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Alette's POV

"Anything else you wanted to add Faye?" Dr. Esa asked, leaning back in her seat.

I smiled, shaking my head.

"I'm just...very content. I never ever could have imagined my life turning out this way, that's for sure. But more than that...I never thought that I would feel as strong as I do, emotionally and mentally," I took a deep breath in, and she smiled in encouragement.

"I feel like this is the person that I was always meant to be. That I had lost her at some point and I didn't want to find her because I was so afraid. But I feel so much more secure now. I know I'll have bad days, but even in those bad days, I feel hopeful. I can't believe that I'm here...but I am. And I'm proud of that."

I sighed, looking at her warm smile; "I'm excited for the new phase in my life. I've graduated; I'm starting my specialization program. I'm continuing my work here and...I think I'm ready to go to the bakery again. I'm also so happy to be engaged. It's just...perfect. More than I could've ever imagined, and I am so beyond thankful."

Dr. Esa beamed, "I am truly so overjoyed at how much you feel that you've grown over the years. You're an astounding person Faye, I'm so happy for you. Your bravery and dedication to your healing is so motivating to see."

She asked me a few more questions and we said our goodbyes.

I knew I would be seeing her less from now on; I wouldn't completely give up going to therapy, but I would decrease how I often I would be seeing Dr. Esa.

I walked out of her office; brushing some lint off of my straight, grey denim jeans. I had paired that with one of Reece's soft white sweaters. I also tied a patterned silk scarf in my hair.

I happily stood in the elevator, knowing that I would see my Reecie in a few minutes.

Just the thought of seeing my handsome man had me feeling giddy.

He had to finalize a work thing at the crack of dawn this morning, and I only had the time to sleepily give him a squish and small kiss.

Tai picked me up later this morning, and we went to get breakfast to catch-up because he and I had been so busy with school and work. Jerryl had also surprised me when he tagged along with Tai, so the three of us had a wonderful time before my session with Dr. Esa.

The lights of the elevator reflected off of my engagement ring, and my heart warmed.

It had been a few weeks since Ares proposed to me, and within those weeks, a lot had happened.

I had finished my finals and graduated from University with my degree. I had finished top ten in my program, and I truly couldn't believe it. Reece didn't go a day without telling me how proud he was of me, and how smart I was.

I had also gotten into my specialization program for psychotherapy, and I was beyond excited to start it.

Reece had planned a small graduation party for me, the moment that Grams landed back here.

It was just Uncle Syl, Grams, Reece and I, and it was the sweetest thing ever. He got balloons and a cake and cooked for everyone.

As if I had thought he couldn't get any more perfect, he surprised me a few days later with a tiny photoshoot on campus in my cap and gown. I was too nervous to go to Grad with all of the people, and he had chosen a secluded part of the campus on a quiet day, just so I could get pictures with my certificate and cap.

Tai had taken pictures of me, and then I had dragged my lovebug into some pictures as well.

Then I stopped doing that because a few of the people on campus that were nearby, kept staring at him.

Sure, he was undoubtedly the most handsome man...but he was mine.

He had noticed and of course wrapped his arm around my waist, a smirk on his pretty lips.

And then, as if that wasn't enough, Ares had reached out to Jojo and invited Josephine, Niesha and Marah so that we could all take grad pictures together.

After taking pictures, Ares had driven me to my parents, and we had taken them flowers, finding a way to celebrate my grad with them as well.

The most perfect man.

I waved to the receptionist and walked out into the morning sunlight. It was still pretty early, and I was definitely worn out already.

A nap sounded so darn good at this moment.

I walked outside, wrapping my arms tightly around myself.

I squinted my eyes and finally saw him.

I hummed in happiness, and bee-lined straight towards where he stood.

He was leaned against his dark sports car in a slate grey suit. In his hands, he held an iced mocha, with extra chocolate drizzle.

Yummy.

And I wasn't just talking about the coffee.

I walked over to him, holding my small brown bag in my hand. Once I was close enough, I wrapped my arms around him.

