Loving Ms. Winters

43: Blair's POV

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~1 Hour Later~

The ceremony had ended awhile ago and everyone had gathered outside to talk. Alice's father had ended up making it to the funeral after all and it made sense when she explained to me who the man in the back was.

"So I hear that you're the lucky girl my daughter has fallen in love with." He smiled holding his hand out for me "My name is David it's nice to meet you."

I took his hand and shook it nervously "It's very nice to meet you, I'm Blair."

He smiled genuinely at me "Me and Alice were talking about you two coming up to visit me over spring break. I live out in Florida now in a beach house so I thought it'd be a fun way to spend time with you two. I've missed Alice terribly and I'd love to get to know you more."

"Oh dad don't put the poor girl on the spot." Alice laughed as she approached us

He let out a low chuckle "Alright, I'll let you two talk about it first then. You have my number so don't hesitate to get a hold of me if you need anything honey."

Alice nodded "I won't."

"I've gotta get going but it was great to see you Alice, and it was lovely meeting you Blair." He smiled at us

~Later That Night~

Alice had passed out on her bed almost as soon as we'd gotten home. I knew she was exhausted and I didn't blame her after the day she'd had. I slipped downstairs to get some water trying my best to be quiet on the stairs.

"You're up late." Cassidy said once I got to the bottom

I nodded "Yeah I'm sorry, I was just coming down to get some water."

"Could we talk?" Cassidy asked patting the spot on the couch next to her

I nodded and sat next to her cautiously, she seemed tense and even anxious as I looked at her.

"I feel like I've given you the wrong impression," she stated pausing for a moment to look at me "I really do love my daughter and I just want the best for her. I'm sorry if I upset either of you with my remarks, it was just hard to process and I took it out on you."

"It's okay Cassidy I know you love her." I replied nervously

She shifted uncomfortably, her eyes searching the room for a moment. The high ceiling and white walls made the room feel so much larger than it really was. The entire home was decorated extravagantly with paintings, statues, and plants that made it seem more like a museum than a home.

"Does she hate me?" Cassidy asked her eyes more vulnerable than I'd ever expect

I shook my head "No she doesn't hate you, but I think this is a conversation you should have with her. It's really not my place to speak for her."

She nodded "Thank you I will in the morning, Goodnight Blair."

"Goodnight." I nodded before getting up to get a water from the fridge

~One Month Later~

Alice and her dad had been talking almost daily since the funeral and she seemed happier than I'd ever seen her. I knew her family drama had always bothered her but now it seemed like they were finally coming around. She had told me about her talk with Cassidy and apparently it went really well. Sarah and I had been spending more time together as well and her divorce with Scott was almost finally settled. We had looked into our options for reporting him but it had happened so long ago that I decided not to seek legal action. I hated that he was getting away with what he did but there wasn't much we could do to change it at this point.

Alice and I had been closer than ever over the past month, staying at either of our places together almost every night. Classes had been boring as usual, well except for statistics of course. Today was Valentine's Day and I had woken up extra early to surprise Alice before school. We had stayed at my apartment last night and I was half dead considering we hadn't gone to bed until almost three in the morning, at least it was for a good reason if you catch my drift.

"Mmm," Alice hummed as she entered the kitchen "I could get used to seeing this every morning."

Her eyes scanned over my bare legs, I was only in a tee shirt and underwear since I hadn't bothered to get dressed.

I smiled at her "Good Morning to you too."

She rolled her eyes sitting at the counter "Good Morning."

"Happy Valentine's Day." I smirked as I flipped the pancakes I was making

She grinned "Happy Valentine's Day babe."

"Will you be my valentine Ms. Winters." I asked teasingly

She laughed softly "Of course Miss Collins."

"Good choice." I smiled before bending over and opening the cabinet to get the red gift bag I had prepared earlier this week

As I handed it to her she smiled "You're too sweet."

"I thought I was a pain in the ass?" I teased

She glared at me for a moment before rolling her eyes "Don't ruin it."

She pulled out the card and opened it before looking up at me with a beautiful smile "You really got me a math themed valentines card?"

I grinned "Of course I did."

She pulled the tissue paper out and then looked into the bag curiously before pulling out a book and looking it over. It was one I had written and had begged my publisher to help me make a copy in time for today, it was about us. She ran her fingers over the spine before opening it, her eyes watering slightly as she read.

"Blair oh my god how did you even, wow." She stuttered out still looking down at the book

I smiled "Do you like it?"

"I love it Blair, all I'm going to do today is read it." She laughed before getting up and pulling me into a hug

I laughed as I pulled her in tighter "Don't you have classes to teach or something?"

She pulled back and gave me a look "I meant on my breaks."

"Mhm sure." I teased as I served the pancakes into two plates

She grinned "Also don't make any plans because I have a surprise for you later."

"Hmmm what if I already have plans?" I questioned

She rolled her eyes grabbing one of the plates of pancakes "Cancel them, I promise you won't want to miss it, besides who the hell makes plans with anyone other than their girlfriend on Valentine's Day?"

"I was joking," I chuckled before grabbing my plate "besides, you're the only person I'd want to spend today with.

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