Time Goes On

Celebrating Life

I stayed with Derek in the coffee house while the rest of the trial went on. I declined being in the room because I didn't want to spend more time with Kate than I had to.

I was notified that the jury had come back from deliberating. I went to the courtroom and took a seat with the rest of the pack and Derek. I was holding Derek's hand with one hand and clasping together with Stiles and Scott with the other.

The jury filed in and the judge asked if they had come to a consensus. "We have your honor. In the people vs Katherine Argent, on the charge of kidnapping, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of hostage holding, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of aggravated assault, we find the defendant guilty." The foreman sat back down and I took a deep breath of relief.

She was finally going to pay for something. They couldn't charge her with the Hale fire because it was from another state. I couldn't help but look over to Kate. She was glaring at me and she snarled when Derek's gaze joined mine. My hand left his and I found the triskele on his back. His hand found mine on my shoulder. This had become a way of comforting each other.

I stood with him and we held hands. Kate's eyes traveled down to our joined hands and her glare got even more harsh. I could feel her eyes trying to burn through the back of my skull as we walked out of the courtroom.

As soon as we were out and the door shut behind us, I jumped into Derek's arms. He spun me around and he smiled. I held on tight and when he finally put me down I placed my hands on his face and pulled him down for a kiss.

It was a bit of an awkward kiss due to us smiling through it. I broke off from Derek and turned to Scott and Stiles. Their smiles could not get bigger. I drew them close for a hug. The whole pack gathered around and joined in. "Now, who's ready for a celebratory meal?" Derek asked.

We all cheered and made our way out of the court house. We ended up at one big table at a burger place. The pack looked a little out of place because we were all dressed for court. They were chatting and smiling and I knew it was the right time for me to tell them what I had been thinking of for the past few months.

"If I could have everyone's attention?" They all turned to me after a moment. "First, I would like to thank you for being there with me at court today. I really appreciate all of your support. And it is because of that, that I am sure you will support me in my recent decision." I looked over at Derek and he smiled at me. He had helped me think through my situation.

"I have decided that I am a Cali girl at heart and college isn't for me. I am not going to return for next year. I have thought long and hard about this. I have talked to Derek, my dad, and even a counselor at school. Now, you guys are not obligated to do the same as me. You are all doing well here. I will miss all of you so much, but I know this is the right thing for me. Beacon Hills is where I belong." I had just finished talking when people started talking over each other.

"But I won't have a roommate!" Erica gave me a sad look.

"I am sorry. I just don't want to stay here if it makes me unhappy. I may have been around my family, but I was not working towards anything." Me saying that seemed to calm everyone down. They began to understand that this was going to make me much happier.

The rest of dinner went well and we made our ways back to our beds because we had a plane to catch the next day. I had sent most of my stuff, minus the clothes and other things I used on a daily basis, back home. I was coming down from the adrenaline rush that was that day when Derek and I had gotten back to his place.

"I feel like tonight would be a night where sex would be required." I smiled at Derek. He smiled back and took my hand.

"But you see, the magic of our relationship is that nothing is required. I know you are crashing." I took off my blazer and slipped out of my heels. I shimmied my hips and took off my pants. I walked towards the bedroom and tossed a look over my shoulder at him.

He knew what I was doing, but growled and chased after me. His arms wrapped around my waist and he picked me up. I laughed as he carried me to the bed. He nibbled at my neck, purposely tickling me with his beard. "Uncle! I surrender." He stopped and kissed my cheek.

"You my dear, are so much more than I deserve." I smiled at him. I shifted so I was facing him.

"And you happen to be the fifteen on a scale on of one to ten. We are both blessed by Lupa." He smiled and rested his forehead against mine.

"I had a thought. Maybe, we could rebuild the Hale house. Give our pack an official home."

"Derek Hale, are you asking me to move in with you? We have only been dating since February."

"I have been waiting for you my whole life Emilia. I don't care if someone else thinks it is too early on for us. I want to live with you and share my life with you." His face was extremely serious. My only instinct was to pull him in for a passion filled kiss. "Is that a yes?"

"It is a hell yes. We will rebuild the Hale Manor and once it is complete, we can move in together."

"That sounds perfect."