"Hi gorgeous!"

He leaned his head down and kissed my head softly, "Angel. You're fine?"

I nodded, smiling as he led me to the passenger side door. He buckled me in and handed me my drink.

I kissed his hand, and then he walked over to the driver's side, settling in and buckling himself up.

"How was work, lovebug?" I asked him, taking a sip of the cold, chocolaty espresso.

"Just a lot of admin stuff," he gave a noncommittal grunt, "The new place is ready to go, so Jakob and I were moving sensitive files today."

Jakob and him had finally separated the security business from the private investigative business so that it would be easier to deal with clients, and it would keep traffic away from the tattoo parlour.

Since Jakob was already head of security, he had resumed positions at the new offices. The building was only a five-minute drive from STAMP, but they had a lot of important and high-risk documents that they needed to transport.

He placed his hand on my thigh, his fingers gripping on. I placed my hand on his, softly lining the tattoos on his hand.

The wedding band that I had bought him shone in the sunlight as he drove.

It was a titanium band that I had gone shopping for with Grams; she had cried over the phone when I told her about our engagement, saying that even while she expected it to happen at some point, she was so overjoyed.

Uncle Syl, who had given Ares the ring in the first place, said he was so proud of me, and was ecstatic that I had my own fairytale, because of how much I loved reading about them when I was younger.

The girls had screamed so loudly when they came over and saw the ring, that Ares had come running out of his office, his hand on his waistband where he was concealing his weapon. He had taken a sigh of relief when he saw that there was no real trouble, awkwardly nodding his head as the girls congratulated him on the engagement. He had then, literally run out of the room.

I was glad I heard the office door close because Niesha spent the next hour talking about techniques I could use on our honeymoon, while Marah and Jojo hooted, egging her on.

The next evening, whilst I was with him in his office at STAMP, helping with packing some stuff for the new building, we heard a knock at the door. Zion had escorted us downstairs, and we were surprised with a small engagement party.

Jakob had thrown everything together last minute, and while he didn't really interact with anyone, and stayed in the shadows sipping on a drink the whole time, I was extremely grateful.

Ares was thoroughly shocked that his employees, friends rather, had come together to celebrate him like that.

It was truly so precious, and I was so grateful that Jakob had done something like that for Ares.

Oscar and Selina had also keenly invited us over for a celebratory dinner; it was even sweeter when Row Boat walked out with a card for us. He had drawn a little scene in a field with flowers, as Ares and I stood in the middle of it. Sure Reece's suit looked a lot like a robot costume and my dress looked like a pillowcase, it was the cutest thing I had ever seen.

Then Selina had dropped a plate in shock when she heard Ares laugh for the first time after baby Lucia projectile vomited on Oscar.

That caused Rowan to run up to me, screaming about how something was wrong with Uncle Adler, which prompted me to laugh till I cried.

It was quite the dinner.

I smiled as my chest bloomed with a bundle of warmth, my eyes drifting back to the ring.

It was extremely simple, but it fit him so well.

I had gotten the inside of the ring engraved: 'for a love that blooms.'

Flowers had become such an integral part of our relationship, since the very beginning, and I wanted something to allude to that.

The word bloom also highlighted the idea of growth and overcoming challenges, and always prospering.

Everything our love did, and hopefully would continue to do.

The outside of the ring had a small flower engraved on it, to match the vines on my ring.

I had set up a small picnic in our backyard about a week after he had proposed. I set up lights and flowers, and a small dinner for the two of us.

Once we finished eating, I handed him a book that he had been reading me, and asked him to finish it. I had attached the ring to our bookmark so that when he opened the book, it would be the first thing he saw.

His eyes had gone wide, and I saw moisture in them when he first saw the ring. I had shyly put the ring on his finger, watching as he looked at what was happening in awe.

He hadn't taken it off since.

My thoughts were cut off when I saw his bandaged wrist.

"How is your cut, Reecie?" I asked him, taking another sip.

