Daphne

I made my way down to the hall, thoughts buzzing with the recent changes in our lives. The air felt lighter, the negativity from our past struggles replaced by a deep sense of peace and contentment. Everyone seemed happier since our triumph over Iron Claws and Fred, but none more so than Logan. His spirits have soared, and our bond has grown even stronger. We have been practically inseparable, and I cherish every moment with him.

Joining Rebecca at the breakfast table, I greeted her with a smile that reflected my thoughts. "Hiiii, Becks."

"Good morning, Daphne," she replied warmly. "Are you looking forward to the party tonight?"

My eyes brightened at the mention of the party and Logan's surprise. "Yes, I am! Especially curious about Logan's surprise. I hope it's something like fireworks to celebrate our victory and our reunion with Billy's gang."

Rebecca nodded, "I'm eager for it too, but it's our first time mixing with others like this."

"Billy is part of the family now. Think of everyone there as extended family members. You will fit right in, trust me girl", I glanced at her, taking a bite out of my toast.

Rebecca smiled gratefully, comforted by the thought. "That's a good way to see it."

As we enjoyed our breakfast, Rebecca asked, "You haven't planned anything for Logan have you? I would have known about it by now".

I keep thinking on how to surprise him. He literally has everything. Logan will go all out on his surprise for me so I am struggling to THINK BIG.

I paused briefly, feeling the weight of time. "Time is slipping away. I haven't came up with anything yet."

Rebecca teased gently, "Go big or go home. Since, It is last minute though, Noah's your man. He has everything at his fingertips and I am sure he can keep a secret for us. We just need to think of a surprise".

REBECCA! YOU'RE A STAR. YES. NOAH.

An idea sparked in my mind, and excitement surged through me. "How about a night under the stars? Blankets, a cosy campfire, marshmallows, chocolate, and lanterns—it would be magical. We could ask Noah to set it all up while we're at the party. The kids would absolutely love it, and it could be a delightful surprise. It's last minute, but we can pull it off. We have everything we need right here."

Rebecca's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I love it! We can slip away early from the party to help set everything up."

My heart raced with anticipation. "Exactly! Let's talk to Noah about it."

Speak of the devil, he just walked into the hall. Let's talk to him!

We quickly found Noah and shared our idea with him, excitement bubbling over.

"Noah, we have a big favour to ask," I began eagerly. "Could you help us set up a surprise campfire under the stars tonight? We want blankets, marshmallows, chocolate, lanterns—everything. And please keep it a secret from Logan."

Noah's eyes twinkled mischievously for a moment before he nodded enthusiastically. "It's short notice, but count me in. Anything for you two."

I am lucky to have Noah and Ryan as my brothers, I swear.

Rebecca and I exchanged delighted looks. "We'll leave the party early to help you get everything ready," she promised.

Noah grinned. "It's going to be epic. Logan will be thrilled."

As we finalised the plans, a wave of happiness washed over me. Tonight wasn't just about celebrating our victory; it was a celebration of our journey together, our resilience, and the deep love that had carried us through every challenge.

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Rebecca and I hovered near the entrance of the hall, still caught up in our excitement about the plan for Logan. I was lost in thought when Ryan walked in, a knowing smile on his face.

"I just picked up an order for two girls," Ryan announced, his eyes twinkling. "It's upstairs in Rebecca's room. Couldn't put Daphne's order in her room because the kids would wake up."

Rebecca and I exchanged curious glances. "What is it?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

Ryan just shrugged, teasing us. "I guess you'll just have to see for yourselves."

Without another word, Rebecca and I sprinted up the stairs to her room. We burst through the door and found two dresses, each with a label. Rebecca read hers aloud first: "For my best sister."

Mine reads: "For my beautiful queen."

My heart melted. I picked up the emerald velvet dress, its deep green hue matching my eyes perfectly. The fabric felt luxurious under my fingers, and the modest design was elegant and timeless. Rebecca's dress was a stunning burgundy floral lace, equally beautiful and fitting for her.

Woah... this is sooooo beautiful. Holy shit, Logan did really well. Rebecca's dress is also pretty, the colour will look perfect on her. I am so excited for us.

"Oh my gosh, Rebecca, look at these!" I exclaimed, holding my dress up against me.

Rebecca's eyes were wide with delight. "They're gorgeous! Logan really outdid himself."

