Blood Money - The Sequel

•50•

I stand in the student services office of my college, ready and waiting for my diploma.
I'm happy with the decision I made to not walk. It's impersonal and uncomfortable, i'd much rather get my diploma and head back to Toms to celebrate. Nikki is watching Noah tonight so I can party with all my friends and not have to worry about anything else.
"Congratulations Aria." She smiles at me. "You now have your bachelor's in history."
She hands me the diploma and I smile widely, realizing I finally did it. I finally finished school.
"Thank you." I say.
My dream has always been to be a high school history teacher, and now I have the credentials to. When I first started this program, I was just a kid, who just lost her mum, looking for something to fill that empty space.
Then I met Harrison. He filled that space, he helped me heal and become whole again.
Then I had Noah, and that overflowed me with happiness and meaning.
All this time I though this diploma and career was my dream, but I've got my dream already waiting for me at home. This is just the icing on the cake.
I pull up to Toms house, playing with the diamond ring on my finger. Everyone is about to find out, we were so busy yesterday with Ezra and Petra that we didn't tell anyone.
I step out of the car, and walk up the stairs and through the door.
"Hey I'm here!" I call.
I walk down the hallway, peeking in Toms office to see he's not in there. It's the middle of the day, why is he not working?
I walk into the living room to see no one, but then I peek out the sliding glass door, seeing the barbecuer going, everyone out there.
"Hey everyone!" I say, walking out.
"Hey graduate!" Haz says with a smile, walking up to me and I hand him the diploma to look at it.
"I'm officially smarter than you." I tease and he rolls his eyes.
"I'm proud of you baby" he says, kissing me.
I take notice that Petra isn't here. It's alright, I don't expect her to pull herself together yet. We walk over to the group and sit.
"I wish I had a mob girl for my high school teacher." Ezra says. "You're going to be the cool one that everyone likes."
"I hope so."
"Haz you do realize that all the horny high school boys are going to fall in love with her right?" Daniel comments and I laugh.
"And they're kids, so you can't threaten them with your gun." I add.
Haz just shakes his head at us.
"The missing children's list might be getting longer." He jokes.
Tom walks over, proudly displaying the food he cooked on the table.
"Get a girlfriend and have a baby Tom, you're putting off dad vibes." I say.
"See these guys?" He says, pointing to the group around me. "They're my children. I raised them into this mob."
Well he's not wrong.
"I was here before you." Jacob says.
"Okay everyone except Jacob." Tom says.
We sit and eat, enjoying each others company. It's really warm out, making today even better. I love summertime.
I sip my mimosa, resting back on Harrison's chest. Haz plays with my fingers, twisting the ring around.
"So, I have a small announcement." Haz says.
I laugh, realizing he's doing this because all the boys are too dumb to notice the ring on my finger. We were going to just let them figure it out, but it doesn't seem like they're going to.
"Why do you guys always have announcements?" Tom asks.
"Because we have a baby, she graduates, and then I propose to her in the kitchen at 3am" he says.
"What?!" Daniel asks excitedly.
I hold up my hand, showing them the ring.
"You're getting married?!" Tom asks me, a look of complete surprise on his face.
"Yeah, I am." I smile.
"My little baby sister is getting married." He says in a high pitched voice, making everyone laugh at him. He shoots them a death glare, reminding them he's still their boss and he will kill them.
"And your best mate!" Haz says.
"I swear to god if you hurt her, run out on her, do anything at all I will fucking end you." Tom says and I roll my eyes.
"Please, it's Haz we're talking about. Why would he ever leave me? He can't do better than me." I say.
"It's true." Haz nods with a laugh.
"I'm just saying, if this goes sideways, I will hurt you in ways you've never been hurt before." Tom warns. "But other than that, congratulations! I'm so happy for you guys!"
Ahh, I love my weird crazy brother. It's nice to know someone is always looking out for me.
"How much did that cost?" Ezra asks, grabbing my hand to look at the ring.
"A disgusting amount." I say.
"A third of the price of her lambo" Haz says and Ezra's eyes widen.
"Fuckin seriously?" He asks. "How much do you make?!"
"He's right under me, he makes a lot." Tom comments.
"Can I be a brides maid in a suit?" Daniel asks and my mouth drops.
"Oh my god! That's the best idea ever!" I squeal.
"Dibs on best man!" Tom yells quickly.
"Mate you were going to be best man regardless." Haz laughs.
"If I'm going to a wedding I need an open bar." Jacob says, half jokingly.
"This is so exciting! I'm so happy for you!" Daniel smiles.
Now it feels real.
If you had told me when I was sixteen that by the age of twenty three I'd have three brothers, a fiancé, a college degree, and a baby, I would have said you're crazy. I would have said there's no way.
I'm so grateful that Tom found me when he did, he changed my life. I owe it all to him.
______

I lay in bed, cuddled into Harrisons side. My head rests on his chest, listening to his heart beat, the most soothing sound I've ever heard.
"Do you believe in soulmates?" He asks softly.
"I didn't use to." I answer.
"And now?" He asks.
I lift my hand up, twisting his curls through my fingers as I think about his question.
"And now I think a lot of crazy shit had to happen in order for us to meet and be together.. it's hard to think the universe didn't have something to do with that." I think out loud. "I do believe we were destined to meet. Every decision I made, everything I've done has played a part in leading me here, to you."
He presses a soft kiss to my forehead, breathing in the scent of my shampoo. I lift my eyes, looking up into his mesmerizing blue ones.
"I think we're soulmates." I smile.
The day I met Tom in the club, and made the decision to take the offer of working in their secret sketchy club, had led to this. The first night there, telling Haz we'll never be more than work colleagues. The second night there having my first drunken night with him, Listening to him tell me about who he is as a person, apart from the mob. Hanging out every night and slowly falling in love with him. Dating him, having a baby with him, helping each other to heal from our painful pasts.
You can't tell me that's not fate. You can't tell me all of this was one big coincidence.
Harrison and I are meant to be together. Forever. I can't wait till the day I'm named Aria Osterfield, because that will be the happiest day of my life.
That will be the day two soulmates join as one.

A/N: this is the last chapter of blood money! Thank you guys for reading❤️ this book has been so fun to write and I appreciate everyone who's been telling me how much they love it.
I will be posting two one shots based off this story. I'm not sure when they will be up but I will post on my message board when they are so follow me to get a notification when that's posted!
The first chapter of my new book To Make You Mine will be posted shortly, and I hope you'll continue to support me and read it!
Again, thank you for reading❤️