Oh shit!" I practically threw the box of macaroons off of my stomach when I noticed the time.

"We have to get dressed!" Elizabeth took the words out of my mouth, sending us all in a flurry to get out of our sitting positions.

"Oh my god!" Sade covered her mouth as we all turned to see Skylar slipping on a piece of wrapping paper. On her way down she gripped onto Rhegan and we all watched as they fell to the ground.

"Ow, you clumsy bitch." Rhegan flicked Sky's head as we all went into a fit of laughter. Lizzie and I quickly ran over to them and helped them up.

Sky let out a hiss as she pressed her hand to her lower back. "I think that I broke something. You'd think this fat ass of mine would break my fall."

My gaze shot directly to Sade, giving her a warning glare to keep whatever cheeky remark she was about to say to herself.

Sade gave me an accusing gasp as she placed her hand over her heart as if she were truly offended.

"Woah." Marcus immediately rushed over to us and took Skylar into his arms." Baby, what did you do this time?"

The fact that he knew just how clumsy his girlfriend was showed that they were meant to be.

Any other boyfriend would've asked if they were okay, was anything hurt? But not Marcus, Marcus already knew that if Skylar was injured she somehow caused it upon herself.

And nine times out of ten, it was an accidental self inflicted injury.

"I'm fine, Marcus. Thanks for asking."

Kyler didn't even look fazed as his twin sister walked by with a slight limp and her hand pressed against her back. He simply shook his head, failing to hide his smirk behind his palm.

"Stop it." I poked his side as I walked past him.

That did nothing as he bit down on his knuckles and made a quick exit to his room. He didn't even make it inside of the threshold efore we all heard the loud booming sound of his laughter.

"I should've eaten him in the womb." Sky grunted out as she hopped on Marcus's back.

"I heard that," Kyler yelled.

"You were meant to, disappointment."

And that was my cue to get my ass in the room and get ready. I stripped out of my clothes as I walked throughout the room.

When I entered the bathroom I threw my hair into a secure ponytail before placing on my shower cap. Carson was already in the shower by the time I got in.

The water was nice and hot.

His arms rested above his head as he let the water flow down his back. I ran my hand over his tattooed back muscles, the water wetting my skin as he turned.

A cheeky smile was already plastered on his face as he gripped my waist, his bottom lip tucked between his lips.

"What took you so long? He questions before turning around and grabbing my loofah, lathering it up with my body wash.

"Sky fell and took Rhegan down with her. Yet somehow Sky managed to get hurt."

Carson raised his brows and tilted his head in a nonchalant way," Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

I watched as he dragged the loofah down my body, teasing me with it by circling it around my nipples and down my stomach. His eyes fluttered towards me, a lopsided grin on his face as he brushed the loofah against my clit.

He did once again causing me to grip his wrist and snatch the loofah away from him.

"Come on angel, don't be like that." He whined as he pulled me closer to him. His dick hard and ready against my thigh.

"Nope. We will not be late tonight because you want to play hooky." But to make him feel better, I placed a fat kiss on his lips.

But Carson was greedy. As I pulled away he swooped back in and took my bottom lip into his, his hands drifted to my ass.

"I guess we could be a little- a little late." I gave into him as he massaged my ass, his dick begging to be inside of me. He lifted me up and I immediately latched my legs around his waist.

"Yeah. They'll never notice."

Carson swiftly slid his dick inside of me. My walls clenched around him as my mouth spread across his skin.

"Fucking hell, Ayanna.You're so tight." He grunted as he lifted me up and down on his dick slowly.

I tightened my grip around his neck as our bodies moved against each other at a steady moment. He let out a sharp hiss as I bit his skin. His manly grunts and moans were driving me crazy as he thrust inside of me.

"Say my name Ayanna. Tell me whose fucking this pussy right now. Tell me who makes you feel this good." He pressed a kiss to my collarbone.

I couldn't bring myself to speak as my moans were stuck in my throat. Well that was until he decided to go all caveman and slap into me like a bulldozer. My body burned as a searing hot pain tore through my body from the action.

"Oh fuck Carson!" I yelled, my moans echoing around the bathroom. "See it's that easy," he chuckled into my ear.

