"Drew, if you don't hurry we're going to be late," I heard Bree call from the kitchen.

I just smiled to myself from inside our bedroom and quickly slipped on my shoes. She was so punctual, but it just fell into the category of many traits I loved about her. Besides, if we were late it was her fault because she needed to run to the studio first. Not only was she punctual, but she was also forgetful, especially over the past few months.

I exited our bedroom and took sight of her, standing there near the door with her hands on her hips. There was really nothing better than this sight, and she apparently didn't like the smirk I held on my face.

I walked slowly over to her, "You're the one that needs to go to the studio. If we're late, that's on you."

Those hazel eyes rolled with a hint of annoyance as she grabbed my hand, "It won't take me long, I promise."

The past few months had been hectic, mostly consisting of us taking sign-ups and collecting money before the official reopening of her old studio. I of course helped as much as I could. Bree was organized but tended to stress herself out a little too much over simple things. I couldn't deny that I envied her consistency when it came to hard work, and it only inspired me to help her more.

It was the least I could do after everything she's done for me.

I climbed into the passenger side as she cranked her car to life, taking off down the street towards the studio. The plan was dinner, which was simple I know, but I told Bree I didn't want anything too big. Birthdays weren't a big deal to me anyway, and as long as I was with her I knew I would be satisfied.

Her hand slipped onto my thigh and then into my hand, my body tingling at the touch. I looked over to her but her eyes were focused on the road, too busy to take notice to me. It gave me a quick opportunity to admire her, which I did all the time without any shame. She was mine and I still hadn't figured out how I had gotten so lucky, but I would be forever grateful.

After the whole Evan incident things quieted down, and me packing up and moving to Philadelphia with Bree helped. Living here was like a breath of fresh air, a new start that was necessary after everything we endured in New York. Although my shoulder was basically healed I still had nasty thoughts and nightmares over that night, which was normal according to my therapist. We took it day by day over the course of our four month summer, Bree claiming I was only improving. She saw things I didn't, but that's what I loved so much about her.

She chimed, "You're quiet."

"Just thinking," I responded automatically, looking over to her and seeing her gaze locked on me. It made my body heat up in response, like her stare radiated this sort of heat that just washed all over me.

"Wanna share?" Her voice teased, which evoked a grin to form on my lips.

I paused for a second to collect my thoughts, "Just how lucky I am to have ended up here with you..."

She grinned, "Yea, you are pretty lucky..."

I leaned over, kissing her cheek in response because I loved the way she lit up in response. After all the months of therapy I could feel myself changing even more, like I was being shaped into the person I was meant to be. After the Evan incident it was like a giant weight was lifted off of my chest. I could breathe without worrying, and my mind was finally cleared of all the haze and darkness he had left there. Of course that night still caused me nightmares, but knowing he wouldn't be able to hurt Bree or myself allowed me to lay all my demons to rest. Bree even claimed I was a different person which I agreed with because I hadn't felt the same ever since, and I was glad.

Then she broke the silence, "So, now that you're twenty-four do you feel old?"

I looked over to her, shaking my head, "Do not even start that conversation."

"I'm curious."

A laugh escaped my lips, "No, I don't feel old."

"Good," she teased, squeezing my hand.

I just rolled my eyes and smiled at her playfulness.

Finally she was pulling up in front of the deserted studio, glancing over at me before leaving.

"Are you getting down with me?" She asked.

"Do I have to?"

Her eyes just lingered on me for a bit, "Yes, you do."

I wanted to continue the banter, but she looked absolutely too cute to tell no. Besides what would it hurt? She was taking me out to dinner in a bit for my birthday, the least I could do was keep her company inside.

I obliged, "Fine."

I exited and followed her to the front door, watching her slip the key into the front door before twisting the knob. There was something about the studio, something that made my heart warm without even doing a single thing. It reminded me of when I lived in Boston and made me grateful I ended up here with Bree. This place probably meant just as much to me as it did to her now because I had grown an attachment.

It was dark for only a split second before Bree flicked on the lights, and then out of nowhere there was a deafening cheer.

"Happy birthday!"

I jumped slightly into Bree, seeing a lot of students I helped teach along with Demarcus, Maria, and Jeremy. My heart was hammering with adrenaline but my face was smiling so hard it was making my cheeks hurt. I had been completely caught off guard but this was absolutely the best birthday surprise ever.

There were kids at my side, hugging me and wishing me a happy birthday. My heart swelled as I bent down and acknowledged them.

"Happy birthday Miss Drew!" they all chanted simultaneously.

I smiled and hugged all of them close to me, taking in a sense of love I hadn't felt since I started working here. They looked up to and admired me, which was something I never could've imagined happening. For some reason I knew the kids here had a hand in shaping me into a better person too. Knowing that I was a role model to them only encouraged me to change, which I didn't mind because I enjoyed all of them tremendously.

