apparently, any kind of mattress that doesn't have just old school springs in it prone to collecting dust mites and is delivered by 2 lunkheads jamming it through a doorway is 'too futuristic' for him to handle."

I let out a laugh again until I thought of a point that I remembered when I talked to Noah's dad in his carpentry shop/garage during Christmas, particularly how he said Noah hacked into the Kosmic Kaos website when he was 6, meaning they had to have had a computer for Noah to do that at their house at least.

But, I decided to be subtle about it as I asked, "Wait, your dad didn't know how to use a computer until you were 15? Didn't you have a computer growing up?"

Noah was quick to answer as he responded, very matter-of-fact, "Oh no, we pretty much always had computer access at home for as long as I've been alive. Pretty sure I almost made my mom have a stroke when I was 4 after she caught me taking the computer apart and putting it back together, even though it was pretty much all back together by the time she caught me. But, whatever, and either way just because we had a computer doesn't mean that my dad ever used it. Considering he always treated it like a hazmat disaster in the corner of the basement since the guy wouldn't go near it with a 10-foot pole. Then my mom pretty much begged me to show my dad how to use the computer after he finally folded when he had to upgrade the business. I thought he was going to punch through the monitor like an agro caveman when I was just showing him how to write an email. So, as you can tell, I was relieved you weren't there yesterday, seriously."

I smirked before commenting, "But, still, I wanted to help you settle. Maybe I can help you unpack or something?"

Noah shrugged before saying, "Thanks, but, there's really not much to 'unpack'. I didn't really have a lot of stuff beyond clothes and furniture. About the only thing I needed to set up is my gaming computer and I did that last night after my parents finally left while my mattress was still taking form after being rolled up."

We finally stopped at the door of what I assumed was his unit since Noah was reaching out for the door. But, I was taken off guard when he stopped and looked back at me, looking hesitant as I gave him a weird look.

Fortunately, he was quick to elaborate as he started, "Okay, there's something I was kinda waiting to tell you until you came over. So, uh… you know how I told you I was living alone?"

Wait… what?

I gave him an unsure look and raised an eyebrow before drooling on, "Um… yes? Why?"

I seriously had no idea what was going on.

What? Did he get a last minute roommate that he didn't tell me about? Is Cody or Owen rooming with him or something?

Wait... Is Sierra in there?

I think he could tell how paranoid my thoughts were getting as he finally put his hands up and reassured in his usual tone, "Relax, I don't have a roommate. If I can avoid getting one, then I don't want one. But, let's just say this was part of my 'Terms and Conditions' for my parents helping me with my down payment. So… just brace yourself."

Again… what?

I felt like I was even more confused than before as Noah opened the door and almost immediately a Golden Retriever darted out into the hallway and started jumping all over both of us, almost taking me down to the floor at certain points.

Casper.

Finally, Noah tried to gently shove Casper off and down to the floor as he started, "Casper, no! Off! C'mon, back inside."

After that, we all walked in as Casper just started running around the entry hall and living area. It was like I was trying to process what was happening until Noah said, "Yeah, the fine print clause of my down payment was taking the dog with me. Honestly, I knew something was going on when I noticed one of the 'must haves' for a place that my dad gave to the real-estate agent was 'pet friendly'. So, I inherited custody of Casper."

Almost as if on cue, Casper came running back over and started weaving himself around both of us with his tail and butt wagging at full speed. He even kept nuzzling his nose into my right hand and licking it, clearly very excited to see me and Noah.

Again, I never grew up with pets and have zero experience with dogs beyond Casper, but… even I couldn't stop myself from smirking a little, even if he was pretty much slobbering all over my hand and grossing me out a little.

But, Noah looked almost embarrassed as he tried to get Casper under control before scolding, "Hey, sir drools a lot, c'mon! Her hands are clean, you don't have to 'wash them' with your slobber, alright?… Sorry."

He looked back at me on the last portion of that statement with a slightly embarrassed grimace as Casper kept erratically and excitedly walking around us wagging his tail. I kept on trying to figure out why he was being this off about Casper being around me… until I reminded myself of when Casper tackled me to the floor and humped me in front of Noah and his entire immediate family at his parents' house.

