70-Liv and holden- liv and Maddie

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by Ameliashepherdwife

by Ameliashepherdwife

Liv stood on the bustling streets of New York City, her heart racing as if it were auditioning for a lead role. The city's energy enveloped her—the honking taxis, the neon signs, and the promise of dreams fulfilled. It had been years since she'd left Wisconsin, leaving behind her family, her twin sister Maddie, and Holden—the boy who had once stolen her Goodbye Puppy Pen and, in turn, her heart.

Holden. His name echoed through her memories like a forgotten melody. They'd reconnected briefly after he returned from boarding school, and Liv had felt something shift—a connection that transcended time and distance. But then life had swept them apart again, like two stars orbiting different galaxies.

Now, as she stood near the iconic Central Park fountain, she wondered if fate had conspired to bring them together once more. Holden was studying at NYU, and Liv had landed a lead role in the Broadway play "Double Duchess." Their paths had intersected, and she couldn't ignore the pull—the invisible thread that tugged at her heart.

And there he was, leaning against the fountain, his dark hair ruffled by the wind. Holden's eyes widened when he saw her, surprise giving way to a hesitant smile. "Liv," he said, as if testing the syllables on his tongue.

"Hey," Liv replied, her voice softer than she intended. "It's been a while."

He nodded. "Yeah. You look—you look amazing."

Liv's cheeks flushed. "Thanks. You too."

They stood there, the years melting away, leaving only the present—a moment suspended in time. Holden's gaze lingered on her, and Liv wondered if he remembered their stolen kisses, their whispered secrets, and the way he'd returned her pen with a sheepish grin.

"I've missed you," Holden said, breaking the silence.

Liv swallowed. "Me too."

He shifted, his fingers brushing against hers. "I heard about your play. Broadway star now, huh?"

She laughed. "Trying to be."

Holden hesitated. "Liv, there's something I never told you."

Her heart skipped a beat. "What?"

He took a deep breath. "I've always wondered what could have been. Between us."

Liv's pulse quickened. "Holden—"

"No, let me finish." His eyes bore into hers. "I've imagined different endings—the ones where we didn't drift apart. Where we danced in the rain, where we kissed under the stars. But life doesn't always follow the script, does it?"

"No," Liv whispered. "Sometimes it rewrites the lines when we least expect it."

Holden stepped closer, his hand cupping her cheek. "Liv, I—" His voice cracked. "I still care about you. Always have."

Liv leaned into his touch. "And I care about you too."

He leaned down, his lips brushing hers—a reunion that felt like coming home. The city faded, the noise muted, and all that remained was Holden—the boy who had once stolen her pen and now held her heart.

As they pulled away, Holden grinned. "So, Liv Rooney, will you let me take you out for coffee? Maybe catch up on all the chapters we missed?"

Liv laughed. "Only if you promise not to steal my pen this time."

He kissed her forehead. "Deal."

And so, in the heart of New York, where dreams collided and love defied time, Liv and Holden began their new chapter—a story that unfolded beyond the finale, where the curtain never fell, and the applause echoed forever.