Six years later...

"Rach, you picked up the cake, right?"

"Got it!" Rachel's voice called out as she rounded the corner into the kitchen, carrying a large, square shaped box in her hands. "And it looks amazing!" Rachel gushed as she handed me over the cake, opening it up for me so I could take a look.

Perfect.

"Oh my god, I can't wait for his reaction!"

"Shh! He's gonna be home any minute!" I scolded Rachel as I flipped the cover on the cake back down and walked it over to the kitchen table, which was littered with birthday presents of all shapes and sizes.

"Sorry," Rachel mumbled under her breath as I turned on my heel to see her digging her phone out of her back pocket.

Her light blue eyes peaked in annoyance and she dropped her head back with a sigh.

"I've gotta take this. It's that one client I keep telling you about that won't leave me alone."

I nodded my head as I recalled her complaining about her newest client whose finger was apparently glued to the 'call' button on his phone with Rachel's personal number on speed dial.

"Good luck!" I called as she exited into the living room, moving sluggishly as she answered her phone unwillingly.

Rachel was now a therapist. She graduated with her BFA and went on to study for two more years, gaining her hands on experience that was required before being allowed to practice her skills on actual people with actual issues.

To say that I was proud of her would be an understatement.

She and I had remained close as ever, even when she was getting all of her experience hours over those two years and we had to wedge in whatever time we could to hang out.

Now, she had her own house, not too far from ours, and was happy as ever. She still had never settled down but part of me had an inkling that once she hit 30, those thoughts of living wild and free would come to an end. She just had to find the right man; which is easier said than done if I'm being honest.

But for now, she was happy and I was happy for her.

"Alex!"

I heard my name being called from the living room and shuffled my way in there to see what the commotion was about.

I walked in and saw my mom standing on a small foot stool, trying to tape up a banner with 'Happy Birthday' written across it in bright, bold, colors.

"Yeah, mom?"

"Is this where you want it?" she asked as she strained to keep her pose, making sure that the banner wouldn't fall out of its current placement.

"Yeah! That's fine! Just don't hurt yourself."

"See? I told you it was fine," I heard my dad say to my mom, followed by a short yelp from my dad seconds later as I assumed she swatted him.

"Hey! Still feisty as ever," my dad said thoughtfully, which elicited a small rise of my lips at their playful banter even 31 years later.

The sound of the front door opening caused a jolt of fright to slice through me as I feared it was Nathan coming home before he was supposed to, ruining the surprise for himself completely.

My stomach flooded with relief as I set my eyes on Bryan, Ben's brother, coming in through the door.

"Hey!" I greeted him excitedly as I bounded my way over to him and threw my arms around his neck.

"It's so good to see you," Bryan said as he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me from the ground in a tight hug.

"Hey, hey now! Be gentle with her!"

I felt my feet touch back onto the ground as I turned to see Rachel standing with her arms folded across her chest, a warning look set in her eyes as she held her phone away from her mouth.

"What? I'm not gonna break her," Bryan shot back with an amused glint in his eye..

"No, but you don't want to take any chances."

Bryan and Rachel held each other's stares until Bryan finally buckled and strolled over to pull her into a hug of her own.

"Fine. No more big bear Bryan hugs for now," he conceded as they hugged.

"Oh, and Ben and Mia send their regards and wish they could be here but you know how honeymoons go. Nothing else matters for the next two weeks for those two except the bed in their room."

I erupted into a fit of laughter as I knew what he said was as true as ever from personal experience.

"He's home!"

My eyes flew over to Claire and Nathans brother, whom I had met on a few occasions and had managed to convince him to swing by for his brothers 34th birthday.

"Yup, that's him," Nathan's brother confirmed for us all and that was our cue.

"Okay, Claire hit the lights and everyone else hide!"

I heard the 15 or so bodies in the room shuffle around until they were set in their hiding spots in the living room and foyer of Nathan's house. Darkness covered the house abruptly and I blinked a few times, giving my eyes time to adjust to my new dimly lit surroundings.

