Sooooo, since it might take a little while to update, I decided to update now and then update again on the weekend, sound good? My load this semester isnt that difficult, so don't worry about me stopping because of school, tay?

This is dedicated to Robin, because something happens at the end of this chapter that she's been waiting for. She's been bugging me to hurry up and make this happen, so I finally did it, lol. Also, its because we just moved into our dorm together last night, and made it the best dorm ever. ^-^

Please vote and comment everyone, I lovers you all! Especially these awesome people:

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Okay guys, on with the chapter :)

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Chapter 28

The rush of guests was overwhelming as the party started. The band that my aunt had hired made me smile. They were very different than I would have imagined her hiring. Finally, it was time for Christine to enter. She came to the French doors which were opened for her. She came in, her beautiful pink gown complementing her perfectly and paired with white gloves up to her elbow. She was on the arm of Greg who couldn’t look away from her. The two were smiling and I couldn’t help but smile as well. Harold was right: they both were pretty stupid not to expect us to know what was going on.

I had lost Ian somewhere in the crowd a little earlier as I was greeting guests and making sure everything was going well. I was glad nobody mentioned anything about what they had read about Logan or anything concerning the situation. It wasn’t something I wanted to talk about. I walked over to Christine as she entered, after a few flashes of cameras. We had allowed certain photographers in to take photos. No press though.

“You look beautiful. I knew the pink gown would be beautiful on you.” I said, taking her hands in mine and giving her a thoughtful look.

“She’s always beautiful.” Greg said, kissing her cheek and I made an ‘aw’ sound.

“You two are so cute together. Go have fun at your party, love.” I said, pushing them toward the dance floor. I made my way through the crowd and jumped when something was suddenly around my waist and I felt a small body pressed to my back. I turned and looked down to see Alexander looking adorable in his little tux.

“May I have this dance?” He asked formally, putting out a little hand. I laughed and took it.

“Of course you may.” I let him lead me the where the other couples were dancing and he took both of my hands and started to dance with me. It was a lot of fun and then I heard a throat clear from behind me.

“Trying to steal my girl already, hm?” Ian teased, poking his little brother and Alex laughed.

“It’s not hard. I’m just cuter than you.” I laughed and Ian narrowed his eyes at me.

“I’m sorry Ian, he’s right. He’s got the cute thing down.” I said and Alex shrugged.

“Fine, you can have her. I’ve got my eye on someone else.” He raced off and I turned to see him running at Fiore. I covered my mouth, trying to stop the hysterical laughter that was threatening to burst forth.

Fiore turned when he tapped her and she laughed before scooping him up into her arms and twirling with him. “Don’t worry, he knows Fiore so he’s just being silly.” Ian said, pulling me against him to dance. The song transitioned into something slower and I relaxed against Ian.

“I wasn’t worrying. Did you really think I would be nervous about a six-year old asking Fiore to dance?” I giggled, resting my head onto his shoulder.

“I wasn’t sure what you were thinking to be honest.” He murmured into my hair, kissing my head gently.

Just then I had the pleasure of catching sight of Juliet who was dancing with Xavier which made me smile even more. They were so adorable together; I just hoped they weren’t having as much trouble as Ian and I had. Unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity to speak with them before dinner. It looked as if they were both pretty distracted.

Dinner went by well, and Christine seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself with Greg. The two were such an adorable couple, I was so happy they had found each other. I was dancing with Chad, joking around as Ian danced with Anise.

“Lana, I know this will sound weird, but…what made you fall in love with Ian, even while you were seeing me?” He asked. I thought on his question for a moment.

“It was more a feeling than something I thought or noticed really. With you, I was comfortable, it was nice. But it felt more like friendship than anything else. With Ian, there was that, plus more. A connection I can’t really explain. Something that draws me to him. I don’t know, I probably sound more confusing than anything.” I mumbled.

“No, I think I get what you mean.” He replied. “I’m glad you two have each other. It’s really nice to see him really in love ever since everything with Anise. With Amelia, there wasn’t anything really there. He just thought it was the right thing to do. With you there are sparks, it’s very noticeable.” There was a tap on Chad’s shoulder and I smiled seeing Ian looking at me.

“Mind if I steal her away?” Ian asked.

“Asking permission this time?” Chad teased and I laughed, poking his shoulder.

“All right, all right. Go dance with Anise.” I told him. He nodded and kissed my cheek before leaving. I was suddenly twirling along the dance floor with Ian and he looked serious.

