ANDREW'S POV

"I got a tattoo a while ago and its about you."I admitted feeling the need to get it out of my chest.

Ivy's jaw fell in surprise and she stared at me probably wondering if I was being serious.

"You said you told me everything."She admonished and I shrugged.

"Honestly I thought I did. I've had the tattoo for so long it became like a part of me, I'd kind of forgotten about it."I replied.

"I've seen you naked, numerous times. Why haven't I seen it before?"She asked and I pushed her off gently to create some space between us.

I took off my shirt and lifted my arm to show her the Ivy plant vines winding up my ribcage.

"How is that plant related to me?"She asked and I chuckled.

"It's an Ivy plant vine."I informed her.

She lifted my arm to get a closer look.

"When did you get this?"She asked tracing the contours of the tattoo.

"I was Ned's first customer when he opened the tattoo shop."I explained.

She eventually turned her eyes away from the tattoo and met my gaze.

I was happy that Ivy had had a crush on me just as long as mine on her lasted but compared to her I'd done some pretty creepy things all in the name of getting closer to her. She had forgiven me for everything else, I just hoped it was going to be the same case with the tattoo.

"I mean it's not directly my name and nobody would guess it's about me without some explanation but it's still weird that you got it. We weren't even friends then and hadn't ever said one word to each other."She argued.

"That didn't stop me from developing feelings for you. I couldn't help myself, everything about you intrigued me. Your smile, your body, your personality and your kind heart."I confessed and Pierra palmed my face bringing me closer to her.

"I'm not mad so get that sour look off your face, it just took me by surprise that's all. I can't believe you did all those things just to be close to me. We could have been dating since first year but my brother had to intervene. Though it doesn't matter anymore because we're finally together now."She said before leaning in and planting her lips on mine.

I tightened my hands on her waist pulling her closer to me deepening the kiss. I was so lucky to have Pierra in my life since she had given me a chance, even with knowing all about my dirty past. I would do everything in my power to keep her happy. Pierra deserved the world and I would work my ass off to give it to her.

Eventually we changed positions so that I was lying on my back on the bed while Pierra was half lying on me and halfway on the bed. Her head was on my naked chesty as she traced the tattoo with the tips of her fingers.

"Since we're in the spirit of confessing about the past, I want to tell you about mine."She spoke lowly her warm breath caressing my chest.

"You don't have to, this is different and I don't want you to feel pressured to tell me anything. We have the rest of our lives for you to tell me."I consoled my hand rubbing her back comfortingly.

"I know but I just want to tell you so I don't have to always wonder when is the best time to tell you."She expressed.

"Okay baby, I'm all ears."I said bracing myself for whatever she was about to tell me.

I knew it was not something pleasant so I just hoped I had the emotional capacity to handle it and be there for her when the memories got too much.

"I had just turned seven years old when the 2007 post election violence started. My dad and mom were both Kikuyu's and we were living in Nairobi at the time so we hoped we were safe as the fights were mainly happening in the rural areas. As the fights got worse so did the fear and my dad started planning to move us to the village just until things cooled down. We were all mixed in the city but the kikuyu's and Luo's were still slaughtering each other at night and it wasn't safe anymore. On the day we were to leave, my dad bundled us all in a car at the crack of dawn since it was dangerous to travel at night. An hour before we could fully leave the city we ran into a road block. My dad got out to talk to them thinking it was his fellow Kikuyu's but he had been wrong. Last we heard before he was gunned down was him yelling to my mom to hide us....." She hiccuped at this point and I realized she was crying as I could feel her tears in my chest.

I tightened my hold on her "Baby this is clearly hard on you and definitely on me too, maybe you should stop."I sighed and she shook her head.

I sighed knowing she had to get it out of her chest so I gave her the time she needed to compose herself. Her tears broke me and their cause broke my heart even more. I had no idea Ivy had been affected by post election violence of 2007. That year had been so hard with schools been closed, people being locked in their houses and business beating closed down. Those had only been the mild effects, things had been worse for some people as they were killed, women and children raped, people were displaced from their homes, lots of people lost loved ones and a lot of kids became orphans.

My family was not affected much except my mom didn't work for a few months and our financial situation got tough so she just sent me and my sister to my grandparents house for a while. My sister was still a baby then so she stayed home with my grandma while I went to school. Other than that my life hadn't been affected but it hurt to learn what had happened to Pierra at such a young age.

When she cleared her throat I took it as a sign that she was ready to continue talking so I held her hand giving her the strength I knew she needed.

"My mom immediately jumped into action when she realized what had happened. I was so tiny back then so she put me into a duffel bag we had in the car and shoved me under the seat out of sight. It was stuffy and I could barely breath but I knew that I was supposed to be quiet and not move a muscle until my mom called for me. My mom was working on hiding my sister too when the door was opened and I heard their screams and yells. I wanted so bad to get out and go help but I had always been an obedient child and my mom had a temper so I stayed put so she wouldn't get mad at me. A few men searched the car but we had so many bags in the car so they dismissed the one I was hiding in as luggage. They roughed up my mom and sister and all I could hear were their screams and cries for help but I didn't move. Everything eventually quieted but my mom didn't come to get me so I stayed put waiting for her. I have no idea how long I stayed in there but I eventually got the urge to pee. My mom hated it when I soiled my clothes and since I didn't want to make her more angry I managed to get myself out of the bag. I will never forget what I saw when I got out of the car...." She trailed off and I sat up with her in my arms, leaning back against the headboard so that I was cradling her like a child.