We quickly tried on our dresses, helping each other with the zippers and adjustments. Once we were dressed, we stood in front of the mirror, admiring our reflections.

She is a show stopper. Rebecca's already beautiful but that dress on her, oh my. She looks like a movie star. I am in love with her dress.

"Rebecca, you look absolutely stunning," I said, taking in the sight of her in the burgundy lace.

Rebecca smiled, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "And you look like a queen, Daphne. Logan's going to be speechless when he sees you."

I love this. The dress fits perfectly, the long sleeves and the way it drops down so elegantly, after it hugs my waist - it's perfect.

I twirled around, feeling the soft velvet sway around me. "Do you think this is the surprise?" I asked, still in awe.

"Maybe," Rebecca replied, adjusting a lace sleeve. "But knowing Logan, he probably has something even bigger planned."

I laughed, feeling a rush of anticipation. "Whatever it is, I can't wait to find out. Tonight is going to be perfect."

Rebecca glanced at herself in the mirror one last time before turning to me. "Let's get out of these and go up to the roof. We can envision how the campfire will be set".

I nodded, feeling the excitement bubble up inside me. "Sounds perfect."

We carefully changed out of our beautiful dresses, hanging them on the curtain rail where they could stay pristine. I took a moment to look out the window, the apocalyptic view stretching out before us. It was surreal, seeing the remnants of a world that had nearly perished, and yet here we were, finding moments of normalcy in simple things like a dress and planning a party.

Rebecca joined me at the window. "It's strange, isn't it? Everything out there is chaos, but in here, we can still find pieces of the life we once had."

I nodded, lost in thought. "Yeah, it's weird. But it's also comforting. It reminds us that there's still hope, that we can rebuild."

We finally made our way up to the roof, the cool breeze brushing against our faces. The view from up here was both haunting and beautiful, the cityscape a mix of ruins and resilience.

I can never get over this view. The fact we are survivors left on this lost planet.. how lucky could we be?

"Alright," Rebecca said, her eyes scanning the area. "I was thinking we could set up the lights along the edges here and here." She pointed to the corners of the roof, as she looked down.

I followed her gaze, envisioning the soft glow of lanterns casting a warm light. "And we could have the campfire right there. It would be perfect for everyone to gather around". I added as I pointed to the centre of the garden.

Rebecca smiled, nodding in agreement. "Exactly. We can have blankets spread out, marshmallows and chocolate for the kids... it'll be like a little oasis in the middle of all this madness."

I couldn't help but grin, the image forming clearly in my mind. "I love it. And it's a great way to end the night after the party."

We sat there for a while longer, pointing out where we wanted everything to go, our imaginations transforming the rooftop into a haven. It was a small escape from the reality of our world, that even in the darkest times, we could still find light.

"Right, I'm going to check on the kids," I said, turning to Rebecca.

Rebecca nodded, her excitement spilling into her voice. "I'll update Noah with our plan. We've got this."

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I made my way to the door and paused for a moment, watching the kids as they slept peacefully. It was a sight that always filled me with a mixture of love and protectiveness.

Liam was sprawled out, his arm hanging off the bed. He is sweet jokester, always ready with a smile or a funny comment. He adores Ava, doting on her like she is a precious gem. 

Then there was Jamie, curled up tightly, ever the protective, caring brother.

And Ava... my baby sister. She should come with a warning: she will melt your heart. She is funny, loving, and so innocent in a world that has little innocence left.

As I stood there, Jamie yawned and rubbed his eyes, slowly waking up. I walked in and gently ruffled his hair. "About time you woke up, sleepyhead."

Jamie looked up at me with sleepy eyes and a small smile. "Liam and Ava slept late last night. They kept telling stories on repeat."

I glanced over at Ava, still sleeping peacefully in her bed. I scolded her internally for bothering Jamie, but it was hard to stay annoyed.

Ava, you and your big gob again. The stories had better be good! 

 Then there was Liam. It was impossible to be upset with him. He had been through so much, raised by Jamie, who had to take on the role of a parent far too young.

"Those two," I said, shaking my head with a smile. "Always up to something. But it's good they have each other."

Jamie nodded, stretching and sitting up. "Yeah, it is. They keep things lively."

I sat down next to him, my heart swelling with love for these kids. "How about we get some breakfast? Rebecca and I have some exciting plans for later, and we're going to need all the energy we can get."

