A week later...

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this." I ran my hand over Killian's chest.

"Used to what? Waking up next to me or this?" He smiled and his gaze drifted to the black ink on his chest. My name.

"Both." I laughed and reached for his face, giving him a quick kiss before pulling away. "How long before Lucy bursts in?"

Killian lifted his head and looked at the clock on the nightstand. "About five minutes. Do you have anything planned?"

"Perhaps." I bit my lip and slid my hand over his chest and toned stomach below.

"Lyssa." He moaned even though I hadn't really touched him yet.

"Yes?" I started leaving a trail of small kisses on his chest.

"We've got less than five minutes and I've been waiting almost a year for this, I don't want a quickie."

"I can lock the door." I looked up at him with a smile.

"Behind those beautiful eyes is the devil himself." He laughed and pulled me closer to him.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and sat on top of him with my lips close to his.

"Well, then you should know that if the devil wants something, he'll get it." I kissed him and moaned.

Of course we kissed a lot of times this week. But that's probably the furthest we've gone.

And while I think we should take it slow, it can't.

"Three...two..." Killian suddenly started counting down. "One and..." Before he said anything else, I heard the door start to open.

I quickly got off him and looked at the door. Lucy stood in them with Odin.

I looked at Killian in confusion. How the hell did he know that?

"What can I say, I know my daughter." He laughed.

"Uncle Kai made breakfast." She said happily and ran towards us. She jumped onto the bed, right into Killian's arms.

"Good morning princess." A strand of hair was brushed away from her face.

"Can we go somewhere today? With mom?" She smiled at me.

"Actually, I already have a plan for us today." I looked at Killian in confusion. I don't remember him mentioning anything about today. "Uncle Kai, Theo, and Aunt Luna will be joining us as well."

"And where shall we go?" Her eyes lit up.

"I would like to know that too." I laughed.

"It's a surprise." He winked at me. "Now let's go eat before someone eats all the food. That someone's name is Theo."

"Oh no." Lucy looked sad and jumped off the bed. She ran out of the room like someone was chasing her.

"Are you really not going to tell me where we're going?"

"It would spoil the surprise." He leaned in and kissed me before getting out of the bed. "Let's go before nothing is left on the table." He laughed.

*****

"Lyssa?" Luna's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I shifted my view from the small window in the plane to her. "Are you okay?" She frowned and sat across from me.

"Yes of course." I tried to smile.

"I've known you longer than anyone, you can't lie to me."

"I didn't..." I exhaled heavily. "I'm just trying to get used to everything." I looked slightly to the side where I saw Lucy and Killian on the couch.

"I understand, it's a lot for you. But if you want to talk to someone, I'm here. Now or even in a week. Anytime." She smiled.

"How can you all just forgive me after everything that happened?"

"Because we know you would do the same thing."

"I just don't see how we can go back to our old ways. Me with Killian, Lucy or even you. I was gone for almost a year and when I came back...I wasn't in the best shape." A chill ran down my spine at the memories.

"You say a year, I'd say a week. Neither of us have stopped thinking about you, not even for a second."

"It would be easier if we were normal people. Have you ever thought about that? What if we were normal?"

"Normal is overrated." She shrugged. "Where would all the fun be?"

"Maybe you're right." I laughed.

"Of course I am." She smiled proudly. "Like always."

"Really? Always?" I narrowed my eyes. "How about the mission in Russia?"

"Okay, so maybe not always." She rolled her eyes. "I'll go check on Theo, he doesn't like traveling by plane." She stood up. "And Lyssa?" I looked up at her. "I really missed you."

"I missed you too Luna." I smiled.

*****

"Hold on." Killian caught me as I was about to get off the plane. Everyone has already left.

"I want to know where we are. Move Killy." I grabbed his hand and started pulling him out.

"Lyssa, wait." I stopped when he started to sound serious. "Maybe I didn't think this through."

"What are you talking about?" I frowned.

"If we go out and you decide you want to go back, we can. We don't have to stay here if it's too much for you."

"I'm a little lost." What is he talking about?

"You'll see what I'm talking about. But I just want you to know that we can leave anytime."

"You're starting to scare me, so let's go." I laughed and started walking towards the door of the plane.

I stopped immediately on the stairs when I saw where we were. I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn't.

My hometown.

I slowly descended the stairs, with Killian close behind. "Lucy will go with Luna in the car, we have a private car if you feel like staying here."

