Aaron's POV

"Have you managed to strike a deal with Rob?" Marcel asks me when I come back to the living room after Diana left to see that dick.

My mind is still fixed on her as I take in my boss's words. It's a little weird being here without her, but I know that she'll be back soon so I'm trying not to make anything awkward for anyone.

I shake my head no to Marcel's question, "Nope, he wouldn't budge."

He groans, "God, I need whoever his agent is to coerce him into it. Cody, was it?" He asks.

"Yup. I'll drop him a text, he has been just as frustrated because of how stubborn Rob is being." I tell him and he nods, looking a little worried, "I'm sure it's nothing Brad cannot handle, considering he's the senior finance manager and you left him in charge." I try to reassure him and he offers me a nod again.

"Yeah." He rubs his temple, but I know this isn't only about business.

It's his sister in the another room, counting her numbered days. I'm not aware of their relationship much but a sibling bond matters a lot, as it must to him. Distress is evident on everyone's face in this house and I have no idea with what mood Diana would come back home.

If I see even one single drop of tear, I would literally punch Nate to his grave. He has made her cry for a lifetime now, the guy has to stop at some point.

Due to how lost I am in my thoughts, I don't notice when David walks in the living room and looks at me.

"Is she asleep?" Marcel asks and he shakes his head.

"No, she's asking for Shelly and you." He tells her and Marcel immediately shoots up from his seat, his wife following suit as they leave the living room.

Diana's father takes a seat on another couch and to avoid any awkward conversations, I pull out my phone to drop a text to Cody regarding Rob. After I'm done, I open up my library to scroll through Diana's pictures and keep my mind off the fact that Emily is currently meeting her biological father.

For the past one month, I've been in a beautiful and blissful routine where I forgot that this isn't my real family. Diana and Emily accepted me, asked me to move in and the greatest thing is to wake up to the face of the woman I am so madly in love with, but still as much as I love Emily as my own, we're not biologically related.

"Is it that bad?" David speaks up, catching me off guard because I was so busy staring at the picture of Diana wrapped in a small towel with her wet hair sticking to her face which beamed as she talked to me, completely unaware of the fact that I was clicking her photograph.

"Huh? Pardon?" I say, sitting up a little straighter.

"Is the fact that she's meeting Nate that bad according to you?" He asks, and I frown.

I think about his question, I've thought about it almost all night as I saw Diana sleep in my arms on the floor of the guest room. "No, I think she deserves to meet her father." I tell him honestly, because that's the only conclusion I could come up with.

He smiles a little, "I'm not talking about Emily, I'm talking about Diana. You're afraid of being replaced."

Bull's eye. But I don't answer him, I just shrug and his silence is enough for me to know that he's aware of being right. As the quietness dawns over, it's not awkward, it's just two people lost in their own thoughts.

After a while Marcel and Shelly come out of the room and he looks at me, "Viv asked to talk to you," he says, surprising me then turns to his brother in law, "and asked you to be there as well."

I nod, standing up as David follows behind me. I knock on the door once before opening it and giving Viviana a small smile as I take a seat on the chair by her bed while her husband settles himself on her side on the bed.

"You asked for me?" I start, remembering the last time how awkward because I had no clue how to begin the conversation with her.

Diana gets most of her looks from her mother, but her eyes and her smile resembles her father's, as does his blonde hair. Viviana sits up on the bed and David immediately scoots over to help her.

"She went to see that dumbass?" She starts, surprising me by her use of language but making me smile nonetheless.

I rub the back of my neck as I nod, "Yeah, she did."

A sigh escapes her, "I saw the way you looked at us couple a month back in that hotel lobby. She told you everything, and you despised us." She begins, making me worry with where she was going with this. Before I can even open my mouth to respond, she raises her hand in a gesture to stop me.

"It wasn't a bad thing to do. That only confirms what I already know but feel the need to ask — how much do you love her?"

I sigh, rubbing my hand over my face, "Enough that I can't put it into words to give you a satisfactory answer." I tell her honestly.

Because loving her is a feeling to which words cannot bring justice. I work at a publishing company, I'm an avid reader of novels but I've never come across a quote or a few lines which could be remotely close to how much I feel about her.