Jamie grinned, his sleepiness fading. "Sounds good. What are we doing?"

I winked at him. "It's a surprise. But trust me, you're going to love it."

As we headed out of the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite everything we had been through, these moments of normalcy, of simple joy, made it all worthwhile. And with the party tonight, and the surprise Logan had in store, it felt like we were finally finding our way back to happiness.

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A few hours before the party, I stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed and ready for the day. As I walked into the bedroom, I was met with the sounds of an argument between Ava and Jamie.

"Ava, you can't just take Liam's car!" Jamie was saying, trying to wrestle a toy car, Wheels, from her grip.

"But I need a ride to the party!" Ava retorted, her voice high and insistent.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing at her response. But my laughter quickly died when I saw the tears stinging Ava's eyes. Liam, standing nearby, looked deeply hurt that Ava wanted to take his beloved toy car when she had so many other toys to play with.

Oh no, I shouldn't have laughed. Liam looks really upset..

Liam ran to me, crying. I scooped him up and hugged him tightly. "It's okay, Liam. You can keep your car."

Ava started to cry, her small body shaking with sobs. "But I want to have Wheels!"

I took Ava by the hand and gently led her out of the room. We sat down, leaning against the walI, looked her in the eyes, brushing away her tears. "Ava, you can't take Wheels. I know you really like it, but it belongs to Liam. His feelings are more important than the car."

"But why?" she sniffled, looking up at me with big, watery eyes.

"Because Liam loves that car, just like you love your favourite toys," I explained softly. "Imagine if someone took your favourite toy without asking. How would you feel?"

Ava's eyes widened, and she nodded slowly, understanding dawning on her face. "I would be sad."

"Exactly," I said, giving her a comforting hug. "So let's find another toy for you to take to the party, okay?"

Ava nodded again, a small smile starting to form. "Okay, Daph."

We walked back into the room, and I could see Liam's face light up with relief. Jamie looked at me with a grateful smile.

I love them so much, they're good boys who deserve an entire world of happiness.

"How about you take your stuffed unicorn?" I suggested to Ava, pointing to her favourite toy on the shelf.

Ava's eyes lit up, and she ran to grab the unicorn. "Okay! I'll take Uni to the party."

Liam hugged his toy car, Wheels, tightly and smiled at me. "Thank you for making her listen".

"You're welcome, sweetheart," I said, ruffling his hair. "Now, let's get ready for the party."

As the kids busied themselves with their toys, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Despite the chaos and the challenges, we were a family. And moments like these, where we found solutions and cared for each other's feelings, made it all worthwhile.

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Rebecca entered my room, looking stunning in a simple yet elegant dress. She wore the ruby necklace I had given her, and it looked even better on her than I had imagined.

"Becks you look amazing!" I exclaimed, stepping forward to admire the necklace. "I knew it would look great on you."

Rebecca blushed, touching the ruby lightly. "Thank you, Daphne. It's beautiful. I feel so special wearing it. You look absolutely fantastic too!". I smiled at her compliment. 

I am so shit at responding to back to compliments, but I agree, we both look really, really good.

Rebecca and I stayed in my room, admiring our reflections in the mirror. We were both dressed elegantly, looking every bit the part for the big party. Rebecca's burgundy floral lace dress perfectly complemented her warm complexion, and my emerald velvet dress brought out the green in my eyes.

"The kids are ready," I said, breaking the comfortable silence. "They've had a light snack and are so excited for the party. It's pretty much their first time going to a big event like this."

Rebecca smiled, adjusting her hair. "I can imagine. It's a big night for all of us."

"I'm really excited to surprise Logan," I added, a grin spreading across my face. "I can't wait to see his reaction."

I am 100% nervous to see his reaction in this dress, I have never felt this pretty before. I can't believe he had got his hands on these dresses, he must really have contacts.

Rebecca laughed softly. "He'll love it. You two have been through so much. It's wonderful to see you both so happy." Rebecca then beamed, as she continued to admire herself in the mirror. "I'm so excited for tonight. It feels like everything is finally falling into place."

I reached out and squeezed her hand. "It is. We've all come a long way, and tonight we celebrate that."

We shared a moment of silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. I felt a surge of gratitude for this strong, amazing woman by my side. Tonight was not just a party; it was a celebration of survival, strength, and the bonds we had formed.

Rebecca broke the silence, her eyes sparkling. "Shall we head down? It's almost time."

