A/N: I have had a wild month since the last update, so I apologize for making you wait. I hope it won't be as long between this and the next one, but please bear with me as I have a busy schedule for the foreseeable future! Hope you enjoy this chapter, especially a tender moment they share about halfway through <3 You guys are the best! Truly.

***

It was no surprise the moment we got home from our engagement getaway Dakota wanted to host her family to celebrate. I didn't mind it. I know she's close with them, and they've been nothing but supportive of our entire relationship, even when it was at its hardest. But part of me would be lying if I said I wasn't missing my own family being part of the joy. The distance is something I always have and will continue to struggle with. Like how much I hate that Dakota's leaving for a month tomorrow.

I amble out into the living room in gym shorts and a tee, rubbing the sandman from my eyes as I notice her standing at the counter going through her mail.

"Morning, baby," I say.

"Morning." She doesn't look up, stuffing the contents of one back into the envelope.

I walk up to peck her on the cheek before moving around her to pour myself a cup of coffee she's made.

"I don't get a real kiss?" she asks.

I chuckle, leaning across the counter to peck her lips instead. "Better?"

She smirks. "Thank you."

"You running errands today?" I ask, taking a slow sip.

"I don't know. I need to pack first then figure it out. Robin wants me to meet the paps for a photo op as preventative maintenance before my trip."

"Your work trip?" I emphasize. "What are you preventing?"

"I don't know, Jamie. But I should probably do it and shut up."

Someone's in a bad mood, so I'd fair better to ease her into our last day together for four weeks.

"I guess," I say as I open a protein bar and shove it in my mouth to keep myself from retorting.

"Have you seen the updated copy of my script?" She asks, meeting my gaze.

I shake my head. "I haven't. Did you already pack it?"

"No, I haven't packed a fucking thing and I'm leaving tomorrow. Maybe if the counter wasn't such a pig sty I'd be able to find shit."

"Whoa," I hold up both hands, "what's going on? I can clean the kitchen if that'll put you in a better mood."

She chuckles. "Oh I'm in a bad mood, great."

"You kind of are. But you want the counter clean, baby, then by all means." I start collecting her opened pile of mail to trash it.

She rolls her eyes. "Well, you were in a piss poor mood last night and my family noticed."

Ah, there's the real reason.

"How so?" It's my turn to cross my arms at her. She huffs and drops hers to her side.

"Jesse texted me wanting to know why you barely spoke to him."

I raise an eyebrow. "We talked briefly, but I was trying to help entertain everyone."

"Mmm, my family is overwhelming?"

I scratch my beard. "Did I say that? Don't put words in my mouth, darlin'."

"Mom even asked if we were fighting, because she said you weren't your usual self. Especially when you should be bursting at the seams. We're engaged, right?" She shows me her ring.

"Don't forget to take that off for your photo session," I say.

She slides it off and drops it on the counter. "There. Problem solved."

I sigh heavily, trying not to perpetuate either of us. "I'm sorry if your brother and mum felt I was upset. I'll gladly call them right now to apologize. You know I adore Mel like she's my own."

My breath catches in my throat at the sudden rush of emotion. Knowing I've upset Mel is like slap in the face. The walls close in without advance notice, and I need to step outside before it consumes me.

"It's fine," Dakota says, reading my expression.

I drop my gaze and head toward the front door. I slide on my shoes and grab the first set of keys I find.

"Why are you leaving?" she asks, her voice breaking.

"I need to breathe."

"Jamie, I'm—"

I cut her off, reaching for Zepp's leash. "Come on, Zepp. Let's go." I rattle it as Dakota bites the side of her nail.

Of course he doesn't budge. He can tell something's wrong with both of us and he can't pick a side.

"Now, Zepp!"

"Don't yell at him," Dakota snaps.

I kneel down to his level. "Walk?"

Finally he waddles over and let's me leash him. I open the door to let him lead.

"So you're just gonna walk out with my dog whenever you're mad? That's how this'll work when we're married? Will you take the kids with you, too?"

I turn to look at her. "He's not our dog? He's only yours? Cool."

She narrows her gaze, but doesn't answer.

"You're the one who's being snippy. I'll get out of your hair since I'm apparently grumpy and in your way."

"Whatever, Jamie. Be stubborn."

I huff. "Okay, Dakota. Enjoy your alone time."

I slam the door behind me despite not wanting to leave it like this. But I'm not in the mood and the wave of emotion that rushed over me is suffocating. If I need to leave to let us both breathe then Zepp and I will leave.

