Written In the Stars

Chapter 21

Chapter 21:

It's been about a week since Steffy gave birth to Cooper. She's checked in with me a couple times and have sent me pictures of him and pictures of Kelly with Cooper. It warms my heart so much.

Steffy seems very happy. She's has all that she needs and could ever want.

Steffy and Finn are getting married tomorrow on the beach. I knew it was going to happen as Steffy had been saying that they wanted to get married. At first it was before Cooper would be born, but with my ultimatums, she settled for a few days after she came home from the hospital.

I am leaving tomorrow. I want to let Steffy start her life with a fresh start and without me hanging over her head. I called her yesterday to tell her the news. She didn't take it well, but took it a lot better than I thought she would.

I am at Forrester Creations dropping something off to the Public Relations Director. It's my final act for Spencer headquarters, as I am flying to Dubai to run up the international office there.

I walk by Steffy's office. The door is cracked, not completely shut. I peek through the crack to see what she is doing and if she's busy. I'm surprised that she's even here considering that she just gave birth only a few days ago. She really is a catch all, can't sit still, always doing something person."

I see her standing in front of the floor length mirror. I open the door fully and see that she's in a white floor length lace dress with three quarter sleeves. She's admiring herself in the mirror.

She takes my breath away. "You look gorgeous, absolutely stunning," I say walking into the room. "You are gonna knock Finn's socks off tomorrow. There's never been a more beautiful bride."

"Oh Liam," she says taken aback. "You scared me. I didn't realize you had come in."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," I smile at her.

"It's okay," she says returning the smile.

"Finn is a lucky guy," I say. "I hope he knows what he has, and never takes for granted what he has."

"He knows, he shows me every day."

"Good. As long as you are happy, that is all that matters."

"I am. I am very happy." She sighs, "What are you doing here?" she asks.

"I had to drop something off to your PR head for my Dad.

"Oh," she says,

"Yeah, my last act for Spencer Publication Headquarters. I leave for Dubai tomorrow to run that satellite office."

"Are you sure that is what you want to do?"

"No," I say quickly. I grab her hand. "But it's what I have to do. You know that I still want the best for you."

"I know," she says, "I get it," she sighs sadly.

"You know I love you, right?" I say.

"As much as I love you," she sniffs. "I will always love you," she declares.

"I have never regretted a single memory or moment that I have spent with you. I'm glad that we got to live this life together."

"It's been an amazing ride," she says with tears in her eyes.

"Yeah, some of the best times of my life were spent with you."

"Ditto," she says lovingly. "I will never forget one moment of it. Thank you for loving me and making me a better person. I am who I am today because of you being in my life."

"I could say the same thing for you."

"Can you promise me something?" I say as I caress her cheek softly.

"What?" she sniffs, wiping her tears.

"That you will never forget," I sigh before looking into her eyes. "Never forget the memories or the life that we have shared together, that life gave us two beautiful children, memories and love to last a life time. Most people can only dream of the life we have spent together, or are lucky enough to have the love that we have. I have no regrets, except for not realizing sooner how special and precious you really are to me. You are most certainly my queen, forever."

"Liam..." she says placing her hand on my cheek, running over my scruff, "Please don't say anymore. My heart is breaking. I can't imagine my life without you. But, just like you, I love you enough to let you go, to understand that this is what you need to do. I'm going to miss you like crazy, and every time, I look at Cooper—" she stops and sniffs barely able to get the words out. I could never forget the life that we've shared together. It changed my life. It wasn't a love that I asked for or expected, but fate knew what I needed, and it truly changed my life, filled me in ways I could have never imagined. I would not change anything, even some of the bad times, because it brought us to where we are. Things would've been very different, if we did one thing differently. Thank you, Liam. Thank you for loving me and being part of my life. I truly hope that you find peace and whatever it is you are looking for. I want nothing but the best for you, always.

She leans into me, her hand still on my face, and kisses me. It is no ordinary kiss. She kisses me passionately, opening her mouth as our tongues dance their final dance together. She runs her fingers through my hair and down my neck, before wrapping her arms around me. I groan at her touch. I pull her closer, not wanting this moment to end. I run my hand up and down her back before bringing my hands to face. We deepen the kiss a little more, and I feel the intensity of it. It wasn't just a goodbye kiss. It was a kiss that wrapped up 10 years of love, friendship, jealously, insecurities, betrayals, broken promises, hopes, trust, dreams, sex, memories, togetherness, fun, quiet easy moments, the unexpected, commitment and letting go."

I was the first one to pull back from the kiss. I look into her eyes for the last time. "Goodbye, Steffy."

She sniffs and then wipes her tears. "Goodbye, Liam."