I nodded, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. "Let's go. Tonight is going to be unforgettable."

I hope Logan loves his surprise, I sure as hell love this surprise he's given me, he has a great taste in dresses for sure. I cannot fucking wait to surprise him!

As I walked down the stairs, I had to stop for a moment. Logan stood there, looking so sharp and handsome that it took my breath away. He gazed at me with awe, and when I got closer, he gasped softly.

HOT DAMN!  I cannot believe he is mine, so perfect.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he said, his voice filled with admiration.

I felt my cheeks heat up. "And you look incredibly handsome," I replied, smiling as we shared a tender kiss.

Rebecca then made her way down the stairs, looking elegant and composed. Logan and I both admired her.

Turning back to Logan, I said, "I love our surprise!"

He looked a bit puzzled. "Surprise?"

"Yeah, our dresses, silly, you have a great taste. I was so surprised" I teased.

Logan let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, I take that as a compliment, I think. Well, I'm happy if you're happy, I love you." He leaned over, kissing my cheek.

I smiled, caressing his cheek. "I'm happy if you're happy too and duh I love you too."

We both laughed and walked into the main hall together, ready to gather everyone for the party. Logan addressed the group, "Alright, everyone, let's go. Always stay vigilant - remember we're still a gang."

Everyone nodded, understanding the importance of staying vigilant despite the celebrations.

Oh Logan, not now. Let them have fun.

I giggled, "I think Logan here is trying to say enjoy the party", everyone soon radiated with delight and excitement.

We headed outside and got into the cars. I was driving with Logan, Ava, and Ryan, while Noah, Jamie, Liam, and Rebecca were in the other car. The rest of our crew followed in the remaining vehicles.

Everyone looks elegant and smart I must admit, this party already seems extravagant. 

The excitement for the party was bursting at its seams, but so was the underlying awareness of our need for caution. We were a family, strong and united, ready to face whatever came our way.

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As our car pulled up to the entrance of a magnificent mansion, guarded by armed men, I couldn't believe my eyes. Despite living in an apocalyptic world, this mansion stood restored and pristine. My jaw dropped as I took in the sight.

Oh my goodness... how on earth did he manage THAT?

"How...?" I asked Logan, my voice full of shock.

Logan smiled at me. "Billy and I are extremely powerful thanks to the antidote. Trades and exchanges are constant."

I looked at him, filled with pride. "I'm so proud of you, Logan. I seriously misunderstood you from the beginning."

He nodded, a soft expression on his face. "I feel the same. No matter what, I will always love you."

I can't still believe he is mine, he has done so much for me, ava, and the kids. I owe him so much. I will ALWAYS love you, Logan, no matter what.

My heart felt like it would explode with emotion, and I hugged him tightly. Suddenly, Ava whisked my hand away, her eyes wide with excitement.

"CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN? BUT HOW?" she squealed.

Everyone laughed as Ava pulled me away from Logan. She handed me sticks, each labelled for Ryan, Liam, and Jamie, before she dove into the chocolate fountain, stuffing her face with the rich, velvety chocolate. I was shocked.

AVA GOODNESS ME! Girl, step away from the fountain. PLEASE! I cannot believe you right now, look at the state of your face. That chocolate is for EVERYONE, missy.

"Ava, you can't do that!" I scolded, but she was too happy to be bothered by a reprimand.

Billy appeared from behind, shaking my hand firmly. "Don't blame her at all. You did excellent work cracking down on Fred and the mole. This entire party is really in your honour."

I was extremely honoured. "Thank you, Billy. This spectacular party, with all its elegance, has brought back a sense of normalcy despite the apocalypse."

Billy acknowledged my words with a nod. "You're welcome, Daphne." Someone called him over, and he excused himself.

Rebecca, Liam, and Jamie arrived, laughing at the sight of Ava with chocolate all over her face. I handed Jamie and Liam their sticks of chocolate and strawberries and then started cleaning Ava up. As I did, I noticed one of Billy's workers eyeing Rebecca. Nudging her discreetly, I whispered, "Looks like someone's interested in you."

oooooooOOOOOOoooo Becksssssss, you have a secret admirer.

Rebecca blushed, looking nervous and shy. I grabbed her hand, walking over to the boy. "Hi there! I'm Daphne, and this is Rebecca."