I unlock the car and realize I've grabbed her Porsche keys. I'm definitely not going back inside for my own. I open the door for him to jump in and he assumes his position. I walk around to the driver's seat and let out a long sigh when I plop down. I feel him lick my hand resting on the console.

"Thanks, man. It's all good. How about a long drive with some tunes blasting?"

He pants, cocking his head.

"I'll take that as a yes."

We speed out of the driveway and head toward the Pacific Coast Highway where I can sing some Springsteen at the top of my lungs, letting my emotions spill out of me.

***

Zepp and I cruised around for almost two hours. I stopped at a roadside ice cream stand and bought us both a cone. Dakota would kill me for feeding him sugar much like she will someday when I feed it to our kids.

The thought sobers me. I can't wait for that life with her. To see her pregnant. To watch her rock our baby to sleep. To listen to her giggle at all the little things.

I was selfish—I can admit that to myself. I was so hung up on missing my own family that I disrespected hers, when all they were doing was celebrating our engagement. Dakota's right. I should be fucking elated about everything, not grumpy and reserved.

I tuck my tail along with Zepp as I unlock the front door. I suspect she's out running her errands and getting photographed for Robin. Much to my surprise she's curled up on the couch when I walk in. It's obvious she's been crying. Because of me, the last person who should hurt her.

"Hey," I say under my breath.

She sits up and stands, slowly approaching me. Her cautious behavior is another dagger to my heart. "Hi."

"Have you already left and come back?"

She nods. "I drove the Caddy."

"Sorry, I grabbed your keys by mistake." I offer her a small smile.

"It's okay," she whispers. "It's yours, too. Like Zepp."

A truce.

"I shouldn't have said that." I dip my head to scratch the back of my neck.

"You were right to say it. He's ours. Like everything we own is ours. Together, Jamie. That's all I want. To share everything together."

I nod. "I know, baby. And I'll apologize for last night. I didn't mean to upset your family."

"You have to tell me these things. I need to know what's bothering you."

"I can't burden you with every little fucked up thought I have," I say.

"Yes, you can! We're getting married, babe. I want us on the same page."

"Okay fine, but being snippy in return isn't the way to get me on the same page."

She huffs, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I'm fucking leaving for a month, I don't want to fight with you anymore!"

I motion between us. "That's why we're fighting!"

We stare each other down, both of us still fueling our frustration. I don't want her to leave. She doesn't want to leave. This sucks, but this is the life we have to deal with. We knew it wouldn't be easy.

She starts giggling and I feel my face relax. My smirk finally breaks when she begins to full on belly laugh.

"We're so stupid." She snorts, tossing her head back.

I sigh. "The last thing we should be doing is arguing. Not the way I want to leave things between us."

She moves towards me, gripping my biceps with a nod. Her laughing subsides. "I know, baby. Me neither. I'm hormonal and anxious. I shouldn't take it out on you."

I pull her into my chest, leaving a lingering kiss on her forehead. "Let's start this day over."

She gazes up into my eyes. "Okay. Good morning, handsome."

I laugh. "Good morning, beautiful."

"I'm sorry I was a grumpy bitch." She crinkles her nose.

"I owe you, Jesse, and Mel an apology."

"Just drop it," she says. "They'll be fine."

"No. You want an explanation and you deserve one."

Her hands rubbing up and down my arms levels me, giving me the courage to spit it out.

"Look, I don't express myself well, because I never had a chance to. When my mum died I tried to be the man of the house for my sisters, since my dad was fighting his own battle. And God knows I wasn't ever allowed to feel a goddamn thing in front of Amelia without her using it against me."

Dakota presses her finger on my lips to silence me. "You're talking to me, baby. You can say whatever you need to say and we'll figure it out."

I smile, kissing her finger. "I know, you didn't let me finish."

She mouths a "sorry" before I go on.

"I'm trying to break myself of the habit of closing up," I say. "You're going to have to push me sometimes, because my default is to handle my emotions on my own. So the moral of all this is I was selfish last night. I was missing my family and wishing they could be here to celebrate with us. I hate that they're so far away when I need them. And the reason I left earlier is because the way I feel about Mel overwhelms me every now and then. I was already feeling sensitive about missing my loved ones, but knowing I hurt someone I consider a mum to me really doesn't sit well. I do owe her an apology. She's taken me in as one of her own and..."

I trail off, the knot in my throat becoming difficult to swallow.

"You miss your mom," Dakota whispers, stroking away a tear that slips down my cheek.

"A lot." I nod as the sadness I thought I'd released during my car ride has resurfaced.

"I'll try to be more aware of that," she says, kissing another tear as it falls.