She smiles, looking pretty satisfied with my answer even though I thought it would have an opposite effect. David clears his throat, "We're in no position to question you, Aaron and we don't mean to. But no matter what happened, she is our daughter and we love her like any other parents loves their kid," he pauses, staring right into my eyes before he adds, "Like you love Emily."

His words form an incomprehensible knot in my throat which I try to swallow down but fail miserably so I do the only possible, I nod at his statement.

"We're glad that she's found someone who loves her for who she is, even though she seems like an entirely different person that I knew her to be. She's stronger, so much stronger and she loves even more fiercely because I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you," her mother smiles, looking at me as she reaches for my hand and I scoot forward to let her take it in her fragile grasp, "Don't break her heart, Aaron. Keep it safe. Promise me."

I smile, trying not to let the tears prickle my eyes as I stare into the woman who gave birth to the love of my life, as I look into her tearful eyes, "I promise." I whisper, meaning it and she smiles through her tears.

"Now, do you plan on marrying her?" David asks, making me smile despite his question.

Viviana gasps, looking at her husband, "Dave! The man is twenty two." She admonishes him but I shake my head.

"It's alright, I don't mind answering. I do plan to marry her years from now, but she's not too keen on the idea of marriage, you see." I tell them and they frown at me, "I think she's just afraid of what it would mean for Emily."

Viviana waves it off, "She's just stubborn, she'll come along." She grins, giving my heart a little hope. "Now that I know your plans, I have something for you.." she says, reaching to the bedside for a diary and pen.

___

The talk with Diana's parents got too much at some point so I decided to get some air. I couldn't imagine being trapped in that house for another minute as I was interviewed about my future with her. But I like her mother, and it pains my heart to think about what she's going through.

I noticed how weird it is for me to hear people call her 'Anna' because I'm not used to it. But also because the name just doesn't suit her personality. She's Diana for me, my Diana.

My phone rings in my pocket and I read my mother's name flashing on the screen as I pick up. "Hey Mum." I greet, trying not to sound too low because that would send her into a frenzy mode.

"Where the hell have you been, Aaron? It's been days since you left for Chicago."

I curse mentally for forgetting to inform my family about the change in plans, "Yeah, Mum, I'm not in Chicago anymore. I just came to California yesterday."

"What?" She yells on the other hand, "What's going on?"

I sigh, "It's Diana. Her parents stay in California and she got an urgent call from her Uncle regarding her mother's health." I stop, not knowing how to continue further.

"Aaron," my mother's concerned laced voice comes from the other end, "What is it?" She asks.

I tug at the roots of my hair as I continue to walk down the path, seeing a park in my view so I decided to sit down within greenery for a while.

"She has cancer, last stage." I utter, the words leaving behind a strange feeling.

My mother gasps, "How much time, honey?"

I close my eyes for a second, "Few days. Give or take."

A moment of remorseful silence falls on the line as I reach the park and notice kids playing on the swings. It isn't that cold in California, it's much better than New York and Chicago at least.

"How's she holding up?" She asks the dreadful question and a breathy nervous laugh leaves me.

"Her life's complicated enough and she's used to putting up a strong front, Mom. But she's barely holding it up, no matter what she wants everyone else to think." I answer her truthfully because there aren't many people I can be honest to about this.

"Oh, sweetheart. How're you?" She asks and my eyes catches a sight of Diana.

She's laughing, a natural laugh which I haven't seen in the past few days as her eyes crinkle by the ends with her tongue behind her teeth as she looks at someone. I follow her gaze to see Nate running slowly away from Emily before she tugs on his pants and he sprawls down on the grass, picking Emily up and setting her on his knees as he raises her up in the air.

The asshole.

Insecurity builds up inside of me as my mother's voice brings me back to reality so I quickly rush a response, "I'm fine, I gotta go. Love you, bye."

I hang up as I continue to watch Diana smile at the sight while Emily looks like she's having the time of her life. My hands curl into a fist before I storm away, not being able to look any further because of how heart wrenching it feels like.

