Settling Down [KJ Apa]

Chapter Two

The party is well on its way when I finally reach Lili and Cole to congratulate them. I hug Lili real tight, because words couldn't come to me for once. I let go off her, tears in my eyes as she pushes them away with her thumbs.

"I'm just so happy for you two." I explain smiling.

"I know, Gee." She smiles back, "We'll be using your roundtrip ticket to Europe real soon though. It's time for an old-fashioned roadtrip."

"Glad to hear."

I move on towards Cole, who's been talking with Boston all this time. I hug him quick, knowingly that he strongly dislikes hugs.

"Never thought you would be so emotional, Georgie." He grins as he lets go of me.

"Oh, shut up, Cody." I giggle.

"How have you been?"

He pulls me to the side, away from the group.

"A little tired, but really happy. I mean, my life is great!"

"Yeah, yeah. My life seems pretty great too." He glances at Lili and then nudges to Boston, "And how are things really between you and him? Is he treating you well enough?"

"Of course." I roll my eyes, "We hardly have an argument, and when we argue, it's because of food."

"Ah, the good kind of arguments."

"It's been perfect and it will continue being perfect down the road." I sigh happily, "I can really see myself grow old with him, Cole."

"That's good, Georgie. I'm happy for you."

"And I am happy for you, Cody. You two make it golden, okay?"

We exchange a brief hug before I'm joined by Boston again. He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me back to our table. But not before I glance back one last time and flash a smile to the happy couple.

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Chatter is filling the whole room, yet the music is a little louder. Boston has pulled me to the dance floor and we haven't left it yet.

A slow song comes up, and he wraps his arms tightly around my waist. Of course I do the same around his neck. He places small kisses on my jaw and in my neck, and I can't help it but grin widely to his actions.

"Boston, please." I giggle as I pull his face back to mine.

He leans in and sweetly presses his lips on mine. I genuinely smile into the kiss, knowing that I am utterly and completely in love with this man. He pulls away from me as we sway onto the music.

The song soon finishes and Boston finally pulls me off the dance floor and to our table. I sit down to recover a little from the extensive dancing as Boston keeps his hand on my shoulder. I close my eyes for a minute, a sudden fatigue falling on me.

"Hey, mate." A very familiar New Zealand accent pulls me back, "How are ya?"

I look up to my love standing with his best friend that was once a redhead. And was once the love of your life. I gulp deeply. It hasn't been the first time we've talked since, but every time it is still a struggle to get through.

"I'm great." Boston replies, squeezing my shoulder, "How are you doing?"

He knows how tense it can be between KJ and I, even though I am completely over him.

"Ah, this and that. Trying to squeeze in a few auditions before I'm going back to New Zealand to see the family."

I stand up at this point, keeping my eyes on Boston, yet I feel KJ's eyes quickly going up and down.

"Hey, George." He says politely.

"KJ." I nod as I turn towards him.

"Uh, congratulations on your Golden Globe nominations. It's really great to hear."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." I turn to Boston, "I'm in need for some fresh air, so I'll be outside."

I peck his cheek before walking out the ballroom and into the garden. I catch the breath I so necessarily needed as I walk towards a bench in the open field. I breath out deeply while I sit down on the bench, hugging my own body against the cold.

I knew things were going to be weird. Hell, I was prepared for it. Yet, it still threw me off guard.

I look up to the stars, calming down from the encounter.

"You good?" A voice pulls me back out of thoughts.

"I am." I smile up, "Come sit with me."

Boston sits next to me, puts his arm behind me and pulls me close to him. My back is resting against his side as my head falls a little back against his shoulder. I pull my legs up so they rest completely on the bench.

"You looked a little tense back there. You sure everything is alright?" He breaks the silence.

"Yeah..." I sigh, "I guess it'll always be kinda tense between us."

"I'm sorry about that."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart."

"Do you remember when we first hung out again?" He changes the subsject quite smoothly, "You know, that hiking trip, away from phones and civilization?"

"Yeah, that was like right after I finished filming a movie about KJ and I's story." I huff, smiling, "That was a much needed break."

"True." I feel him grinning, "One night though, we spent the whole evening outside our tent, freezing while watching the stars. Just like we're doing now."

I smile as I look up at the stars.

"And later that night we shared our first kiss." He continues, "And I remember just feeling like the happiest man on earth. Not because you chose me, but because you chose to love again after everything that happened, and you chose to love me. Do you remember what you said the day after?"

I was as if his storytelling brought me back to that moment more than a year and a half ago. Of course I remember it. It's one of my fondest memories.

"I said, 'I wish I could stay in this moment with you, forever.'" I smile.

He nudges me to look at him. I sit up a little, pulling my legs off the bench as I turn to him. He's holding a ring in front of me; a beautiful diamond ring with a star outline. I mean, not the five-legged star, but one that shines as bright as the one in Peter Pan.

"So, will you?"

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I am so so sorry for keeping you all waiting for this chapter. I've always found the beginning and ending of a story the hardest to write, and it wasn't like I didn't know where I wanted to go to, but it was all the things before that was hard. But here it is, the next chapter.

What will Georgia say?