6 months later:

Arya's POV -

I can't believe It's finally time. It feels unreal.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I adjust the dark blue gown I'm wearing and glance over at the bed where the matching cap is sitting. It's graduation day. Holy cow, I'm starting college in a few months.

Walking to the bed and picking up the cap, my fingers play with the tassel as I think about how these past 6 months have went.

After Christmas break ended and school started up again, everything has pretty much been the same except for a few things.

As usual I'd stress over any large assignments I got assigned by my professors but Rome would always be there to reassure me everything would be fine. I would have been stressing a lot more if it wasn't for him.

He'd stay up late at night with me if I was still working, helping me with my homework and refusing to go to bed until I was there with him. My eating habits are a lot better then they used to be, and I've been getting more sleep since Rome would drag me to bed if it got too late.

Cassidy and I have grown closer than ever. A lot of the weekends were spent at each others houses, and guess what? She did find out about the mafia about 3 months after break ended. I told her like I had my parents and she took it fairly well even though she was scared at first. Cassidy said it made sense and they looked like they were in the mafia. I can't disagree there.

We're also going to the same college! We decided to stay close and go to one of the bigger universities that's about 20 minutes away. Even better since I could stay home with Rome and we wouldn't be separated.

I'm very happy with the school I'm going to and I'm planning on studying Journalism. I've always liked writing and that was one of my favorite classes throughout the years despite the many essays I'd get assigned. But who knows, maybe my major choice will change.

Now something that truly has changed is my relationship with Izzy. If I were to just be straightforward about it, we don't talk anymore. We just kind of went our own ways when school started up again.

I do miss her a lot on some days, but I think this was for the best. I knew our relationship would have never been the same because of everything that happened. A lot of trust was broken and I'm not sure if it would ever be repaired.

We see each other in the halls sometimes and we'd give each other occasional waves or small 'hi's' but that's pretty much it. There's no bad blood between us, It's just that we drifted apart. I'm not sure on what school she's going to, but I hope whatever she chooses to do works out for her.

Elijah and James are still the same as always. James still drives everyone crazy but he lightens up the mood whenever it gets tense or dark. Grant sometimes comes over as well and he's become a good friend of mine.

Elijah and Cassidy's relationship hasn't really changed, they still give each other glances and there's small conversation but I think they're just friends. Maybe that'll change some day in the future...

Mama stopped going to therapy a little over a month ago, and I truly think It's changed her. She seems so much happier, supporting me in any of my choices along with papa. They've built a good relationship with Rome and they're no longer tense around any of the men when they come over.

At first they were slightly freaked out about the mafia and they had every reason to be. They'd often ask if I wanted to come back and live with them but I wanted to stay with Rome. However as the months went by it got easier and now everything was back to normal.

Rome and the guys are still tracking down any trails left by the Russians. But I hardly think about those Russians anymore, It's in the past and I want to focus on the present and future now.

Rome was now 25. Luckily his birthday was on a Sunday so I didn't have school that day. The first thing I did was wake him up with a bunch of morning kisses and give him his gift. It was a photo collage of all of us, meaning Elijah, James, Grant, a few of Cassidy, and I. It took a while to make because I didn't have many pictures of the other guys so I got James and Elijah's help. James had pictures of himself and the other two so I printed them out and stole them from him.

Rome had apparently really liked the gift because after I gave it to him he had me pinned down on my back and didn't let me leave for a good hour.

After that we had breakfast together and got ready, then headed to the many activities I had planned for the day at around 12. The first being axe throwing and let me just say, it was one of the funnest experiences ever.

Rome was really good at it and me...not so much but it was still fun throwing an axe. The second thing we did was bowling. Surprisingly I was good at it but Rome was slightly better, he beat me by 10 points the first round and 5 the second.

By then it was 6 and we went out to dinner. Rome had tried to pay for everything we did but I told him it was his day and I wanted to pay. It took a lot of convincing and eventually we decided we'd split the cost of each thing we did.

When we got back to the house Elijah, James, Grant, and Cassidy were already there waiting in the living room for a movie night with snacks and drinks ready. Let's just say Rome was very happy with how the day turned out because when our movie night ended and he kicked everyone out for the night, he carried me to the bedroom and made love to me...multiple times ahem.

"Arya, you ready?" My thoughts are cut off by a knock on the door. I turn as it opens, revealing my gorgeous boyfriend who I love even more if that's possible.

His pitch black hair has grown out slightly and he still wears those silver rings and piercings that I'm really fond of. His green eyes meet mine and his gaze travels up and down my form. While he's doing that I look over his black suit that makes him look very handsome.

"Yeah, just about." I respond, walking over to him with my cap in hand.

"How do I look?" I ask and his eyes darken.

"You're absolutely fucking gorgeous."

My blushing problem is still a thing and I feel my cheeks turning crimson.

"Thank you," He chuckles and cups my face, pressing a kiss to my lips.

"Can you believe I'm graduating? This is so exciting."

"I can believe it baby, you've worked hard to get where you are." I smile at him as he presses a quick kiss on my cheek.

"Let's go then, don't want you to be late."

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"I can't believe we're done with highschool, I feel so old." Cassidy says once the ceremony is over and we give each other a big hug. I stare at the diploma in my hand with a wide smile.

"Right? I mean I didn't think these 4 years would pass this fast."

"Same, but I'm also ready to start college. If we don't have any classes together I'm going to be really upset."

"Me too but hopefully we'll get paired in at least one."

A thought suddenly comes to mind but I fear the answer.

"Hey did your parents show up?" I ask and immediately her mood seemed to dampen.

