"Snuffles," Aurora calls out exasperatedly, dropping onto the grass. "You can't eat that!"

Three hours ago, Aurora - after drinking her coffee, along with Jonah's and Zach's - had made the decision to teach her rambunctious puppy tricks.

Unfortunately, the black Labrador, despite his owner's many attempts, was having nothing to do with it. He continues to run around the background, exploring everything and doing as he pleased.

Sitting on the lawn next to her, Jonah stifles a laugh and quickly earns a glare from his girlfriend.

"You're doing great," he encourages.

"Do you want to try?"

"Absolutely not." He holds his hands up in defense. "I'll leave that to you."

Aurora pouts, prevented from retorting as she becomes distracted by what Snuffles is doing only a few feet behind Jonah.

"SNUFFLES MARAIS!" She shouts, causing Jonah to jump. "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!"

The pup glances at her before listening to her for the first time all morning and dropping the stick in his mouth, scampering away to pounce on something else.

Aurora smiles in victory as Jonah looks over at her, confusion clearly written across his features.

"You're the parent," he begins slowly. "Shouldn't his last name be Daniels?"

"Nope," the brunette confirms, resting her head on his shoulder to block the sun from her eyes. "Kids usually take their dad's last name; just like how most women tend to take their husband's last name when they get married. Plus, Snuffles Marais sounds a lot better than Snuffles Daniels."

"Do you see yourself taking my last name one day?"

Aurora sits back up, surprised by the sudden serious and hopeful expression on his face.

"Why wouldn't I?"

Jonah doesn't answer, instead crashing his lips onto hers.

"IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!" Corbyn yells through the open den window.

Jonah laughs, pulling away as Aurora throws a glare at the blond.

"This isn't our first kiss, dumbass!"

××××

"Hey, Caramel," Aurora says from her spot on her large teddy bear. "You should come join me with your bear. Teddy needs a friend that's his size, unlike Frederick."

Carmen laughs. "I'd lo-"

Her response is cut off by the loud knocking that echos from the front door. Daniel and Aurora immediately jump to their feet, rushing to answer the door. Much to Daniel's disappointment, Aurora reaches it first.

"You've gotta be quicker than that," Aurora teases, running a hand through her hair and opening the door with the other.

Daniel sticks his tongue out, moving behind her to see who the visitor is.

Outside the threshold stands a complete stranger. Aurora assumes he is a teenager, as he looks to be around a year younger than her. His expensive jeans are loose but his black shirt is tight enough to reveal the outline of his abs underneath.

There's a smug look on his face, his eyes covered by his sunglasses. Aurora notices that his hair is fixed in a way that reminds her of Zach. She takes a disliking to him immediately.

"Who are you?" She asks, crossing her ams defensively.

"A friend of Carmen's," the boy replies. "Is she here?"

His deep voice is familiar to her, but she can't quite place where she had heard it from before. A nagging voice in the back of her head tells her not to trust the stranger.

Daniel opens his mouth to answer, but he's cut off as Aurora elbows him in the ribs.

"What's your name?" She questions.

From the living room, Jonah stands, sighing as his girlfriend interrogates the stranger.

"Aurora!" He says, glancing at the boy in the doorway. "Who's here?"

"I don't know," Aurora answers hesitantly. "He claims he's a friend of Caramel's."

Jonah waves the boy inside, completely ignoring Aurora's warning glances against it. "She's in the kitchen, follow me."

Jonah walks down the hallway with the stranger close behind him. Aurora and Daniel follow, sharing a look of concern. The four enter the kitchen, where Carmen and Zach sit at the island, laughing as Corbyn trips over the fridge.

"Who's that?" Zach asks, noticing the small group's arrival.

Carmen furrows her eyebrows, turning to see them. But, as her eyes graze over the boy, her eyes widen and the spoon slips from her hand, clattering to the floor loudly. Zach jumps out of his seat, moving quickly to her side.

"Jackson?" Carmen asks once her initial shock fades.

"The one and only."

Aurora gasps, anger now coursing through her veins as she puts the puzzle pieces together. Carmen breath quickens with every second and tears fill her eyes. The sight of it is enough to trigger something in Aurora.

Aurora lunges forward, knocking Jackson to the ground with a forceful punch. He cries out, surprised by her strength. Balancing herself on top of him, Aurora swings her elbow back and punches him as hard as she can manage.

A sickening crunch sounds throughout the room, blood beginning to pool from the nose of Jackson. Aurora moves to hut him again, but her element of surprise is gone. He blocks her attempt easily, grabbing her arm and shoving him from her.

He stands, holding his nose with one hand as he moves closer to Carmen. Zach's anger flares as Jackson proceeds to move closer to them. He shoes Carmen behind him as Jonah pulls Aurora into his chest.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Aurora yells, trying to escape his grasp. "Let me go!"

Jack rushes into the room, having heard the commotion.

"What's going on?" He questions, his eyes scanning the room and landing on Jackson. "Who are you?"

Jackson doesn't answer, as his attention is fixed solely on Carmen.

"Why are you here?" Zach demands, glaring at Jackson as he holds Carmen's shaking hand.

He laughs dryly at Zach's bravado. But, with the blood gushing from his nose, he looked psychotic.

"I'm here to get my Carmen back," he states, staring at Carmen with a wicked grin.

"She's not yours,"Aurora growls, struggling in the arms of Jonah. "And you're not touching her. NOW GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

"And what if I don't leave?" He taunts. "Are you going to call the police?"

"No," she snarls. "We'll have to call an ambulance for you instead."

As she attempts to lunge at him again, Corbyn, Jack, and Daniel seem to snap out of their revelries. Each of them move towards Jackson, catching him off guard. They get him halfway down the hallway before he begins to resist.

"You can't keep her safe forever!" He threatens when they reach the door. "I don't care how long it takes! I'll get her eventually."

Only when the door slams behind him does Aurora relax. Jonah releases his grip on the girl, hugging her tightly as she let's out a shuddering breath, just as shaken up by the events.

Carmen sinks to the floor, her unshed tears finally flowing.

"I know one thing," Aurora says as she looks over at Carmen's distraught state. "That bastard will never get close to our Caramel again."