My ears detected the sound of keys jingling outside of the door and my stomach swirled in anticipation. My hands began to sweat and I subconsciously ran my thumb over my ring finger, spinning my wedding ring around my skin as nerves overtook my body. Everything I had been planning for over a month now would finally be put into play.

The sound of the front door opening and the familiar, slight creak that accompanied it whenever that door in particular was opened, hit my ears as well as the thud's of heavy steps entering the foyer.

"Babe? Alex?" Nathan's deep voice resonated through my mind as a giddy feeling tumbled through my stomach, my lips tilting into an anxious smile.

"Alex? Why-"

"SURPRISE!"

All at once, everyone jumped out of their hiding spots and yelled at a suddenly very startled, very wide eyed Nathan.

Nathan jumped back a bit when he was bombarded with the various people screaming at him in his living room, dropping his briefcase to the floor in the process.

"Shit!" he cursed out and grabbed his chest as he took in all of the people standing in the room. His eyes slowly started to turn into ones of understanding as a large grin stretched out on his handsome face.

A slew of chuckles came from the crowd as Nathan started walking into the living room, wagging his finger at everyone playfully.

"You guys..." he started before trailing off and placing both of his hands on his hips, keeping his gleeful eyes glued to the floor, his eyebrows quirked up in amusement.

"Where is she?" he asked the crowd.

I slapped a hand over my mouth as laughter threatened to tear through, giving away my position.

A few people shrugged in the crowd, playing along with this unprompted game of hide and seek that we had suddenly began. Creeping on the tips of my toes, I walked as silently into the kitchen as I could, placing my back up against the solid, freezing metal of the fridge. The fridge was placed in such a way that by my hiding against the side of it, I was effectively hidden from view of anyone in the living room.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to steady my breathing. My lips were pulled into a wide grin as I heard him asking around through the crowd as to my whereabouts.

My eyes bulged out and moved from side to side as everything in the other room turned eerily silent.

Where is he?

Daringly, I peeked my head slowly around the corner of the fridge.

"Boo."

A scream ripped through my throat as I heard Nathan's voice suddenly in my ear as he popped out from behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist in the process.

The entire room broke out into a fit of laughter as Nathan tightened his grip around my waist as I tried to wriggle myself free, only managing to help him turn me around in his arms.

Nathan's joy filled eyes met mine as his lips tugged up into a lopsided smile.

"Got you."

"I let you get me."

Nathan barked out a short, disbelieving laugh as he slid his hands up the length of my back, pressing my body into his fully.

"Sure," he dragged out sarcastically.

Before I had time to retort, I felt his soft lips press down onto mine, rendering any comeback I had readied, silent.

I slipped my arms up and around his neck as I melted into the kiss and his warm embrace. His broad frame encased me in his hold as our lips pulled at each other's sweetly; lovingly.

He pulled away seconds later, staring down at me with content, sparkling eyes.

"Happy Birthday, Mr. McCoy," I said in a sensual whisper.

"Thank you, Mrs. McCoy," he responded, his lips quirking up into a small, seductive smile of his own.

"Hey, you two! Get out here before I eat your entire cake!" I heard Rachel's voice cry out anxiously, causing both Nathan and I to sigh, knowing that our intimate moment was now cut short.

Nathan's forehead pressed against mine, his warm skin greeting my own. His ocean blue eyes gazed into mine, reflecting the love that I was positive was shining from my own.

"How did I ever get so lucky?" he said to me in a low voice, keeping his stare locked onto mine.

"You must have been really good in a past life."

This elicited a breathy chuckle to release through Nathan's nostrils, the air fanning over my face.

"I love you... more and more every day."

My lips rose into a tender smile.

"Well that makes two of us."

"Making you my wife was hands down, the best thing I've ever done. You're the most amazing, sexiest wife any man could have ever asked for and someday... you'll be the perfect, sexiest mother."

A rush of nerves swirled through my stomach at his words.

Someday.

I forced my lips to draw up into a smile and made my stomach contract in a soft laugh.

"That's enough sweet talk, sir! Let's go open those presents!"

I was on my way out of the kitchen and into the living room before Nathan had a chance to even blink. I connected my stare with Rachel's and gave her an uncertain look before replacing it with a gleeful expression as I saw Nathan walk into the room and start up pleasant conversation with his brother.

