THE FIGHTER (Origninally called my UFC FIGHTER)

23. Noah

*time skip; three years*

It's been a little over 3 years since Ethan and I decided to take the plunge and move in together. It had been a surprise when he had asked me to move in with him the day I graduated high school. That day still resonates in my mind to this day. He had been so nervous when we had gone on a little date before heading back to house where Papa and Dad had a surprise party for both Levi and me.

"Noah, there's something important I wanted to talk to you about," he started, voice almost a whisper.

I had leaned forward, giving him my full attention. "What is it?"

"Move in with me," he said taking be by surprise.

I felt my eyes widened, and blinked in surprise. "Move in with you? Are you serious?"

He nodded. "Yes, I am serious. I know it might seem fast or unexpected, but I love you, and I can't imagine my future without you. I think it would be great for us to take this next step together."

I softened my expression as I felt a smile crept onto my face. "You really mean that, don't you?" I asked, my voice no doubt filled with a mix of awe and joy.

Again he nodded and I could hear was nervous as he tried hard not to fidget. "I do. I want us to create a home together, to support each other through college and beyond. What do you think?"

I had taken a moment to think, as if weighing the possibilities. Then, I let out a laugh and leaned across the table, giving him a gentle kiss on the lips. "I think it's a fantastic idea," I said, voice filled with excitement. "I love you too, and I want us to take this leap together."

I saw the relief wash over him, and he smiled back at me. "I'm so glad you feel the same way," he said,squeezing my hand once more. That night, after the party had ended, and everyone but Ethan had gone home, I sat my parents and Jay down to tell them the news. Jay had gone to Leah's house since apparently they started dating three months earlier before my graduation. It was a surprise for us all but we were all happy for them.

Ethan and I had been nervous to tell them our palms to move in together, but we won't keep that it was something that we needed to do since we still needed to look into places to live while we went to college. We agreed to go to the same community college in town as to not live our families. It was hard enough having to see our friends—Leah, Sam,Mac and Liam—leave for their own colleges out of state.

"Papa, Dad?" I asked and they looked up, "do you have a minuete?"

"Sure," Papa replied with a smile as he patted the spot beside him on the coffee table, "what is it?"

I took a deep breath and looked at Ethan, who gave me a reassuring nod. "Ethan and I have something important to tell you," I said, my voice filled with determination.

My parents exchanged curious glances before Dad spoke up. "Well, don't keep us in suspense. What is it?"

Ethan and I looked at each other, silently agreeing to tell them together. "We've decided to move in together," I finally said, my voice steady despite the nervous butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Papa's eyes widened slightly, and he exchanged a quick glance with Dad. I could see the wheels turning in their heads, and a mix of emotions crossing their faces. Finally, Dad cleared his throat and spoke up. "Well, I won't lie, it's a bit unexpected. But if this is what you both want, then we support you. Just promise me that you'll take care of each other and always communicate."

"Do you know when you'll be moving and where?" Papa asked but Ethan and I shook our heads.

"We just made that decision today," Ethan said, "before the party." My parents raised their brows and he gave them a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I know it's a big step and that Noah and I have only been dating for a little while but I don't want to be away form him even if I did go to the local community college."

"Understandable," Papa said while Dad gave him a look that he ignored making me smile, "I'm guessing you'll be telling your parents as well?"

"Yes," Ethan nodded, "I'll be talking with them later when I head home."

"Alright," Papa said with a nod before saying, "if you need help finding a place we're more than happy to help."

*****

And as he had told my parents, Ethan talked with his that night and after many questions, they had finally told him that they were proud of him and for taking such a big step. After that we told our friend after to had told Jay who wasn't very fond of the idea considering Ethan and I have been barely dating a year but after Papa told him that he should support my division, Jay eventually came around and had offered to help move Ethan and I into our place when we found one.

It hadn't taken us long since we had Valentina, Ethan's mother, and Papa helping us while our dads focused on other stuff.

"What do you think of this one?" Valentina asked as we sat around her dinner table with our laptops out. Ethan and I looked at the photos she was showing us. It was a beautiful two-story, four-bedroom home. It had enough room for us to have guests over plus our own offices to do our homework without bothering the other.

"I love it," I said, my fingers dancing across the keyboard as I typed in some notes about the house. "It's spacious and has a great location."

Ethan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and it's not too far from campus either."

Valentina smiled. "I'm glad you both like it. Let's schedule a viewing and see if it's everything you're looking for."

We spent the next few weeks going through the process of finding a place and getting all the necessary paperwork and logistics sorted out. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. This was a big step for us, and we wanted to make sure we were making the right decision.

Finally, the day came when we signed the lease and got the keys to our new home. It was a moment filled with excitement and a touch of nervousness. We were officially moving in together.

As we walked into our new home for the first time, hand in hand, we couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. This was our space, our sanctuary, where we would build a life together.

Over the next few months, we settled into our new routine and created a cozy and comfortable home. We decorated our bedroom with pictures and memories from our time together. We set up our individual workspaces and shared a cozy reading nook where we would spend lazy Sunday afternoons.

Living together wasn't always easy. We had our fair share of arguments and disagreements, but through it all, we learned the importance of effective communication and compromise. We supported each other through the ups and downs, through stressful exams and demanding assignments. We celebrated each other's achievements and lifted each other up during moments of doubt.

As time went on, our bond grew stronger. We built a life together that was filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities. We created traditions and made memories that would last a lifetime.

Looking back on that day when Ethan nervously asked me to move in with him, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come. We took a leap of faith, a leap into the unknown, and it turned out to be the best decision we ever made.

"Babe?" Ethan called making me blink and look up at hmm to see him with a raised brow, "where did you go just now?"

"Just thinking about how far we've come since we got together and eventually moved in together," I replied and he smiled before sitting up straighter which made me glare at thin for disturbing my comfort and he smiled pressing a kiss to my lips. I could never stay mad at him for long if he did that.

"We've come a long way," he agreed and I hummed before letting him pull me back into his arms where I sighed as I nuzzled my face on his neck which made him chuckle, "you're too cute."

Don't ask how but we somehow ended up in our room, clothes scattered about the room as pants, moans and groans filled the air as sweat coated our bodies.

"Fuck," Ethan groaned as he thrusted into me making me arch my back. "I love you."

"I love you."