A/N: song to set the scene:

Way Less Sad by AJR

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Sarah's POV

I check my phone for the fourth time. Not sure if I'm expecting Cameron to update me on how AJ is acting around Sofia or I'm expecting AJ to constantly text me that she misses me. Jesus Sarah, get your act together. Stop being so clingy. "Give me the phone," China sticks her hand out gesturing. I huff and put it in her hand, "I'm worried. Is that a crime?" "You're not worried. You're hyper fixating and you need to trust that everything is okay. AJ has proven time and time again that she loves you. What's so hard about understanding that?" China's question leaves me deep in thought. I feel her eyes boring a hole into the side of my head. "I don't know. They have history, China. Those feelings don't just go away, and it's not like they ever had real closure either. Like I told Cam and you last week, I've noticed how AJ looks at her. She looks at Sofia like she looks at me. Like we're the only thing on Earth worth living for, and I'm scared she'll stop looking at me like that," I feel the tears brimming my eyes and a weight slowly lifting from my chest.

"Have you talked to AJ about this? She forgave you about the whole Nick thing, and you were sneaking around to hang out with him before AJ even caught you with him at your parents. If she can forgive you for that, but you can't get over her sneaking to have lunch with Sofia once then I think you need to do a mental inventory on your feelings. Why should AJ be held to a different standard if you can't hold yourself to that same one?" I get up from China's bed and start pacing her hotel room. I bite on my long thumb nail and think about what China just said. Do I hold AJ to a different standard than myself? Maybe?

"Do you love AJ? Where do you see your relationship in the next couple of years?" I turn and face China. "Yes, I love her," I state matter-of-factly. "What about the future with her? I know you guys haven't been together that long, but people don't just date someone for a year-and-a-half to throw it away," I nod my head at China. "We have talked about longer term things. I'm young though and AJ knows what she wants. I've barely scratched the surface in my professional career. Charmed feels like my first big role. Even if I had leading roles in other things, Charmed feels like I'm part of the bigger picture," I pause and fiddle with the necklace AJ got me for my birthday.

"You love AJ, and we all see it. You just need to trust that she won't hurt you, especially since she hasn't done anything to make you feel that way," China's wisdom settles on my heart, and I bask in it for a minute. "You're right. I'll chill and focus on relaxing tonight," I settle back on the bed. "What should we do for dinner tonight? I was thinking we could walk to JOEYS Shipyard. It's not too far from here, and I heard from Thomas and Dylan that the food is pretty great too," China scrolls through her phone looking at the surrounding restaurant options. "They have vegetarian or vegan options?" I ask wanting to make sure I wouldn't have to settle on a salad. "Yeah, they've got several options," China hands me her phone with the menu opened to it. "Let's go then!" I grab my small bag and slip my shoes on. "Don't forget your phone. You should check on AJ. Make sure they got to the airport okay," I nod taking my phone and opening it up to AJ's messages.

Future Wife 💍

Hey, China and I are headed

to get dinner. Hope traffic to

the airport hasn't been too

crazy. Let me know when

you get home from picking

Paulina up. Make sure you

get dinner too. I'll let you

know if I'm coming home

tonight. Might sleepover at

China's hotel.

I love you 😘

After I send the message, I shove my phone in my back pocket. I'm not going to stress if she responds or not. She's spending time with Sofia and Cameron, and I'm not going to take away from that.

~~

The restaurant wasn't too bad and hanging out with China was nice. We talked about what our plans will probably be when we finish up with Descendants 3. Both of us are hoping that our shows get renewed, so we continue to work. She asked how it was working with J-Lo on Shades of Blue. I told her how fun the environment was and that she is just as a great a person as everyone says she is. She's welcoming and brought a lot of energy to set every day.

"So, you and AJ are thinking of moving in together after filming?" China asks as we sit digesting our food. "I didn't suggest moving in, but I suggested that I want us to spend more time over at each other's places. Make it a more consistent thing than sporadically staying over on a weekend. I want to be a part of her routine and her a part of mine," I shrug and watch China's face trying to figure out what she's trying to get at. "Do you want to live together?" I sit and think over her question imaging what living with AJ would be like. We're currently living together, but it's different circumstances. We're working on the same project and understand the stresses we're both facing day in and day out. "I wouldn't be opposed to it, but we're still so early in our relationship I don't want to rush things. I want us to have our own spaces if we need them," I nod my head liking my answer. "Makes sense. I love you both and just want to make sure you're doing what you think is best for each other," China puts her hand on top of mine and squeezes it. "Thank you," I squeeze it back truly appreciating the support China gives me.

