Fate

Moving

GRACE'S POV

I woke up on the beach wrapped up in James' arms with the sound of crashing waves in front of us. He had already woken up and was slowly running his fingers through my hair.

"It's your last day here, sunshine," he smiled at me. For a split second I had forgotten about everything. Bridget's moving out and I'm going to be all alone.

"Don't remind me," I whispered. He pushed my hair from my face. "I don't want to be there to watch Bridget pack all of her things and leave."

Watching that would break me. Knowing that I won't be there to keep her from getting hurt and making bad decisions scares the hell out of me.

"You know, we can get a place together... We're both finished with college now and we can get an apartment here... Or back up in New York because I know how you don't want to live in the south." He smiled his killer smile but I simply shook my head.

"You don't want to move in with me..." I stated. "I'll make you want to break up with me. I'll boss you around and make you clean everything and worry too much, so much that you'll get annoyed and leave." I shrugged. It was the truth. The last thing I want to do is push away the person that makes me the happiest.

"There's nothing you can do that would make me want to leave you. I couldn't leave even if I tried. Something about you always pulls me back," he smirked, "Maybe it's that ass!"

My smile faded into an are you kidding me look, and I punched his arm.

"Ow! You know I'm kidding! But seriously... I would love to wake up next to your beautiful face every morning. C'mon, let's do it. Plus, I don't like thinking about you all by yourself in New York City. Not a safe place for gorgeous, weak women."

"I'm not weak!" I retorted.

"Compared to rapists and burglars, you're pretty weak. Sorry to break it to you. But I need to be able to protect you anywhere and everywhere so whether you want me there or not, I'm going to pack up my things and go wherever you are, my dear."

I sighed. "You don't need to do that. You're gonna leave if you spend too much time with me. I'm surprised you haven't left already," I shrugged. That's what everyone else has done. They get too close and then they're gone like the wind.

"I'm going to promise you this: I am not going anywhere but right by your side," he spoke and kissed my forehead. "There's nothing you can do to push me away. You'd always be in the back of my mind. When we're married we're going to have to live with each other forever so why not have a little practice and see what we have to deal with?"

I looked at his eyes. Something that I did whenever I was thinking about him. He's serious. He wants to move in. His eyes are lit up like a Christmas tree for heaven's sake. Grace, answer him before you torture him to death!

"Enjoy the ride, my friend. You can stay until you no longer want me."

"Oh darn. Guess that'll be forever. "

BRIDGET'S POV

I've gotta call Grace before I go crazy. Tomorrow is our last day but I need to go and pack my things back in New York. Luke is coming with me but there's no way I can just pretend that a fight didn't happen between Grace and I. She means too much to me to just forget about and move on. She's my bestfriend.

I took a deep breath and dialed her number but then I heard beeps. She was on the other line. Screw it, I'm going to talk to her.

I kissed Luke quickly and grabbed my keys before heading out the door. I can't screw this up again. After about 10 minutes or so, I arrived at Nicolette's house to see James and Grace sitting on the front porch playing with her car keys.

I slowly got out of the car and walked up to them, not really knowing exactly how to start. My words weren't forming into sentences. James walked up to me to try and make things less awkward than they already were by giving me a hug. Grace really did hit the jackpot with him.

"I'll give you guys some alone time," he spoke, kissed Grace's forehead, and went inside.

I sat down beside her. "I tried calling you but you were on the other line," I shrugged.

She looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. "I called and you were on the other line?" She spoke in a question-like tone. "We must've called each other at the same time... How peculiar," she said surprised. "What are the odds of that?"

"You're the only one in this decade that still says peculiar," I laughed lightly. I took a deep breath and we both said, "I'm sorry," at the same time and then laughed a little more.

She started speaking first. "Bridget, I shouldn't have bossed you around like you were my daughter... You're able to make decisions for yourself but I just get worried. You know yourself better than anybody else and if you know you're in love, then you're in love. It's not my job to be on your back all the time like a parent, I'm your bestfriend and I'm sorry. I'd be happy if you moved in with Luke, as long as you were happy." She smiled.

"I'm sorry. I know you were just trying to look out for me. I don't want you to feel like I'm taking advantage of you. I love you and am so thankful that you protect me and take care of me even when I don't deserve it. We are never going to let guys come in between our friendship. You come before anyone else in my life, Grace... And if you don't want me to move in with him, then I won't. I just can't lose you," she whispered with her eyes brimming with tears.

I wiped them away from her cheek. "Bridget. You're moving in with him. It's not up to me. You should be with him. And he should be taking care of you. Even if it's not my first choice... I want you to be happy before anything or anyone else. But no matter what happens, I will always be here for you. I will be at that hospital and the first birthday party, all the soccer games, the school plays, and your wedding. I'm not going anywhere honey."

She threw her arms around my neck before I could feel my shoulder getting wet. I thought I'd be the one crying here...

"I love you Grace," she had just managed to escape from her lips even with all of the snot and tears in the way.

"You're my sister. We're going to fight sometimes but we just need to talk it out. That's all. I love you more than you'll ever know."