Nathan's brother was nice enough. He had really only ever become interested in Nathan and I's relationship when he asked us if he could write a novel off of our relationship and all of our struggles.

I initially laughed the idea off. I mean, who would want to read a story about a student and professor fighting their feelings and moral regards while simultaneously dealing with a crazed stalker?

Apparently a lot of people.

Nathan and I's story had blown up as it caught the attention of networks throughout the country. That publicity only amplified once we granted Nathan's brother the rights to our story.

For over two years after the incident, Nathan and I were recognized everywhere we went. All of America was on our side and watching our story as it continued on, rooting for us the whole way.

We were requested to make appearances, appear on talk shows, and a barrage of other things in which we generally always tried to make time for while keeping some time to ourselves on the side.

About a year after Nathan and I got back together, we had moved into his house, where we currently lived now, and both had received wonderful job offers all around the country. The best offer by a long shot, was the request to send Nathan and I around the world with a small team and photograph our relationship and try and capture the love we had, that had apparently captured all of Americas attention. We traveled for about a year, visiting India, Australia, and my personal favorite, Ireland.

We now had our own line of portraits and art, all encompassing the passion and love we felt for each other. Whether it through certain looks that we caught of one another's on film or any other thing that stood out among us that either of us deemed a good fit for our romance collection.

That line of work still supported Nathan and I nicely. Nathan still kept his teaching job though. His love for teaching others about a subject he was passionate about was something he was determined never to give up, no matter how hectic his life got.

We got married not but a few months after moving in together. And let me tell you, that wedding was packed. Strangers from all over, who claimed that they felt they knew us from our portraits and interviews, showed up and refused to leave. We ended up having to rent out another space entirely to fit the mass of people that showed up unannounced.

Even with how insane the entire day was, it was without a doubt, the best day of my entire life.

The look on Nathan's face when I walked down the aisle was one I would never forget even as time went on and my mind became frail. That look held so much pure, passionate love as he watched me walk towards him in awe.

I married my best friend, my lover, and my professor on that day and I couldn't be happier.

"Okay! Time for cake!" Bryan called out to the small crowd, earning him a few nods and appreciative exclamations.

My stomach clenched anxiously, my heartbeat increasing as the moment I had been going over in my mind for weeks now was steadily approaching.

I walked over hesitantly to the kitchen table, which was now surrounded with Nathan and I's family and friends. My eyes found Nathan sitting at the head of the table. He hadn't aged a day since the first time I saw him. His hair was still as thick as ever, combed into the perfect, masculine style. He kept his figure toned and worked out whenever he got the chance with Bryan. His face remained chiseled and gorgeous with his perfectly trimmed stubble outlining his jawline exquisitely.

This man still, to this day, made my mouth water and my core throb with even the simplest of looks.

I stood in the corner of the kitchen, fidgeting with my wedding ring as I watched Nathan open present after present. He was so happy and I desperately hoped that my present would only make him happier and not upset like my nightmares had been playing out.

I still got nightmares to this day about Greg. I didn't think they would ever fully stop but having Nathan there to calm me, sooth me with his words and touch, was all I needed to know that I was safe.

I was so zoned out, lost in my own little world that I didn't even realize that Nathan had finished opening his birthday presents from our friends and family.

Now it was my turn.

"Alright, minx. I know I was good enough this year to at least get one present," Nathan joked with me as he turned to face me in his seat.

Here we go.

"I don't know if good would be the right word to describe it, but I guess you're right. For once," I quipped at him and sent a wink his way. He rolled his eyes back playfully and sat forward in his seat, resting his elbows on the kitchen table.

I grabbed the cake in between my increasingly slippery hands as my nerves started to take over my body. My feet took me over to the table, where I set the full box down in front of a curious looking Nathan.

He cocked his head to the side and stared up at me with inquisitive eyes.

"A cake? Are you trying to fatten me up for some crazed plan of yours, babe?"

I shook my head pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth and biting down on the sensitive flesh.

