It was a new morning.

A different kind of morning.

The sun was shinier than any other day, basking its rays on me. I woke up today, feeling a different kind of feeling. The one that speaks and tells you 'yeah, you're happy' and there was nothing that could diminish this. It's like any other day and yet, there was something about this Wednesday, knowing the importance of today.

I was finally going back home for the holidays and no one in my family or friends knew that. I had planned to surprise them, and by this time tomorrow, I would be with them. I haven't been home in a long time and I couldn't wait to see them. I couldn't wait to see Lauren. I couldn't wait to hug little Arden.

Dragging my bags out, I locked my flat while Fallon helped me with some of my bags. After dropping me off, she was planning to spend Thanksgiving with her mother, which I found impressive and a good step in their relationship. Her mother no longer controlled what she does and the two of them finally found a common ground. Hanna had left New York for California two days ago and she had called me this morning.

Erica met with me last night, and although she still found it uncomfortable to talk about West with me, I had to tell her there was nothing wrong with dating him. She admitted to me that she liked him and found it hard at first. If he hadn't pushed her and broke her walls, West wouldn't have been able to succeed. She told me they planned to spend Thanksgiving together. I was really happy with how things were going between them. I knew West would take care of her.

I had not spoken to Veronica or Pete ever since they left, but I heard Rogue received a text from Veronica, telling him they were okay. It wasn't a frequent update, but at least they eased his mind with the little texts he gets from them. They were still trying to keep some distance between us, and I had no idea why I was included in it. I wanted to know if they were doing alright. I wanted to know how they were coping and if Pete had any episodes. I knew Rogue was worried about that. He had always been there to protect Veronica from Pete, and now that he wasn't there, there was no one else to protect her. He didn't say it, but I knew he was tense about it. I was worried for her as well.

Fallon and I went downstairs to find Rogue's car in front. As soon as he saw us, he quickly got down from the car and took the bags from our hands, keeping them in the trunk. When he came back, he slid an arm around my shoulder and kissed my temple.

"Rogue, you've been clingy lately. How are you going to survive without her for a week?" Fallon joked as she stared at him, a trace of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

"I don't know." He offered her a shrug, stealing a glance at me. "If she can survive it, then I can survive it."

I grabbed her and gave her a quick, tight hug. "Love you, Fallon."

Startled, she stared at me. "Love you too. Call me as soon as you land."

Rogue opened the door for me and I got inside, waving at Fallon. As soon as he pulled out of our front building, excitement coursed through me. I couldn't remember the last time I was this excited, but I was finally going home. Rogue noticed the excitement on my face.

"Can you at least pretend you're sad to leave?"

I laughed, glancing at him. "I'm sorry, but I've missed home. I miss my friends."

"And what about me?" he dared to ask, looking at me from the corner of his eyes. One hand was holding the wheel and the other reached out to interlock our fingers together.

"You will live."

His chuckle was a deep rumble through his chest. "I take it you won't remember me when you're with your friends. I thought West was my rival, but who knew it would be your friends all along."

I shifted closer, resting my head against his arm. "Don't worry, you're my favorite. Even if I forget you, it won't be for long."

"Oh, really?" He pushed my head away and I laughed at the sour look he was giving me. "Do you still want to reach the airport on time?" he threatened darkly and I caught a glimpse of his dark side.

I pursed my lips and stared back at him with a lifted brow. "I thought you wanted me to be happy all the time. Are you going to go back on your words?" I pouted my lips.

"That has never worked on me, you know."

"I know. Sometimes, you can be a little heartless. Can't a girl sway you a little?" I pouted my lips again and batted my eyes at him, but he only snorted again. When we reached traffic, he slowed down at the red sign.

He turned his head in my direction and asked, "Do you really have to spend a week there?"

"Yeah, I haven't been home in a while and there's so much to do. I don't know when I'd be able to go back again," I confessed, then giddily looked over to him. "I really have grown on you, haven't I? Like a mold." My lashes fluttered and my lips grew wider.

He gazed at me for a beat. I could tell he was trying not to grin. "You're alright."

I laughed because he was so ridiculous I couldn't help it. Rogue started driving again as soon as it hit the green light. I leaned back against my seat and tilted my head towards the window. I closed my eyes briefly and didn't open them until the car stopped. When I opened my eyes, we were at the airport.

My heart suddenly started to pinch and I couldn't move from my seat. The realization that I wasn't going to see or touch Rogue for a week dawned on me. I thought I was happy to be going back home, and I was. I was happy to see my family and friends, but I was sadder that I was going to leave him. I didn't want to leave him.

"Are you coming?" he asked as he opened the door and got my bags from the trunk before striding to the passenger's door to open it. He stared down at me, reaching out his hand. "Come on, we have to go."

