I slowly walk downstairs, taking in every little detail. Leaving this place is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done. This has been one of the best summers and I don't want to pack up. I love everything about the East Coast – from the delicious seafood to the sandy beaches to the hiking to the people.

Stepping off the last step, I pause and look at the pictures that line the wall. Already, Karen has put up pictures of the wedding. I want to stay and look at them, but I know I'm running out of time.

When I walk into the kitchen, everyone is there. They're all standing around the breakfast bar, dishing up their plates with breakfast foods: croissants, hash browns, sausages, bacon, poached eggs, toast, pancakes, and fresh fruits that have been cut into bite-sized pieces. There's a freshly brewed pot of coffee sitting next to three empty mugs, along with cream and sugar.

"Good morning, Nova!" Karen smiles.

"Morning," I reply, helping myself to a cup of coffee. I look at the setup, and realize that we must be having a big breakfast because Warren and I are leaving this afternoon. It's like a going-away event.

A pang of sadness strikes my chest as I think about it. I don't want to leave Halifax behind – I've loved every moment of it.

There must be a look on my face because Hazel walks over and hugs me. "Don't worry, Nova. Warren will bring you back here – I'll make sure of it. And don't forget that Greyson and I will be coming to visit at some point."

I slowly nod, fighting the tears that want to scald my cheeks. "Okay," I say. "But that's not going to stop me from missing all of you."

"Oh, honey," Karen says. She joins in on the hug. "We're going to miss you, too."

Despite the sadness, I can't stop myself from smiling. While my reaction was natural, I've spent way too long preventing myself from living life. I couldn't be happier than I am now. Surrounding myself with these people – it's been a good thing for me.

Opening my eyes, I make eye contact with Warren. He's working on his plate of food like he hasn't eaten in weeks, but there's a soft look in his eyes – one that holds the promise of us coming back here soon.

After wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he smiles. "Don't worry, Novs. My family would burn me at the stake if I didn't bring you back here."

"Damn right we would," Cam says, playfully punching his son in the arm.

"Thanks for clarifying that, Dad," Warren drawls, rolling his eyes.

I laugh and then get started dishing up a plate for myself. As I do so, Warren comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. "I'm starting to think I should have just joined you in bed," he murmurs.

My cheeks turn pink, and I shoot a quick glance at his parents, who are only a couple of feet away from us at the dining room table. "Warren," I hiss. "There are people here. Can you not keep your comments to yourself until we're alone?"

He laughs, deep and husky. "Baby, none of them can hear what I'm saying."

"You sure about that?" Hazel pipes up from the fridge, where she's grabbing the orange juice. "Because I heard every word you just said, and, frankly, I don't want to hear about my younger brother's sex life."

Even though Warren is behind me, I can sense his dramatized eye roll. "Sorry sis," he says. "But can you blame me?" I feel his lips touch my skin. "I mean, have you seen this girl?"

Greyson, who came up to grab another piece of toast, snorts. "Buddy, that's something my friends and I would define as being whipped."

Shaking my head, I fill the remaining space on my plate with a pancake that's been drenched in maple syrup, and then turn around. Warren is looking at Greyson, his nose wrinkled in mock-disgust. "Christ, Novs. Is this what it's like having an older brother? I always wondered what it would be like, but if this is how things are going to go, I don't know if I want it anymore."

"Well, little brother," Greyson says. "Looks like you're stuck with me for a long time."

"I hope you mean forever when you say a long time," Hazel says.

"Of course, baby," he replies, kissing his wife on the cheek. With that, the two of them head to the table to join Karen and Cam.

I smile at how cute they are together.

Just as I'm about to head for one of the empty chairs at the dining room table, I feel Warren's hand grip mine.

I stop and turn to face him. "Yes?" I ask.

He leans down, quickly planting a kiss on my lips. "We will come back, Novs – I promise. So, let's enjoy this breakfast and the last couple of hours we have here with the gang."

Giving him a sad-but-also-happy smile, I nod.

* * *

I thought walking down the stairs this morning was going to be the hardest part of today. But I was wrong. Having to actually say goodbye is harder. Especially when it involves Hazel.

As soon as I met her, I knew we were going to be good friends. Although the maid of honour thing was a little too spontaneous for my liking, I don't regret all the time I spent planning the wedding with her. We've created a bond that's unforgettable.

So, after I've said my goodbyes to Warren's parents, who are taking the rental car back to its home due to a business trip, I turn my attention to her. Tears are already brimming her eyes, and I almost give in to the same feeling. Almost. If Warren hadn't promised me that we'd come back, then I would probably be bawling. But he did, and if that's all I can hold onto to prevent my mascara from running, then so be it.

"I'm going to miss you!" Hazel cries as she pulls me into a giant hug.

I hug her back just as fiercely. "I'm going to miss you, too. But it's like you said, right? We're going to see each other again sooner than later."

She pulls back and wipes the tears away with the back of her hand. When she's regained some of her composure, she pulls me away from Greyson and Warren – who seem to have a ridiculously cute bromance starting to blossom between them – until we're out of earshot.

Already, I can tell something's wrong with this situation.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Okay," Hazel says, taking a deep breath. "I know it's a little early to tell people other than my husband, but I want to let you know face-to-face instead of over Skype or FaceTime."

I cock an eyebrow, confused. "So..."

She grips my hand tightly. "I'm pregnant!"

My mouth drops open, and it takes every bit of self-control I have to stop myself from jumping up and down. "Oh my God!" I exclaim. "How far along?"

"Just under three months," she says. "I know you usually don't tell people these things until after three months, but as I said – I wanted to tell you in person."

"Hazel, you have no idea how happy I am for you and Greyson. No idea," I smile.

