*Days Later*

I walked down the long steps of one of the New York harbor's most famous piers. All ships were parked around in the calm, cold waters, overlooking a beautiful scenery of the statue of liberty. There was a few people around, talking and laughing with each other. I was alone now after I got a message this morning from Zayn telling me to meet up with him here at 5. He said no more. I didn't know what was going on or what he had planned? These past few days we've been helping his Mom move out. She did, finally, last night she left.

My parents on the other hand agreed with Zayn and I running away. It took some convincing at first but in the end, even Tess urged them that it was a good idea. That whole They're young speech really works.

I hugged my coat tighter to my body as a cold, salty breeze hit me. It feels like I've been waiting here for hours now. I could just walk over to Zayn's house which is right down the road, but I figured that if he wanted me to stay and wait then it must be for a reason.

My arms reached out to the pier, resting them above the wooden armrest and took in a deep breath. Just as I started letting it out, I had to quickly suck it back in as I fell in shock by the large hands wrapping around my waist.

I was startled, heart beginning to race. Then the smooth sounds of a voice I seemed to grow quite attracted to comfort me.

"Hello beautiful." Zayn's deep voice vibrated against my back.

I relaxed, still a bit shaken but glad it was just him.

"You really have to stop doing that.. You're scaring the life out of me." I laughed, his arms still around my waist as he brought his head closer to mine.

His warm lips planted a small kiss to my cold, red cheek. Looking back at me quickly, he furrowed his eyebrows.

"You're freezing."

"Well, it's not exactly summer anymore." I joked but he didn't seem to laugh. My throat cleared, turning around in his hold to have my back pressed to the railing, Zayn's body to my front.

I started messing with the sweater he wore, a maroon one that is, which he's been taking liberty in wearing a lot now. Black jeans clung below his waist and his favorite black boots finished the look.

"Let's talk." He spoke sternly, lacing his fingers with mine and walking further out into the peir.

"Is everything okay?" I asked looking up at him, noticing he looked different than other days. Maybe he was angry, or nervous. I don't know. I can't really tell.

"Of course." He chuckled, unlacing our fingers so he can bring his hand up and around my shoulder so he can drag me closer to his body, the other one he dug into the front pockets of his jeans. "Stop worrying so much, love."

"Well you always have a tendency of doing this and it usually ends up with bad news." I corrected him.

He looked down, smiling. "I'm sorry. But I promise this is good." He chuckled. "So come on, I just wanna know about your day."

"My day?" I chuckled looking up at him.

"Yeah, you know? What did you do?" He asked again.

I playfully rolled my eyes as if he was actually meaning to say that. "You're not interested." I chuckled.

"Try me." He smirked.

I stopped walking, turning to look arty his beautiful light brown orbs gleam in the sunset lighting. Sighing, I continued.

"Well, I quit my job today at Charlie's." I smiled. "That place is long gone now."

"That's good to hear." He chuckled.

"I also went shopping with my friends and sister this afternoon--"

"Anything special you bought?" He questioned.

I looked down at the half filled coffee cup, which was the only thing I bought since there wasn't really anything good today, and went back to look at him to smile. "Would you like some?"

"That's okay." He shook his head with a small smile.

I still gave him a weird look. Oh my God, is he drunk? I mean, he may be if he's acting this strange.

"Zayn? Is there something you want to tell me?" I asked, dropping the coffee cup in one of the trash cans behind me.

"Why would you assume that?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

I was going to say why but then I shut my mouth before I could. Maybe this isn't bad. It's new and it could take some getting used to, but it's a getting used to that I would get used to in a second.

"Because I'm asking you about your day?" He questioned taking the words right out of my mouth. "I only want to get used to asking you these stuff everyday."

I looked down, smiling. "That's very sweet." I chuckled. "Well what about yours?" We continued walking back but this time not stopping until we were all the way at the end of the peir.

"Doesn't matter." He shook his head, turning me back around against the railing.

"What's all the mystery about?" I giggled looking up at him.

He only smirked, pressing his forehead against mine as heat quickly filled in between us. "There's something I've always wanted to do.. You know, before leaving New York with the one I love."

I blushed, looking down at his lips as I felt a little embarrassed to look into his eyes. "And what is that?" I smiled back up at him.

He took a step back and dug into his back pocket. I watched curiously as he pulled out a small lock and key out in front of us.

I looked at it and furrowed my eyebrows.

"What is that?"

He looked around. "You see what's around you?"

My head turned to see what he was talking about. All I saw was more locks, all kinds in different shapes and colors, and all locked on the small gates below the wooden railing of the peir. "Yeah?"

"You see.. It's an old New York tradition." He smiled. "You come here, lock the lock in a space, make a wish, and then throw the key into the ocean."

Now I understood it. It's somewhat like a metaphor? You make a wish and the lock represents it'll be locked forever. Once the key is thrown out, it's up to you to make it happen and the wish will be locked here forever and no one will find out because there's no key. You have to show the world your secret, there's no telling afterwards.

