"Aaron-..." I choked back my words. Why can't I say it. Why are three simple words so hard to say?

"What's wrong?" Aaron asked gently as he stroked my cheek. "You're making such a troubled face."

I took a deep breath and stared into Aaron's eyes. I need to say it, now is the time. I opened my mouth to speak-

"I love you."

"I love you."

We both froze at hearing each others words. Did he say what I just think he did?...

"Wha-" I wasn't sure what to say. My face went red and Aaron smiled.

"I'm so happy." Aaron said and lovingly stroked my cheek.

I smiled just as big as he was. "This isn't a dream?"

"Heh I hope not." Aaron said as he slowly leaned forward. "Can I kiss you?"

I nodded shyly and Aaron's lips soon met mine. Just as we pulled away we heard giggles. I jumped back and turned towards the those two...Levin and Malachi. This was the second time Aaron kissed me in front of those two. Ugg how embarrassing.

"So....are you officially 'mom' now?" Malachi asked with a big grin.

"I'm not sure, am I?" I asked as I turned to Aaron.

"Of course. But first we need to go through the dating stage." Aaron said as he kneeled down on one knee. "(Y/N), will you be my girlfriend?" Aaron asked.

I laughed slightly. "Seriously?...You are so embarrassing." I said as I hid my face in my hands.

"I'm very serious. So...can I have your answer?" Aaron asked.

"Of course I'll be your girlfriend. I wouldn't say that I love you if I didn't want to be." I said embarrassedly and hugged Aaron. Malachi and Levin shouted happily and jumped around along with joining in on the hug.

After that, we went back to Aaron's apartment.

"We need to make a cake to celebrate!" Levin said as he jumped up and down in the kitchen.

"A cake? Now? It's already almost 11:00! Look how dark it is." I said as I opened the curtain to the window.

"C'mom!" Malachi shouted.

C'mom?..."Malachi.....what is C'mom?" I asked confused.

"It's Come on and mom mixed together. C'mom!" Malachi explained.

Aaron chuckled. "There's no way to get them to sleep now that they're this excited."

I let out a small sigh, "Heh, I guess you're right. Okay, let's make a cake then! Aaron, do we have the ingredients?" I asked.

"We have cake mix in the pantry that Kiki gave us some time ago." Aaron said.

"Great! Let's use that then." I said.

Malachi helped me gather the ingredients and Levin helped me crack and mix the eggs. Aaron got out a cake sheet and I put the batter in after oiling the sheet. I had already pre-heated the oven so now it was time to but the cake inside. Aaron did so for me and all that we had to do now was wait.

"How long will this take mom?" Levin asked.

Are they seriously going to call me mom permanently now? I'm not complaining.....I'm just a little embarrassed.

"About an hour. Why don't you two play or watch TV?"

"Okay!" The two boys yelled as they ran into their room.

I began to clean the mess in the kitchen when Aaron hugged me from behind. I froze, "Aaron?..What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing. I'm just so happy that our love is mutual." Aaron said quietly.

I smiled, "Me too.....were you in love with me the time you kissed me at the aquarium?" I asked.

"Yeah, or else I wouldn't kiss you." Aaron chuckled.

"Then why didn't you say you loved me at the time?" I asked.

"Hmm....I was feeling guilty."

"Guilty?"

"Yeah, I felt as if I was betraying my wife...even though she was already gone...and I felt guilty because you probably thought you were just a replacement." Aaron said as he hugged me a bit tighter.

He was right...I did think of myself as a replacement for his deceased wife...I didn't know what else to say besides, "I love you Aaron."

I turned in his arms to face him and laid my head against his chest. "I love you too. I love you so much." Aaron whispered and kissed my cheek, then the tip of my nose, and lastly my lips.

Our kiss ended quickly and we stood in an embrace. Time seemed to stop when suddenly, "Kissing again!?" Malachi yelled.

Aaron and I both turned towards the short brunette. "Interrupting again!?" Aaron mimicked Malachi.

I chuckled. So childish, stooping down to Malachi's level. Malachi stuck his tongue out at Aaron and then soon hugged us. Not too long after, Levin joined our group hug.

Beep! Beep!

The timer on the stove went off signalling the cake was finished. "Guys, I need to check the cake." I said as I tried to pull away.

Aaron was reluctant but released me. Unlike the two clinging to my legs. "Carry us!" Levin yelled.

I let out a sigh and slid my feet across the wooden floor and into the kitchen. It was very troublesome but I slowly made it just in time to grab the oven mitts and take the cake out of the oven before it burned.

"I need you two to let go or I'll drop the cake." I said a bit worried. The sheet was getting hotter and hotter against my oven mitt covered hands.

Malachi and Levin quickly let go so I could quickly set the cake on the counter. I took off the oven mitts and put them away. "Now it has to cool."

"Awww more waiting?" Malachi whined slightly.

I patted the top of his head. "It'll only take a few minutes." I smiled.

After I said that we waited...and waited...until the cake was finally cool! I cut us each a slice and had to substitute honey for frosting.

"I haven't had cake in forever." Aaron mumbled as he took a bite.

"Yum!" Malachi and Levin both said at the same time.

I smiled at their reactions. I'm so happy I get to be a part of this family...I hope we have even more happy days to come.

The End

(Hello! Sadly this is the end. I had so much fun writing Spring Rain and I hope you all continue to read my works! In my Ship requests I'll be posting about a two new books that'll come out soon so please check it out. Thanks for reading, Bye Bye My Ender Pearls!)