The smile on her face grows bigger and I hug her again. "You know," I say. "Knowing that you're going to have a baby makes me want to stay even more. Warren might have to knock me out if he wants to take me back to Vancouver."

Hazel laughs, and then pulls away. "Nova, we all know that you wouldn't want to miss your classes this semester. Besides, I'll keep you updated on everything. And maybe you and Warren can come here for the Winter Holidays." She shrugs. "It's just a thought."

I nod. "That sounds great."

For a moment, Hazel stares at me. Then, she reaches out and cups my face. Her eyes start to fill with tears again. "Nova, you have no idea how proud I am of you. And happy. You've been through so much that you didn't deserve, and now look at you."

I smile bashfully and look down at my feet. This time, a single tear slips down my cheek. "Saying yes to your brother was the best insane choice I ever made."

She laughs, and in an instant, she sobers up, her face turning serious. "Take good care of my little brother, Nova."

I nod. "I will, Hazel. I promise."

"Oh, I can't wait for this," a voice behind us says. "I can't imagine how little Nova here is going to take care of me."

Both of us shoot each other a glare of disgust that's laced with humour. It's just Warren being Warren, after all. The comments he sometimes makes are part of his personality; part of what makes him so different from all the other guys I've met.

I smile, shaking my head. "Don't worry, Hazel. I can handle him. I've been doing it for eight months now. What's a little more time going to do?"

We all laugh because it's so accurate.

"So, baby," Warren says. "Are you ready to head back now?"

"No," I pout. "But what choice do we have? You have a new season of volleyball beginning. I need to get back to work so I can keep up with the student loans I'm applying for. And we both have classes."

The siblings standing beside me both frown at me as if I've started talking alien. "What?" I ask.

"Student loans?" Warren probes.

"What makes you think you're going to have to apply for student loans?" Hazel asks.

I blink. "Y-you don't really think I'm taking your money, do you?" I stutter. "After all this, there's no way I could do that to you."

They exchange a glance and then look at me.

"Novs," Warren says. "I'm still giving you the money. A promise is a promise."

"But...but I'm not your fake girlfriend anymore," I protest.

He shrugs. "And I'm so fucking happy about that. But it's my money and I'll do what I want with it." He pulls his wallet out and I watch helplessly as he removes a cheque. My eyes widen when he holds it out to me. "I got into university with hard work and so did you. You deserve to be able to continue on without having to worry. That's why I want you to have it."

My mind flicks back to the day he proposed this very idea. When I hated him. I remember the tension between us as we argued. God, I really did hate him back then.

But I don't hate him anymore. I love him, and I can't wait to begin this new chapter in our lives – one where we enjoy being roommates. He needed to learn what it's like to fall in love, and I needed to learn that moving on isn't a bad thing. We needed to learn that change is a process that we all go through, and that it's what we need if we're ever going to live our lives to the fullest.

And now here I am, in Halifax. I've got a boyfriend that I met because of a simple glitch in the computer system; a handful of people I'm proud to call my friends; and what I assume is going to be a breezy program at the university. I'm one step closer to being a journalist. One step closer to showing everyone that a girl like me inadvertently managed to pull in Warren Ashford. The steps I take may be small and take some time to get used to, but in the end, they add up to create something bigger and much more important. Something worth living for.

Because there's always something to live for. Something to be thankful for – even if it's one of the most painful things that have ever happened to you. But the best part? There's always something to look forward to.

Those are the three biggest lessons I've learned from Warren and this experience.

"So, baby?" he asks, resting his palm on my cheek.

The smile that stretches across my face is almost too big to be contained. Everything about him is perfect in its own flawed way. And, as I stare into those Atlantic-blue eyes I love, I see something familiar: happiness.

He cocks his head to the side. "Where are you right now, Novs?"

I frown. "What? I'm right here. Where else would I be?"

"Good," he smiles. Unable to look at what his hands are doing, I focus in on the touch. As he stands in front of me, he uses one hand to unzip the front pocket of my cargo shorts, and the other hand to stick the cheque into it.

My heart nearly explodes in my chest. And then, as if I can no longer hold them back, the tears start to fall.

"Aw, baby, don't cry," he says roughly.

"I can't help it," I sniffle.

Warren laughs, and pulls me into a hug. His laugh is the most beautiful sound I've heard. To a certain degree, it's hard to believe he's here with me; that we're now a couple. I never thought I'd get here after everything I've been through.

But the thing is, I'm alive. Carter isn't. I have to keep going no matter what, because he never got the chance to do so. I have to keep living for him. And I know this is what he would want – he would want me to fall hopelessly in love and be happy until my time is up.

"I love you," I say as my tears soak into the red fabric of his muscle shirt.

He hugs me tighter. "Love ya, too, Novs."

One day, someone is going to ask how we met. The origin of a love story is an important piece of information when it comes to answering that question. To get the just of it, people need to be instantly hooked. The short story is, we met on campus. But that's a better definition of how I met Julia. Growing up together? That's for Carter and I. Playing sports? That one suits Warren and Easton. So what's ours?

We've been through something that no normal person would deem, well, normal. But I think that's what I like most about this relationship – we're far from normal. We're weird and different and we both have opened up to each other in ways that mean more than anything.

Which is why I laugh when the beginning of the story about how we met plays in my mind.

"What's so funny?" he asks.

"I was just thinking about how we're going to explain to people how we met."

He cocks an eyebrow. "And?"

"It all started with us being roommates," I reply.

Warren frowns. "That sounds pretty normal to me."

"Yes, I know," I whisper, tracing small circles on his chest. "But that's what I like about it – it's a paradox; something that sounds normal, but really isn't."

He grins. "I like the way that sounds."

"So do I."

Kissing my forehead, Warren murmurs, "Ready to go?"

I nod, breathing in one more deep breath of the salty summer air. "As long as you're with me, I'll go anywhere."