“If we survive, get out alive, I’d like to say how beautiful I think you are.”
– Island; The Starting Line

---

"Alright, I got our coffees and our breakfast, baby." I said putting the white bag with a black logo back on the black marbled counter along with the brown cupholder they were sitting in. My long ponytail swung around, landing over my shoulder and tangling itself on the string of my jacket .

Steven walked over, his black jogger sweatpants matching his black and white t-shirt that he had on. Before he grabbed his coffee or his food, he carefully placed his arm around my waist and brought me into a soft kiss. It had been a couple of days since he told me about the whole NYC firm thing and you could tell that he had been feeling guilty over the situation. I wanted him to have the world and all the opportunities that came with it, but I couldn't help but feel incredibly selfish with him.

After two years, I finally got him back into my life and in a place where things were absolutely perfect. It had been better now than it ever was back then. I feel like if my dad knew that Steven and I were back together and happier than ever, he wouldn't have asked him to run NYC. Truth is, it probably isn't as much of a big deal for my dad as it was to Steven and I; with reason of course.

Today we were leaving back to Los Angeles and we were both bummed but excited to get back home. All of our stuff was packed and we were going to enjoy one last breakfast in this beautiful apartment here on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It put my family's apartment to shame with its flawlessness. It was so elegant, yet modern and tasteful that it drew me in completely. He had made it his own since getting it handed down to him. I hoped he would never get rid of it secretly.

Steven had asked for my help on advising him on if he should take the opportunity or not. When he asked me, it really did throw me off because that is such a coupley thing to do. The fact that he trusted me that much to formulate an opinion on it and he goes off of that opinion was wild, but I liked it. I just didn't know what to say. I had other things to worry about, I suppose. One being that I needed a good excuse as to why I had lied to my parents about suddenly deciding to leave the state at the same time as Steven. I told Nicole to keep away from my parents seeing her around town because I had told them her and I were going to Seattle for some buying. I guess the best excuse would be to just tell them that Steven and I were back together or something.

"You ready to head back home?" Steven asked, taking a giant gulp of his coffee before realizing that it was still piping hot.

I made a face, trying not to laugh at his sudden expense in pain. "Oh my god, are you okay?"

He chuckled, sticking out his tongue. "Fuck that was so hot. Holy shit."

I held it together for a moment then burst out laughing along with him. It was always going to be his silliness that had stolen my heart from the get go. He's very serious on the exterior, especially around my father, since that was still his boss, but Steven was very funny and could make me laugh like no other. I liked that. I could always count on that. I remember when he and I first met, it was when we were both in college. He was accepted into Stanford University right from high school, and then once he got his Bachelor's degree, he went onto Stanford Law, which was very prestigious and rebelling against his own father in a way because his dad was Harvard Law man. Well, my dad was an alum of Stanford Law also. I guess it's a big deal for some families or something?

Anyway, once he got accepted in Stanford, he had come back down the five hours from Stanford, California to Los Angeles and we met through our mutual friend Roger at a party during the summer. We hit it off almost immediately and had a whole two months together before he left back to Stanford. I was not liking school as much as he did, over at USC. I was stuck in a communications program that I didn't give one shit about because my heart was dwelled in fashion. But, as I had promised my dad, I would at least graduate and get a degree in something, just in case. Steven and I were together a lot and I had even skipped class a few times just to go and see him.

After three years at Stanford Law, he came back down to Los Angeles and was interning/ applying everywhere he could. I think the biggest blow for him was when his own dad didn't accept him into his firm because he didn't go to Harvard. Last resort he tried was my dad's firm actually, mainly because he didn't want to beg my dad for a job. But, my dad came looking for him. He liked that he interned while in law school, and had a 4.0 GPA, and was just downright smart and loved law. He would've hired him anyway even if he weren't my boyfriend. His dad and uncles who have their own firm weren't so happy with him getting a job at a clear rival, but eventually, they accepted it, and me, because he was making a name for himself.

"You know, I'm really happy about going home because I'm really stoked to tell our parents that we're back together." I blurted out suddenly with a smile on my face. I played with his hand as I said it and tousled his hair a little. "I'm just ready to tell the entire world."

He chuckled, "I am too, princess. You have no idea how happy my family is gonna be to hear this news."

"Yeah?" I questioned with surprise. I guess I always imagined them hating my guts since I was the one who broke up with Steven in the first place. And he's the baby, so they are all super overprotective of him.

He nodded, trying to finish chewing his food before speaking. "Oh definitely. They always said I would never find another girl quite like you. I knew they were right, but could never admit it then."

I smiled a little, kissing his cheek before grabbing my cup and taking a sip. "I love you. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Bon." He grinned widely, bringing me in and kissing my head gently. "You're my whole world."

---

Around 6 o'clock in the evening, we had landed back in Los Angeles and were picked up by a driver to head back to my place. Tomorrow was Sunday and we decided we would go share our back together news to our families. My dad usually wanted me over for dinner on Sunday's at least, so we figured this was a good time as any. Once we arrived at my place, we walked through the doorway and wanted to collapse from our grogginess over the six hour and ten minute flight and just the trip in general. Steven carried our bags up and I brought the beer for him and bottle of wine and glass for me along with our Chinese food that we picked up on the way, in my hand, following him.

He put the bags on the floor and plopped onto my bed, laying back and sighing. "Fuck, I'm exhausted. Why are flights so terribly tiring?"