"Nope. Just open it," I said in a wisp of nervous breath. My body felt like it was buzzing with so much energy and I felt like I would either burst on the spot or pass out from the intensity of the moment.

Nathans eyes narrowed at the sides as he gave me a confused look, his eyebrows pinching together.

"Okay..." he trailed off and began to lift the cover off of the box.

Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.

My hands were literally shaking as I watched Nathan take in the words written on his cake. His expression only creased in further confusion and a bit of amusement.

"Happy Birthday, Daddy?" he asked while connecting his bright eyes to mine.

"Is that another name we're trying out in the bedroom that I wasn't aware of?"

Oh my god...

"Didn't need to hear that," my dad mumbled out under his breath and turned into my mother a bit, hiding his reddening face that would have matched mine if I wasn't already so flushed from nerves.

"Nope," I answered him back in a shaking voice, keeping my knowing stare on his.

"Then I don't get-" He cut himself off abruptly, his entertained eyes morphing into large, sapphire pools of sudden understanding.

"Daddy..." Nathan's wide eyes fell to my stomach and then shifted back up to me quickly.

"Alex...are you...?"

I answered Nathans unfinished question with a small nod, pulling my lips in between my teeth to try and fight my growing smile, still unsure of how Nathan was going to react.

Shock and a thousand other emotions swam through Nathan's eyes that were still steadied on mine.

"Oh my god," he said finally, falling back into his chair, bringing both of his hands up to cover his mouth. His hands were shaking and I was too, still desperate for his full reaction.

Fear was gnawing away at my stomach as I could feel the entire room on pins and needles, focusing their attention on Nathan, who was still sitting in his chair, eyes wide and trained on my stomach.

The whole room seemed to shift as Nathan bent forward, leaning his face onto his hands, resting his elbows on his knees.

My throat clenched painfully as tears burned the back of my eyes.

He doesn't want it.

"Oh my god," Nathan whispered out, his voice choked with emotion. I watched fretfully as he moved his hand out over his face, pressing his thumb and finger against his eyes as he sat there in silence.

A shock of surprise shot through me when Nathan suddenly took in a loud, uneven breath. His back moved, shaking almost as he finally looked up at me.

Shining, wet, sapphire eyes met my worried hazelnut ones and my breath hitched at the site.

He's crying.

Nathan's slightly reddened face then broke out into the most lovely smile I'd ever see.

"I'm gonna be a dad," he spoke to me, almost as if asking for confirmation.

"You're gonna be a dad."

The second the words were out of my mouth, Nathan was up out of his chair and I felt the familiar warmth of his body wrap around mine, clutching my body in a tight embrace.

The room broke out into cheers as Nathan and I clung to each other. My own emotions were beginning to make an appearance as I felt wet, happy tears drip down my face and onto Nathan's work shirt.

Nathan pushed his face into my neck, drenching it with hot tears of his own. I felt his fingers dig into the material of my shirt as he held me tighter.

"Are you sure?" I heard him ask, his lips moving against my neck.

"I took four tests just to make sure," I said while nodding.

"I'm sorry if it's so out of the blue," I spoke while pulling my head out to connect Nathan and I's stares. "I know we've only talked about it recently but I always see you staring at kids when we go out and... I just wanted to give this to you so badly."

I brushed my fingers through Nathan's soft hair and dropped my hand down to caress the side of his face. He leaned into my touch.

"I... I can't even begin to describe how much I love you." He broke off as a small rush of air escaped through his lips.

He shook his head, his eyes filled in awe as he gazed at me. I felt his hand come up and lace his fingers through mine that rested on his face.

"You are all I'll ever need but this..." He paused for a beat until I felt his warm had place itself on my stomach. "Is the most precious gift you could possibly give me besides you. And I've had you for 6 glorious years and they have been... more than I could have ever asked for. You are more than I could have ever asked for, more than I ever deserved."

I shushed him softly, running my thumb across his cheek tenderly.

"You deserve everything. You deserve this. We deserve this." I could feel the tears welling in my eyes again as my throat began to constrict with the thoughts and images running through my mind.

"You're going to be such a good dad," I said in a soft whisper just before the emotion in my voice took over and I clamped my mouth shut to keep the sobs inside.

