" Just so you know, I believe you."

Those words relieved Max and he could feel the tension leave his shoulders.

" So....."

" No, and I want it to stay that way."

His whole demeanor had changed now.

" Why not?" She asked in surprise.

" I'm nothing more than a memory from her past and I'm okay with that. "

" And what about all the trouble you went through to find the truth? Was it all for nothing?" She asked, a frown now visible on her face.

" She's been doing so well. She's comfortable and happy, there's no need for me to mess this up."

" Max----"

" The past should stay as just that. As long as I'm part of the good in her life, then that is more than enough, I can live with that."

Julie bit her lip, stopping herself from saying anything. There seemed to be a lot left to be said because she clearly was not convinced by all she'd heard. She couldn't understand why he decided to stop after all the trouble he went through, to get to the truth.

She just could not believe that his desire for the truth to be out, had diminished so fast.

One thing she felt deeply about, was how much Max was affected by all this. He might not have been aware, but his eyes expressed something far different than his words. The hurt was evident in his eyes and she wanted to take it away.

She felt the sincerity towards Max again and she decided to hold on to that, not letting any ounce of doubt to mess with that.

" Can I ask you something?"

He nodded.

" If ever the truth were to come out ----"

" Julie -----"

" No, let me finish."

He sighed but let her have her way.

" If ever the truth were to come out, by chance, what would happen then?"

" Honestly, I don't know, but everything would be up to her."

She nodded.

Something twisted in her heart, she hurt for him, but also for her cousin, who had never forgotten her first friend.

" I can't be selfish." He said, disturbing her thoughts. " She needs stability in her life and not something that will turn her life upside down . All has been good in her life and we should let that continue."

' If only you knew Max.' She internally sighed as she remembered how Kate has been these days.

                      .............

The suggestion for a night stroll had been what Kate needed, spending time with Nick was something she valued. The day had felt long and tiring but this moment, seemed to recharge her.  Nick on the other hand used this moment as an opportunity to make up, for not being present during the time she went to fetch her now repaired car.
He knew how important it was for Kate and he felt bad, for missing out. He had been too busy and couldn't get away. No matter how understanding Kate could be, he was always careful to not overstep and take advantage of that.

It might have been a last minute thing, but spending as much time with his girl was worth every moment. It relieved him greatly that she hadn't been too busy and he could steal her away for the evening.

" Have you had time to think about the next step?"

It felt like the right time for Kate to bring up this topic. She needed for both of them to find middle ground when it concerned their future.

There seemed to be many things to consider and Kate somehow felt conflicted on which step to take. Am she desired was to make everyone happy.

Unfortunately, it was wishful thinking.

" Hmm."

She stopped in her tracks, pulling him to a stop too.

" I'm a little concerned."

" About?"

He sighed, gently pulling her closer by arm. " The distance. I wish we were closer to each other." He confessed as he touched her hair.

" Nothing has been official, remember?" She reminded him.

" I know but everything Anna has shown so far has made sense."

" Nick ------"

" I want you to be settled in nicely, comfortable and safe. You are more important."

She pouted, not liking the sound of him pushing his feelings aside.

He kissed her pout away and said, " where ever you are, I'll always make sure I'm there. I never want to miss a thing."

She understood that he was trying to ease her worries, but she still worried.

" How about we try to convince both Anna and Daniel about living together. We can search for a nice place first  and then talk to them." She suggested.

" I would have agreed to this but you heard how they freaked out about that idea. I don't think Danny and Anna would survive seeing each other every night and imagine when Stacey visits him......." his words faltered when he noticed her look away.

A second's silence passed before he said, " I thought we didn't need to have this kind of conversation again."

" Well, we practically left it on the note that we'd agree to disagree, on how she still has unresolved feelings for you."

" Okay, even so, she knows who my heart belongs to."

" I think everyone knows." She said with a sweet smile.

" Oh really?" He asked teasingly, loving the confidence he heard in her words.

This is what he's always hoped for, to see her certain that he loves her only and that she won him over.

A blush creeped on her face and she tried to hide it away from him, but he touched her face, leaving her with no choice but to look at him.

" You don't hide it." She answered him.

" And I never will." He added before kissing both her cheeks. " So everyone just has to accept it."

" But has she accepted it?"

He sighed when she said this.

" I don't want this to be an issue but it might be, if some things are not finally resolved or aired out. "

" I'll talk to her tomorrow."

She opened her mouth to say something but he kissed her. " You are distracting me." She wholeheartedly complained.

" Can we get ice cream now?"

" Ice cream?"

He turned her around to see an ice cream truck not too far from where they stood, nearby was a park too.

She shot him a smile as he led her to it. She hasn't realized how far they'd gone. It was also amazing to see an ice cream truck open around that time.

Once the couple got what they wanted, they relaxed on a bench.

Nick broke the silence. " I read your play."

Her curiosity peeked. " And?"

" I like it."

" You do?"

" It's quite deep and I'm pretty sure you'll be a great Ezra."

Her mood suddenly shifted.

The play was a big deal for her because she felt personally connected to it.

Ezra, the main character of the play was also the same character, that her mother took on. This play was on the successful side and made an impact in town back in the day.

Amelia, Kate's mother, lived and breathed Ezra, she brought the character to life and moved the audience to tears. She was lovely to watch and many left with something to say. There were rumours that someone gifted the whole play script to Amelia, the person desired to remain anonymous and only wanted Amelia to play the lead role.

Amelia Presley, being a promising theatre actress and writer, fell inlove with script and gave her own magical touch to it and introduced it to the world.

The play was based on the story of  young beautiful woman who was secretly admired, by a man named Shade. This man knew and had experienced too much of the ' ugly ' from the world, he hoped for even an ounce of something beautiful as his dying wish. The beauty came in the form of Ezra's beauty and presence. She was innocent and lovely yet strong and hopeful. Unfortunately Ezra passed on before Shade did and this turned him, into the ugly side of himself, which he'd been running away from.

The beautiful memories and the songs she sang and letters she write, became the cure he needed before he made peace with a lot of things. This cure silenced the many voices in his head and he finally was able to rest beside his Ezra.

The play had a mixture of Sleeping Beauty, the Beauty and The Beast. The play became an I stand hit but what stood out was Amelia's own self written poem, which she added later own, it was used in Ezra and Shade's dreams.

Kate loved listening to her mother retell the story and watch her, relive everything through her eyes.

" I don't know if I'll be able to do it." She sighed. "You know how I get with big roles, so it's a definite no."

" Babe, you are a gifted writer and an inspiring actress, I think you should give yourself more time on stage, to get the real picture of you as Ezra."

She bit her lip, thinking hard.

" I've seen you on that stage and I get amazed each time. You are so good at this, you are just being too hard on yourself."

" Nick----"

" You've turned down approaching big roles and I can't let you do it this time. This role is perfect for you. Give yourself a chance."

" Hmm." She nodded.

He gave her an encouraging smile before pulling her closer.