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Dedication: Anthem- for the AMAZING cover! Thank you so much!

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******* Five Years Later ********

"And cut," the director called and I let out a deep exhale.

My palms were sweating. I hastily wiped them on my skirt as I made my way off the stage. My throat felt dry as I reached for my water.

"Excellent job, Faith," the manager of Health Food Corporation said, shooting a beaming smile at me. "That was terrific."

"Thanks," I replied with a small smile.

I was going to be on T.V. For real. I was doing an advertisement to promote being healthy. I had done the part where I had to run in the forest yesterday. The rest of the set was when I was meant to walk into my kitchen and drink water. I then proceed to state that I wake up every morning with going for a run and eating a healthy, organic breakfast. I then go on to say why eating healthy is such an important way of life, blah blah.

I agreed to do the ad as it wasn't promoting a particular diet or health food product. It was simply about living healthy and making health-conscious choices. Also, the pay check that comes along with the ad was enough to make me nod and smile in agreement.

Xavier and I had been saving for the past couple of years, for a house. We had gotten a loan out and purchased an apartment, which we have been living in, but our now moving onto the next step. A house. We were going to rent out the apartment we've been living in, to pay off our mortgage. This pay check, helped a lot.

Okay, I better catch up with what I'm doing, career-wise now. After taking over the boot camp and fitness classes for a year, I went to the University of Rivertonne, to study Nutrition. Xavier and I moved as it was about two hours from where dad lived.

Dad still owned our house, but as of now, officially lives in North Queensland, with his wife. He ended up marrying the woman he used to see when he worked up in the mines. I don't see him as often as I like, but we visit each other often. We also ring each other every few days, so it's not like I never hear from him.

I work at the gym in town and run my own small business of nutrition and healthy eating plans. I am a diet consultant at the gym, but also run boot camp and fitness classes, alongside Alejandro, the man who operates and owns the gym I work for.

"We're just going through the editing stages and we will contact you when the ad is finalised." A lady with dark hair, piled neatly on top of her head, said to me, successfully dragging me back to reality. "You did great."

"Thanks."

"We're done for now," she dismissed, before saying something incoherent into her mic piece, that hung in front of her lips. She hurried off and I shook my head, sliding my bag onto my shoulder.

As I made my way from the studio, I paused as I caught myself in the mirror.

I looked much the same, except right now, much more glamorous than usual. My bright, red hair was pulled into a neat pony tail. The fiery red matched well with my red and black themed outfit.

Xavier often joked that I dressed like I was sporting a fitness ad. Now, I really was. I have now been asked to go on T.V and advertise the gym I work for and my nutrition consulting. I haven't looked into the fine print of the agreement, but at this stage, I'm going to go for it.

Mounting onto my bike and undoing the lock, I began to cycle home. I breathed in the fresh air as I weaved my way through people. It didn't take me long to reach our two-bedroom apartment. Placing my bike into the bike rack and securing the lock, I jogged inside.

A smile danced on my lips as I stared at the drawing, hung up on the wall. It was the first thing I saw, every day, when I came home. Xavier had drawn a photo of me, the night of the school dance. The night he gave me the promise ring. I wandered over to the drawing, which he had also painted, and ran my fingers down it.

(A/N: Credit to the illustrator. Artist unknown).

After much convincing on my behalf, Xavier finally pursued his dream of drawing. He studied, at the same time I did and has become an Art teacher at the local high school. He gets to do what he loves every day and now has the opportunity to teach others.

Suddenly, the door of our apartment swung open and Xavier strolled in, sliding his bag off his shoulder.

"Hey babe," he called, kicking off his shoes. "How did the ad go?"

"Good," I replied as he came over and pressed his lips to my cheek. "It was boring, going over the same scene, but it turned out good."

"You're going to be famous now," he teased, offering me his trademark, boyish smirk.

"Yeah, totally," I said with an eye roll.

"I'm taking you out to dinner tonight," he announced as he reaching into the fridge and withdrew a cold water. "To celebrate being famous, and all."

"Aw, you're sweet," I grinned. "Where are we going to go?"

"I made a reservation at the new Italian place."

"Oh!" I smiled as he came over and began to massage my shoulders. "I've heard good things about that place."

I let out a sigh as his fingers massaged my skin.

"Me too," he murmured, before wrapping his arms around my waist.

I leaned back into him, loving the secure feeling I instantly felt, with his arms around me.

"How was your day?" I asked him, my eyes closing.

"Long," he replied. "Not nearly as exciting as yours."

I pivoted on the spot and pressed my lips to his softly. "Do you want me to start getting ready?"

"You look ready now."

"They did do my make up," I agreed. "Like?"

"Love." he smiled, his eyes drinking in my features.

After deciding it was too early for dinner, we made the executive decision to sit down on the lounge and do nothing for an hour or so. It was nice to just sit down for a while and relax.

For dinner, I chose to wear a black dress that gathered tightly at the waist. I wore tall heels with it and left my hair in the pony tail, as it still looked neat and tidy. I slid into the passenger seat and we shortly arrived down town.

"After you," Xavier said as he opened the door for me.

"And some say chivalry is dead," I sighed theatrically as I walked through, earning a smirk from Xavier.

He placed his hand on the small of my back as we got closer to the front counter.

"We have a reservation for two," Xavier announced.

The girl gave him a knowing smirk, before leading us to our table.

My stomach fell. Why did she look at him like that?

The colour drained from my face as she gave him a wink, before sauntering off.

I sat heavily down on my chair and glared at Xavier.

He had some explaining to do.

***

"Are you seriously mad?"

"Why was she looking at you like that?" I huffed, playing with my food, having lost my appetite.

He groaned. "It was nothing. I don't even know her. Can we please just enjoy our meal? We're here to celebrate your achievement of being on T.V!"

"Yeah," I muttered, sticking my fork aggressively through the carrot.

"You make things so difficult," he sighed.

He suddenly pushed his chair back.

"Just explain to me what that was about!" I argued.

"I should have known this wouldn't go smoothly. Your temper always gets in the middle of it."

"In the middle of what?"

"But that's one of the many things I love about you."

"In the middle of what?" I pressed.

Xavier dropped down to one knee. My eyes bulged out of my head as I stared down at him.

"This," he said simply.

I blinked slowly, trying to comprehend the fact that Xavier was on his knee.

"Faith, I once made a promise to you."

My eyes began to burn with unshed tears as I stared down into the face of the man that I loved. He smiled up at me.

"I promised you, that I would marry you."

I held my breath as he withdrew a small, velvet box from the inside of his jacket. I bit my lip as I stared at it. He silently opened it. I gasped, staring at the stunning and dazzling engagement ring that shined up at me.

"Will you do me the honour, of becoming my wife?"

A grin broke out on my face, making all thoughts of my anger or paranoia, disappearing. He must have told the woman what his plans were.

There was no doubt in my mind. This is what I wanted.

He is what I wanted.

"Yes."

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