"I've wanted this for so long... I was just afraid to bring it up. I wasn't sure if you were ready-"

"I've been thinking about it for longer than you'd think," I said, remembering back to the day when Greg almost killed me and the last image in my mind that I focused all of my energy on was the little boy who resembled Nathan in every way.

Nathan's lips tilted up into a soft smile, his eyes shining with warm into mine as he spoke.

"We're gonna do this."

His other hand traveled down to meet his other on my lower stomach. Both of his hands cradled my still flat stomach gently as he lowered himself down onto his knees, putting him at eyes level with my stomach.

His fingers moved tenderly over the material of my shirt, caressing and shooting off sparks wherever he touched. I watched him dreamily as he ran his fingers over my stomach again and again, memorizing his patterns.

Then, he looked up to me, connecting his watery, elated eyes to mine.

"We're gonna have a baby."

I couldn't stop the immediate grin that broke out onto my lips, my entire face becoming brighter with his words.

"We are. And he's going to be the spitting image of his handsome father."

"I don't think so," Nathan tutted as he raised himself back up to his full height, never dropping his hands connection to my stomach.

"She's gonna be a girl and she'll be just as radiant as her mom."

I shook my head, my lips quirked up smugly.

"I don't think so. Plus, do you really want another me running around here?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

I watched as Nathan thought this over in his mind. His eyes suddenly clicked as a sliver of horror entered his eyes.

"Oh god... another minx. If she's anything like her mom then I'll probably end up going to jail at some point for man slaughter," he mused.

Jovial laughter sprouted from my lips as Nathan's protective instincts were already kicking in.

"I want her to look just like you but you can keep the insistent flirt, raging sex appeal, and desire to break the rules all to yourself," he said with a sly smile, wrapping his arms fully around my body, bringing our chests flush up against each other's and our faces just inches apart.

"When she goes to college, I don't need any of her professors thinking they have a shot with her, resulting in an explosive forbidden relationship."

The muscles in my cheeks were beginning to twitch with all of the smiling I was doing and his statement only caused my smile to widen even more.

"Nah, that's our thing," I said as I brushed my nose against his sweetly.

"And no one can even come close to doing our thing as well as we do."

My eyes closed as I took in his words, leaning myself completely into him and raised my head up to place my chin on his chest. Our eyes linked and that undeniable connection that we had could be felt accumulating around us. Everyone else in the room disappeared.

"I don't think we'll have to worry about any of that with her. I'm pretty sure I snagged the best of the bunch when it comes to professors."

"And I'm more certain now than ever that I've got the most beautiful, as close to perfect as anybody can get, woman as my wife and by far the best... and naughtiest student."

His eyes danced with mine adoringly as he spoke.

"And I am so wildly in love with you."

I felt Nathan's fingers come up and brush against my cheek gently, his gaze set on mine and glowing with an abundance of earnest, pure love.

"My minx."

My heart swelled as Nathan's hold around my waist tightened possessively, his eyes shining with undiluted happiness.

"My lover, my husband, my sexy professor," I finished with a playful smirk that turned into a genuine smile as I felt my heart warming with Nathan's adoring stare, his thumb running over my cheek lovingly.

"I love you too, Mr. McCoy. Forever and always."

THE END

HOLY CRAP GUYS....ITS OVER! A Fractured Lover has officially come to a close and I hope you all loved this journey as much as I have. All of you continued support means more to me than you'll ever know and if I could, I would personally thank every single one of your for your love for this book.

Nathan and Alex's journey is over but it ended happily! They are going to be a family! Did you all love that? Did you love Nathan's reaction?

ALSO EVERYONE PLEASE STICK AROUND for my new book DESIRES OF THE FORBIDDEN! It will be a steamy forbidden romance/thriller that will reel you in just like this book has or maybe even more. Please continue my writing journey with me there! I would love to see all of you and your amazing comments on that book as well!

IMPORTANT: I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW IF AND WHEN I PLAN TO GET THIS NOVEL PUBLISHED.

I love you all so so so much :) Thank you for everything. Truly.

-Alexandria Lee