I stood then, walking over to Bree who was talking with Maria. I didn't hesitate whenever she turned around to wrap her in my arms, pulling her into me and kissing her. The day I met her was my favorite set of twenty-four hours because the day she walked into my life was when I had begun to change. She persistently stayed by my side, stayed patient, and stayed loving me even at my worst. I had never met someone like her but I knew there was a reason for that. I would never meet someone like Bree again, which was exactly the reason I would hold onto her forever.

She smiled into my kiss before asking, "Maria got the best picture of you."

Maria answered, "Yea I did. You were so surprised, and your facial expression says it all."

I just smiled as I pulled Bree in for another kiss, my entire body coming to life under her touch. I never would understand how someone could conjure such emotions but she could. She meant the world to me and knowing she did all of this for me just made me love her more.

"So I'm guessing you liked your surprise?" She questioned.

I held her close to me, "I absolutely love it."

"Good because it was the hardest secret I've ever had to keep," I watched her lips move as she talked, only wanting to kiss them but holding back. Keeping it rated-G here was necessary with all the little ones. Besides, we had forever for me to show her how much I appreciated her and her effort.

The sound of music hummed through the speakers throughout the studio, some of the students already beginning to dance. There was a food table across the room, decorations all through the studio, and I knew she put a lot of work into this surprise. Of all the things Bree did for me I was afraid I would never be able to give back, but then reminded myself she didn't expect me to. She did these things for me, and she did them to see me smile and make sure I was happy. She didn't expect anything in return, but I vowed to do the same for her in the future.

I wrapped her in my arms again, the smell of her herbal shampoo and perfume filling my senses. I buried my face in her soft brown hair, kissing her head before pulling back, "Thank you, for everything."

Her cheeks reddened as her dimples peeked through at her smile, "You deserved a little more than just dinner."

I went in for another kiss as I acknowledged Maria and Demarcus clearing their throats. We pulled away as Maria spoke, "Okay you two, we want to take a group picture so... save this for tonight."

This time my own cheeks reddened at Maria's comment but I had grown used to her. I couldn't be happier that she and Demarcus moved to Philly with us. It was one thing to start over but starting over with your best friends made the process one-hundred times easier.

Maria proceeded to put the camera on the tri-pod as the rest of us gathered everyone in front of the full length mirror. The love that surrounded me in this room was tangible. I never had the pleasure of feeling so much unconditional love at once, not since my mom, but this was just as good. The hole in my heart had finally been filled whenever I moved here with Bree and began helping her with the studio. This was where I belonged, and nothing would be able to take that away from me. I wouldn't let it happen.

"Okay! On the count of three!" Maria hit the countdown button on the camera and rushed to join us, squeezing alongside Demarcus and I.

"One... Two... Three!"

A smile was plastered on my face since the count of one because I couldn't stop smiling. I was genuinely happy, and I no longer had to fake a smile like I had done for so long. Being happy was effortless, like breathing because of the people that surrounded me.

After the picture the little ones scattered again, dancing along to the play list echoing through the speakers. I felt Bree's arm snake around my waist, pulling me out of my daydream as she kissed my cheek.

"Do you want to see your cake?"

I sighed in admiration, "You got me a cake too, should've figured."

She hugged me close, "Of course I did, along with twenty-four candles."

Walking me over to the table that held the food I spotted the cake which of course read Happy Birthday Drew.

She advised, "It's your favorite."

"Chocolate?" I questioned.

"Yep," she smiled, her pretty eyes switching up to me that glowed with admiration. I never got used to the way she looked at me as if I was the only thing in this room. I had felt that I didn't deserve someone like her for a long time. Then with the help of my therapist and her constant reassurance she was showing me I had been wrong. She would tell me exactly what I needed to hear when I needed it without any hint of annoyance in her voice. This is what I had been searching for without even knowing it, and when I found her it came as shock. I figured that was why it had been so hard to actually give in, but I was happy I did.

Then a swarm of kids were next to us, most of them asking if we were about to sing happy birthday. It's not that I wasn't appreciative of their attention but it was just so new to have so many people around me. I wasn't used to it, but I was getting there.

Bree looked up at me, "Ready to blow out your candles?"

My cheeks flushed as I nodded, feeling everyone's eyes on me, "Sure."

And with that Maria and Bree began placing the candles on the cake as Demarcus searched for a lighter. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday surprise, and after years and years of searching for my place I believed I had finally found it.

Lighting all twenty-four candles Bree pulled me towards the table and closer to the cake. They all began singing as I just stared at my girlfriend. She brushed a strand of brown hair out of her face as she sang, those hazel eyes lighting up from the glow of the candles. Bree was everything I wanted and more. There was nothing I would ever crave on this earth more than her love, or her kiss, and I felt beyond lucky to have found her when I did. If she would've come along a year later, or even a few months we probably never would've found a way to be together.

Everything always seemed to happen at the right time, with a few exceptions, but we were lucky and I knew that.