I'm speechless, so I just nodded and grabbed Killian's hand. We started walking to the car and Killian opened the door for me to get in.

I didn't notice when we left the airport, I was just looking out the window.

We drove past restaurants that I used to go to as a kid. Parks where I played and buildings where my friends lived.

I was so lost in thoughts that I didn't even notice that we had stopped.

"I used to come here often." Killian spoke. "I spoke loudly as if you could hear me. We can sit in the car if you don't want to go there."

I shifted my gaze in front of me and exhaled heavily. "I think I want to go there." I finally said.

He got out of the car without saying a word and walked around to open the door for me. He extended his hand to me, which I accepted and got out of the car.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward while holding Killian's hand. He led me until we stopped at three graves.

Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw the inscriptions on the graves. "You really found them." My voice broke.

"I felt better going here than at your grave in New York. I felt more connected to you here."

I let go of Killian's hand and walked over to my parents grave. On it was an older bouquet and a few candles that were still burning. Someone had to be here.

A tear ran down my cheek as I touched the tombstone.

I knew they were dead, so why does it hurt more than normal to think of them?

I stood up from the tombstone and looked away when I saw the name Lukas.

"It's okay." I felt Killian's arms as he wrapped his arms around me. "I'm here with you."

"I thought it would be easier." I said with pain in my voice and heart. "Why does it hurt so much?"

"Because when you see it, it's real." He hugged me even tighter, assuring me that he was here for me.

I pulled away from him and turned around with a heavy exhale.

I wanted to fall to my knees and let out a river of tears. Maybe yell at the whole fucking world.

But somehow I managed to get to the tombstone. I fell down next to him and let out a shaky breath.

There are so many things I want to tell him. So many things that I don't even know where to start.

But the only thing that came out of my mouth was, "I miss you. I miss you so much." I bit my lip as I started sobbing.

I slowly ran over the fabric on my arm and pulled it off her. I put it to my chest and closed my eyes before tying it around the vase.

"You should have it." I wiped my tears. "I don't need it to know you're with me." I put my forehead on the tombstone. "You saved my life, so I'll live it for you too."

I slowly stood up and wrapped my arms around myself. I walked past the graves to Killian.

"Thank you for finding them." I took a shaky breath. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Come here." He reached out to me and pulled me into a hug. "I would do anything for you. Don't forget that."

I pulled away from him slightly so I could look him in the eyes. "Thank you for taking care of Lucy when I wasn't here. Thank you for still being able to look at me as a human being even after everything I've done. Thank you for believing in me even when no one else couldn't."

"Lyssa..."

"No." I interrupted him. "Let me finish. Thank you for showing me what it's like to have a home again. For awakening something in me that I didn't think was possible. Thank you for everything. I don't deserve any of it, but yet here you are . Looking at me like I'm your whole world."

"Because that's exactly what you are for me." He ran his hand over my cheek. "You and Lucy are my whole world. I'm not whole without you. You stole my heart and even if you didn't, I'd give it to you. Because it belongs to you." He grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest. "It beats for you and only you."

"What did I do to deserve you?" I laughed through my tears.

"I'm making it up to you for accidentally being kidnapped by my guys." He smiled.

"Imagine if they hadn't done that. We would never have met."

"I should give them a raise." He leaned towards me and kissed me.

"You certainly should." I laughed and kissed him again.

If I could, I would stop time now. I would like to stay in this moment.

Because I feel happy. Truly happy.

As if I were home. I guess home is where Killian and Lucy are. My family.

And even though I thought it was impossible to have a family, I have one. I may not deserve it, but I will try to make it so. To be worthy of having a family.

Because without the people we love, we are lost. They are the ones who light the way ahead.

No matter how dark the path is.

*****

So what am I supposed to say?

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions not only for you, but also for me.

There is nothing I can say to express my gratitude.

Actually, I didn't expect even ten people to read my book, but here you are. 48k views.

It's crazy. I don't think I even realize that you are real people.

Thank you to everyone who has been here since the beginning, but also to those who read the book after it was complete.

I hope you enjoyed the book.

I'm sure it has some flaws and it's not perfect, but I'm not either.

This was the first book in a series about the Acker siblings.

Next follows His temptation, which is about Sebastian.

I'm not sure when I'll start publishing it yet, but I'm sure that if I have something written, you'll find it on Tik Tok first ;)

Thank you all again for your support. And thank you for being here with me on this journey of mine <333



Go check out second book in this series! A few chapters is already out <33