The One Who Lived

Epilogue - Four Years Later

I remember the day that we walked across that purple and gold stage to grab our high school diplomas, and the way that we all thought that nothing would ever change.

Now, four years later, everything is completely different with only a few similarities that high school Ada would recognize.

Ander and I are still the same – at least in the way that we love each other. I have filled out more than I was in high school, I changed my degree, and my goals...a few times...I met new friends, and lost some as well. Ander has only gotten bigger and better with dreams of being in the NFL that are just about in his reach.

I have to be honest and say that it hasn't been easy in the slightest.

Ander is almost always on the field or with his team, and I am almost always in the library or working. We both have drastically different lives, but we still manage to spend every second that we have free together. We also live together, but I don't know how that might change once he starts in the NFL.

Vivian has talked to me about the struggles and changes that come with the NFL. Ander and I have really pushed off talking about it because we both don't really know what we might have to do when the NFL happens.

I want to be with him — I want to marry him — I just don't know if changing my job and moving every year is fair to me or to any future kids that we may have.

"Why do you think so hard?" Hawkins's voice interrupts my thoughts that he is judging.

Hawkins is the one constant that has never changed in neither both Ander's nor my life. Hawkins may be further up north than we want him to be, but he makes lot of trips down here, and we make them up when our schedules align.

Clinton, Isla, and I are still super close. They are so busy being in love and doing the things that are going to make their life great that we can only see each other in the summers, but you quickly realize that part of being an adult is that once a year is good enough and Facetime is a great ally.

I roll my eyes at Hawkins as we look over the stadium from the suite for the family of players. "Because most people think about others and the world instead of themselves." I say making him laugh.

"You got me, Ada." Hawkins says feigning pain as he clutches his chest. "Right in the heart."

"Whatever, Hawk." I laugh, looking back out on the field and looking for my boy with the number four on his back.

A few years back, I asked Ander why he chose four for his number in college, and he simply looked at me, shrugged and said, "Adan has four letters in it, so it only made sense."

I mean, come on — how much more could a girl want?

"Are you ready?" Vivian's voice startles me from my memory of the boy she created.

Today is Ander's last football game of his senior year before playoffs, and it is the day that I have to walk across the field with his parents in front of the whole stadium.

I know it sounds like such a first world problem, but I am not made for this. The only thing I can do is imagine myself tripping in front of all of these people over and over in my head.

"Viv, we need to start heading down to line up." Grant says peaking his head in the suite because he and my father like to sit outside for some odd reason.

I look down at my shaking hands. "Do I have to do this?" I look up at Vivian and my mom. "Like I know that Ander would be mad and all, but would he actually be mad? What if I trip? What if my makeup looks terrible and everyone laughs? What if I just end up embarrassing him?" I fire away all my insecurities at the only two people who can possibly calm me down right now.

My mom smiles, putting her hands on the sides of my face. "You are going to do fine, Ada. You are stunning and could never look bad, and Ander would not have asked you to walk on the field if he didn't want you there, okay?" She pulls me from my seat and slaps my butt. "Now get your little booty moving or you are going to be late."

I smile and mouth a silent thank you to her as Vivian grabs my hand and leads me down the hallway right behind Grant. I can tell you one thing – you have never understood completely feeling safe until you are being led by Grant and Vivian Grey and everyone is making sure to move out of your way.

Grant, Vivian and I stand in the hallway that usually only players and their immediate families are allowed in.

"You look fucking amazing." Ander's voice suddenly fills in right ear.

I smile, turning towards his voice to look up at my sweaty boyfriend. "Not as good as you, A." I promise before pulling him down for a deep kiss that I want to settle my nerves but only make them worse.

"Don't be scared." Ander says as the player and his family that are in front of us go. "I won't let you fall." Ander says practically reading my mind.

I watch Grant hand Ander something, but before I can ask what it is, Ander's name is being projected through the stadium.

I take a deep breath in through my nose and out of my mouth before I take step after step on Anders right while Vivian and Grant are on his left.

I don't hear what they are saying about Ander, his parents, or me but I don't care because the only thing I can seem to focus on is not embarrassing myself or him. I focus on the fact that we are the last ones going, but that also means we are the only ones in the middle of the stadium for everyone to see.

At least I won't have to do this when he starts in the NFL.

"Are you ready?" Ander's voice is in my ear as he tries to talk over the screaming fans.

I raise an eyebrow, turning towards the man I love. "To exit stage left? Hell yes." I giggle as I wave just like his parents are doing.

"No," Ander shakes his head. "For forever?" Ander asks making me raise an eyebrow at him.

"What?" I ask but before I can follow up my question with more, or before he can even answer, Ander is suddenly down on one knee with a small white box.

"Adan Alexandrea Pearson, I have thought about this moment from the day you stumbled back into my life. I can't wait to have our own traditions and start a family with you. I only hope our children have your fight because you are the strongest person I have ever know." Ander opens the small white box to reveal the biggest diamond ring that I have ever seen. "Will you do me the biggest honor ever and marry me?" Ander asks making my eyes widen.

I swear the whole stadium is silent waiting for my response, or maybe I have just zoned them out and managed to zone in on the only thing that matters right now — Ander.

"Oh my god." I whisper before letting out a squeal. "Yes! What kind of question is that?! Yes! Yes! Yes!" I scream making the stadium erupt.

Ander grins, before standing and lifting me up and spinning me in so many circles that I feel like I am on a tilt-a-whirl. "I love you so fucking much." Ander growls before kissing me aggressively.

I smile, pulling back before he slowly sets me down. "It is gorgeous, Vanderbilt. Stunning. Way too big, but stunning." I smile like a child in a candy store as he slides the ring on my left hand.

"They said that it was five carats or something. I don't know - I had Lavender help me pick it out." Ander mentions Hawkins' new girlfriend as our family swarms us.

Vivian and my mom suddenly appear between us. "This is the prettiest ring I have ever seen!" My mother squeals as she and Vivian admire my suddenly heavy hand.

I smile as everyone starts hugging and congratulating's. "We have wedding to plan!" Vivian squeals making me laugh.

Holy shit, we have a wedding to plan.

I get to marry the man of my dream — please don't pinch me because I don't want to wake up from this dream.