A/n: Surprise update! It's my birthday and I love reading all your comments so this is a present for me and for you

TW: physical fight, injuries

Pov y/n

The next day, Scarlett brought Rose to school and picked up the lotion on her way back.

I decided to stay home and just have some time to myself.

I took a bath, keeping my arm out of the water of course and after that I read a little until Scarlett came home.

She gently helped me to unwrap the bandage from my arm and I could see concern washing over her face when she saw my arm.

But it really looks worse than it is and it doesn’t really hurt anymore either.

She carefully applied the lotion and put a new bandage around it, which she was honestly pretty skilled at.

Maybe it’s because of the many skills she learns during shooting movies or because she’s a mother.

She had an interview later on, so our ways parted and while she was driving somewhere, I took the subway to Brooklyn to surprise Jesse in the coffeeshop.

He was thrilled to see me and whenever he had nothing to do, he talked to me and we caught up a little.

I was surprised to hear that his boyfriend almost proposed to him.

Only almost though because before he could go out and buy a ring, Jesse told him that he would love to get married but maybe they should wait just a little longer before doing so.

So, instead of an engagement ring, he got a promise ring that he showed me proudly.

It made me think of my own situation and for a moment I thought about if proposing to Scarlett might be a little too soon but I got rid of that thought because we already talked about it and we are both ready to take the next step.

All that’s left to do now, is for one of us to propose and I am looking forward to do so.

I don’t have a ring yet but I have a date in mind where I would like to propose. Just thinking about it made me nervous and excited.

With that thought in the back of my head, I spent the next day in the city, looking for rings.

Maybe a little early, compared to when I plan on proposing but being prepared is everything.

And turns out, it may be good that I started ring shopping already because I didn’t find anything and I went to a lot of stores.

Not nearly all of them within New York but enough to exhaust me, my eyes having seen enough sparkling rings and price tags for one day.

Another thing I kinda underestimated is, how expensive rings are.

I mean yeah, I knew they aren’t cheap but holy guacamole, that is a lot of money.

I have some spare money each month but as I told Scarlett, I wanted to buy a TV from that money.

Well, at least until now. I kinda forgot that engagement rings are so expensive but it’s okay, I will use the money I have saved up for the TV plus the money I’ll make this month.

Because, if we’re honest, getting engaged to Scarlett is way more important than having a TV.

The following week, I went back to work and Brooke, Jordan and Brandon were also back.

I was happy for them that they got to dive around the ocean but I am also happy they didn’t rub it under my nose because a tiny part of me is jealous, even if I don’t want to.

We analyzed the water and sand samples and slowly moved forward with out project.

Even though it’s not diving, it is honestly kinda fun and very interesting to analyze the water and all and once more I am glad I took this job.

Now it’s Saturday and we decided to go to the park because Rose had a lot of energy this morning that she needs to get out.

So, after breakfast we put our shoes on and took some jackets with us, just in case it gets a little chilly.

While we walk to the park, I admire Scarlett.

She wears a summery dress today and just looks so beautiful and cute in it. When she notices me admiring her, she chuckles a bit and grabs my hand.

“Can’t keep your eyes off me, hm?” She asks and I shake my head, not even ashamed.

“How could I when you’re literally the most beautiful view in whole New York?” I reply and her cheeks flush red, which makes me smile even more.

“You’re being so cheesy, babe.” She says and pulls me closer to wrap her arm around my waist, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “But I love it.”

I smile at her words and watch Rose skipping a little ahead of us.

She’s in her own little world right now and it’s cute.

We walk in silence for a while but I get an uneasy feeling.

I don’t know what it is but something is off.

My eyes scan the pathway ahead of us but except Rose and a few people, there is nothing there.

We’re not about to cross a street, so it can’t be worry that a car hits us.

I turn my head and look around but I only see a person walking behind us. Looking at him, the uneasy feeling gets a little stronger but he does nothing wrong, so I turn my attention back in front of us. Scarlett notices my looking around and her eyes quickly scan the area as well.

