Aiyana settles into the seat beside me, gazing out the window with an expression of awe. Her eyes are locked onto the passing clouds but I can make out her tired blinks, the slow fluttering of her eyelashes as she releases a hum of satisfaction. Lips pulling up into a soft smile she glances over her shoulder, already catching my stare. She shuts her eyes and scrunches her nose as she continues to smile at me, leaning back into her seat until she's resting her head against my shoulder.

I smile at the sight, lifting a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. And when I feel her nose trace the expanse of my jaw, settling under the area of my chin, I smile wider. It's my favourite fucking thing and she knows it. Her hands curl around my bicep, nestling closer.

The sweet scent of her fragrance invades my nose but I can't complain. Everything about Aiyana is my favourite thing. My arm snakes around her waist, settling my hand on her hip as I pull her closer.

You're so warm, she murmurs quietly and into my skin. I refrain from slipping out a loose laugh at the airy feel of her breath. It tickles, but I don't want to move. Thank you, Judah... for everything.

The back of my fingertips graze her cheeks, watching as she purses her lips. What are you thanking me for?

For everything... you've done for me,she says quietly, chest rising and falling at a steady pace. Thumb drawing circles into the apple of her cheeks, I briefly pull away to brush a ghost of a kiss on her forehead.

I don't know how many times I have to repeat myself, Yana... but I'm in this for the long-run. I finally have you and there's no way I'm letting go. You deserve everything good in this world- I pause when she relaxes against me completely, a sign that she's falling asleep, before I continue. She can still hear me. -I'll be damned if I don't give you everything great this world has to offer, even if I go broke doing it.

That's... that's sweet, she responds airily, tilting her head upwards to blink up at me. You know, I think I could stay like this forever.

Her lips stretch into a lazy smile, showcasing her straight, pearly whites until she's inching forward. With one hand, I cup her cheek until I'm brushing my lips against hers, a whisper of a breath between us until our noses slanting against one another. She arches forward once more, eyes fluttering close and closing the distance between us, pressing her lips against mine with such force, I'm afraid she thinks I'm going to leave.

God, I love this girl so much. I don't think I had it in me.

I nip at her upper lip between my own, pulling back to peck her mouth once more until she's pulling me down again. Hand against my pectoral, above my heart, I feel my heartbeat quicken. My thumb rubs her cheekbone with a gentleness I didn't even know I had.

I don't know how long we stay like this, kissing and nipping at one another. Our hands trailing down and familiarising themselves with each other's bodies until I'm pulling away. I don't want to ruin the moment; I want to steal another kiss, but instead I'm forcing her head onto my shoulder, bringing one of her legs to settle in the gap between my thighs.

Yana?I whisper in her ear, her beautiful brown eyes closing.

Hm? She responds back sleepily. I doubt she's paying attention anymore.

Sleep, baby, I murmur softly, lips brushing her forehead. She inches closer to me-as closer as one can get-searing her body against my own and relaxes. I'll wake you up when we land.

I feel her nod and smile as I press a kiss into the crown of her head.

Will I always be in awe of the woman snuggling into my side, face nestling into my neck and a dainty palm on my chest? The answer is yes. In fact, I'm still thinking about our conversation from the early hours of this morning. I've never been so sure about many things in my life, but I was sure about Aiyana. No doubts. One hundred percent. This is only just the beginning, but I'd spend the rest of my life showing her exactly what she means to me. She was mine as much as I was hers; she's wormed her way into my heart and I'm not ready to let go. Ever.

When I trail my eyes over her face, from her furrowed brows, to the slope of her sharp nose and the curve of her sweet mouth, lingering on the beauty mark at the corner of her mouth, I hold her closer. I'm overcome with so much love and joy, and it's all because of her. It seeps out of me in waves, it has me clutching her tighter, because I fear this is all a dream. But the warm touch of her palm against my chest, against my beating heart, reminds me that this is all real.

I love you, I whisper into her skin, a secret I get to keep for now as the words fade into thin air. I almost fear she's heard me when she shifts in position, but my beautiful, beautiful girl only snuggles closer. I love you so fucking much.

And for the first time in a long time, I smile. I smile because I'm content.

I'm happy.

I have the girl of my dreams and nothing can top this feeling.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

I hope 2022 brings you all so much joy and prosperity and happiness. I hope this year brings you all good health and success. I pray that you're all happy and keeping safe.

And may this be the year that brings you good news!

P.S. Two more chapters to go! 🥰

Hope you all enjoyed this update!

And thank you all for your recommendations for the bonus chapters. I already planned to do some of the things mentioned, but there's quite a few I can work with!

Stay safe. Stay blessed. And a happy new year again!

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