The day after I had gotten him the ring, he came home from work with a bandaged right wrist. It was an injury from a mission, and I hadn't seen it yet because he said it was minor and he didn't want me to worry.

He glanced at his wrist as his hand rested on the steering wheel, "It's fine now I think. I'll take the gauze off today."

I smiled softly, picking the hand up that was on my thigh, and gave it a tiny kiss before intertwining our fingers.

I brought the straw of my drink to his lips, and he leaned down, taking a sip, and then scrunching his nose.

I giggled at his face, "You're such a coffee snob, my love."

He shook his head, "That's just straight up chocolate milk."

I laughed harder, "It's delicious."

He gave me a sly look, his hand moving higher up my thigh, and giving it a squeeze.

"So are you."

I sucked in a breath, my cheeks flaming.

"That's not nice," I mumbled under my breath as he chuckled.

We arrived back at home, and he opened my door for me, handing me the keys so that he could grab his briefcase and files.

I unlocked the door, turning around slightly when I felt his eyes on me.

"Beautiful as hell," he looked at my outfit, smiling as his eyes saw the silk bandana on my hair, and his sweater that I was wearing.

I blushed, "That's enough," I mumbled, feeling butterflies in my belly.

I finished unlocking the door and we walked inside.

"Or what?" he leaned down and whispered in my ear as we took off our shoes.

I stuck my tongue out at him, "No more kissing for the rest of the week."

His smirk dropped.

"I'll stop," he mumbled.

I giggled and set my purse down on the coffee table; as if I could ever abstain from kissing him.

Grasso walked up to me and I picked him up, giving him a kiss on the head.

Carino of course walked up to me right after, and I didn't have the space in my hands, so I tilted my head at Reece so that he would pick him up.

Ares bent down and picked Carino up in one hand, and brought him close to me so that I could give him a tiny peck on the head.

While Ares had an impassive look on his face, I had seen him lying on the sofa with Carino a few times.

Just last week, I came home and because Ares' office door was shut, I knew he was busy. But as I had looked around the house, Carino was nowhere to be found. Grasso sat on the sofa, fast asleep, but there was no sign of the kitten.

I had burst into Ares' office, my eyes filled with tears, and he looked at me alarmed as I incoherently tried to convey to him that Carino was missing.

It was then that his chest had relaxed, and he stood up, holding Carino in his hands.

While I was out, the kitten had decided that the best place for him to lie was Ares' lap.

Not that I could blame him.

The exhaustion from the day, and the fear of almost losing Carino made me cry, and Reece had wasted no time in pulling me into his lap. I sat, cuddling Carino as he worked.

He had known that that was exactly what I had needed.

He always knew.

I placed Grasso on the ground, and Ares did the same with Carino.

I refilled their water dishes, and cleaned up their food bowls as Ares went to put stuff away in his office.

"You ate, Reece?" I called to him as I put away some of the dishes in the drying rack.

He nodded, walking into the kitchen, "Why? You hungry? Want me to make you something?"

He looked so handsome with his suit jacket off, and black dress shirt unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up.

I gulped, "Nope!"

I cursed my voice for sounding so high pitched.

He shook his head, hiding a smirk.

He walked over to me, scooping me up into his arms. I melted into his arms as he walked us upstairs.

I kissed his neck, burying my head in it.

"Reecie?" I mumbled into his neck as we walked.

"Baby?"

"What time do we have to l-leave?" I stifled a yawn as he walked us to our room.

"Couple of hours, why?" he asked, setting me down on the bed.

"I want a tiny nap," I said to him, yawning again.

We were going to Oscar's birthday party tonight; Selina had planned a get together for him at their house, and I was super excited to see the babies.

"Yeah?"

He removed his shirt, and I had forgotten how to breathe.

"Mhm," I hummed, not trusting myself to say anything,

"We've got time, let's get some rest, angel."

I beamed and nodded, walking into the bathroom to change. I changed into a soft white t-shirt and pink, strawberry patterned pyjama pants.

I also took off my bra because a wearing bra while sleeping was quite possibly the worse thing ever.