“Something wrong?” She asks and looks a little worried at me. I shake my head.

“I just have an uneasy feeling, that’s all.” I explain and she looks thoughtfully at me.

“Sometimes those feelings prove to be very right.” She points out softly and I nod, fully aware of that.

“But nothing seems off, so I guess it’s just a feeling.” I say and she hums a little before calling for Rose.

“Rosie, don’t skip so far ahead please. There will be a street soon anyway, so please slow down and wait for us before you cross.” Scarlett calls and for a moment it looks like Rose didn’t hear her but then she stops and turns around, waiting for us.

She takes Scar’s free hand and we cross the street.

A honking startles me a little and I look around, seeing if anything happened but it’s just the guy behind us who walked across the street while a car was approaching and had to hit the brakes.

I glance at the guy, still feeling uneasy about him for no reason really. I shake it off and continue the way with Scarlett and Rose.

Soon enough, we reach the park and Rose points to a little pond that we take a closer look at before we walk further into the park towards the playground. When it’s only a few more meters, Rose lets go of Scarlett’s hand and runs to the slide tower.

We let her because we are still able to see her and there is no need to scold her now.

Scarlett leads me to a bench next to the playground and we sit down. My eyes follow Rose as she climbs up the sliding tower.

When she reaches the top, she looks around until she finds us and waves happily. We wave back and watch as she disappears into the slide.

“I got a new acting job.” Scarlett tells me and I pull my attention away from the playing girl and look at Scarlett.

I’m a little surprised by that since she just finished one, not even a month back but I also know by now she is pretty asked in the filming industry.

“That’s great, bug.” I say and kiss her cheek. She smiles happily.

“And you know what’s the best thing?” She asks and I shake my head.

I’m a little worried she might have to leave for another three months and even though I know we could manage that, it would be kinda hard and it’s also interfering with my proposal plans.

“We’ll be shooting here in New York.” She tells me, her eyes lighting up at that and I feel a wave of relief wash over me and hug her in response.

“That’s amazing!” I say, more than happy that she doesn’t have to fly across the country for her job.

“It really is.” She agrees and leans her head against my shoulder. I wrap one arm around her and kiss the top of her head.

“Were you ever in London?” She asks and I scrunch my eyes a little in confusion about her sudden topic change but shake my head.

“No. I actually never left the states.” I answer and she nods, not seeming to judge me for that.

“So, you don’t have a passport?” She continues her questions. I think about if I maybe once got one for something but I can’t remember.

“I don’t have one.” I reply and she lifts her head off my shoulder, looking at me.

“Then we need to get you one.” She says, her hand resting on my thigh and I look at her confused.

“But why?” I ask and she smiles widely, something sparkling in her eyes.

“Because I will show you London.” She tells me and I feel like my eyes are popping out of my head when I look at her in disbelieve.

“You- what?” I ask, still processing.

We were just talking about her acting job, how does she suddenly have the idea to show me London?

“For the acting job, we will shoot a few days in London and I would like to take you and Rose with me because it’s in Rose’s summer break and I am sure she would love to explore another country.” Scarlett explains and looks at me, waiting for my reaction.

I don’t know what to say to that. I mean, seeing London would be more than amazing and I know I’ll probably never get the chance again or if, it’ll be a long time until I do. But it’s also very expensive to go there and totally different than to let Scarlett pay for my coffee or so.

“I don’t know, wouldn’t it be super expensive?”

Is so far the only thing I can say. As if she knew I was gonna say that, Scarlett shakes her head a little.

“They have to fly me over there anyways and since they want to make sure, I am happy with everything, they said it’ll be a private jet. And I can take as much people as I want, technically. Practically, I asked about taking Rose and my girlfriend, just to know if it’s possible. They instantly agreed. Probably because the effort is pretty much the same, no matter if I fly alone or with someone tagging along. They would have booked me a large hotel suit anyway and for the same price, they can book me a smaller one with an additional bedroom for Rose, since you’d be sleeping with me.” She explains and rubs my leg a little, trying to comfort me a bit.