"Then who has the best pussy you've ever tasted Carson? Who has the best pussy that you've ever fucked Carson?" I rolled my hips into his as he stilled, letting me fuck him.

"Who makes you cum so hard from a blow job that your toes curl?" I lick the shell of his ear as he lets out a shaky breath.

"Say my name Carson." I pull back as I roll my hips more vigorously.

His eyes are ablaze as he walks us towards the shower wall. I could feel my climax coming in just by the look he was giving me.

"Ayanna." He whispered against my lips as he slammed me into the shower wall.

"Ayanna." A hard kiss against my lips.

"Ayanna." A hard thrust into my needy pussy, begging for him to fill me up.

This was the best sex of my life. He took me against the shower wall so hard, so passionately as he repeated my name. His strokes were hard and deep as he pinned my hips to the glass.

"Ayanna!" He moaned as we both came.

He steadily rammed inside of me as I clenched around him, milking him for every bit of cum that shot inside of my entrance.

"Oh fuck," I whimpered as he pulled out of me.

He leaned his head against my beating heart as we took a moment to calm down. My legs were shaky and wobbly as I slid down his body.

"That limp looks good on you." He said as I finished up my shower, hissing softly as I opened my legs. My vagina was sore and worn out due to his spectacular dick.

"Fuck you."

"Again," he lifted his arm to check his imaginary watch." I don't think we can squeeze another one in just yet, angel."

"Oh you've got jokes huh?" I slap his chest as he helps clean me off. He gently cleans my sensitive area as some of his cum leaks down my leg.

"Such a mess," his deep voice teased.

"Shut up."

____________

I rolled my black stockings over my black underwear. Carson watched me like a hawk through the mirror as he blindly buttoned up his dress shirt.

I grabbed the black velvet long sleeve off the shoulder dress from it's hanger. It was one of the many Christmas gifts from Carson.

He had spoiled me so much and I was very grateful for that. But at the same time I was a tad bit angry that he spent so much money on me.

I decided to wear this one due to the harsh winter air that New York had. Carson was behind me in no time to pull the zipper up my back. He pressed a chaste kiss to my shoulder blade before I tossed my loose curls behind my back.

After spritzing on some perfume and grabbing my clutch, Carson held out my coat for me to step into. I pulled my hair out of the jacket and grabbed his hand.

My legs were a little wobbly due to the rough fucking I had recieved and the heels that I chose to wear tonight.

"You alright there, hart?" Carson's breath tickled my earlobe as he pulled me into his side.

"Carson." My voice was a low warning.

I could practically feel that arrogant smirk of his beaming down on the crown of my head.

"It's about fucking time. Y'all were about to get left."Dominic looked up from his watch as we met up with them at the elevator.

"No we weren't." Rhegan retorted as she gripped my arm

in her hold.

"Why can't you ever be on my side?" We all laughed as he whined, kicking his feet as he stepped into the elevator.

"Because you're only good for a good fuck," she winked.

And even though it was a joke, I could see that it hurt Dominic a little bit. He was in love with her and Rhegan was too blinded by her abandonment issues to see that.

I knew that she had feelings for him, she might not have been in love with him but she definitely had feelings.

Strong feelings.

Dominic smiled the joke off and headed to the back of the elevator. Rhegan being Rhegan noticed his mood shift and followed him.

The tension in the elevator had shifted, and boy was it obvious.

"This elevator isn't big enough for all this tension in it," Sade mumbled as I nodded my head in agreement.

On one side you had Jora trying her hardest to ignore Kyler. In the back we heard the hushed whispers of Rhegan and Dom's conversation.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her tone pleading.

I couldn't hear Dominic's response as the elevator bell rang. Jora couldn't get her ass out of the confined space fast enough and Rhegan stood behind as Dominic walked off by himself.

"I'll meet you there." I let go of Carson's arm, motioning to Rhegan. He nodded his head in understanding, pressing a kiss to my lips to mine quickly.

I walked over to Rhegan with my arms held out.

"Why am I so stupid Ayanna?" She questions as I wrap my arms around her waist. " I mean we joke like that all the time. I don't understand why he got so hurt over it."