Soon the song was coming to an end as I closed my eyes and thought of a wish, something simple yet meaningful. I wish to have this forever... and I sent a quick gust of breath across the candles, knocking out every single flame. They clapped and I smiled, wondering what was in store for Bree and I in the years to come. It was scary not knowing, but I knew as long as we had each other we could make it through anything.

"Miss Drew!" A tiny voice called out, forcing me out of my thoughts.

I turned to face a tiny blonde who I instantly identified as Sara. She was only six years old but was exceptional when it came to dancing, and she was also one of my favorites. I knelt down in front of her, "Yes Sara?"

Her hazel eyes flipped up to mine as she pointed to the stereo, "I really want you and Miss Bree to dance."

I looked up to Bree who was smiling down at us, and the thought of dancing with me right now seemed to give her a sense of happiness. I faced Sara and gave her a nod, "Okay, well what do you want us to dance to?"

Her tiny hands grabbed my own as she jumped up and down, "You know! My favorite!"

I of course knew the one she was talking about, which was also my favorite considering Bree and I worked so hard on it all those months ago. I stood, holding Sara's hand as a few other students followed us to the stereo. The physical therapy for my arm helped a lot but I still couldn't perform all the lifts I once as able to. Not to mention the fact I wasn't nearly as strong as I used to be. Of course Bree and I worked around it, especially since all of our students loved our To Build A Home performance.

Bree plugged in her phone as she eyed me, "Are you sure you're up for this?"

I shrugged, glancing down at Sara who seemed to be jumping out of her shoes with excitement. "I would hate to disappoint them," I confessed, smiling as all the students sat in a row along the wall facing us.

It made me beam with happiness as all of their eager eyes fell onto Bree and I, letting me know they really did look up to us in a sense. Even the teenagers we taught seemed to come to us for advice beyond dancing. The trust we all held made me appreciate the bond I created with all of our students.

The music then echoed through the room, my eyes falling onto Bree and instantly bringing me back to December when we first performed this duet. The memory alone made my heart jump in my chest, but there was nothing I loved more than dancing with her.

My hands automatically knew where to go as they moved with the music, holding her warm body next to me. It was tough not putting all the pressure on my left arm like I was so used to but I was still capable of holding her with my right. The gun-shot wound healed externally but internally I still had a lot of problems. Only time and work would make that side of my body stronger.

Everything began to fade away as the song progressed, me never once taking my eyes off of my partner. There was just something about her, something about Bree whenever she danced that completely captivated me. It was like she created her own world and I was the only one she ever invited in to see it. It was magical, like an alternate reality only we knew.

I spun her around and held her close, memories of us flashing through my mind of when I kissed her in the studio for the first time. I remembered the way my body came to life for the first time in years as if Bree carried the gasoline to reignite my internal fire. It had been scary but worth it because that night I gave a piece of my heart no one else had held.

Giving Bree a chance was the best decision I ever made, and she kept true to all the promises.

Of course I always believed she was perfect, even when my brain knew she wasn't, but she never once let me down. She stayed patient whenever I needed it and she loved every inch of me. She wasn't afraid of the bad and she appreciated the good, and I believed I was the luckiest person on earth to have found her.

Before Bree I had been on a deadly downward spiral. A complete mess who was losing hope in everything and everyone that surrounded me. I still caught myself having toxic thoughts, but she was always there to reassure me I would never have to return to that dark place. She was my anchor that held me to reality. She reminded me I wasn't alone anymore and that I would never have to be again.

I realized I had spaced out while performing but hadn't missed a step. Forgetting this dance was pretty difficult considering it had been cemented into my brain since December. I recognized it was coming to an end as Bree fell into me, allowing me to catch her like always as I hugged her close.

She held onto me, her hands repairing every invisible wound I held on my skin and inside my heart. Only she could do that.

The song ended and the faint sound of clapping traveled through the room but all I could see was Bree. She smiled, her face a little red from the exertion. I saw her lips move as she went to speak, "I love you."

I responded, "I love you too."

And I meant it, whole-heartedly. I failed her once before by letting her fall without my love as her safety net, but I would never do that again. Vowing to her and myself I promised to always be there for her when she needed because she had done the same many times for me in return. She loved me through the good and the bad, helped shape me into the person I was today and loved me without any restriction. She handed over her heart even after being burned so many times and forgave me when I hurt her myself.

She believed I deserved happiness, but I understood she deserved it as well, and I would gladly be the one to give that to her.

And I vowed to catch her every single time she fell down because not only had she saved me but she taught me what it was to love again. I saw forever in her eyes, and she's exactly where I belonged for the rest of my life.

***A/N***

Alright guys, that's it for "If I Fall". I hope you all enjoyed as much as I did but sadly it has to come to an end. Don't worry though, there are always new works down the road because I'm always swarming with ideas. Oh, and since I'm done with this story and will be reading more please recommend some awesome stories here on Wattpad or from published authors! That would be awesome if you guys did that for me.

Anyways, if you loved the story let me know with votes/ comments. They mean a lot and I love hearing what you guys think. Happy reading friends!

-Lauryn