I raised my head to look at him, fresh tears gathering in them. I looked away before he could see them. Fallon had teased that he had been clingy for the past weeks, but I didn't realize what his clinginess did to me. It made me feel so attached to him that I dreaded stepping out of the car. Dreaded being a thousand miles away from him.

"Beth," he called out my name, and I finally gave him my hand. He slowly helped me out of the car and closed the door. Then he smiled. "You ready?" Seeing my look, Rogue chuckled. He still held my hand and tugged me closer. "I thought you were happy."

I couldn't talk. My throat closed up, but I moved my head up and down. Behind us, people were rushing in and out of the airport. Luggage was being dragged around. People had smiles on their faces.

Feeling his gaze on me, my cheeks warmed, and I glanced to the floor, fingering the bottom of my shirt and tugging it down. This was ridiculous. There was no reason to feel like this. To want to get back inside and go home. To not leave his side. This is what love does, right? Makes you feel so attached that you couldn't bear to leave their side.

"Beth." His voice dropped low.

I mustered up a smile, looking up. God, he was gorgeous. His eyes were intense and focused on me. His lips were pressed together. The lips I had touched and loved. Every little caress and tender touch.

"I know," I remarked, smiling at him. Time to go.

"Yeah." His finger touched beside my eye. It was the slightest of touches. "You will call me, won't you?

"Every day. More than once." Even more emotion swept up and lodged in my throat. "I will annoy you with my calls so much you'd probably consider blocking me."

His voice dipped even lower, so soft. "I wouldn't. Call me. Drive me crazy. I will answer every single call, no matter where I am and what I'm doing."

My tongue was heavy, lying on the bottom of my mouth. He added, inclining his head toward me, "You've always driven me crazy. I want to be near you. Around you. Be with you. Doing everything with you.

I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I love you," I muttered, closing my eyes as his arms tightened around me.

He pulled away and a rueful grin slipped to something intimate, one that started an excited flutter in my stomach. "I'll wait for you, although it will suck." His hand pushed away the hair the wind blew to my face. "Try not to have too much fun without me."

I pushed my head to stare at him, my chin pressed to his chest. "Can't make any promises. There's never a dull moment with my friends."

Rogue looked away briefly and sighed, bringing his attention back to me. "Are you trying to get me not to like your friends? Why do I feel like they will take so much of your time?" His hand touched the side of my face and tilted my head back, his eyes so tender. "I'm not in support of you leaving New York just so you know, but you're making me regret not speaking up."

I chuckled.

He glared at me. "You do know if I could, I would stop you from leaving. If you still push, I will have your passport canceled, but I'm a changed man. Appreciate the man in front of you."

I tapped on his chest. "People hardly change this fast but I appreciate the effort." I untangled myself from his arms when I realized he could fool me into missing my plane. "Let's go, love." I took his hand in mine and he tugged me towards the glass door's entrance.

In the end, I hugged him so tightly and breathed him in, trying to memorize his scent. I rubbed his scent all over my body so I could have something to cuddle with at night. Rogue could barely let me go. I had to tear myself away from him after the second announcement.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear, kissing my cheek, then my forehead before embracing me one last time again.

He was standing there, watching me when I waved at him as I made my way to get on the plane. I mouthed to him that I loved him, which he smiled devastatingly at and lowered his hand.

When I got inside the plane, I was told I had been upgraded to first class. I didn't need to be told who had done that, but I shook my head in disbelief as I walked to my seat. When I settled down near the window, I looked out of it and touched the window with my fingers, then smiled with a shake of my head when I realized that I was thinking about Rogue.

I shut my eyes for a moment, recalling all the details of his face, memorizing every line and the way he moved, walked, and the way he looked at me. I could picture the smile he always had on his face, a smile that he only managed to reserve for me. It was a smile that spoke of his love.

I felt a presence beside, another passenger taking their seat next to me. My eyes remained closed, and when the doors of the plane were closed and I heard the pilot's voice speaking, I finally opened my eyes and shifted my head to stare at the person next to me.

The man was sleeping, I couldn't tell. He had his eyes closed and his arms crossed over his chest. I stared at the side of his profile, at the perfect skin and perfect features. I blinked, and then his eyes opened as if he could feel me tearing holes into his face. He angled his head to the side, our eyes meeting.

He leaned down, so his forehead was resting on mine. "Hi," he said in a low voice.

I blinked twice because I thought I was imagining him. My eyes grew wide all of a sudden. "You're here. What are you doing here?" I asked in a gasp.

"I decided to come with you."

"How did you-" I paused, staring deeply at him. "When did you buy a ticket?" It couldn't possibly be right now or today.

"When you told me you were leaving for London," he confessed cheekily. He reached up and grabbed my hand, his fingers curling around it.

"You planned to come with me and you didn't tell me?" I pinched him in the arm.

Rogue let out a groan, accompanied by a chuckle. "I wasn't sure if I was coming with you, but to be on the safe side, I bought a ticket and made sure we were seated together."