Then factor in the mutual mortified embarrassment we both had after the fact, including how I've tried to push that memory to the deepest portion of my subconscious along with having to go to prom with my sister since no one else wanted to go with me… yeah, I guess I can understand Noah's behavior right now.

But, at the same time, I also never mentioned to Noah how Casper 'doughy dog eye apologized to me' later that night and slept in the same bed as me curled up with his back against mine like a living heating pad, which actually felt nice since I was freezing.

But, I still wanted to show Noah I didn't mind as I smiled a little and crouched down slightly as I started scratching the sides of his head and his chin, making Casper almost look like his eyes were rolling to the back of his head as he started thumping his foot on the floor.

Again, I never knew if I was a pet person or not… but for whatever reason, I genuinely like this adorably doofy dog.

I kept scratching him and even snorted out a laugh in amusement at Casper until I looked up at Noah and said, "Noah, it's fine. But, I guess… I have questions. Like, why exactly did you get Casper? I thought he was your parents' dog?" Noah rubbed the back of his neck before responding, "Yeah… Kind of a long story. But, for whatever reason, Casper has always been 'attached' to me ever since we got him. Even when I'd leave to go compete on a show, my parents would tell me that Casper would still sleep on the floor in my room next to my gaming chair. But, apparently, this last time I left, Casper pretty much fell into a severe depression and wouldn't even eat. Even when he wasn't sleeping next to my chair, I guess all he did during the day was sleep on the ottoman near the bay window in front waiting for me to come back. According to my dad, my mom was pretty much shoving dog-grade antidepressants smothered in peanut butter down his throat just to have him 'functional' enough to live until I got back. So, since my parents didn't want Casper to spiral into depression again once I moved out here, I ended up getting 'dog ownership' along with 'home ownership' in exchange for a down payment."

But, then I saw Noah smirk and crouch, causing Casper to immediately ignore me and go back to Noah as Noah started playfully ruffling his hands over Casper's head and ears as he said, "But, if I have to live with a doofus. At least it's this doofus. Right?"

He was almost grinning now and rubbing his hands on Casper's head playfully, making Casper start to leave slobbery licks all over his face. He kept trying to playfully shove him off and I couldn't even stop myself from smiling.

Okay… this is actually pretty adorable.

I mean, I know I'm not an emotionally overt person either, but I get what Noah's sisters were talking about when they said that other than me, Casper and his computer are really the only two things that Noah really cares about.

And seeing Noah with Casper right now… I can see why.

Eventually, though Noah got back to his feet and crossed his arms before saying, "So, yeah, that's the only 'catch' with my new place. So, as long as you're moderately okay with this guy interloping on our dates when you come over, we pretty much have the place all to ourselves. But, hey, at least a dog isn't half as embarrassing as my mom walking in on us like last time, right?"

I smirked and snorted out a laugh again before crossing my arms and admitting, walking closer to him, "I think I can deal with that."

I decided to take a chance as I gave him a quick kiss on the lips before slowly pulling back and smiling at him.

Seriously, even without Noah telling me about Casper before now, I'm still really proud of him.

Sure there is the selfish part of it with just having him closer to me, but I just can't believe everything Noah has done since he got home from his last season of Total Drama.

Just seeing him completely move on by himself from doing nothing but competing on reality TV, getting a job, moving out of his parents' house to be closer to me.

Okay, sure, and also because his parents were driving him crazy were another driving factor. But, whatever, that's besides the point.

The point is that Noah really seems like he's moving on and trying to do things for himself now.

So, whatever I can do to keep motivating him and being supportive of that… I'll do it.

And this is the start of the next chapter of Nemma! Or the next (and last) 10 chapters of this fic will. I just really want to show Noah finally stepping into his own as an 'independent adult' moving on with his life from reality TV. And then Emma still working on not being so obsessive over trying to be the 'perfect student' and proving she can still keep her good grades, accomplish her goals, and have a healthy relationship with Noah… and now sharing Noah's affection with his family dog he inherited for Casper's own mental/emotional health. But… seems like Casper has grown on Emma, hasn't he? Haha. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and hope you all are prepared for the last 10 chapters of this fic! Thank you all again so much for reading and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated.

Stay Classy!

Dexter1995