assistant // tyler joseph

twenty-one.

tonight was veronica's last night in columbus. they had completely finished tyler's house, besides a few minor details. they were so proud of themselves and slept in until two pm today. but veronica had to wake up because she needed to get started for their plans today. they'd invited tyler's whole family over tonight for a dinner party. veronica was cooking it; so she needed to get to the grocery story. she laid in bed last night researching recipes and making lists for what she would need. she planned on making lemon and garlic roasted chicken, fresh mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, and a chocolate molten lava cake for dessert. she already knew that she was in over her head, but she didn't care. she was determined to make this the best meal of everyone's lives and also, to make up for the barbeque that she ended up missing. 

she was getting dressed to go to the grocery store when tyler finally rolled over to hold veronica in the bed, noticed she wasn't here, panicked, and sat up to see her pulling on her jeans. "whatcha doing, love?" 

"going grocery shopping." she said, putting on her shoes. 

tyler swung the blanket off of him, "let me get ready and i'll come with you." 

"no," she said and walked to the bed. "you relax. i got this." she pulled the blanket back over his body and kissed his cheek. 

he smiled a cheeky grin, "you're so beautiful." he admired. 

she held back a blush as she reached for the tv remote, flicking it on. she chose the office and pressed play. "relax until i get back," she pecked his lips. 

"i love you!" he called to her. 

"i love you too!" 

~ 

five hours later and everyone had arrived, with warm welcomes from both tyler and veronica. kelly, chris, jay, zack, tatum, maddy, and will were here tonight. the food was just about ready, veronica just needed to garnish the chicken and plate it. "tyler, come here!" she shouted from the kitchen. he was in the living room with his family, watching a very intense basketball game. but that didn't stop him from hopping to his feet and entering the kitchen within seconds of being summoned by his girlfriend. 

"yes?" he asked, leaning on the island and reaching for a hot, fresh roll. 

she smacked his hand away, earning an 'ouch.' she laughed, "you can eat when everyone else is eating. now help me carry the food out to the table." 

he smiled, grabbing the potatoes and green bean casserole. "everything looks amazing, love. i didn't know you were such a good cook. i'm so luckyyyyyy," he sang as he exited with the food in his hands. 

she giggled and grabbed the chicken and rolls, following him. they placed the food on the table. all of the joseph's immediately surrounded the table and took a seat. veronica laughed and went back into the kitchen. she threw the cake in the oven to bake while everyone ate dinner, took off her pink apron, and grabbed two pitchers; one with water and one with freshly made iced tea. she walked out, set the pitchers on the table, and took her seat next to tyler.

"everything looks so good!" kelly gawked. 

"i'm about to gain ten pounds," chris announced. 

"i'm actually drooling ronnie, thank you!" jay cheered, digging into the mashed potatoes. 

tyler smiled at veronica and placed his hand on her knee. 

"stop jay, we have to say grace!" kelly said and smacked his hand away, similar to how veronica just did with tyler in the kitchen. 

"i'll do it today," chris said as everyone joined hands. veronica held hands with tyler and maddy as they all bowed their heads and chris began. "dear god, thank you so much for the happiness you've given our family. thank you for this food in front of us tonight. thank you for returning tyler home safely from his tour, we are happy that our family is back together again. and lastly, thank you for bringing the angel veronica into my son's life. i can see his happiness and hope returning in his eyes. god, i haven't-" he stopped to sniff back tears. kelly squeezed his hand in comfort. "i haven't seen my son this happy in many years, so thank you for allowing veronica to break down his walls and be his savior. we ask for her to have happy and safe travels back to boston tomorrow morning. amen." 

"amen," everyone said in unison. 

veronica bit her lip and looked at tyler, who was teary eyed as well. she leaned over and pecked his lips. 

she felt so special. 

and loved. 

and wanted. 

~ 

it was raining today. the sky was a dull gray. it was humid as all heck, too. 

even the world knew that today was a sad day. 

"do you have to go?" tyler pouted as he pulled up to the airport. 

veronica sighed, "as much as i don't want to, yes. i do." 

tyler was holding back tears, "can't you just stay? what's stopping you?" 

"tyler," she looked at him. "i need to be home, too." 

he nodded, "w-will we be o-okay?" he stuttered as he tried to not let the tears fall. 

"of course we will be," she set her hand on his thigh and he immediately put his on top of it. "a few hundred miles got nothing on us." 

tyler smiled and a stray tear rolled down his cheek, he wiped it away. "i love you so much, ronnie. will you call me as soon as you land?" 

she nodded and kissed his cheek, "of course. promise not to forget about me until then?" 

he chuckled, "i'll never forget about you until the day i die. even then i would find a way to haunt you." 

she poked his nose and smiled, "good answer." she squeezed his hand and opened the door. she walked to the trunk and got her luggage, closing it. tyler got out and rushed to her side, pulling her into a tight hug. he smiled into the crook of her neck and pulled away. their lips crashed together for a few moments before she broke it, "i have to go now." 

he kissed her one last time and let go of the hug, still holding one hand as she collected her bags. "i love you so fucking much." he admitted with so much emotion. 

"i love you so fucking much too." she kissed him one final time. "talk to you soon, baby." she turned and made her way to the glass doors, not letting go of his hand until necessary. 

he felt her fingers slide out of his and watched her enter the busy airport. he immediately felt empty and sad. "i love you," he whispered and got back into his car. he wiped a few more tears away before turning the car on and driving back to his new house, alone.