"I can't believe you bought a ticket and didn't tell me."

"Surprise." His grin spread widely.

I couldn't even keep the annoyance or disbelief on my face any longer. I let out a laugh of happiness, shaking my head. "I can't believe you're following me to London, to meet my family and friends." That was a huge step. I had met his mum, but it was an accident. It wasn't like he took me to meet his family.

His eyes held mine. "When you told me how much fun you were going to have with your friends, I decided I wanted to be part of it."

I scoffed. "You're just worried I'm going to spend all my time with them and have none for you."

Rogue looked away for a few seconds, laughing. "You said it, not me."

"Are you sure you're ready to meet my friends? You'd have to go through the boyfriend test."

"I'm not worried about that," he replied, and it didn't look like he was.

"Well, you should be. If you don't pass their test, I don't think they would want me to keep being with you. My friends are scarier than you when it comes to my happiness."

"Again, I'm not worried about your friends' little test. I'm sure they will love me."

I rolled my eyes. "You're cocky."

"Not cocky, just the truth. People easily like me. They find no fault, so yes, I'm not worried about your friends." His tone was filled with mischief. He reached his hand out toward me.

"Most men will be freaking out, asking questions on how to please their girlfriend's friends." I put my hand in his and it fit. "But you're not most men, are you?"

His only response was to smile further and hurled me out of my seat into his lap. I let out a gasp as I fell to his chest and Rogue circled his arms around my waist, hugging me. A few passengers darted their gazes at us before looking away. My cheeks flamed in embarrassment.

"Rogue, put me down!" I tried not to shout the words out, keeping my voice low but firmly. He shook his head in answer. I tried to pry his hands from my waist but he only answered by being stubborn, gripping me tightly. "Rogue!"

My eyes fell on one of the flight attendants and the panic inside me increased. I gave her a sheepish smile, and when she started to approach us, I turned and leaned down, biting Rogue in the neck. It must have hurt and caught him off guard because he quickly let go of me. I fall back down in my seat in time for the flight attendant to stop in front of us.

"Is everything all right?" she asked politely, her smile not faltering.

"Yes, everything is fine," I responded with so much embarrassment I thought my cheeks would burst into flames. Rogue had opened a magazine and stared at it, but I could still tell he was trying not to laugh. At that moment, I wanted to do more than bite him.

After the flight attendant walked off, I started to hit him in the arm. He chuckled with each hit. Realizing we were being stared at again, I quickly backed away from their line of sight, embarrassed.

I tilted my head up to him. "I hate you," I whispered.

A quiet laugh left him.

Rogue looked down into my eyes, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His hand lingered there for a moment before going to touch my lip for a split second. "I'm glad I chose to follow you, Beth." He smiled. "I want to see the way you are with your friends. Are you a different person or still the same?"

"No one is the same when they're with their friends," I murmured. "I'm glad you are here too. There's so much I plan to show you and so much we could do together. I made a list."

"You made a list?" His brow lifted. "Already?"

I nodded. "Yes. The second I saw you sitting here, so many things rushed to my head and all of them were the things we could do together. It was like an instinct. I didn't even have to think hard. It just came to me instantly."

His grin went up a notch. "Like how I fell in love with you." His eyes pinned me down. "There was nothing much to think about. I just fell in love with you and I haven't looked back ever since." He gave a small chuckle, then another with a shake of his head. His eyes were peering right into mine as he said in a fierce whisper, "You punched right through everything."

My breath caught and held in my throat. "I think I did more than a punch."

Rogue laughed huskily. "Yeah, you brought it all down."

In return, I smiled and hooked my arm to his, resting my head on his shoulders. The plane was about to take off. I was going to be home soon.

I registered Rogue's own head resting on top of my head. His hand found its way to hold mine, lacing them together. I stared down at it while he remained quiet and I smiled absently. Watching our interlocked hands and how they fit together. How far the both of us had come along. The process was tough and crazy, but the ending was nice. The ending was our happiness.

We were both different from who we used to be. We are in love now. We trusted each other and our loyalty lay with one another. I never thought I could sit back and imagine what my future would be like. It had always been hazy, with no path to the end. Now I could think about it and I would see Rogue. I would see our future and I knew I didn't have to worry about it anymore. It was going to be challenging, but it would still be beautiful.

I gripped Rogue's hand and he gripped me right back. I smiled without any weight in my chest. Without any worry. Because I knew I had a man who would run through fire for me. He wouldn't let me catch in flames but offer himself as a shield.

Again, I gripped his hand. He gripped mine tighter. It wasn't a question. It wasn't an assurance. He was going to be right there, giving me everything without being asked. His loyalty remained with me, as mine did.

I smiled to myself.

Who could ever love me? The way my beautiful monster does.

———

Thank you for reading ❤️