I could hear her trying to hold back tears by the number of pauses that she took as she tried to keep the waterworks from rushing out.

Rhegan never cries. And when she does it's over something that she has no control over. Hell, she loathed the fact that major of her breakdowns were either from her adhd, or her mother.

But Dominic was different— she didn't loathe him. Maybe she loathed the fact that she let herself get this close to him, this vulnerable, but she didn't loathe him.

"Deep down Rhegan, deep down you know why he reacted the way he did. And I know you Rhegan, I know that you get scared and run for the hills when shit gets complicated."

"Just don't do that with Dom, don't do that to yourself either. You have feelings for him. You two have this connection and you would be a fucking idiot to ignore it."

"But—" " No buts Rhegan. You know that I am right."

Rhegan pulled away from my hold to reveal her face damp with tears. She used the back of her palm to dab her cheeks dry.

"You are and I love you for being honest." Rhegan sniffles.

"I love you more. Now let's go get you and Dom to kiss and make up." I linked arms with her as we left the building.

"I hate crying."

"I know Rhegan, I know."

____________

Rhegan and I ended up arriving last to the party.

As soon as we entered the rooftop deck Rhegan set off to find Dominic. We found him and Carson at the bar nursing some glasses of whiskey.

"Dom," Rhegan placed her hand on his elbow." Can we talk?"

It seemed as if Dominic was ignoring her presence as a whole, that was until she muttered the one word that was rare for her vocabulary.

"Please."

"The Rhegan Clarke saying please," he drawls as he takes a sip of his whiskey. "I thought you only did that when I was being just a good fuck."

"I-" Rhegan's bottom lip trembled slightly as she took a step back, her fingers leaving his elbows. "I deserved that."

Dominic finally turned around to look at her, he finished off his drink before getting up and grabbing a hold of her hand.

"You didn't, and I'm sorry." Dominic apologized as well."I'm acting like an asshole and you didn't deserve that. Let's go talk somewhere private, yeah?"

Rhegan nodded her head softly as Dominic lifted her chin," Yeah." He took her hand and pulled her to a more private area near a fire pit.

"Well this is fun. Jora can't decide if she wants to fuck Kyler or kick him to the curb. Rhegan and Dominic are, well, Rhegan and Dominic."

"At least me and you are good. I love my friends no matter how stupid they can be," Carson slide me a glass of champagne."But I just care about me and you right now. Our relationship is the only relationship that I care about."

"Our relationship," I grin as I twirl my champagne flute.

That alone made my heart skip a million miles per second. I had never felt this happy in a relationship. Even if it is considered the honeymoon period, I was the happiest I'd ever been.

Carson grabs my hand. I watch as he focuses on intertwining our fingers, locking them together.

"You make me happy, Ayanna," he said softly, his voice hoarse. " You make waking up everyday worth it. And if I'm being honest here— I'm scared shitless."

My brows furrow at his confession.

"I'm scared because I find myself falling for you more and more everyday. I find myself needing to see your smile, or hear your laugh to keep me sane. Because you are my happiness and I don't know what I would do without you."

Carson's stormy grey eyes meet mine. There was so much vulnerability and adoration in his eyes that it was unbearable. For a second there I found it hard to breathe as we stared at each other.

"I know it may seem early, but I have no doubt in my mind Ayanna—" he pauses as if he was having an internal debate with himself." I have no doubt in mind that you are the one for me."

I was so lost in his words, his moment of truth that I didn't notice the tears falling down my face.

Happy tears.

For once I wasn't crying tears of sadness, tears of betrayal, tears of anger. I was crying happy tears because he made me so overwhelmingly happy.

"You make me happy too." I croak out as I grab a napkin. Carson is already out of his seat, his hands resting on my thighs sending waves of warmth through my body.

"So unbelievably happy, Carson. I think that with or without Edwards, we would've eventually found our way to each other." Carson takes the napkin from my hands after i'm done dabbing my cheeks.

"I think so too, angel."

Just as Carson leaned in for a kiss, Jax and Dominic came over to our spot. Carson stilled, leaning in to wrap his arms around me instead as we turned to face the father and son.

