Jayla Santiago's POV.

I wake up and stretch, feeling a slight ache in my neck.

I get up and stretch, walking to the sink in the corner of the room to splash my face with water.

Once I feel more awake, I look to Luis's bed.

He's fast asleep.

My heart flutters as I get closer to him.

I sit on his bed and take his hand, my chest feeling tight with emotions.

I lace our fingers together and I kiss them, sighing a little.

I stroke his hair and look at his sleeping face.

"I don't even know how to thank you for all of this" I tell him quietly, as his chest rises and falls.

I'm at the point where talking to myself is not even above me.

"All you do is help me and love me unconditionally." I continue.

"I struggle with my emotions. I struggle with letting them being known. And I struggle saying I love you." I say, surprised at how I'm finally saying it aloud, even if he's knocked out cold.

"I do love you Luis. I really do." I say softly.

I sigh to myself and I start to stand.

I feel Luis' grip tighten.

My heart starts to pound in my chest.

Was he listening the entire time?

He entwines our fingers together and he gives me a soft tired smile.

"Did you mean all of that?" He asks me.

I nod at him honestly.

"I love you" I repeat.

He sighs and gives my hand a squeeze.

"I love you too. And I want to work this out" he says.

I blink, feeling tears form in my eyes.

"You mean it?" I ask.

He nods.

"But we are taking this slowly. I want ya to work through both of our issues together, so that neither of us get heartbroken again." He says.

I nod in agreement.

"That's fair" I respond.

He looks me in the eye.

"Also, I want us to consider going to therapy together." He says, making sure every word sinks in.

I crinkle my nose.

I don't want people in my business.

But I love Luis....

And I want us to work.

I sigh relenting.

"Okay. As long as it doesn't clash with the gang." I say, reluctantly.

Hearing that, he smiles at me all big, making my heart flutter.

"Good, now c'mere and kiss me. I've missed your ass" he says.

I giggle and lean towards him, kissing him on the lips.

He kisses me back, his hands in my dreads, pulling a little, making me sigh softly, a whole weight lifting off of my shoulders.

He pulls me to lay next to him in the small bed.

"I been in here so long that the moment I fully heal, I'm gonna do the most" he says with a deep chuckle.

I laugh at him.

"What's first on the list?" I ask curiously.

He looks down at me and smirks.

"You and me time" he says, kissing my forehead.

I feel a hot blush creep across my cheeks.

"Luiiiiis!" I say feeling shy.

He laughs and pulls me closer.

"Remember how we first me?" He asks me, rubbing my back.

I blush harder, remembering our violent first meeting.

"Stoppp!" I groan, hiding behind my hands.

He laughs and continues.

"I called you stupid and you fly kicked me in the chest!" He laughs.

"Luis, I was 4, and the daughter of a mob boss, what did you expect!" I laugh.

"Hm I figured that out the moment you pinned my arms down to the floor with your knees and started punching my face in" he responds and I laugh harder.

He laughs with me.

"I never thought you'd be my biggest crush, but once I hit 8th grade and you were right behind us, I was gone" he says.

I smile, thinking about how much life has changed since then.

I hug him and burry my face in his chest.

"I love you Jay" he says.

"I love you too, Luis" I respond.

We stay together talking about everything and anything as usual.

I can't wait to see where this goes.

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Hey all!

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Epilogue up next!

~ Xo.