Hello loves! Chapter 41 is FINALLY done! Like I've said before, this past month has been so crazy, BUT I've finally found some time to write. I'm not so sure that I'm crazy about this chapter, but I'd love to hear what you all think! Leave your feedback in an inline comment and with a vote! Ya'll are honestly the best for sticking with me and my sporadic updating schedule! <3

Tom strode down the sidewalk, snow flurrying around him, wisps of white powder littering the pavement as he walked. His eyes glanced from door to door as he passed each flat, stopping only when his gaze fell on the familiar green door that signaled he had arrived at Ellison's house. Inhaling sharply, he climbed the steps to her door and raised a hand to knock. Without warning, and as if on queue, the door swung open, revealing Ellison's pale green eyes.

"Tom..." She jolted back, her eyes widening in surprise as they locked with Tom's.

"Hello," He said sheepishly, lowering his arm, stuffing his hand back into his pocket.

"Wha-what are you doing here?" She stammered, still trying to gather herself.

"Is this a bad time?"

"No," She shook her head. "I was just popping out to the store while my mum has the girls."

"Can we talk?" He asked, nodding towards the door.

"I..." She trailed off, her grip on the doorknob tightening instinctively.

"Please?"

She hesitated once more, before giving him a slow nod, moving aside to allow him entry. Stepping past her, he entered the foyer, brushing the snow that had begun to accumulate in his dark hair. His back turned to her, he trained his eyes on the floor, taking extra care as he examined each groove in the hardwood.

"So I suppose you've made a decision," Ellison finally spoke. Her tone was flat, almost indifferent. Tom turned to look at her, his eyes locking with hers briefly before she tore them away. Pain swirled within her green eyes ... Pain and anger. She deserved to be angry. He had put her through so much – had caused her far too much pain with his selfishness.

"I have," He nodded.

"Please don't drag this out Tom," She said, desperately trying to keep her voice even.

"What do you mean?" He asked, furrowing his brow.

"Just say what you have to say and leave," She said, her tone icier now, though the pleading expression marring her features made the pain behind her words that much more evident.

"Ellison, I-," He began, but she cut him off.

"That is what you've come here to do, isn't it? Leave? You leave – that's what you do – it's what you've always done," She added, tearing her eyes from his once again, the iciness in her tone moments before, replaced with an agonizing resentment. Crossing her arms over her chest, she withdrew further into the house, her heels clicking across the tile of the kitchen as she disappeared through the doorway. He followed after her, his gaze falling on her as he rounded the corner, her back to him as she continued her retreat.

"I'm not leaving," He said matter-of-factly.

"What?" She paused, placing a hand on the counter to steady herself.

"I'm not leaving," He repeated, taking a step towards her.

She turned her head slightly, eyeing him out of the corner of her eye. "Tom..." She trailed off; her dark curls falling from behind her ear, shielding her face from Tom's gaze. "Don't do this."

"Do what?" He asked, closing the distance between them. Reaching up, he placed a hand against her upper arm.

"This," She said, recoiling from his touch as she turned around to face him.

"You told me to choose, and I choose you," He pressed on, his brow furrowing further. He hadn't known what to expect, but he hadn't expected her to react to his decision this way.

"No you don't," She shook her head, stepping back in an attempt to dodge his outstretched hand. "Maybe you do now but what happens a month from now, or a year from now Tom? What happens when you start to miss the life you gave up for me? For Calla and Ella? For all this?" She added, throwing her hands up to gesture at the room.

"Ellison," Tom began, his arms outstretched again.

"No..." She shook her head, backing away with each step he took towards her.

"Ellison, listen to me," He pressed, grasping her shoulders firmly to hold her still. "I want you ... I've only ever wanted you. No matter how hard I try to fight it – to forget about you – It will only ever be you."

"Tom..." She began, but he cut her off.

"No, please listen," He squeezed her shoulders. "I'm better with you... All of this – everything I've sought after for so long – it fades away with each passing second you're here. You ... you make me better. You make me want to be better."

"I want to believe you..." Ellison said, peering up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. He gazed into them, glimpses of the girl he had left all those years ago flashing through her green irises. He too often forgot that, behind the strong woman that stood before him, was a more vulnerable, broken one. One who had been left so many times – who had been hurt so many times. He didn't want to be the one to hurt her ... not again. In fact, if it were the last thing he ever did, he would never hurt her again. 

"Please," Tom spoke after a moment. Raising a hand up, he pressing his palm against her cheek, his thumb tracing small circles over her smooth skin. "I love you."

"You're really prepared to give it all up? Everything you've worked for? All the secrets – the lies?" She asked, her tone serious now, though her eyes still held the same uncertainty they had before.

"Yes," He nodded, brushing a soft curl behind her ear.

"Why?" She asked, shaking her head ever so slightly, as if she still couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Because you're worth more than all of it," He replied matter-of-factly. "I realize that now," He added, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I don't want to lose you again," She spoke against his chest, her voice nearly a whisper. Tom squeezed her tighter, pressing his lips against the top of her head.

"You never will."

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Big news! (Not sure if its good or bad for all you Tellison lovers) But... I'm pretty sure this will be the last *regular* chapter of The Girl Who Fought. I will be writing an epilogue soon (hopefully this week) and will be posting it for ya'll! With that being said, would you guys want to see a third installment? I'm torn between continuing this story or leaving it with a good ending! I do, however, want to know what my readers want to see (and read), so drop your opinion in the comments!

Peace up, August out <3