Stay With Me. [[Sequel to The Last Year (Once-ler x OC)]]

Another Love (alternate ending)

So for those of you who have been waiting for this.  I'm looking at you @takemetotulsa maybe a few others.  But anyway.   Without further ado here it is.  The alternate ending which Aaron and Fleur end up together.   Enjoy!

Aaron and I packed our things that day.   He actually had to pack more since Once-ler had them sent to me.  I had no idea where to go, but first we would take a trip to Linvale.  It was time to go home, to explain everything that happened  to Roger and my mom.  When Aaron was packing I stepped out on the balcony.  I noticed Bret was sitting on a nearby bench.  He really must have had something happen to change so much.

"Hey Bret, I'm going to be right down.  Wait for me," I yelled.

I ran back through the apartment.  When I had got outside Bret was standing by the door.  He could barely manage to look at me.  I looked at my hand at the ring Once-ler had given me.  It was hard to believe that things had changed so much.  My right hand grasped the ring and pulled it off.  I grabbed Brett's hand and lay the ring in it.

"I would appreciate it if you could return this to Once.  And thank you for telling me what you did.  I'm sorry things went the way they did between all of us. I hope you find something good out of all this."

"Fleur, I'm sorry.  I was never nice to you.  I did a lot of deplorable things.  But I just can't believe Once is doing this," he said softly, "you deserve much better."

He turned and walked away from me.  That was the last time I saw Bret.  I didn't know it would be at the time.  Even if I had, I don't know what else either of us could say.  I walked up the stairs wondering just what I did to make Once-ler hate me in such a way. My head shook to the side as I reached the door to Aaron's apartment.  I opened the door and he was straightening a few things up.

"So, where are we going first?" he asked.

"I have to go home.  I need to talk to my mom," I sighed.

"Having me meet the folks already?  I dunno,  Fleur this is moving pretty quick."

"Shush."

"I don't have a car.  So how are we going to get there?"

"A bus is leaving in about an hour.  You know that you don't have to come with me."

"Fleur, I have a shoddy job at a restaurant.  I'm not worried about it.  I told you that my dad hooked me up with this place.  I don't have to work if I don't want to.  And I did say,  if he ever messed up. I'd sweep you off your feet and make you mine."

"Yes, you remind me of that often."

"Sorry.  I don't want to upset you.  I'm sorry this happened to you.   You don't necessarily deserve me, but you don't deserve what he did to you."

"I don't want to even think about it.  There's nothing that can change this.  Come on, let's get going."

I grabbed my bags and flung them over my shoulder.  Aaron took a last look at his apartment.  We would one day be back, but it would be quite some time until we would.  The door shut and locked behind us.  While we walked to the station I took the city in one last time.  The restaurant was bustling as usual.  Outdoor shops were closing for the night.  I caught a glimpse of the gazebo.  My heart dropped.  I remember how downtrodden Once-ler was.  How I would often come to see him just to raise his spirits.  I still felt so much love for him, but that would never be returned again.  That was the worst part of it all.  I still loved him.  But I would never know just what happened that made his feelings change. Aaron put his hand on my shoulder.