•<That Part>•

When I met you
I told my friends that I'd date you
No one believed it would come true
But look where we are
    We're on our way,
I know one day we'll get to that part
~
Lauren Spencer-Smith

•<>•

                           Two Months Later

Reflecting on the discussion James and I shared, I find myself appreciating his transparency in explaining the motives behind his behavior and expressing remorse for it. Upon discovering that he was merely carrying out instructions from Ethan's father and was under scrutiny to avoid any missteps, I couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy towards him.

Knowing how Ethan's father is especially after my encounter with him at the hospital back in Cancun, I understood why James did what he did.

Ethan is completely aware of what had transpired between James and me, including the lies James fed him about me being a reporter who was after Ethan to get information, thankfully, Ethan later forgave James after calming down. To say that he felt betrayed by James is an understatement but I'm glad they patched things up, and James has been doing everything he can to regain Ethan's trust.

While Ethan is aware of that part of the story, there's still one more thing he doesn't know about and I think it's best if he doesn't find out.

Thankfully, James was on the same page as me and advised me not to, fearing that it may cause a rift between Ethan and his father.

While we were separated, Mr. Myers, sent one of his men to deliver a letter to me. The message contained within was nothing short of surprising, leaving me seething with anger towards Mr. Myers for assuming I could be swayed by substantial financial offers. It was disheartening to realize that he viewed me as someone who could be easily influenced by money.

The sense of loneliness that accompanied my dilemma was overwhelming, as I grappled with the decision of whom to confide in. Keyara and Autumn's tendency to react strongly to situations made me hesitant to share my concerns with them, knowing that their actions could escalate the situation further. Similarly, my father's dislike towards Ethan added another layer of complexity to the situation, leaving me unsure of how he would respond if I were to disclose the details to him or my mother.

As Keyara, Olivia, and I sat in the café before Rodney approached me, I couldn't stop wondering why Mr. Myers hated me so much.

After tearing the letter apart and not taking his offer, Mr. Myers vowed to do everything he could to keep his son away from me, and after talking to James recently and learning about why he did what he did, it is then that I realized that Mr. Myers meant every word he said about keeping us apart.

Thankfully, our relationship is better than before. Like James, Mr. Myers and I had a long conversation filled with explanations and apologies that took me by surprise. I never thought Mr. Myers would own up to his mistakes and apologize, especially after all the hate and threats he directed at me. However, seeing him seated across from me, his face full of remorse, I couldn't hold it against him.

After concluding our conversation, we embraced, and for the first time, I truly felt welcomed into the family.

"You look perfect." Ethan's voice pulls me from my thoughts, making me turn to look at him.

He's sitting across from me, paintbrush in hand, with a canvas before him. As he paints me, I've been using the time to read a novel—enjoying my role as his muse in the art room.

Life has been wonderful lately. After our reconciliation, we chose an apartment that was perfect for just the two of us. Although Ethan has plenty of money and would easily spend on me, I persuaded him to opt for something subtle.

After being offered a position at his father's company, I respectfully declined. I didn't want my entire career to depend on the Myers, and my loyalty to the company that supported me from the start remains strong. They believed in me, welcomed me, and still treat me like family, for which I am forever grateful.

Although Mr. Myers, Ethan's father, was not pleased with my decision, he understood my reasons and eventually accepted it. At the end of our discussion, he mentioned there would always be a position available for me if I ever changed my mind to which I smiled and thanked him for the offer.

After hearing Autumn discuss the realities of living with a partner, I didn't fully understand until Ethan and I began living together. Although we had spent a few nights together before, I didn't expect living together to be so different.

There are minor challenges, such as his comfort with using the toilet in front of me and forgetting to put the seat down, along with other typical couple quirks. Despite these, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I love facing these challenges with him, seeing this new side of him, and am grateful that he accepts and loves me, imperfections and all.

"Ethan," I call out.

"Yes, love," he replies immediately, his attention focused on the brush gliding across the canvas.

"Do you remember the deal we made years ago before we started dating?"

"A deal?" he asks, his forehead creased in confusion.

"Mm-hmm," I nod. "The night of the storm, when we spent our first night together..."

"I'm sorry, I don't quite recall. Can you remind me?"

Men. I'm grateful he remembers my birthday and our anniversary.

"We agreed that if I solved half the puzzle you were working on, you'd answer four questions of mine. Remember?"

"Oh, that deal," he says, a hint of recognition in his voice. "What about it?"

"You didn't follow through on your end."

"I didn't?" he replies, genuinely surprised.

Shaking my head, I say, "I still had one question left to ask that I never got to."

As he remembers, Ethan palms his forehead. "Right, I, uh, I remember now. How did I let that slip my mind?"