They both stared at each other, love clearly in their eyes. Sensing Rebecca would do just fine on her own, I walked away, keeping an eye on the kids while sipping a mojito.

Girl, I hope it goes well, first impressions count... and that's exactly why I couldn't stand Logan at first.

Suddenly, Logan called for everyone's attention. "I want to say how proud I am of both gangs coming together." His voice was strong and commanding, filled with emotion. "This elegant theme is a reflection of our unity and strength."

He then walked over to me, a serious yet loving expression on his face. My heart raced as he got down on one knee and took my hand.

"Daph, will you marry me?"

As Logan got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, I was so shocked that I spat out my drink. I stared at him in awe, completely frozen, unable to believe what was happening. The room went silent, and everyone seemed to hold their breath.

As Logan knelt before me, time seemed to stop. The world around us faded into a blur, and all I could see were his eyes. Those deep, soulful eyes that had seen so much, endured so much, yet still held such tenderness and love. In that moment, it was as if the entire universe had narrowed down to just the two of us.

I-.. UHM...WAIT WHAT DID YOU JUST ASK?... I CAN'T THINK.. DID HE SAY MARRY HIM!??

Rebecca walked by, giving me a nudge. "Daphne, Logan asked you a question..."

Logan's face began to show a flicker of hurt and uncertainty. Just then, Ava broke the silence, her voice loud and impatient.

"SAY YES ALREADY SO I CAN EAT CHOCOLATE!"

Her outburst made everyone laugh, and it snapped me out of my stupor. I felt tears sting my eyes as I looked back at Logan, my heart swelling with love.

"What took you so long?" I managed to say through my tears, smiling at him. "Duh, of course I'll marry you!"

I threw my arms around him, crying with joy as I kissed him deeply. The crowd erupted in applause, cheering and clapping. Ava, Jamie, and Liam came running over, hugging us tightly. We cuddled them, sharing the moment with our little family.

I feel complete. Everything is perfect. I cannot believe this is happening to me. I still can't believe Logan proposed to me, I feel like I am floating right now. I can die right now of happiness.

Rebecca was the first to congratulate us, beaming with happiness. "You two are perfect for each other," she said, hugging me tightly.

Noah followed, clapping Logan on the back. "Well done, man. Congratulations!"

Finally, Ryan approached, his eyes filled with pride and warmth. I hugged him tightly, feeling grateful for everything he had done for us.

"Thank you, Ryan," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for always having my back and taking great care of the kids. You have always been there for me. I will never forget that."

He smiled, patting my back. "Always, Daphne. Always. You're the reason why I finally feel like I belong somewhere, I have a home and a family because of you." Tears fell from my face, hugging him again.

As I stood there, surrounded by the people I loved, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. Logan pulled me away and held me close, whispering in my ear, "I love you, Daphne. More than anything. I hope you liked that surprise"

I am madly in love with you.. wait SURPRISE? HOLY SHIT. THE SURPRISE. I need to go home and set up. Noah, where are you?? I admit, I cannot compete with Logan's surprise.. he literally just asked me to marry him? how am I supposed to compete with that?? But a surprise is a surprise. 

"I love you too, Logan... so THAT was the surprise?? I cannot compete with that, I am just letting you know, in advance", I whispered back, feeling the truth of those words in every fibre of my being.

"I knew it. Nothing can beat my surprise but you're very lucky that I love you so much that I can let it go", he smiled, teasing me.

THAT KILLER SMILE!

 I scoffed, punching him in the arm playfully. Logan let out a heartedly laugh, then we just stared at each other with love and pride. 

I could feel my heart beating in sync with his, a rhythm that echoed the connection we shared. It was more than love; it was as if he were a part of me, another heartbeat, another breath. Every glance, every touch, felt like a promise, a testament to the journey we had been through together.

The chaos of the world we lived in, the apocalypse, the battles, all melted away. There was just Logan, my anchor, my strength, my love. His presence was a constant reminder that despite everything, we had found something beautiful and pure in each other.

In that silent exchange, no words were needed. Our souls spoke volumes, a language only we understood. I felt tears well up, not from sadness but from the sheer intensity of the love we shared. It was a love that had been forged in the fires of adversity, tested and true.

Logan was my other half, the missing piece I had never known I was searching for. And in that timeless moment, as we stared into each other's eyes, I knew with unwavering certainty that this was where I was meant to be. 

With him. Always.