Her other hand takes mine into hers and gives it a little squeeze. I think about her words.

The money spent wouldn’t be hers and the movie company would have to pay for everything anyway, so it wouldn’t really change anything if Rose and I would go with her.

It makes me feel a little easier, also because I know the money isn’t spend on me in the first place, it’s for Scarlett.

“Okay…but what would you have from that? You’d be filming the whole time and wouldn’t be able to spend the time with us.” I think out loud and Scarlett nods a little before shaking her head.

“Partly true. We would fly there a few days earlier, so we can spend some time together, just the three of us and then I would start filming. Sure, I wouldn’t be able to spend the whole time with you but at least some and I am sure, you and Rose can still have fun without me.” She says in a soft voice and I think about her words.

Of course, it would be even more fun to spend all the time with Scar and Rose but Rose and I can enjoy our time together as well. It does sound really good and I can already feel excitement in my body.

“Wait, but if we are there a few days earlier, the movie company probably wouldn’t pay for the hotel suit.” I share my thoughts and Scar nods.

“I know but I would pay for it then and I know, you feel like it’s too much spend on you but look at it this way: I don’t spend the money on you, I also spend it on Rose and I.” She points out, her thumb brushing over the back of my hand.

She is right, it isn’t just spent on me, it’s spent on the three of us and that’s not so bad, right?

I think as long as I don’t know how much the suit is going to cost, I could live with that without feeling bad.

“That does sound like a really nice idea.” I say slowly and Scarlett’s face lights up at my words and her hand excitedly squeezes my thigh.

“Is that a yes?” She grins and wiggles a little in her seat. I smile at her adorableness.

“I have to ask by boss for a couple of free days but if that works, I am on board with the plan.” I agree and she hugs me tightly, happy about my answer.

“Of course. Let me know as soon as you got the answer.” She says into my neck and I smile a little at the tickling of her breath against my skin.

“I will.” I say and kiss her temple before she pulls away.

“I can’t wait to show you guys around London.” She says excitedly and now I feel the excitement rising up inside me as well.

“You already were in London?” I ask and she nods.

“A few years back, before Rose was born.” She replies and I nod impressed.

Speaking of Rose, I look around the playground to see her sitting on a swing, talking to a boy next to her on a swing.

As my eyes sweep over the playground, I also notice a camera pointed towards us, on Scarlett to be exact.

But it’s not some paparazzi, it’s the guy from earlier that was walking behind us on the street.

Looks like he was following us. The fact that he is lying on the ground, his camera angled only slightly upwards, makes me react quickly and I tap Scarlett’s thigh.

“Cross your legs.” I say in a hushed and slightly rushed voice.

Without questioning it, she does so and I feel a little better, knowing there is no chance of someone taking pictures of private areas of her.

Scarlett searches my eyes, silently asking what’s the matter. I subtly keep my eyes on the guy.

“That guy over there with the camera, he was following us to the park and is taking pictures of you now.” I say, keeping my voice low because I don’t want to cause a commotion or so. Scarlett’s eyes dart around a little until she finds the guy as well and I notice her pressing her legs even more together.

I keep my hand on her thigh, softly caressing it, trying to calm her.

I’m not sure how to react in such a situation, should I go over there and tell him to fuck off or should we just continue our day as if he wasn’t there? Luckily, the question is answered, when he gets up and seems to leave and I feel Scarlett relaxing next to me.

“I hate when this happens.” She mumbles and I look at her.

“Stalkers. I don’t know how long he’s been around, maybe a few days or maybe just since today. Some of them just want a picture of me and then let go but some are really annoying and I have to file reports.”

I take her hand, gently squeezing it.

I hate that this comes with her being a celebrity.

Sure, having fans and everything is nice but it definitely becomes too much when they start stalking you and your family.

If I could, I would put her in a safe space and protect her from everything but I can’t and I also know she can defend herself. So, what I can do is be by her side and comfort her when things like this happen.

“They are worse than paparazzi and that means something.” She mumbles and sighs.

I nod and kiss her temple again, putting an arm safely around her.