"With everything that's happened, I can see how it might have been forgotten." Setting the book aside, I continue, "Anyway, now that that's out of the way... are you ready for my final question?" A smile tugs at my lips as I walk over and settle onto his lap.

"I'm ready," he replies, gazing up at me with admiration as his arms wrap around my waist.

"When did you start having feelings for me?" I ask, smiling down at him as I tuck my hair behind my ear, my other arm draped over his shoulder.

He pauses, as if recalling the moment, his eyes flitting between mine with a mix of admiration and joy.

"The night of the storm," he says thoughtfully. "We were talking in the kitchen, and something about that moment sparked something in me."

Speechless, I lock my eyes with his, utterly captivated by the love reflected in them.

"And while you nervously ate the pasta I prepared, I couldn't help but admire you," he adds.

"You could tell I was nervous?"

"Mmm," he hums, never breaking his gaze, "I could see how nervous you were whenever you were near me, how you yearned for my presence," he says, gently placing his hand on my cheek, "My touch," he continues, trailing his hand to my lips, "My kiss," as his thumb softly caresses my bottom lip, he adds, "I paid close attention, love, and as much as I wanted to give in to my desires, I couldn't."

"So what changed?" I ask softly.

"That's more than one question, isn't it, love?" he says, breaking the gaze and turning his focus back to his paintbrush.

"Just one more question..." I pout, hoping he'll reconsider.

"My heart," he replies simply, "What I felt for you was stronger than any values or morals imposed by the school or society."

"After everything that's happened, is there anything you'd change about our love story?"

"No," he says firmly, "Despite our love story starting from a forbidden place, I wouldn't change a thing. The good and the bad—none of it. It brought us together and made us who we are today." He gently strokes paint on my cheek, adding thoughtfully, "Navigating love is like creating art; it requires patience, passion, and the courage to embrace imperfection."

As he continues to paint my face, he cups it tenderly and kisses me with deep passion. His movements are slow and deliberate, and the sensation of his tongue against mine is breathtaking and steamy; I can feel the warmth spreading through my entire body already.

As our lips meet in a fervent kiss, the intensity of our passion escalates, igniting a primal urge within us. In a matter of moments, we find ourselves stripping away our clothes, eager to revel in the pleasure of yet another passionate lovemaking session, while our bodies are adorned with colorful streaks of paint.

•<<<>>>•

Six Months Later

As I continue filling the basket with fruits, Erin's voice comes from behind me, "You know, you don't have to do this," she says, stepping in front of me across the kitchen island, "The staff is here to handle everything, and Ethan would be upset if he knew I let you do this."

"Don't worry about Ethan," I reply. "I understand his concerns, but I can't just sit idly."

"I get it," Erin says, her tone empathetic. "I felt the same way when I was pregnant with Daisy." As she speaks, my hand instinctively moves to my baby bump.

Finding out about our pregnancy was one of the most joyful moments I've ever experienced. Remembering the happiness I felt when I learned I was expecting, and the joy our families shared when we announced the news, a smile spreads across my lips, and Erin notices and returns the smile.

"It's so exciting, isn't it?" Erin smiles, her eyes glistening with tears. "You're going to be wonderful parents," she says sincerely, reaching for a tissue from the island to dab at her eyes. I walk over to comfort her as she continues, "I just know Ethan will love that baby more than anything. He's been through so much..." She pauses to catch her breath as I wrap her in my arms.

"You don't know how happy I am that he found you," she says, her voice trembling with emotion. "That he has someone who..."

"It's okay," I reassure her softly, gently rubbing her back, "I'm just glad to see him happy."

"I've never seen him this happy in a very, very long time," she emphasizes the word 'very,' reflecting her deep relief and joy for her younger brother. Knowing what Ethan has endured, and seeing him so happy brings immense joy to my heart. Witnessing him emerge from the darkness that once enveloped him fills me with peace.

"What the heck," Erin chuckles softly, pulling away from the hug and wiping her tears, "I'm being such a crybaby when we should be out there celebrating your birthday with everyone else."

"It's okay," I reassure her. Before I can say more, Ethan walks in, interrupting our conversation.

"Are you okay?" he rushes over, noticing my glistening eyes. "Did she do something to you? Erin can be a bit of a bully sometimes..."

"I didn't do anything to her, jackass," Erin replies, playfully punching Ethan on the arm, which makes me chuckle.

"Ouch... that hurt," Ethan whines, then turns his attention back to me.

"About to be a dad and you're still a crybaby? Good luck with this one." Erin quips, her eyes directed to me before heading to the other side of the kitchen to grab something.

Ethan shakes his head with a soft chuckle, "Don't mind her." His expression then turns serious as he gently cups my face, his eyes locking onto mine. "Is everything alright, baby? Why were you crying?"

