Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 22~

~Raelyn~

~February 21st, 2023~

It is now February of the next year and it is me and and Colby's one year anniversary. I've gotten even closer with all the roommates. His roommates had become my second family, I loved all of them with all my heart. Colby took me and Blake on a sailboat ride on downtown Long Beach for the anniversary, It was a heartfelt moment that I will forever cherish in my heart.

~

The gentle hum of the boat's engine was the only sound as we glided across the calm waters of Long Beach harbor. Colby, with a grin that couldn't be tamed, steered us towards the heart of the city, its lights reflecting like scattered jewels on the water's surface. I finally removed my blindfold and gasped at the sight, my eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Happy anniversary, Rae," Colby whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he handed me a bouquet of purple and white gardenias, their sweet scent mingling with the salty air. I turned to him, my heart full.

"Colby, this is... it's just perfect. I can't believe you did all this for us." Colby chuckled, looking over at Blake, who was perched excitedly at the bow of the boat, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Well, I wanted this day to be special for all of us. You've brought so much light into my life, Emmy. And Blake," he said, ruffling the boy's hair.

"You're the coolest little Jedi I've ever met." Blake beamed, clutching his toy lightsaber. "This is the best boat ride ever!" I laughed through my tears, leaning into Colby.

"I love you," I said simply, my voice a soft whisper over the lapping waves. "I love you too," Colby replied, pulling me both into a warm embrace under the canopy of the city night as he dipped me over and kissed me. "More than you'll ever know."

~

As the boat docked and the night air grew cooler, we made our way back to my cozy house. The excitement of the evening still hung around us like a warm cloak. We settled onto the couch, a soft blanket thrown over our laps.

Colby, with a click of the remote, dimmed the lights and started the movie we had all agreed on earlier. Which was of course 'the corpse bride'.

"Nothing beats ending the night with a good movie and my two favorite people," Colby said, his arm snug around me. I snuggled closer, my head resting on his shoulder. "This has been the best anniversary ever. Thank you for making it so special." Blake, nestled between us, his eyes already growing heavy, mumbled,

"Can we do boat rides for every anniversary?" Colby and I exchanged a warm, amused look. "We just might have to consider that," Colby replied, kissing the top of Blake's head.

~

The movie played on, our laughter and whispers blending with the on-screen dialogue, the room filled with the simple joy of our shared love and comfort. As I nestled deeper into the warmth of the couch, Colby's steady breaths were a soothing rhythm in the quiet room.

It felt surreal, this peaceful moment with him, considering our rocky start. I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to those early days filled with scowls and sharp words, a time when the mere thought of him would ignite a fierce irritation within me.

Yet, here we were, entwined in an embrace that I never wanted to end. It was a dance of destiny, wasn't it? The universe had thrown us together, a werewolf and a half-vampire, an unlikely pairing by any account. It was like we were characters in some fantastical tale, star-crossed lovers defying the odds.

I could feel the pull of sleep tugging at the edges of my consciousness, but a part of me wanted to stay awake just to savor the transformation of our relationship. How had we crossed the chasm that once seemed insurmountable? The answer was simple yet profound—we had found understanding and acceptance in each other's arms.