The Island Goddess.

xxv.

Lance and Emerald. Even their names fit together. Their souls completed each other, it felt as though they engulfed one another. That was the only way to explain the sudden relief they both felt; finally being together.

"Do you remember the first time we met on this beach?.. The first time I saw you?" Lance asked as they both sat on the beach towel. The cool breeze of the night fanning both of them.

Emerald nodded, smiling as she took hold of his hand. "Yuh always just watch me on this beach.." She said as she laughed softly.

"You know, I almost didn't come up to you that day." Lance admitted as he stared at her in adoration. Emerald raised a brow and glared at him.

"Why not?" She questioned.

"You enchanted me. It made me nervous.." Lance chuckled. "It's like I saw you.. and I thought you were so attractive yes, but there was something about you. The way you laughed, the way everyone on the beach gravitated towards you. Everyone knew you, they liked you. I wanted to know you." He stopped and squeezed her hand. "I felt like it'd be an honour to know you."

The waves drew closer, wetting their feet that rested above the sand.

"Wow.. that's beautiful Lance. Mi never know little old me had that effect on yuh." Emerald said as she stared into his eyes. Nobody made him feel this way before, he tried to put it into words and simply couldn't. The slow music played in background as the waves continued to wet their sand coated toes.

"I'm glad I spoke to you that day." He said and Emerald rested her head on his shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around her and they admired the beach.

"What about you? How did I make you feel?" Lance asked as he broke the blissful silence between them.

"Yuh made me feel good.. emotionally. Mi had this idea, this stereotype of who yuh was. How privileged people are, and yuh just came and broke all that down." She said as she stared into the night. The slow and calm music complemented the feelings she felt right now. Her life felt like a fairytale again.

"Yuh weren't them, You were were Lance Brown.. and I fell in love wid Lance Brown."

Lance was now smiling, ear to ear. He turned her slowly and planted a kiss on her lips then her forehead. He put his arm around Emerald's shoulder then brought the two of them to lay down.

They were now staring at the moon and stars. "I fell in love with Emmy too."

"So what does Emerald get up to these days? What's going on with you baby." He asked as he stared at her then back at the sky.

She shrugged. "Living with Mel now. We got real nice apartment by di beach, also work as accountant now." She said casually.

"What! Emerald, you ended up finishing your accountant degree? Wow.." Lance said in surprise. He was proud of her.

"Mhm." Emerald sighed and rolled her eyes. "These the tings dem you woulda known if yuh kept in touch with me.."

Lance remained quiet for a moment. "Emerald I-"

"Yuh promise me you woulda keep in touch and come back. But yuh didn't.."

Lance nibbled on his bottom lip. He was wondering when this conversation was going to happen.

"I'm here now though." He said as he stared at her. Emerald glared at him then immediately got up.

"Emerald.."

"No! Yuh must take me fah idiot Lance." She said as stood to her feet. "Mi went through heartbreak over yuh. Missing yuh, waiting fi yuh. And all you say is I'm here now?!" She was livid. She wanted an explanation and all he said were three words.

She turned her heel and began running away from him. He didn't know how those days felt like for her. He abandoned her and forced her to finally give in to new love, Nathan.

"Emerald!" Lance was yelling as he now began running behind her. She looked back but continued running faster as she held her long skirt up.

"Emerald stop come on! Lets work this out." He yelled but she didn't want to hear it. She kept her long strides through the sand as she continued to run.

Lance finally gave in and fastened his pace, quickly nearing her. He grabbed her and held her captive, stopping her strides as she groaned. "Leave me alone!" He tried to fight him off but couldn't; his hold on her was much stronger than hers.

"I'm sorry babygirl, let me explain.." He said as he kissed her cheek down to her neck and shoulder. He kept planting kisses and she began to softly cry.

"Shhhh.." He said softly to her ear. She sniffled softly as the tears fell on her cheeks. "I'm so sorry Emerald.." He whispered as he turned her around and held her close to him. She laid her head on his chest, her cries now muffled.

Lance felt jabs at his chest as she cried, he couldn't believe it was him who caused this.

After calming Emerald down he lead her back to their spot on the beach and sat her down.

"It's not an excuse and it never is. But Iife hit me like a truck Emerald. I took on my father's business, he passed away and I was expected to take over. I was weak, I couldn't believe I'd lost him just like that. Then I immediately had to be this strong tough guy. I was expected to man up and be this powerful business man and I didn't even have  time to mourn my father."

Emerald rose her head and stared at Lance. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had no idea.

"Lance I'm so fucking sorry.."

"I couldn't do it Emerald. My love for you never faded. But I was going through so much I was going through such a dark time. People in my life couldn't even recognise me anymore. It took so long for me to get back to the normal Lance Brown."

Emerald pulled Lance to sit back down with her and when he did she straddled his lap and hugged him. She clung onto him the same way she had when she told him about her father.

"Mi understand Lance. I am so sorry for yuh loss."

"It's okay Em. He's up there.."

"They're both up there, watching over us." Emerald said. She was sure both their fathers would be proud of the people they were today.

Lance kissed her cheek as he looked at the sky. "Look!" He pointed to the sky, a light soaring through the dark night.

"Shooting star? Mi never seen one ever!" Emerald said as she looked at the shooting star in amazement.

"Make a wish." Lance said. He closed his eyes and made one. Emerald followed.

The pair stared at the star till it vanished in the dim lit sky. They faced each other then sealed their wishes with a kiss.

.

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A/N: The next chapter is already up on my Patreon. Subscribe to skip the wait, 2 new chapters will be added and the continuation of this book will also be on Patreon.

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