A mutter of curses leave me as I walk around the block to calm myself down. But everything seems like a futile attempt so I retrace my steps back to the house where Diana grew up. My thoughts still seem to be in a spiral but I know the only thing which can put them to rest is having Diana reassure me.

Hoping that she's back by the time I reach back, I enter the driveway and walk up the porch stairs. The front door is unlocked so I don't bother to ring a bell. I can hear the fumbling voices coming from the living room as I approach it.

When I look at the couch, two people around Diana's parents' age and a young guy, pretty much same age as mine are sitting there. I feel like I'm intruding so I turn around to walk up to the guest rooms since there isn't any business of me here but I bump into Diana.

"Sorry." She mumbles, rubbing her temples and I see the way my body physically relaxes in her presence.

"You alright?" I ask, my hand reaching out to touch her skin as I brush away her hair from her face.

She smiles, "Yeah."

But then her smile falters as she looks past me and takes in the scene in the living room. Her father catches our attention and gestures for Diana to join them. Her face stretches into a fake smile as she holds onto Emily's hand and walks into the living room, her daughter focused on the candy in her hand.

"Anna." The guy stands up, looking surprised as he crosses over to wrap his arms around her.

Fucking hell. Who the fuck is this douche now?

"Creed Willer." I hear her say as he parts away and grins at her.

"Long time." He remarks, his eyes moving to Emily, "Yours?" He asks Diana who nods.

"Yup." She says proudly.

"Uh-huh." He looks like he's thinking about it for a minute before his eyes widen, "Nate's?" He asks and I don't miss the way she winces at the judgement in his tone.

She nods, her lips turning into a grimaced smile, "That one."

"How's he doing?" He asks, and I notice that the elders are busy conversing amongst themselves while this freaky red hair guy and Diana hold up a conversation.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? He's your long lost cousin, isn't he?" She says, surprising me.

The guy's even bigger of a douche in my mind now just because he's related to that asshole whom I really want to punch one more time.

Creed gives her a lopsided smile, "You're aware we never got along. Thank god I wasn't in your batch."

Diana nods, then turns to me, "That's Aaron, by the way." She gives me a small smile, not meeting my eyes for long which makes me frown but I shake the man's hand nonetheless.

"Boyfriend?" He asks, raising his eyebrows at Diana.

She nods, "One and only."

"Creed Willer. Nice to meet you." He says and I give him a tight lipped smile because I see the way he's looking at her and I don't appreciate it one bit.

"Wish I could say the same but she doesn't look very pleased to see you, so I have my doubts." I tell him honestly and Diana gapes at my bluntness, shaking her head at me.

We get distracted when Mrs. Willer calls Diana's name, "Anna, dear, come on. We're seeing you after such a long time."

She puts on the most fake I've ever seen on her face as she approaches them and greets them before quickly blurting out, "It's Emily's nap time. So, I'll catch you guys later."

They nod in understanding before she makes her way to me and I pick Emily up in my arms just when she finishes eating her candy.

"If you go on a sugar rush, Em, it's on your Mom." I tell her and she gives me a goofy smile with the dry sugar sticking to her lips which I wipe away as we approach the stairs.

"I met Daddy today, Aaron!" She squeals in my arms, making me smile to see her this happy.

"Really? How was it?" I ask, carrying on the conversation as I look over my shoulder to see Diana following us quietly as she pays attention to our talk.

"He got me choco and candy! He played with me." She says, her words turning even more unclear as a yawn escapes her.

I smile lightly, "So, you like him huh?"

She nods, "Very much!" She wraps her arms around my neck as she rests her head on my shoulder, already drifting off to sleep.

When we enter the guest room, I put Emily in bed before settling extra pillows around her so she doesn't roll off in her sleep. After gazing at her, I turn to Diana.

"How was it?" I ask, whispering as she gestures towards the door.

"Come on, we'll talk in another room. Let her sleep." She whispers and I nod.

She walks out of the door, keeping the door ajar before she walks down the hallway to open another door and I realise it's an empty guest room. She shuts the door behind her and sits down on the edge of the bed.

"Bad?" I ask, prompting her off to carry a conversation.

She shakes her head, "Not really. She's happy, he was awfully nice to her but then he had always liked kids." She says, the last part only stabbing in my insecure heart.