I looked at him in awe. He just laughed and turned to me so he can hand me the lock in the palm of my hand. "Why don't you pick a spot?"

I couldn't stop smiling. This guy is something special alright.

My eyes wandered around the place, finally spotting a spot over by a small bench and walked up to it.

"Perfect." He chuckled.

I put it on, locking it closed as his eyes watched me. I went back to look at him shortly after. Now all that's left is the wish.

"What are you going to wish for?" He asked me, tilting his head a little to the side.

"Isn't that something we're both suppose to do?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

He playfully smirked at me, taking me under his arm once again ad's kissing the roof of my head. "Done." He said.

"You already made your wish?" I chuckled.

"It wasn't hard." He laughed.

He was right. There's nothing difficult about using my wish on him. Look at me, I'm starting to sound like a little girl! No, but if there's anything magic could ever grant me, that'll be true love. Someone to marry one day, start a family, and even grow old together. But you need magic for that. Miracle, maybe. I guess what is really important is that you're there for each other through thick and thin. I don't think I'll have that problem with Zayn. So my wish is settled. All I want is for Zayn to be my true love. I want him to be that guy.

"Did you make your wish already?" He chuckled.

I looked up at him, imagining the rest of my life. Him in that black tux, a smile on his face as I walked down the aisle with my white dress. Us moving into our new home. Zayn holding our first child for the first time. Going around the world. Meeting our family for the holidays. Us in our kids wedding.. Everything. And I know this is just dreaming because first of all, I didn't even know if he's up for commitment or even with me. This is just one of those girly moments that I never even thought about.. Until now.

"Yes." I smiled up, looking at him.

He smiled, holding one of my hands up and placing the key in it. "Why don't you throw it?"

I shook my head, closing the key back in the palm of his hand and looking back up. "How about you throw it?"

His lips met mine in an instant in a lingering kiss. This warmed my heart and I didn't want him to stop.

He pulled away shortly, smiling down at me before looking forward. His hand rose up, pulling back behind him before launching forward, releasing the small key to plop into the ocean. I couldn't explain how lovely this moment was.

Zayn looked at me, catching me admiring his ways and immediately calling me out.

"Was that too hot for you?" He chuckled.

"Maybe." I nodded my head, going along with his ways knowing he loved it when I did.

He kissed my lips one more time, later making us look back into the scenery.

I must admit, I'm going to miss this place in a way. I always lived here. This is where I met my three best friends, went to prom, got my first job in. There's a lot that is going to be left behind in this city of lights but I'm willing to move on if it means I'm going to be with Zayn. I'm going to miss the girls, Allison, Claire, and Ariana.

I heard that Allison is really taking everything that happened that night and turning it into a magazine article! Who knew right? She's always been very interested in the magazine industry and after a few interviews, she's taking on New York Times plus two television interviews about her article! Guess who's going to be the first one to buy it when it comes out?

Claire has now just got her acceptance letter to one of New York's best school of the arts, Juliard, for art. She's incredibly talented and I'm so proud of her, she definitely deserves it.

Lastly, Ariana decided to take on after her mother and become a children's doctor. She just sent in her application to college and all my prays reach out to her for her to get in.

I'm also going to miss Zayn's friends. I heard Harry and Vanessa were also going to take some time away to travel every now and then. Maybe one day we could meet up. It turns out Liam has a girlfriend now. I haven't met her but he talks about her all the time. Louis has one too, and she's a dear. It was the girl he was with that night I ran into him the movies, Eleanor. Niall now bought the garage he and Zayn used to work in and is making a good business out of it.

I'm also going to miss my family. Kennedy now has a stable job and not to mention.. Her boyfriend proposed! Yes, a wedding at last! I'm very happy for her. Dad retired from the army the other day. Finally, no more fear of him going to war. But he's a commander now, he'll be training other men and women to join the army. Mom also quit her flight attendant job and has now decided to start a wedding planning blog since she it got her a lot of views lately.

But enough about that..

"So what do you say, Paige Hoffer?" He chuckled looking down at me.

He didn't have to say anything, I was already aware of what he was going to say. Just the thought of it made me smile in every way possible.

"Are you ready to start a new life?" He smirked.

I chuckled with his question, feeling butterflies in my stomach as I answered.

"Yes." I nodded. "Are you?"

He remained silent for a second before shaking his head and curving a big smile into his beautiful plumb lips.

"Of course." He smiled. "And, Paige?"

He turned his body around in front of me, hands reaching each side of my hips as he pulled me closer to him.

"I'm never letting you go, okay?" He looked down at me.

I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head above his chest. It was then I remembered something.

"Always and Forever, right?" I giggled.

He kissed my head again, pulling me even closer to him than I was before.

His chuckle was heard against my cheek as he began to speak again.

"Always and Forever, baby."