~~

An hour later, China and I walked back to the hotel to figure out what show or movie we wanted to put on. "You going to stay over tonight, or did you want to get back to your boo?" China nudges me as she scrolls through Netflix. "I don't want her to be alone in that big cabin, but I think we both could use a night a part. Is it alright if we have a sleep over?" I look over at China as she keeps her focus on the tv. "Yeah, that's fine with me. We've got another long day of rehearsals tomorrow since we film 'Break This Down' next week. Want to get up early and go over to that cute café to pick up breakfast?" She turns her attention towards me and I nod getting off the bed to grab some comfier clothes to change into.

"I'm going to get ready for bed. Pick whatever you want to watch. I'm not picky tonight," I rummage through the small bag I brought just in case this happened. I grab a large shirt I stole from AJ and a pair of running shorts. I make sure to have my toothbrush, and head towards the bathroom. After I close the door, I forget I haven't checked my phone since we went to dinner. I run out of the bathroom to grab my phone and run back shutting it behind me. I look at the screen and scroll through the notifications looking for the only one I'm interested in seeing. I see a message notification from her and my face lights up.

Knight in Shining Armor ⚔️

Hey baby! Airport wasn't too

terrible. Got dinner with Pau,

Sof, and Cam before I took

them back to the hotel. I

got home a little bit ago.

Spending time with the

pups before we get ready

for bed. Hope you don't

mind if I let them both

sleep on your side.

I love you 😘

I get confused on her use of 'pups' since only Monty is at the house. I need answers and I also want to talk to her. I press on her contact and go for a FaceTime call to see her face. I may have seen her earlier today, but that was at work and we tend to talk to other people at work. I prop the phone against the mirror and turn the sink water on to wash my face.

I look up and I'm met by the beautiful, hazel eyes I could continue staring into forever. "Hey babe," I rub the face wash on my face. "Hey, what happened to my girlfriend? Did the soap monster take over her face?" I roll my eyes at her trying to be funny. "So funny," I rinse my face and grab a towel to dab it dry. "How are you?" She asks and I take a seat on the toilet seat cover and bring the phone closer. "I'm good, just wanted to see your face and also find out what you meant by 'pups' in that text," I see her give me a full smile with a devilish glint in her eye. "Well," I see her readjust in the bed and suddenly the camera view changes, "say hello to Monty's best friend."

I see Axel cuddled up between AJ's legs and Monty's body on the bed. I let out a tiny gasp, "How did he get here?" The camera flips back around and AJ props herself up in bed. "Paulina offered to bring him, and I wasn't going to tell her not to. So, he got here today. He and Monty were very excited to see each other. Zoomies for a good thirty-minutes. I'll send you the video I took cause Monty was jumping between the couches in the living room." We both stay silent for a few minutes just looking at each other. I get lost in her eyes all the time and slowly feel my face heat up. I break our stare to hide the growing blush on my cheeks. "I love you so much Sarah Jeffery," I hear AJ faintly say through the phone. I feel the heat grow on my face more, "I love you too Alexandra Collins."

I look back at the phone and see AJ smiling so big that her eyes are squinting. "No one else says my name as beautifully as you do, ma'am," her words make me giggle. "Well, I live to please," I respond returning the big grin she's giving me. "It's not the same without you in this big bed, but these two boys are definitely trying to make up for the lack of your presence. You think your parents will be okay with me bringing Axel to their house this weekend?" I see the worry come over her face. "They'll be okay with it, but I can text my mom tomorrow just to make sure. What if she says he can't come? Do you have a back-up plan?" I see the gears turning in her head. "Yeah, I do. I'll ask Sofia and Paulina to keep him company. Paulina brought her new puppy, Joey, with her so the socializing will do him some good. Only if he's not allowed to come meet his new extended family," her referring to my family as Axel's extended family warms my heart. I don't think she understands how cute she's being right now.

"As much as I want to keep hearing your amazing voice and see your adorable face, I should get ready for bed. China and I are going to swing by the café before rehearsals so if you come into a hot coffee, don't be surprised," I bring my knee up to my chest and lay my chin on it. "I'll miss cuddling up to you tonight, Jeffery. I'll see you tomorrow okay. I love you," AJ says giving me puppy dog eyes. "I love you too. I'll equally miss those cuddles, Collins," I blow a kiss towards the screen, and she acts like she's catching it. We both do a quick wave and end the FaceTime.

I think back to that conversation China and I had earlier today. I am deeply in love with this girl, and I can't tell you if our futures will continue to be woven together. I can tell you that I'm not letting her go anytime soon, and that I want our futures to be together for as long as possible. She's the best person and I am truly lucky to have her in my life. I need to trust her more and not let my insecurities ruin something that's building into something so great.