I washed and moisturized my face, tying my hair into a braid before I walked back into the room.

He sat against the headboard of the bed, his shirt off and a pair of grey sweats. He rested his hands behind his head, his eyes closed lightly.

I was drooling.

But it was allowed.

He was my fiancé.

I took another step forwards, the floorboards creaking underneath my feet.

His eyes opened and he looked at me, his eyes glinting as they stared at my pink pyjama bottoms.

It was something he did quite often; I had an extensive pyjama collection, all of them with cute patterns and the softest materials.

He got great amusement out of whatever pattern I chose to wear that day.

He had also taken it upon himself to help me choose some whilst I was online shopping, adding about ten to the cart, all with the most adorable illustrations.

It was the little things.

I looked over at his right forearm and wrist, my eyes brightening.

"The bandage is off! Is your injury healed?" I took quick steps towards him, kneeling on the bed beside him.

He swallowed and extended his right arm towards me.

I grabbed his hand, giving him a small smile before my eyes drifted downward, to check his injury.

But what I saw was no injury at all.

It was a new tattoo.

My heart pounded as I turned my shocked gaze back onto him.

He looked apprehensive, but held his arm out closer to me.

On his wrist, there were two thin, beautifully woven lines, one in dark grey and one in dark pink.

Exactly like the friendship bracelet that I had gotten him all those months ago.

I flipped his hand over, my hands shaking with emotion.

The bracelet ended on the back of his wrist, almost like a cuff. Where the 'threads' of the bracelet ended, there was a flower in black line work and shading.

The flower was placed in the gap between where the two ends of the bracelets would have met. It looked as though it was a rose; symbolizing true love and commitment.

The stem of the flower was what tipped my tears off the edge.

Instead of a regular stem and leaves, the flower was attached to a beautiful script; one single word.

Alette.

My eyes shone with tears and I lunged forwards, wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms came around me and held me close, moving me so I was straddling him on the bed.

I pulled my face out of his neck, looking at him, "S-So there was no i-injury?"

He let out a soft laugh, "No my angel girl, I wanted the tattoo to heal completely before I showed you."

I sniffled, "It's stunning," I looked at it again, "I-I can't believe you got this Ares."

He leaned down and kissed me softly, "I told you; I love that bracelet you made me. I think it was the first wrapped present that I had ever received. But more importantly, it came from you, and it meant the world to me. I wanted to keep it forever."

"Ares," I sighed, leaning my forehead against his, "I love you so much. I'm the luckiest."

"That's all me, baby," he captured my lips again, and I kissed him back deeply.

I let out a tiny gasp when he bit my lip, his hands snaking down to my butt.

I tightened my grip on his shoulders, as our kissing got more fervent. He trailed kisses down my throat, and focused his ministrations on the side of my neck.

"A-Ares," I gasped out his name as his grip on my waist tightened, holding me in place.

I threw my head back, giving him more space as his rough hands moved my hips, rocking us against each other.

I could barely breathe, lost in a haze of pleasure.

He lifted his head, and I hungrily met his lips again, kissing him ardently. I trailed my hands down his chest, my short nails dragging along his skin. His grip on my hips allowed him to rock me however fast or slow he wanted.

It was spellbinding.

"A-Ares I-I'm-"

"MEOW!"

I yelped and jumped off of him, falling onto the bed, hiding my burning face in my hands.

Ares swore loudly, closing his eyes.

A hiss came from the door.

I removed my hands from my face, feeling beyond awkward.

I felt as though we had been caught in the act.

But it was...Grasso.

Ares took a deep, steadying, breath in.

"I'm abandoning him on the streets tonight."

"Aresius Adler!"

I smacked his shoulder lightly.

He stood up adjusting his pants, making me blush. He walked towards the door.

If I was Grasso and saw the angry giant storming towards me, I would have ran for my life.

But Grasso just sat at the door.

Watching as Ares walked over to him.

Ares bent down, picking up Grasso, who hissed viciously, and deposited him on the floor outside of the room.

He then promptly shut the door.

And locked it.