Adoration: [Cole X Reader 3]

Chapter 13- Can't Help Falling in Love with You

I dabbed at my eyes, warm tears streaming down my cheeks. A laugh escaped my lips and I huddled further into Cole's side, the sunset streaming bright beautiful colors before us. My husbands arm wrapped around me and I smiled wide, heart light.

I had done it.

Beside us, our friends sat. Jay was beside me, glancing at me every now and again as if to double check that he wasn't dreaming. To be frank, I still wasn't sure if I was dreaming either. The past few days passed by in a blur, a warm and welcome feeling huddled in my chest. Everyone had rejoiced and yelled and hollered when Nya and I had returned that day. Cole has cried, holding me so close I thought I might be crushed under his grip. Yet still, I held him too and we had fallen to the floor, a mess of kisses and happy tears.

I really had done it.

The celebration had lasted days. Each day I would wake to a massive hug and smile from each of the ninja, Zane often cooked and Jay and my parents had come over and Cole's father had tagged along too. I cast a glance over my shoulder and I caught their gaze and they waved, wide smiles spread across their face.

I still couldn't believe it.

My eyes found the pink clouds and sun cascading below the earth. Despite all that I had endured and all that life had thrown at me and my friends, I made it. We made it. I glanced at my brother and shook my head. It was a wonder how this all started one fateful day where he had gone to test that stupid invention. I wondered where I would be now if that had never happened. From the corner of my eye, I glanced at Cole. Would he and I have ever met? I stilled, casting the thought away. Fate had led us here and I was grateful it had.

Cole's hand found mine and he traced circles on the back of it, as had become a habit of his. I closed my eyes and leaned into the breeze, stars twinkling above our heads. "What do you think would have happened if you never went out that day, Jay?" I heard my brother shuffle beside me before responding.

"You know, I'm not sure. I'm not sure I'd want to know." I opened my eyes and watched as he cast a glance to those around us. "I'm glad I did though. I'm a real match maker." He wiggled his brows at Cole and I and I laughed as Cole reached over to flick my brothers forehead.

"Zip it, zap trap." He chuckled and shook his head.

"Well, I blame you for the multiple times I've almost died." I raised my eyebrows at him in a challenge.

"Oh yeah? Like when?"

I leaned back on a palm and gazed at the sky as if lost in thought. "How about that one time I almost died to save you?"

"The fire!" Nya called.

"The roof." Lloyd.

"Cancer from radiation from all the crazy places we've been." Cole muttered from my side and I narrowed my eyes at Jay.

"Your fault."

He pouted, sticking his lower lip out like a child. "So I don't get good brother points for all the friends you've made? And your husband?" He raised puppy dog eyes to me and I met his gaze, unfazed.

"Maybe like half a point." I offered and he tossed his head back and forth. "Lame."

I shook my head and leaned back into Cole. The moon peeked it's head behind us, shining bright and warm. "It's really been one heck of a ride, huh?"

Kai leaned forward, catching my eyes. "Well, who knows what's gonna come next? We still have so much to do!"

Zane nodded and Lloyd piped up. "Maybe we'll fight like," he paused to think, "snakes."

"We've already done that, doofus." Kai elbowed his friend and Nya cackled.

"Try like, evil spirits from another world!"

"Oo or maybe we can travel to another dimension!" Jay piped up and I laughed.

"Whatever happens, we'll still save the day." I shrugged as if it was that simple.

"We?" Nya repeated and everyone leaned forward, closer to me.

I scrunched up my nose, closing my eyes. "That is, if you want me to come back on the team..." I trailed off and peeled an eye open to gaze at my team.

They all sat, mouths open in shock before it all erupted at once.
"Yes of course!"
"Woohoo!"
"Welcome back to the team, Lux."

"They missed you. I missed you." Cole murmured in my ear and I laughed at their reactions. Jay rambled a million words a minute and we all broke into hysterics, laughing until tears met our eyes.

"Thanks for sticking with me all these years." I muttered once the chaos had died down.

"You're our family. You can't get rid of us that easy."

I laid back, gazing up high at the stars. The promise of hope and family and love brought tears to my eyes, heart swelling. No matter what happened, no matter who we came across we'd always be that.

Family.

Cole laid beside me, leaning his head to the side eyes shining. I gave a smile, leaning my forehead against his.

As the sun set and the stars glittered above us, one word found its way into my heart and I muttered it, a promise I would keep.

"Forever."

The End.