"Uh no, they're out of town right now. They hired a babysitter to watch over my little brother." She replies and I frown but decide not to continue on that topic. Cassidy's parents are always traveling but I'm really shocked they didn't show up.

"Ah there's the graduates, how's it feel?" I hear James' voice a few feet away and he quickly gives Cassidy and I brief hugs.

"Don't tell your boyfriend I hugged you, mi ucciderà." James says and I thought that was directed towards me but then my eyes go wide when I realize it was towards Cassidy.

(He'll kill me.)

"What?!"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Cassidy argues, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes at James.

"Presto lo sarà." James shrugs and her eyes narrow further.

(Soon he will be.)

"What did you just say?"

At least I'm not the only one who can't speak Italian in the group anymore. Cassidy is just as clueless as I am.

"Nothing, oh look here they come!" The blonde gestures to the three men coming our way, two with flowers in their hands.

"I'm proud of you sweetheart." Rome says while handing me the flowers and I swear I feel my heart pounding.

"Thank you." I mumble and he pulls me into a quick hug. My eyes flit over to Elijah who looks a bit awkward but hands the flowers he has to Cassidy. I watch as her face goes completely red while taking them, raising them to her nose.

"Thank you Elijah, I love them." She smiles and he gives her a little one in return.

"Sì, ad un certo punto si stanno sicuramente incontrando." James comes beside me and nudges me with his shoulder. I think he forgets I can't speak Italian sometimes.

(Yeah, they're definitely getting together at some point.)

Rome hums in reply and wraps his arms around my waist.

"Congrats you two, graduating is a big accomplishment." Grant says and both Cassidy and I thank him.

"There's our baby, I'm so proud of you!" Mama and papa tackle me out of Rome's arms and into a big hug. I laugh along with everyone else.

"Thank you, I love you guys." I take the flowers mama hands to me. I've got two pretty bouquets now. I struggle to hold my diploma along with both of the bouquets so Rome takes the flowers and holds them for me.

"We're very proud of you kiddo, you've worked extremely hard these past years." Papa kisses my head and I smile.

"Hi Cassidy, how are you dear?" Mama asks gently. My parents are really fond of Cassidy. Since the two of them know about the mafia now I told them about the Izzy situation.

Let's just say they're glad we aren't really friends anymore.

"I'm doing good." Cassidy replies.

"Where's your parents?" Papa asks and I widen my eyes at them.

"They're not here...on a business trip right now." I see Elijah's eyes harden but he doesn't say anything. I decide to change the subject since I know Cassidy had no desire to talk about her parents right now.

"So shall we head to dinner?" I ask and Rome takes off the cap I'm wearing on my head. He smoothes down my hair for me and I beam up at him.

"Yes please, I'm fucking starving." James replies.

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Dinner went really well, we went to an Italian restaurant and luckily had reservations so we didn't have to wait too long.

As we headed out of the restaurant I said bye to mama and papa since they weren't coming back to the house.

"Do you want to come back with us?" I ask Cassidy once my parents leave.

"No I'm okay, I need to get home anyways since the babysitter is supposed to leave at around 8."

"Okay," I nod and give her a hug. "I can come with if you want." I add and she laughs.

"I promise I'm okay Arya, I'll text you." She replies and I sigh and give her one last squeeze before letting go of her.

"Well then we're hanging out in a few days." I say sternly and she agrees.

"Bye guys," She waves at the rest of the guys before walking off in the direction of her car in the parking lot.

Frowning as I watch her retreating form, Rome comes to my side and gives my waist a reassuring squeeze.

"You should go with her." I turn and face Elijah whose eye's widen a tad bit.

"What?"

"With Cassidy, she could use the support right now."

He looks slightly unsure of himself as he watches Cassidy get into her car. I move out of Rome's arms and give him a slight shove that doesn't affect him.

"Don't overthink it and just go!" I point and he narrows his eyes at me before walking off in the direction of Cassidy's car. I watch as she rolls down the window and he says something to her.

She nods her head to him and he walks to get into the passenger side of the car. A large grin makes It's way onto my face once Cassidy starts the car and backs out of the parking lot.

"Looks like he'll be busy for the night, wanna go out for drinks man?" Grant pats James on the back.

"Hell yeah I do." He replies and looks at Rome and I.

"You already know my answer." He says and James gives us a thumbs up, going with Grant to his car.

"I guess It's just me and you tonight, darling." Rome whispers in my ear and I can hear the desire in his words.

"Guess so, what are we gonna do then?" I give him a sweet smile and he hums, guiding us towards the parking lot.

"I've got an idea, but it requires a few things." He says lowly and presses a kiss to the side of my neck making me shudder.

"And what's that?"

Pressing me against the side of his car, he cages me in and gives me a dark look.

"It requires the two of us." He presses a kiss to my forehead.

"One bedroom." A kiss to my cheek.

"And no clothes." Planting his lips on mine I wrap my arms around his neck and sigh in content.

Pulling away and clearing my throat, I look down shyly making him place a finger under my chin and tilt my head up. I'm pretty sure I'm a blushing mess right now.

"R-Right, to the car then." I open the passenger side and he chuckles beside me, heading to the drivers side.

"You're too easy to tease." He says and I scowl playfully.

"So you were only teasing?"

He raises a brow. "Oh no, that wasn't a joke amore mio."

(My love.)

"Oh," I reply lamely and he shakes his head in amusement.

Gosh I love this man so freaking much. I don't know what I'd do without him. After everything we've been through together we've stayed strong and as one.

And as he gives me that gorgeous dimpled smile, I knew that I wanted to marry him. To possibly start a family with him, but that time will come when we're ready.