Her legs stay crossed and I totally understand that, I wouldn’t uncross them either, just until I feel a little safer. We stay like this for a few moments and I look around the playground to find Rose.

“Hell no!” I cuss and unwrap myself from Scarlett, who looks a little confused as I jump up and basically run over the playground.

That dipshit started talking to Rose. She doesn’t seem scared, she’s way too interested in people for that.

As I arrive, I can hear him ask her something about where she lives but luckily Rose is smart and doesn’t answer that.

I quickly stand between the two of them and gently push Rose behind me, not wanting to frighten her.

She seems confused and looks up at me. I give her a short smile, trying to show her it’s no need to worry.

“Leave her alone!” I direct my words towards the guy and he looks at me unimpressed.

“I was just talking to this lovely little girl.” He says, pretending as if he has no clue what I’m talking about.

“And see, I even have a lollipop.” He adds and pulls one from his pocket, holding it towards Rose.

Now Rose looks skeptical because she does know that she’s not supposed to take candy from people.

The man stretches out his hand towards Rose and I push her a little more behind me, glaring at him.

If I wasn’t in the middle of a playground and if Rose wasn’t right behind me, I would hit his hand away but I don’t want to set a bad example for her or other kids.

He looks unsatisfied and puts the lollipop away.

“We were having such a nice talk, didn’t we Rose?” He asks, his voice coated with sugar and I feel Rose’s hand grasping at my shirt from behind.

“How do you know my name?” She asks silently, sounding a little frightened, not familiar with the fact that people know who she is.

“You told me.” The man tries, noticing he made a mistake.

Rose tugs on my shirt and I turn around and pick her up, stepping away from the man.

I hold her tight to my chest, my arms protectively wrapped around her.

Pure anger boils in my body.

How dare he frighten my little girl?

Rose shakes her head disagreeing with the man’s words. I glare at him one more time before turning around to go back to Scarlett, getting ready to leave. Scarlett’s eyes stay on us and show concern while she is on the phone. Just as we reach her, she hangs up.

“I talked to my security manager, he sent two people to bring us home and hold of that guy.” She informs me.

I nod, looking down at Rose who seems to have calmed down a little. I brush over her hair and kiss the top of my head.

“Are you okay, sweetie?” I ask softly and she nods, leaning her head against mine. Scarlett gets up and nods towards the way back when Rose speaks up again.

“Mama, that man is coming back.” She says, sounding afraid again.

I am quick in passing Rose to Scarlett and spinning around to see the man approaching us, his camera dangling around his neck again before he lifts it up and snaps a picture.

Scarlett hides Rose’s face in her shoulder and behind her hand, Rose clinging even more to her. I do my best in shielding the two of them

“It’s enough!” I say and put my hands on my hips, glaring at the man. He just huffs, ignoring me and trying to snap around me. But I reach out and push his camera down, the blood inside me boiling at his behavior.

“Don’t touch my camera!” The man exclaims annoyed.

“Then don’t take pictures of my family!” I reply loudly and step a little towards him, making sure he won’t step closer to Scar and Rose.

I swear, I would punch him in his stupid face if there weren’t so many kids around and especially if Rose weren’t around.

Violence is not an answer and I know that and want Rose to know that too but right now that guy is really pushing my buttons.

“They’re not your family.” He says dismissively and something inside me snaps when he takes another step.

My hand shoots to the side, creating a small barrier for him. He huffs again and pushes my hand away.

“Get out of my way.” He says annoyed and when he lifts his camera again, Rose’s little sobs in the background, he pushed too far and I quickly grab his arm and twist it onto his back.

He groans out at the sudden movement and slight pain.

If I don’t push his arm too far up his back, nothing can happen but it keeps him from continuing harassing my family.

I see Scarlett trying to comfort Rose, taking more and more steps back, not to leave me alone but to get some distance between her and this creep and I am glad she does.

Rose’s sobs are still heard and knowing this asshole made my little sunshine cry, makes me even angrier and I push his arm a little further up his back, making him gasp a little.