𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦, ʟᴜᴋᴇ ʜᴜɢʜᴇs

so it ends

THE early morning light streamed through the large windows of the cozy apartment, casting a soft, golden hue over the space. Charlotte-Alexandria sat on the plush couch, her legs curled under her as she sipped from a steaming cup of coffee. The apartment was quiet, save for the faint sound of birds chirping outside and the distant hum of city life.

Shrimp was curled up beside her, his one eye blinking slowly as he shifted closer to her, seeking the warmth of her body. She absentmindedly scratched behind his ears, her thoughts drifting to everything that had happened over the past year.

It was hard to believe that a year had passed since she and Luke had first crossed paths. So much had changed since then. She glanced around the apartment, taking in the small but meaningful details that had become part of their life together—the framed photos on the mantle, the throw blankets draped over the couch, the small potted plants she'd insisted on adding to brighten up the space.

A smile tugged at her lips as her eyes landed on a photo from the lake house—her, Luke, and the rest of the Hughes family, all grinning at the camera after a day on the boat. That summer had been a turning point for them, solidifying the bond they shared and bringing them closer than ever.

Luke's voice broke through her reverie, pulling her back to the present. "Morning, beautiful."

She looked up to see him standing in the doorway, his hair tousled from sleep, a sleepy but content smile on his face. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a worn T-shirt, his usual morning attire, and she couldn't help but admire how effortlessly handsome he looked.

"Morning," she replied, her smile widening as he crossed the room to join her on the couch.

Luke sat down beside her, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You've been up for a while," he observed.

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, resting her head against his chest. "Just thinking about everything."

"Good thoughts, I hope," he murmured, running his fingers through her curls.

"Mostly," she replied, her tone light. "Just reflecting on how much has changed in such a short time."

Luke nodded, understanding in his eyes. "It's been a crazy year, hasn't it?"

"Crazy, but amazing," she agreed, looking up at him.

He chuckled softly. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence. Luke's hand continued to stroke her hair, and she could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her.

"Do you ever think about what would've happened if we hadn't met?" she asked suddenly.

Luke paused, considering her words. "Honestly? I don't like to think about that," he admitted. "Because I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Charlotte-Alexandria felt her heart swell at his words. She knew exactly how he felt. Meeting Luke had changed everything for her. He'd shown her a love she hadn't known she was capable of feeling, and in return, she'd found a sense of belonging she'd never thought possible.

"I love you," she whispered.

Luke's eyes softened as he looked down at her. "I love you too, Alex. More than anything."

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss that conveyed everything he couldn't put into words. When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her skin.

"Are you ready for today?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Charlotte-Alexandria let out a small laugh. "As ready as I'll ever be. It's just a housewarming, after all."

"A housewarming for our first apartment together," Luke corrected, a hint of excitement in his voice.

She couldn't help but smile at the thought. It was true—today, they were hosting a small gathering to celebrate moving into their new apartment. It was a modest place, but it was theirs, and that made it perfect.

"I still can't believe this is all real," she said softly.

Luke tightened his hold on her. "Believe it, babe. This is just the beginning."

They spent the rest of the morning preparing for the housewarming, working together seamlessly as they set out food, arranged seating, and made sure everything was just right. Charlotte-Alexandria felt a sense of contentment settle over her as she moved through the apartment, knowing that this was where she was meant to be.

By the time their friends and family began to arrive, the apartment was filled with warmth and laughter. Shrimp made his rounds, charming everyone with his quirky personality, and Charlotte-Alexandria couldn't help but feel a pang of pride as she watched Luke interact with everyone.

As the evening wore on, they found themselves standing on the small balcony, watching the sunset over the city. The sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, and the soft breeze carried the sound of their guests' laughter from inside.

Luke wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close as they stood there, taking it all in. "This is it," he murmured, his voice filled with quiet awe.

Charlotte-Alexandria leaned back into him, her heart full. "Yeah," she whispered. "This is it."

They stood there for a long time, watching the sky darken and the stars begin to twinkle above them. It was a moment of peace, of gratitude, of knowing that they had found something truly special in each other.

Luke raised his glass, the reflection of the city lights dancing in his eyes as he looked down at her with a grin. "To our first apartment," he said, his voice filled with meaning.

Just as Charlotte-Alexandria was about to clink her glass against his, Jack suddenly appeared next to them, startling them both.

"I've been praying for the day I don't have to hear your nightly activities!" Jack said, his tone laced with humor. "I'll finally get some sleep!"

Charlotte-Alexandria turned bright red, burying her face in Luke's chest. Luke groaned, shaking his head in exasperation but unable to suppress his own laughter.

"Thanks, Jack," Luke called back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm serious! You two are loud!" Jack teased. Luke pushed him away, and they both watched as he picked up a conversation with Liz.

Charlotte-Alexandria peeked up at Luke, her face still flushed, but there was a smile on her lips. "Our first apartment," she repeated softly, leaning up to kiss him.

Luke kissed her back, his heart full. "Our first apartment...and maybe a little more privacy," he joked, pulling her closer as they both laughed, knowing that with their friends and family, life would always be full of moments like these—imperfect, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.

"Definitely more privacy," Charlotte-Alexandria agreed, her laughter mixing with his as they clinked their coffee mugs together.

The End.