"That's not your load to bear."

"It is. You've given up everything to be here with me. You've left behind friends, family, your beautiful daughters. But baby, we can go there whenever you want. I will do my best to bend my schedule to fit in trips to Belfast. I don't want you to feel alone in a room full of people. My family loves you so much, Jamie. So so much. They are your family now. Mama is yours, too. Anything you need and I promise they'll be there."

"I know. I was selfish."

"You were selfish for keeping it to yourself, not for how you felt. I want to know when something is wrong, and we'll work on it. Like I didn't have to be bitchy in return this morning."

"Compromise, the beauty of marriage." I blink back more tears, feeling such a relief to be loved by this beautiful, intelligent woman who lets me be fragile without judgment.

"I'm sorry you miss your mom, honey." She runs her fingers through my hair, scratching my scalp. "Is there something we can do to make it hurt less? A song she loved? A movie?"

"God, you're so perfect." I cup her chin, gazing into her deep blue eyes.

"I want to be everything you need."

"You are." I tug her forward and crush her with my lips. She knows I need this, so she lets me take control. It turns feverish in record time as I spill my emotions into the kiss. I tangle our tongues and she moans, scratching her nails down my back. I'm losing myself in this deep love that resonates between us. It takes my breath away and spins my entire world on its axis.

"I love you more than life," I mumble against her mouth.

She presses her forehead on mine. "You are my entire life. Believe me when I say that. I love you."

"I do, baby. You have no idea."

And as if she senses it coming, she opens her arms to let me fall into them. I cry against her neck, her scent and the feel of her warm hands stroking my hair making everything right again. She's my home, because no one else can calm me the way her presence does.

"My mum would've loved you," I whimper.

She kisses my temple. "I wish I could've met her. Because I'd thank her for raising a son capable of such intense love and tenderness that he gives to me unwavering."

I can't wait for the day she provides that same warmth and unconditional love to our son. I lean back to sniffle, and she uses the heel of her hands to wipe my wet cheeks.

"You saved my life," I mutter.

She nods. "We saved each other."

I chuckle. "I'm fine, I promise. Sorry for the outburst."

She wags her finger at me. "We're not apologizing for being open and honest, okay?"

"Short term memory loss." I wink, sniffling once more as my emotions subside.

She pecks my lips. "Help me pack, please?"

"I think I can manage that. Even if I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go either." She rests her cheek against my chest as my heart beats content now that we're done feuding.

***

Dakota is tossing me shirts and leggings to fold as she goes through our closet to find outfits to take.

"I'm literally not going anywhere except my hotel and to set," she says. "I don't need anything cute."

"We could have a virtual date." I shrug, folding a tee.

She grins. "You're going to get dressed up to eat takeout over FaceTime?"

"Why not?"

"You're cute." She throws a shirt at my face and we both laugh.

When it falls in my lap I realize it's one of my Manchester shirts.

"Can I take that?" she asks, biting her bottom lip.

Pouty little minx. "Of course you can."

"And maybe a bottle of your cologne. And your pillowcase. And your shower gel."

I chuckle. "Or you could just take me?"

She snaps her fingers. "Good plan, grab my laptop and we'll book you a flight."

I can't stop my smirk. "I'll do my best to come up."

"Promise?" She bats her eyelashes.

"It's no wonder you have Alexander, Jesse, and Don wrapped."

She snorts. "I'm used to getting my way."

"Oh yeah? What way do you like it?" I lick my lips.

"With you? Any way I can have you."

She giggles when I tug her closer and tickle her sides. She shoves at my shoulders, trying to fight free from my hold.

"You're distracting." She laughs loudly as Zepp barks at our antics.

"Buzzkill," I say to him.

Dakota shakes her head and opens the door to let him outside. He takes off barking as she shuts him out there and rummages through her dresser. She walks back over with a handful of panties.

"I promise," I say.

She wrinkles her forehead.

"I didn't answer your question. But I promise I'll come up as soon as Evelyn gives me the all clear."

"Okay." She pecks me fast before stepping aside to fold her delicates.

"What do you need sexy panties for?"

She snorts. "Didn't my boyfriend just promise to come see me?"

"Fiancé," I correct. I notice she's wearing her ring again, but I rest assured she took it off for the paparazzi.

"My sexy fiancé is coming to visit, so I need sexy panties." Her cheeks blush at the thought and we're not even apart yet.

"Your fiancé prefers you naked. No need to pack anything sexy."

"They're just my panties, baby. I don't have anything else."

"Well, you can wear them during our FaceTime date."