"So, when is the next meeting?" I ask, not even trying to hide my displeasure at the question.

Her eyes widen in surprise as she stares at me, "What—"

"I'm not an idiot. She's happy and this isn't one time thing that she's getting to see her father. We both know it." I let out an exasperated breath.

"He wants her to meet his father." She whispers, cautiously waiting for me to reply.

I nod, looking away, "What does he want next? To impose his last name on her?" I say and she gapes at me.

"Why are you being like this? First you're unnecessarily rude downstairs and now this." She stands up from the bed, looking down at me like I'm the bad guy here which only fuels my anger.

"Are you for real, Diana? Yes, I was rude to that Creed Willer, who the fuck is he by the way, and why did he look like you're his lost long love?" I snap.

Her mouth falls open at my tone, "You're being an asshole right now, just so you know." She says, and I know she's right, but I can't help it, I can't help the insecurity clawing at my mind and having its way.

"Well, answer the damn question."

She shakes her head at me with disappointment shining in her orbs, "He's Nate's cousin. We went to the same school, but he was two years senior and he never had a good bond with Nate but I knew Creed before I ever knew of Nate. We got along, he used to hang out in library a lot but he stopped when I started dating his cousin.." she trails off, running a hair through her loose hair and I let out a breathy laugh.

"Yeah, I wonder why they never got along." I scoff and she scowls at me.

"What the hell does that mean?" She snaps, her patience wearing thin with me by now.

"Just that Creed liked you and when Nate started dating you, you cannot expect them to hang out like buddies." I say and I'm a little taken aback when she doesn't look surprised. "You knew."

She sighs, "I was naive back then, not stupid." She retorts.

"What does it mean now that he's here and you're bonding again with his cousin?" I ask, my tone a little accusatory without even trying.

She scoffs, "He's here because my parents is close with his. It doesn't mean shit and you know it. Nate's Emily's father and you've known it before things got this serious between us."

"Things have been serious within us since day one but that doesn't help it when I see you three like a happy family!" I snap, my jaw clenching as I stare into her eyes.

She stares at me, "Park, huh?" She asks and I rub my temples, turning away from her as I try to calm myself down before I say something I would regret.

"You saw us, and no matter what I say you have this weird thought which makes you believe that I would go back to Nate. You know how absurd that sounds, Aaron?" She grits her teeth, sounding pissed as hell.

"I don't believe it, I know it. He's family and you'll bond over Emily and soon I'll be pushed out of the scene like any other story as you have your happily ever after with him."

She lets out a bitter laugh as she shakes her head, "It's funny because I used to say the same thing about Lizzie and you," she pauses, glaring straight at me as she makes me turn around to look into her eye, "Too bad, Aaron because I'm not you and he's not Lizzie."

"Ouch." I breathe, her words piercing through me as they bring back the worst mistake I've ever made in my life.

She closes her eyes before opening them and I see them glistening with tears which breaks my resolve as I look at her.

"I don't know what to tell you to make you believe that I'm not leaving you." She says, "I've got enough on my plate, Aaron and you pulling away from me because of some dickhead is the last thing I want."

Guilt surrounds me as I realise that I really am being an asshole to her. Her past is being slammed into her face, her mother's dying and I'm expecting her to reassure me that she's not leaving me even though she hasn't given me any reason to think so.

"The Lizzie comment was uncalled for." I tell her and she nods as I step closer and wipe away her tears.

"I know, but I'm not apologising."

A sigh escapes me, "You don't need to. I'm sorry for doubting you, Dee. It's just that.. seeing the three of you, it makes me lose my damn mind."

Her hand raises up to cup my cheek and I lean into her touch, "Then talk to me about it, Aaron. Don't push me away, don't lash out on me and don't fight with me." She pleads and I nod, pulling her closer.

"I cannot even stomach the thought of losing you." I breathe, closing my eyes as I rest my forehead on her shoulder.

"Aaron, I love you and I'm not leaving you. Trust me."

"I am, and for the record, I love you more and we're not arguing anymore." I kiss her neck and she sighs, wrapping her arms around me.