It's Been Five Years

Nine

Two Months Later, New York 12:30 pm:

I look out of the window from the living room of my apartment and sigh with contentment. What a beautiful Saturday. I could look at the city landscape for hours and never get bored. All the cars zooming by, the people hurriedly walking down the sidewalks, and the tall buildings that tower over everything. Our life in the city has been amazing so far. I have a great job at a publishing company, of all things. Clara loves her kindergarten, and we've settled into our apartment on the twentieth floor perfectly. It's not big, but it's not small either. It's perfect for just Clara and I. Just Clara and I, because we certainly don't need anyone else in our lives, nope. Oh, who am I kidding. I miss him. But, I try not to think about that too much, because there is nothing I can do about it.

" Mommy!"

Clara calls from her bedroom. I quickly rush over to her, and find her playing with her barbie dolls. I smile happily and sit down on the soft carpeted floor next to her.

" Will you please play with me?"

Clara asks, giving me her best puppy dog eyes. I giggle and stroke her cheek lightly.

" Of course my love!"

I say and Clara hands me one of her many dolls. We play barbies for what feels like forever, but only an hour has passed before I hear a knock at the door.

" I'll be right back, honey bee."

I say and stand up. I rush to the door, hoping that it's the package I've been waiting on. I quickly open the door, and it takes me a moment to register who I'm looking at.

" Henry!?"

I exclaim and he smiles down at me sheepishly. Well, this is unexpected. I can't help but get butterflies when I look into his jade eyes. Why is he here? My heart jumps at the possibility of him declaring his love for me, but then I remember Angelina and their baby. Ugh, life is so complicated.

" Hi."

He says and I hold the door open for him. He thanks me and walks through the front door. Once I close it behind me I don't know what to say. I just gape at him and he shifts nervously.

" W-what the hell are you doing here, Henry?"

I finally find the strength to speak. He hangs his head and sighs.

" I-I came because... I love you, Aria, so much. I can't live another day without you, It's killing me. I was an idiot before for letting you go, and I'd be an even bigger idiot to do it again. I need you, I need Clara, I'm nothing without you two. I've already missed out on five years of Clara's life, and I can't miss out on anymore. Please, Aria. I know I've put you through hell, but I promise, I'll never do anything to hurt you again."

Henry says and my heart swells so much I think it might burst. However, then I'm reminded of why we aren't together in the first place.

" But, Angelina and the baby! What about them? You can't just abandon them."

I say sadly and Henry shakes his head frantically.

" It was just a ploy to get me to stay. She was never pregnant. I found out she had been lying to me a couple weeks after you left. I was so mad and hurt. All I wanted to do was come running after you, but I figured you'd still want nothing to do with me. But, it killed me, being without you. So, here I am, asking you to give me a chance to be the man you deserve."

Tears of joy run down my face. I can't seem to find my words, so I just nod my head and rush into his arms. We hold each other tighter than we ever have, and cry tears of happiness and relief.

" We're starting over here, baby. Just the three of us, you, me, and Clara. It's just us from now on."

Henry says and kisses the top of my head sweetly. I look up, his teary eyes meeting mine. I pull him down and our lips crash together feverishly.

" I love you, so much, baby."

He whispers into the kiss.

" I love you more."

I reply before our lips meet once again in a passionate exchange.

" Daddy?! Is that really you?"

I hear Clara squeal and Henry and I break away from each other.

" Yeah, baby. It's me."

Henry says as he kneels down and opens his arms wide for Clara. Clara giggles and runs into his open arms. Henry picks her up and swings her around, causing both of them to break out into a fit of giggles. I smile adoringly and take a few steps to get closer to them.

" Family hug?"

I say and Henry grins at me. Clara hooks one of her arms behind my neck while the other stays behind Henry's. We all smile and laugh as we engage in a tight, loving, warm, family hug that we've all craved for so long.

" Are you staying with us forever, daddy?"

Clara asks hopefully. Henry's eyes well up with tears once again and he nods his head.

" Yes, love. I'm staying here with you and your mommy for good."

Henry says and hugs Clara tightly to his chest. Clara nuzzles her face into the crook of his neck and sighs happily.

" I missed you, daddy."

Clara whispers and Henry kisses her medium-blonde hair.

" I missed you too."

He says and I feel a few tears run down my face. My little girl finally has her daddy.

" I love you."

Henry whispers into Clara's ear and she kisses his cheek.

" I love you too, daddy."

Clara whispers and smiles the most beautiful smile I've ever seen from her. It's the kind of smile that lights up the entire room, the same smile he has. For the first time in five years, I feel complete. After he left me, I thought I'd get over him, move on, start new, but I never could let him go. He's my missing puzzle piece, my love, my downfall, my world. He's brought me down, destroyed me, brought me to my breaking point. But, he also lifts me up higher than anyone else ever has or ever will. Sure, he's put me through hell. But, even when he's putting me through hell, I still feel like I'm in heaven, because he's there. Hey, that's love! It can't be rainbows,butterflies, and heart eyes all the time. He's my home and he's where I belong. He's where Clara and I belong. And I know that no matter what happens, we'll always manage to find our way back to each other come hell or high water.

                                                                                         The End