"I'm here love."I consoled even though I wasn't feeling as courageous as I sounded.

I knew what she was about to say next and I almost asked her to stop but I needed to be much more courageous than that for her.

"There was blood everywhere, on the car, in it and the smell of burning and flesh and blood was pungent in the air. My family had not been the only family that had been stopped at the road block. There were so many other cars, all broken into, some burning and not a single soul alive. I found my families bodies piled in front of our car all riddled with bullet holes, cuts and burn marks on them. I remember crying for them to wake up so we could continue running but no one got up. I cried and begged, hugging their dead bodies but none of them woke up. Bishops dad was a mere policeman back then and had been on patrol. We had been using the back roads that's why I was found hours later after the incident happened. He took me home to his wife and they took care of me. Even if they weren't supposed to, my adopted parents took it upon themselves to arrange a burial for my family so I could get to say goodbye. I didn't say a word for a long time after that but after months of therapy and Bishop taking a liking to me I eventually healed. The only thing I got to keep of them was a purple backpack I'd gotten for my seventh birthday that my mom had used to store all our important documents. My parents had a huge sum of money saved up even if we weren't that rich but I couldn't access it until I was eighteen. I didn't need it anyway as I was adopted by a well of family. The day after my eighteenth birthday I went to the bank, withdrew all that money and donated it to the IDP camps because not everyone was as lucky as me and people are still suffering to this date that's why I always donate to those camps till date."She finalized.

Towards the end she had stopped crying and was just breathing heavy.

"Wow....."I exclaimed and Pierra gave me a weird look and I realized that I had to correct my words fast."Sorry I didn't mean wow to show that it was great. I just meant that with all that you went through its a wonder you can even smile and laugh let alone have a much bigger heart to love a whole new family and give so generously."I explained further and her face softened.

"It's been fifteen years. I've learnt to move on but not forget and cherish their memories in my heart forever. Bernard and Stella were so kind to take me in and love me as their own so I took their example and decided to help where I could. I was lucky unlike so many others to escape with my life."She replied and my respect for her grew tenfold.

Pierra was so strong and played it off like it was no big deal. She had been to hell and back and deserved all the love and care in the world for being so strong and overcoming such a traumatic past.

"I known you've probably heard this before but you're so strong, courageous and kind. I'm so proud of you for becoming the person you are today despite your past."I said kissing her forehead and hugging her to me.

"I had my adopted family to help me through it all but still thank you for saying that."She replied and I smiled at her modesty.

She could not take the credit even if she deserved that and so much more. I now understood why Bishop was so protective of her. It didn't make some of the things that he did right but I understood where he was coming from so I have him a pass. I would have been overprotective of Pierra too if she had been my little sister but I was glad she wasn't. She was my girlfriend now who I would cherish for as long as she would have me.

"What were their names?"I asked wanting to know more.

"My dad's names was Aaron, my mom was Miriam and my sister was Angeline."She replied and I smiled.

"Do you mind if I said a few words?"I asked.

"To who?"

"To them. I know people usually go to grave sites to say this but we can't so I'm settling did this."I answered and she smiled.

"Go ahead."

"Okay well here goes."I said clearing my throat and adjusting positions so that Pierra and I were lying on our backs facing the ceiling.

"Hi Aaron and Miriam. My name is Andrew and I am your daughter's boyfriend. I don't know if you can hear me but if you can I just want you to know that you raised an incredible daughter who is beautiful, kind, strong and has the biggest heart. I'm sorry you had to leave us so soon but I hope you're at peace wherever you are. Thank you for protecting Ivy so that I could get the chance to have her in my life. Angeline I would have loved to meet you, if you were half as great as your sister then you were a great girl. I want you all to know that I will take care of Ivy and treasure her with everything in me. Thank you for giving me the gift of having her in my life. May your souls rest in eternal peace."I concluded.

I turned to Pierra who was looking at me with tears in her eyes but they were not sad tears as she had a smile on her lips.

"You're perfect."She sniffed pecking my lips.

"Not as much as you are but thank you. Do you want to say anything?"I asked and she nodded wiping off her tears and looking back up.

"Hi mom, dad, Angel. It's been a while since we talked but I'm good and happy which you probably already know. This is my boyfriend Andrew, I've told you guys about him before. Yes my crush is finally my boyfriend and I couldn't be happier. Thank you for always watching over me. I love you guys so much."She managed to say before choking out and burying her face into my neck.

I held her until she calmed down.

"Fun fact, my family used to call me Ivy. It's why my adopted family doesn't call me that, out of respect."She informed me and my eyes widened in surprise.

I remembered Bishop making a big deal of me calling her Ivy and now I understood why.

"Shit I didn't know, I'll stop."I quickly rushed out but she laughed drawing patterns on my chest.

"No, it's okay."She assured me.

"Are you sure?"I asked skeptically.

"Yes totally. Now hold me, I'm emotionally drained after that talk and need cuddles. We can get food later."She declared getting comfortable on top of me.

"What my girl wants she gets."I declared kissing the top of her head and holding her to me.

"Ivy?"I called out after it had been silent for a few minutes.

"Yes Andre."She whispered back.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me all about your past. I really do appreciate you being open and honest with me."I admitted.

"Thank you for listening and being here."She replied kissing my chest and I smiled.

I meant everything I had told her family. I would do everything in my power to do right by Ivy for as long as we were together which I hoped was forever. I was deeply emotionally invested and would do anything to keep her happy and well taken care of.

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