Three Years

Chapter 21 (Ending Part 1/4)

*Aphmau's POV*
Aaron and I were sitting by the water, planning out our wedding. "So for flowers, I was thinking we could do roses." I sigh, "I like roses, but I prefer orchids." He smiles, "That works for me." He writes it down on the paper in front of him. "Now, who is going to be the priest."
"You think we could get Zane on such short notice?" I joke. He laughs, smacking my arm. "You're something aren't you?" 
"I guess I am." I smile. He kisses my nose, running a hand through my hair. "You think Gene will do it?" I nod. "Probably. I can ask when I tell them when it is." 
"Okay, we can check that off the list." He puts a check next to priest. "Now, you need to go see Cadenza soon, so she can make your dress." 
"Already taken care of." He raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" 
"I sent Garroth to go tell her about it. She should be here in two days." He nods.
Aaron grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers. "I'm so glad everything is back to normal." I rest my head on his shoulder. "Me too." We sat there, staring out into the clear blue water. "Want to go for a swim?" He asks, standing up. "Sure." 
He pulls off his shirt, throwing it to the side. I blush, looking to the ground. "Babe, what's wrong?"
"It's just, you, uh-" 
"Aph, look at me." I look up at him, seeing his bare chest. "You've seen more of me, so this shouldn't bug you so much." Aaron walks to me, tilting my chin up. I stared into his deep, brown eyes. "You don't need to be so afraid to see me like this." I sigh. "I guess you're right." I look up at the sky, "I'll be back in a minute." 
I run back to my house, changing into a pair of tan shorts and a gray tank top. I head back down to the ocean, seeing Aaron running a wet hand through his sleek, black hair. I smiled, thinking of spending the rest of my life with this man.
I ran down to the shore, jumping onto his back, causing him to fall into the water. He looked at me, laughing. He gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Come here." He stands up, stretching his hand out for me to grab. I grab his hand as he pulls me up. 
We walk deeper into the ocean, his arms around me the whole time. I saw a big wave coming our wave. I started to shake. "It's not that big, you'll be fine, promise." I try to relax, but the closer it comes. "Aaron.." The wave was enormous now. I felt my pulse quicken. I look at Aaron before he quickly turns me to face the shore. I feel his arms wrap around me. "I'm going to protect you." He whispers.
The wave hits us hard. I struggle to stand, falling under the water. I feel Aaron's grasp around me loosen. I come up from the water, looking around. I saw no sign of Aaron. "Aaron!" I shout. I get nothing in return. 
The wind starts to speed up and I see rain in the distance. "Aaron, please answer me!" Tears cloud my vision. I feel the rain start to pour onto my head. I look at my surroundings, seeing the shore up ahead. I try to swim there, but immediately get pulled under water. 
I head for the surface, gasping for air. "A-Aaron!" I manage to choke out. I suddenly feel a light sting in my foot. I ignore it, trying to move closer to the shore. 
The storm makes the waves more rough, making it almost impossible to get anywhere. I kept getting pushed back, farther and farther away. "Aaro-" I get shoved back under water. As I come back up, I feel a pair of arms go around my waist, helping me swim. I look back to see a bleeding Aaron, pushing himself and I through the water. 
Once we make it onto land, Aaron collapses to the ground. The rain kept pouring down and the wind kept going. I try to pick up Aaron, but fail doing so. I groan, trying again. "Need help?" A deep voice asks. "I would actually apprecia-" I turn, seeing who the man was. "Zane? What are you doing here?" I say, irritation filling my voice. "I know this may be a shock to you, but I'm here to apologize for everything."
"Really?" I ask. "Yes! I ruined your life and many others, I think I owe you and apology." I snort, "I know this is some sort of joke." He shakes his head, his blue eyes meeting mine. It's strange because I can see all the honesty in there.
"Apology accepted." I say, smiling at him. "Thank you Aphmau!" I laugh. "So, you going to help me or not?" He walks over, grabbing his legs, while I grab his hands.
We carry him back to our house, placing him in bed. "Thank you. I wouldn't have been able to do it alone." I say, cleaning Aaron's wounds. "It's the least I can do."I nod, watching Aaron flinch and hiss at the pain. I kiss his forehead, "It's ok, I'm here."
___________________
Zane and I were talking downstairs, when I heard footsteps. I look behind me, noticing it's Aaron. "Aaron!" I stand up. He opens his arms, waiting for my embrace. I hug him tight. "I thought I lost you." He says. "Me too, but you're here, I'm here, an-"
"Why is Zane here?" Aaron asks, clenching his fist. "He needed to talk to me and he apologizes for everything he's done. He was sincere and everything." I say, trying to calm him down. "Can you really trust him?"
"Yes, Aaron, I can, now I just need to trust my judgement." I put my hand on his cheek, stroking it lightly. He sighed. "Fine."
"Thank you." I kissed him real quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." He smiled. "Now I'm going to go talk to a few people, so I'll be back soon. I need you guys to get along though. Understood?" They both nod. "Good." I say, walking out of the house.

*Aaron's POV*
I tapped my fingers on the table, silence filling the room. Zane stared out the window, his head resting in his hand.
He noticed me looking at him, "What?" I rub my neck in embarrassment. "Sorry." He looks back out the window. "So, why did you decide to apologize."
"It took me a while to think and I figured out that what I did was bad, so I came looking for Aphmau and you so I can apologize." I nod.
"Look, I get that you probably can't trust me, but I'm trying to change. It's hard, yes, but at least I'm making an effort." Zane says, leaning back in the chair, closing his eyes. I sigh, "If you want to sleep I'll bring you to the guest room."
"That'd be great. Thanks." He stands up, following me upstairs.
"There it is." I point to the door at the end of the hall. "Thank you again." Zane says, running to the room. He opens the door, shutting it as soon as he's inside.
I head back downstairs, waiting for Aph to get back.

*Aphmau's POV*
"Cadenza!" I shout, running to her. I hug her, pulling away to talk. "It's been so long." She says. "It really has, but I didn't expect you so early!"
"Garroth left early to get me apparently." I look behind her to see Garroth. "How's my favorite boy?" I ask, teasing him. He smiles, "I'm good, but isn't Aaron you're favorite boy?"
"He's my favorite man. You're my favorite boy." He laughs. "Good to know."
"Now Aphmau, we must prepare your wedding dress!" She grabs my hand dragging me to my house. "Wait!" I say, remembering that Zane is there. "What is it?" I quickly think of an excuse, "I don't want Aaron to see it. I want it to be a surprise." That was true, but it was better than explaining that Zane is just hanging at my house. I walk to Garroth. "Head to my house and talk to Aaron. Tell him Aphmau sent me to ask about who was at the house." I whisper in his ear. He looks at me confused, but nods.
"Where should we go?" I think for a moment. "Emmalyn's place! She's out of the village right now with Kenmur."
"Okay, then let's go!"

Hey guys! Welcome to the first part of the finale for this book! I plan on having three more after this, so that I can add in a few more things that I'm hoping you'll like. Until then I will not be updating my other stories, so that all my time and effort is put into making these last few my absolute best! Welp I'll see you all in the next chapter! Byeee!!! :3
Word count: 1517