Lust and Love

🎁49A - Better late than never

A/N: I apologize if I kept you waiting. And sorry to spoil you, but chapter 49 will be divided in two separate chapters (49A and 49B) cause it exceeds 3000 in word count and I think it's too long to squeeze in a single chapter cause you know most chapters in this book are just 1200-1500 words only. (There are 2 chapters that are even 600+ words only😁)

Any ideas for the ending?

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Jennifer Lopez's POV

Waking up to a peaceful Saturday morning from a really good night sleep is undeniably one of the best feelings. And we all know that for a fact, for sure. I turn to my left side and stare at the man whose been with me at all times, good or bad and who has seen me in my ups and downs. And yet, never left me. I stare at my man who is still sleeping safe and sound for few more moments.

Next week will be the last week of my Vegas show. Four more night shows and it finally comes to an end. I'll make sure that at the very last night of the show, we're gonna break records for Zappos Theater.  I'm so thankful for all my guests and my fans. Without all of them, All I Have wouldn't have happened.

But even if All I Have is going to an end,  I still got a lot of things on my plate. The AMAs will be on second week of October and I'm going to perform my new song from Second Act. I'll start rehearsing next week shortly after All I Have Finale.  And also we will start filming for World of Dance on first week October too. Max and Emme's classes officially starts this Wednesday, which means I'm back to sending them to school again every morning. They're gonna be in 5th grade now. Exciting but I'm so worried cause they're really getting big too fast. Alex's daughters will go to the same school as them too. Ella will also be in 5th grade while Tashi will be in middle school. They still all love to go to a "real" school rather than being home-schooled.

And my rom-com movie Second Act has new release date, December 21. Everyone's very excited.

I thought nothing really special would happen today cause I've decided to stay at home and relax. But that's when I realized.. Today is September 22! Which means.. Yesterday is September 21! OBVIOUSLY. But what's the big deal about it? Oh, how could I forget.. Yesterday was Ryan's birthday. I'm not so sure of how old he is now.. But I think I'm really going to be super guilty if I'm not gonna give him something or at least greet him. He'll think I'm still bitter cause I didn't greet him on his special day. Right. I should do something.

I just remember, I saw him last week in CTM Building in Hollywood. I feel really guilty for not saying hi or even smiled at him for once. Actually, I wasn't expecting to see him again that time and I wasn't sure how to react. I was with Alex and Benny and my mind was too occupied to make a move and wave at him. How stupid.

But to make the story of this long Saturday short, I told one of my assistants to wrap something expensive yet simple-looking, but would be very useful for a young man. I'm not sure what my assistant wrapped but I trusted him about it. This needs to be a really quick gift cause I haven't prepared anything at all. Well, better late than never.

The problem is, how could I send the gift? Through my assistants again? But I want to send it personally and greet him! Hey Ryan,  I know it's kinda late but better late than never!  Happy birthday!  How lame. But because I am Jennifer Lopez, I can do anything impromptu. And I can make a way out of it.

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Ryan Guzman's POV

It's been an unforgettable year for me. Many things happened in my life, good and bad. Some people came in my life and some people went away. It's been tough, but now I'm getting myself together. I've learned a lot and I've learned to let go. No matter how much I want to forget this one particular person, I can't avoid her forever.  She's already a huge part of me. Jennifer. I never expected the change that she had made in me. But I'm so thankful she came in to my life. She's always been a blessing to me though we were in trouble that almost ended our careers, ended our lives. I could never hate her, ever.

Even if she probably hates me now. From the text I've sent her a week ago, her reply wasn't so impressive. She wants to totally kick me out of her life. And that last time when I saw her at the management building, she wasn't just cold. She was frozen. She never smiled at me. It's like she pretended like she never knew me at all. I guess it's part of her forgetting and moving on. And I think it's better that way. I think it would be easier for us.. Or will it be?

After doing a long reflecting on myself, I stand back and look at all the preparations for the celebration later. Yes, today will be the celebration for my birthday. It is celebrated late in purpose because today is not just about a single celebration. But a DOUBLE celebration. Because yesterday me and my girlfriend Chrystiane found out that our first child is a boy and we really want to celebrate. And that was my very big wish, to have a baby boy first, that would just look exactly like me. I can't wait to see a running little Ryan sooner. And a little Jen-oh.. Uh-I mean.. nothing.

Good thing I could always count on my family and friends who help me put these things together. I always want to be the one who puts up surprises on occasions like this. The party starts at two. I couldn't wait for my baby mommy and her family and friends and other few guests to arrive later.

"How's anything going on dear?" Mom asks as she looks all over the backyard, transformed into a beautiful party setting.

"I guess we already got everything mom. Last thing we need are the guests!"

Mom laughs along with me when we suddenly hear the telephone ringing inside the house. And we also heard a door bell.

Me and my mom look at each other then she just says, "I'll get the phone and you check out who's our very first guest that just arrived."

Hurrying inside the house and rushing to the door and the last person on earth I expected to be here today is standing in front of me.

"Hola"

It's.. Jennifer.