"I was just having a heartfelt conversation with Erin and ended up shedding tears of joy. It's nothing to worry about." I say, dabbing at my under eyes with the tissue he handed me.

He remains silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "Okay. I'm glad you're alright... and the baby too." He glances down at my belly, places his hand on it, and then returns his gaze to me for a tender kiss.

"I hate to interrupt your love session," Erin says, stepping in with a tight-lipped smile, "but there's a party in the garden, and I'm eager to get my hands on that cake. So, let's go." She takes the basket of fruits I was supposed to carry, along with the basket she was meant to bring, and hands them to Ethan.

"If you don't mind," Erin says, looping her arm through mine and glancing at Ethan, "Mal and I are heading out while you take care of the rest of the food. Okay? Bye." Without waiting for a reply, she tugs me along outside, leaving Ethan standing in the middle of the kitchen, looking stunned.

Once outside with the rest of the group, Liam, Erin's husband, pulls her aside for a brief conversation, leaving me on my own while everyone else chats about who knows what.

White decorations gracefully contrast with the vibrant green grass. Elegant white and metallic silver balloons are swaying gently in the breeze, and crisp white tablecloths cover picnic tables. Simple white banners flutter, creating a serene, festive atmosphere. The sunlight highlights the purity of the decor, making the birthday celebration delightfully charming.

While Erin continues talking to her husband and holding their daughter Daisy, I turn my attention to Autumn and Brandon, who are engrossed in their own world. They're clearly in love, chatting, and unable to keep their hands off each other.

After their engagement, which we all anticipated when Autumn showed us the little box from Tiffany & Co., Brandon signed a contract to join one of the top NFL teams, and it wasn't long after that the couple moved back to the States.

Watching Autumn, her face radiant like the ring on her finger, I can't help but smile at her evident happiness. Seeing them still together after everything they've been through fills me with joy, and I couldn't be happier for them.

Shifting my gaze to Dad, Mr. Myers, and James, I see them happily engaged in conversation about who knows what. Although it wasn't easy for Dad to forgive Ethan, he eventually did, and Ethan has been slowly winning him over. Watching Ethan partake in activities he's not fond of, like fishing and hiking, just to make my dad happy—especially seeing his funny faces when he talks about gutting fish—is something I genuinely enjoy.

Despite being temporarily confined to a wheelchair due to a recent illness, Mr. Myers' face radiates joy. It still feels surreal to see them bonding so well, considering their rocky start. Given how stubborn both he and my dad are, their improved relationship happened more smoothly than we expected, and it didn't take long for them to get along.

Though James is now managing the firm in Seattle as the new vice president, I'm grateful he took time out of his busy schedule to join us in celebrating my birthday.

Mom's contagious laughter draws my attention away from the trio and toward her. She and my cousin Avery are standing a little distance away, engaged in conversation. Avery's presence at my birthday was a delightful surprise, as Mom had promised. Given Avery's busy schedule after giving birth to twins, I didn't think she'd make it, but I'm overjoyed she's here.

Turning my gaze to the new couple, my heart fills with joy once again. When Autumn, Key, and I were on FaceTime, listening to Keyara describe her wonderful time in South Korea and hint at moving there permanently, she unexpectedly mentioned she was seeing someone. Autumn and I were caught off guard, thrilled to hear that Keyara, despite her past rejections and struggles with love, had finally opened her heart.

A few months later, Keyara shared the progress of her relationship with this mysterious person, and it wasn't long before she introduced us to her boyfriend, Cha Eun Woo during a video call.

Listening to their love story, how Key met Cha Eun Woo at work—she as the photographer and he as the model—Autumn and I couldn't help but grin. Keyara spoke with the excitement of a lovestruck teenager, which was a delightful surprise, given she's not the hopeless romantic type of girl. The joy in her eyes was unmistakable, and I couldn't be happier for her.

"Hey! Come over here," she calls with a warm smile, inviting me to join them.

Soon after, Brandon and Autumn join Keyara, Cha Eun Woo, and me for a lively conversation. We engage in laughter, catching up, and marveling at how close Cha Eun Woo, Brandon, and Ethan have become. It's heartening to see how much we all care for each other; honestly, they feel like family to me, and I'm deeply grateful for their presence in my life.

Shortly after, Ethan arrives with baskets of food, accompanied by the staff who had helped him.

After catching him up on our casual conversation, Ethan joins in the laughter and comments, his arm wrapped around my waist as though he's scared of letting me go.

A few hours into the celebration, Ethan gently helps me up and leads me to the table in front of everyone, where I am set to give a thank-you speech.

Once I have everyone's attention, Ethan releases my hand but remains by my side as our guests watch us with warm smiles.