She rolls her eyes. "As if I'm going to wear them in front of anyone else. Down boy."

"You know how I am." I shrug.

"Sometimes a bit overprotective, wouldn't you agree?"

I laugh. "Whatever. I hate that I can't be with you, so it'll drive me crazy every minute we're apart."

"It's going to be hard for me to focus," she says. "When all I want to do is plan our Italian wedding and Northern Lights honeymoon."

My stomach flips in excitement. "We can wedding plan over the phone every night, baby."

"Deal."

"Are we done packing?" I ask.

She chuckles, stacking everything in her suitcase. "Was it that painful, sweetie?"

I smirk. "No, I'm just counting down the hours we have left to make love and you're cutting into that."

She giggles. "In that case, I'm done."

"Good. Come here." I wiggle my finger and she saunters closer.

I tug her on top of me and she smothers me in her kiss. I take my time undressing her, and touching every inch of her body so that she feels me long after we're apart.

***

Dakota and I made love the rest of the afternoon. It was slow, methodical, and tender as we savored each other enough to hold us over. We took a break for dinner and have found our way back in the bedroom for another round.

She's going to be sore for at least a day once we finally decide to sleep. Her sticky body is pressed firmly against the side of mine as I run my fingers through her hair, leaving soft kisses to the top of her head. Hers play with my chest hair, nuzzling me as close as physically possible.

"Don't leave," I whisper.

"Come with me. Please. Beg Evelyn."

"She can't keep me away from you for four weeks, I promise."

"Daddy would let you borrow his plane." She traces a pattern around my nipple and it makes me grin.

"I know, baby. We'll figure something out."

"But I still have to travel alone, and sleep alone, and eat alone, and drink alone."

I chuckle. "You're making this harder on me."

"Good. I hope I'm convincing."

"As ever." I kiss her hair, memorizing her sweet scent while I still can.

She tugs my free arm around her even tighter. "I'm going to miss these big, strong arms."

I smirk as she trails her fingers up the path of my veins. "I'm going to miss the feel of your weight in them."

"And your accent."

My heart grows a size larger. "And your giggles."

"And your ticklish beard."

I rub it back and forth against her naked shoulder, eliciting those giggles I love so much.

"And your soft skin." I run my fingertips in a pattern over her lower back.

"The sound of your heartbeat as I fall asleep right here."

"Your gentle snores."

She rises up to look at me. "I don't snore."

"Baby, you snore." I laugh.

"No, you do."

"I have asthma, what's your excuse?"

She bites her lip. "Who's going to sing to me before bed?"

"So there's this thing they invented a few years ago, I'm sure you're old enough to remember, but it's called a cell phone. You press a couple of numbers and it connects you to someone like me who can sing the little baby a lullaby every night she's away."

I yelp when she pinches my nipple.

"Okay smart ass, you just loss your chance at another round."

I snort. "It was that easy?"

"Yep. And feel free to use this little device you call a cell phone to dial your lovely fiancée who will conveniently never be able to pick up when you try to get through."

My cheeks hurt from smiling. "Ah, then I'll have to hop on another cool invention called an airplane to check on her myself."

"And she'll look out this neat little thing called a peephole when you knock on her door and refuse to answer."

I throw my head back to laugh loudly. "You, able to resist this body after a few days apart? I'd like to see you try."

She snakes her hand down across my abs to rest on my happy trail. She tugs the hair there, causing me to gasp.

"I don't want you for your body, handsome."

"It's the money, isn't it?" I pout.

"No, it's the Guinness." She laughs as I shake my head.

"Well, it surely isn't the Dornan D you like."

I knew that comment would get me what I wanted as she slides her hand over my length, gripping it in her soft hand.

"This?" she asks, stroking it slowly.

"The grand prize."

She snorts and I watch her blush. "Yeah, I don't like this huge thing at all."

I groan as her hand strokes my dick while her words stroke my ego.

"And you clearly don't like my hand pumping you until you're hard." She licks her lips and I'm set ablaze.

"You're right, your mouth does a much better job."

She shimmies down my torso to hover above it as she teases me by licking the tip.

"You're going to miss me," she mumbles.

"Every single inch of you, inside and out."

She takes me into her mouth and our playful banter ends as our adult playtime begins. It'll be a miracle if I'm not in Vancouver in less than 72 hours.

***

Hope you guys loved this chapter after waiting for it! I did my best to pour my Damie heart into it. Please don't forget to vote and/or comment to help this story get noticed in the Wattys! Thank you so much for your incredible support, over 100k reads! Slay me ;) xoxo