Jax looked like he was shitting himself. He was sweating bullets, his breathing was ragged and he looked as if he had just seen a ghost.

"Jax, are you okay?" I asked as he side stepped me and grabbed an abandoned drink from the bar.

We watched him cautiously as he downed the drink in one go, shaking off the burn of the alcohol. Just when we thought he was about to turn around and be done, he went and finished off my abandoned champagne.

"Now I am, just a little nervous." I nodded my head slowly as my vision ping ponged between the two guys standing beside me.

"Dad, you have nothing to be nervous about." Dominic voiced as he approached him." Raven loves you, of course she's going to say yes."

"Yeah Jax, you have nothing to worry about. Mom is head over heels in love with you. She would have to have some serious brain damage to say no to you." I ensure him to hopefully help with his nerves.

"You're a good man Jax. You and my mom both deserve happiness, and to me—" Dominic cleared his throat, finding a sudden interest in the night sky.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance."And to us," I corrected."You guys are each other's happiness."

Jax straightened up before bringing me in for a hug. I inhaled deeply, smelling his rich scent of sandalwood , leather, and cardamom. It was an oddly comforting scent.

Jax pressed a swift kiss to my forehead as he squeezed my shoulder. "With that being said," I pull away from his hold." Can I see the ring please?"

Jax's anxiety trickles away as he pulls out the velvet box. He opens it to reveal a white gold asscher cut diamond. The diamond had small crystals embellished around it, along with the band itself.

It was breathtakingly gorgeous.

"Oh my god! She's going to love it." I gasp, gripping onto the two boys' arms.

"Can I have my arm back please?" Dominic softly yanked his grip away from mine.

I meekly apologize before Jax takes a deep breath, looking at his watch he noted that it was ten minutes to 11:30.

"I have to alert the DJ when it's happening." With that Jax left and beelined it for the DJ's booth.

We made our way to the front of the DJ booth when we saw Jax appear on stage. He didn't look as nervous as he was a few minutes ago but the nerves were still present.

Jax started off by addressing the crowd and thanking them for coming out. Then he took my mom by surprise beckoning her to come on stage.

Her hands flew to her mouth when he dropped down on one knee, his hands shakingly opening the box.

"Raven, from the first day that I met you, I knew there was something there. For the first time in a long while I had a permanent smile on my face because of you. You consumed all of my thoughts day in and day out."

I was startled as the girls circled around me. Jora and Sade clung to my arms as we all started to tear up from Jax's sweet words.

"I was afraid that I would never find love again, afraid that I wouldn't allow myself to find love again. But then I met you and you proved me wrong."

"So Raven Heart," he took out the ring and handed the box to Dominic. The girls and I couldn't contain our squeals and joy as my mom began to fan her face, her smile big and bright.

"Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

My mom nodded her head as she stared down at him,"Yes. Of course I'll marry you."

Pure happiness overtook my soul as I saw him swoop my mom off her feet. Her arms were wrapped around his neck as he spun her on stage, peppering kisses all over.

When he settled down, he quickly placed the ring onto her finger. They shared a short and sweet kiss to which me and Dominic visibly blanched at.

"I've always wanted a little sister," Dominic grinned as l threw my arms around his lean waist.

"I've never wanted a big brother," I state to which he dramatically gasped."But I guess that you're the exception."

Dominic squeezed my body against his tightly.

"I'd better be," he grunts, a slow smile spreading on his face.

"Ahhh!" Elizabeth squealed, causing me and Dominic to turn around." We're planning a June wedding!"

"I thought that you were against June weddings." Abel questioned. Elizabeth quickly turned around shushing him.

"That's not important right now. This is about what momma Raven wants." Abel stood dumbfounded as Elizabeth chastised him about wedding day panning etiquette.

The rest of us laughed along as he blinked rapidly. Luckily for him the countdown began cutting off her rant.

Carson came and snatched me up, pulling me closer to him by the waist as we began the countdown.

As we got closer to one, Carson stepped in front of me, his hands gripping my face.

"5."

"4."

"3."

"2."

"1."