“Lana, I need to talk to you about something important.”

“Sure, what is it?” I asked, feeling a little worried.

“Let’s go somewhere a little more private?”

“Um, yes.” I let him lead me outside of the tent. We walked out to the gardens where there were some candles lit and floral arrangements were set around a bench. I looked around curiously. “I don’t remember having this set up.”

Ian chuckled. “That’s because I did.”

“Oh, you silly romantic you.” I smacked his arm and looked around at everything. “What’s this all about, Ian?” I asked and he looked embarrassed for a moment.

“Well, I thought that this should be a special moment.”

“I don’t-…I don’t understand.” I stammered and felt my breath catch in my throat as he got down on one knee. “I-Ian…you-are you…?” I couldn’t get out a complete sentence as he pulled the little ring box from his jacket.

“I lied earlier. Mum didn’t ask me to come and help her, it was the other way around. He took my hand in his and I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. “I love you so much Lana. What I feel for you, I’ve never felt for anyone. There’s no one I care for more, no one more beautiful, or wonderful. You’re so sweet, and kind Lana. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know this commitment is more than just being my wife, and that as first in line for the throne, accepting this comes with a lot of responsibilities. I know I’m going to have a hectic life ahead of me, but I want you there, right next to me, the entire way. Lana Elizabeth Reed, will you marry me?”

He opened the ring box and I almost fainted right then. It was a white gold band, set with a (very large) princess cut diamond and smaller diamonds along the band. I felt lightheaded. The funniest thing though, was that the only thought crossing my head was: Who told him my middle name?

“Lana?” he asked, suddenly seeming nervous. I smiled and let out a breath.

“Ian, there is nothing I would love more than to spend the rest of my life with you.” I whispered back. The widest smile I had ever seen spread across his lips and I saw it light his eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes really!” He slipped the ring on my finger and picked me up, twirling me in circles as he kissed me.

We walked back in to the party and it seemed as though everyone had been waiting for that to happen. I guess I was out of the loop on this one. We walked in to applause and an announcement that I had said yes. I looked over at Christine who winked at me. She’d known he was going to propose. That little…

“Congratulations Lana!” Xavier came over and hugged me. I laughed and hugged him back.

“Thank you. I can honestly say that I didn’t see any of this happening when I took the job.” I said and he chuckled.

“Well, I’m sure it was a good surprise.”

“Congrats Lana, I knew you two would end up together.” Juliet interjected, standing beside Xavier.

“Oh really?” He asked.

“Of course.” She retorted and the two shared a challenging glance. I suppose this was probably how it usually was between them, so I left well enough alone.

“Thank you both. I’m just surprised everyone else knew before me. I have no idea how this clown kept it from me.” I pointed back at Ian and he shrugged.

“Like I’ve said, I’m a ninja.”

“Please, you’re nowhere near ninja-level. If you were a ninja, you wouldn’t have fallen in the pond.” Juliet teased him and he scowled.

“That was your fault!” He snapped and I giggled.

“I’ll treasure these moments the rest of my life.” I sighed happily, getting a laugh in response.

I bid my aunt, Cassie, and Henry goodnight as they went to bed upstairs. They knew what was going on downstairs and decided that they just wouldn’t ask. Being on the other side of the house had its advantages, like not having to hear the loud pounding music. Alex had been put to bed a lot earlier and the other formal guests had also left. Just like that, the atmosphere of the entire party changed.

Alcohol was in everyone’s hands, the music was now very loud rock. Before I knew it, Ian had shoved a cup in my hands of God only knew what, and I was being thrown around in the crowd of dancing bodies.

I was soon met with Juliet in the crowd, already very intoxicated and hanging all over poor Xavier who seemed unsure of what to do in the situation. Hewitt was making out with Fiore in the corner along with Anise and Chad in a different corner. It had only been an hour and this party already seemed out of hand to me. Especially because I was already pretty drunk myself.

Ian and I found our own place to sit for a minute. I had never seen Ian drunk before, but it was pretty entertaining. “You know, you’re so pretty.” He slurred his words, leaning over to me. I laughed.

“You’re not so bad looking yourself,” I teased. I wasn’t as drunk as him I was sure. Then again, I had never seen him drunk before, so I had nothing to compare it to.

“I’m so happy you said yes. I was afraid Christine would ruin the surprise.”