After delivering a brief speech to express my gratitude and sharing a few light-hearted jokes that bring laughter from the crowd, I take Ethan's hand, signaling that it is time for the special announcement we were excited to make.

"A couple of weeks ago, Mal and I were discussing baby names, as you all already know the baby's gender." Ethan begins, his face softening as he gently strokes the back of my hand with his thumb.

"This might be a bit early, but it's something we've been thinking about for a while, and we couldn't wait to share it with you all. We couldn't think of a better place to announce it than here." I say, glancing up at Ethan with a tight-lipped smile.

Ethan lowers his head momentarily, composing himself before looking up at his father. "In honor of my brother, we've decided to name our baby Eric."

The moment the name leaves his lips, Mr. Myers tears up, and Erin's lips curve into a smile as she blinks away her tears.

"It's a decision we both made, and we're just so happy and excited to meet him," I conclude, and shortly after, Ethan's father, with Erin's help, wheels over to us.

"Thank you." his voice quivers as he looks up at his son with teary eyes.

"Don't thank me, Dad," Ethan's voice trembles as he bends down to hug his father. "I just know Eric would be happy to have his nephew named after him."

"Oh yes, he would have, and so would your mother." Mr. Myers replies as the two men share a heartfelt hug, patting each other on the back. After a few minutes, they part, and Mr. Myers returns to his place.

A moment later, Avery, Key, and Autumn look at me with teary eyes as they hear the second name of the baby—a name that had been on my mind for a long time and that I dreamed of using if I ever had a child someday: Greyson.

So here we are, celebrating not only my birthday but also the naming of our unborn child, whom Ethan, I, and our family and friends are eagerly anticipating.

Seeing everyone gathered and filled with joy warms my heart I can hardly express how grateful I am for this moment.

Moments later, music starts playing, and people begin dancing carefree in the garden. Though their dancing is terrible, their laughter and happiness create a magical atmosphere. I watch in admiration, taking in the beautiful scene while standing at a distance with my hand cradling my baby bump.

As I stand here in silence, my mind drifts back to the first day I joked about Ethan getting me pregnant if he looked at me long enough. I can't help but cringe at that thought, amazed by how far we've come.

What was I thinking?

Shaking away the thought, my mind drifts back to the times I relentlessly talked about Ethan with my friends, wondering if we would ever be together and seeking their advice.

If anyone had told me that three years later, we would end up here, I don't think I would have believed them.

Though our relationship began under unusual circumstances and faced many challenges, I'm glad I didn't give up.

Ethan and I crossed many lines in the name of love—a love that came with consequences, challenges, and many tears—but in the end, it was all worth it.

As I turn my gaze to Ethan, tears well up in my eyes and a subtle smile curves my lips. Seeing him happy fills me with a warmth I can't fully explain.

Meeting my gaze, Ethan waves to me, walks over, takes my hand, and leads me to join the rest of the people dancing their hearts out.

As he encircles his arms around my waist, I loop my own around his neck.

"What's on your mind?" he asks softly into my ear, his warmth and the faint scent of red wine caressing my skin.

"You," I reply, my gaze fixed on his eyes.

"What about me?" he smiles.

"Just thinking about how much I love you."

"Unconditionally?" he asks. His words remind me of the nights we'd slow dance to our favorite song, "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry—hence the term 'unconditionally' that we decided to add to our daily "I love yous."

"Unconditionally," I reply, my smile unwavering.

"And I love you, and Eric Greyson..." he says, momentarily shifting his gaze to my baby bump, "Unconditionally." He leans in to kiss my lips, then adds, "Always," as our foreheads rest against each other and his breath softly brushes my lips.

As my hand cups the nape of his neck, my thumb resting gently behind his ear, and his arms remaining wrapped around my waist, our lips meet in another passionate kiss.

As the sun begins to dip, casting an amber hue, dim bulbs glow softly, music echoes in the background, and distant chatter and laughter fill the air. The perfect ambiance creates a memory I'll forever cherish.

The End

Lyrics

When you hold me, I see the end of a movie
Everyone thinks that we're crazy
And maybe we are
I hate the middle, let's skip to the part
when you kiss me
Surrounded by friends and our family
Know we're too young to get married
We knew from the start
I'm sick of waiting, so can we just skip to that part?

AN

That's it! Crossing Lines is officially complete. I hope you enjoyed it and found it worth the read. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the final chapter. Also, which chapter or moment was your favorite, and who is your favorite character?

The next chapter is all about the cast, so if you're interested/curious about who played Mallory, Ethan, and the others, see you there.

Thank you once again for giving my book a chance. I'm thrilled you made it to the end. Your support means a lot to me.
Byeee🫶 🧡🤎