“No, she was very good at keeping it.”

He took my face in his hands and pulled me to him, kissing me passionately. “I love you, so much Lana.”

“I love you too sweetie.” I replied, pulling a little back. Ian didn’t like that and pulled me over onto his lap.

“Where are you going? You’re mine. My future wife. HEY EVERYONE! THIS IS MY FIANCE!” He yelled out and was met with a loud cheer from the crowd. “See? Mine. Don’t go anywhere.”

“I’m not going anywhere, darling.” I giggled, leaning forward to kiss him again, loving how adorable he was when drunk.

It was a little later when I was really feeling how much I had drank, mixed with the heat and the large crowd. I decided to go outside for a little air so that I could recover and enjoy the night without feeling like crap. “I’ll be right back, okay? I’m going to get a little air.” I told Ian.

“Do you want me to come with you?” He asked.

“It’s okay, I’m just getting a little air. I’ll be back in a flash, go and mingle.” I gave him a soft kiss before going out the back of the tent.

Walking outside for some fresh air seemed like a bad idea after a few steps away from the tent. It was dark and the night sounds were quiet. I could hear the pounding of the music from inside the tent, but it was muffled making it seem even more eerie out here. I gulped and went to walk back inside, but I was pretty tipsy, so I let myself lean against a tree.

“Well, well, well. Out for a little air are we?” At the sound of the voice, my stomach churned and my chest hurt. I spun to see Logan leaning against another tree, looking more menacing than ever as he traced the outline of a handgun with his index finger.

“Logan…” I breathed, unsure of what else to say.

“Glad you’re still sober enough to recognize me. Makes it better. I want you to be of sound mind when I kill you.” His voice was quiet, and level, as if we were talking about the weather.

“Logan, please don’t…” I started, my heart starting to beat faster. I tried to push myself away from the tree to make a run for it, but he was in between me and the tent. I would only be putting myself in more danger by taking off into the forest.

“Begging won’t help you Lana. I’m tired of these games. It was obvious that you and I shared something special. We had a connection. I loved you. But obviously, the little whore wanted more!” He spat at me. I shrunk back, begging that someone, anyone, would come outside.

He raised the gun, pointing it at me and I felt the tears run down my face as I started panicking further. I felt short of breath and couldn’t believe that everything came down to this. This was how I died. It was hard for me to process that there would be no more Ian, no marriage, no babies, no more anything. I stood in shock, not sure of what I could do. All of my escape and self defense escaped my mind the second that gun was pointed at me.

“You should’ve known Lana, that if I couldn’t have you, no one could.”

“Lana? You come out here?” I heard Ian’s voice as he exited the tent and I screamed out his name.

“IAN! HELP!”

“LANA?” He shouted back running over in our direction, but it was too late. I heard the gunshot echo out into the woods and I clutched my chest where he had hit. I was suddenly short of breath, and I fell to my knees. I looked down, and saw the blood on my hands. Tears were flowing from my eyes, though I couldn’t feel myself crying.

I looked back up as my vision started to go blurry. Logan was disappearing into the woods, with Ian running to me. He had his cell phone out. At the sound of the gunshot the music inside had stopped and people were running outside. I caught sight of Christine’s blonde hair and saw her running over, Greg not that far behind.

Ian barked orders into the phone. He didn’t even wait for an answer from whoever it was before he tossed it at Christine, who was crying even more. He laid me down on the ground and applied pressure to the wound. I watched his face, my eyes wide, as tears fell from his eyes. I was breathing heavily and I heard Chad beside Ian.

“Please, Lana, I need you to calm down. I need you to breathe calmly.” He said. “Ian, she needs to calm down. She could die if she doesn’t.”

“Please Lana, breathe slowly.” Ian begged, pressing down on the wound. I heard them, but their voices sounded far away. I tried to slow my breathing, trying to calm myself.

“Ia-…”

“Don’t try and speak.” Ian stopped me from talking. His voice was raspy and I could tell he was trying his best to hold it together. But I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore, everything was going black. “Do not fall asleep on me Lana. Stay with me.” He snapped. I tried my hardest to keep my eyes open and I heard the sound of an ambulance coming up.

Before I knew it I was on a gurney being pushed into the ambulance. Ian was pale beside me and I finally let myself blackout to the sound of his voice calling my name.

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I hope no one's ready to kill me, but at least I promised to update by next weekend, okie dokes?

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