I shrugged as I handed him a bottle of his favorite beer and then poured a glass of red wine for myself into a glass, "Who knows? Maybe it's the being in the air thing?"

Steven chuckled, sitting up and taking a drink of his beer before kicking off his shoes and separating our food from the bag. While he did this, I closed my bedroom door and kicked off my own shoes, before joining him on my bed so we could finally eat. I had chosen a show we had begun to watch, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, on Netflix and we were winding down from the boring, but long day that we had.

It was in that moment where I felt like I didn't want him to go to New York because we wouldn't be able to do this. We wouldn't be able to just come home together, eat food, and watch our shows. He'd be all the way in Manhattan and I would be here. I felt like through the course of our relationship and time knowing each other, I sacrificed a lot for him to put his career before me. I mean, I understood it. My dad is a lawyer and he wasn't around a lot when I was a kid. Would it be so selfish of me to want him to stay here? I mean, it's not like he didn't have a job here. He just made partner here in LA alongside my father, how huge of a opportunity and commitment was that?

Blurting out these random thoughts that popped in my head would've been another tiring conversation to add to this tiring day. I figured I would save it for later and reveal how I really felt. It's not like he could ever resent me for wanting him here instead of New York. Well, he wouldn't right?

---

The next morning, Steven and I got ready and went over to meet his parents for a nice, Sunday breakfast. His parents usually go to this place twice a month on random occasion because this was his father's country club. All I cared about was that they had bottomless mimosas and that sounded like the cherry on top of my morning.

The closer we got to the country club, the wilder my nerves were getting. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was starving, or that I hadn't seen his parents in two years except for when I saw his mom, older brother, and sister-in-law at some restaurant about a year ago. I knew that they liked me a lot, but I'm sure that changed when our relationship ended.

I always felt like they thought of me as strange. Trust me when I say that if you're not an attorney or a housewife, you are sticking out like a sore thumb. Secretly, I knew Steven resented his family for being that way, because he wasn't. He had an open mind about the world. But I knew there were moments where they could maybe influence his judgments. And they were beginning to towards the end of our previous relationship.

It was almost as if he knew I was getting antsy about seeing his folks again, because the softness of his hands were caressing mine gently; his thumb rolling over my hand back and forth as he was focused on driving.

"Bon?" Steven said suddenly as we were approaching the country club closer and closer.

"Yeah?"

"Don't bring up me getting partner yet or the whole New York thing, okay?"

"Why not?" I was shocked to say the least. If there's anyone Steven felt he should prove things to, it was his father.

"I don't know. I just don't want him to say anything. He's always gotta say something."

"But getting partner is a good thing, right?"

"Absolutely. I guess he still thinks I would actually want to work for his firm. I don't feel like that drama right now."

Steven's dad was always jealous that he would've rather worked with my dad than with him. My dad made things a little easier on Steven, I guess because he treated him like a normal human being; not my boyfriend, not some other pretentious lawyer's son. If he would've worked for his dad, he would be miserable and I know it.

"Alright. Your secret's safe with me." I pretended to zip my lips and toss the key making him smile softly as we stopped in the valet parking area.

He grinned and we got out, handing over the keys to the valet driver, then walking inside. His parents were already seated and once they saw who was walking with Steven, their eyes just about popped out of their sockets.

"Bonnie?!" His mom gasped, her dark red hair shining with help from the natural lit dining area. She came up to me and hugged me tightly, "Oh, it has been so long, too long!"

I returned the hug back, missing her just as much. She was such a sweet woman, and she was the only human being who could handle her husband. "Dana, it's so nice to see you!"

In my peripherals, I saw Steven and his dad hugging for a moment, a quick slap on the back coming from the both of them before his dad came over and hugged me as well. "Bonnie, you are looking beautiful as ever."

We all sat together, his mom and I ordering the bottomless mimosas almost instantly, making Steven and his dad chuckle. "So Bonnie, how are you doing? It's been so long since we've seen you last." His dad, Jack, asked me after he straightened out his navy blue blazer.

I grinned sweetly, "I'm doing really, really well. Just working and whatever. How are you all doing?"

Dana grinned, "Oh sweetheart, we are doing wonderful. Jack here is thinking about retirement, soon. He is unsure, though."

Steven sipped on his heavily iced glass of water and had the fakest smile drawnonto his lips. "Retirement? Aw, but Jack, you're still a young gun in the game!" They all laughed and I knew I still had it when it came to being around the mega rich. I could hold a conversation like a pro. There is really only three rules: Compliment, Laugh, and Be Intrigued. If you got those three, you got these people eating out of the palm of your hand.

He chuckled heartily, "Ah Bonnie, you are too kind. It's just a thought, after all. Junior is already set to take over for me, it's just whenever I make the decision to tap out."

"Oh yes, my dad told me he made partner over there. He always says to watch out for you Bohn's." I complimented once more with a grin before sipping on my strong mimosa.

Junior is Steven's older brother. He was the perfect son, if you looked at him. He was a spitting image of Jack and had the dark brown hair and brown eyes to match. He also had the Harvard Law degree to follow as well. It made me a little sick sometimes because Jack was obviously very fond of Junior and didn't hide it. Steven always felt compelled to be just as good as his brother; but he could never match it. He could never be as big as him, or as strong as him, or as smart as him. One thing was for sure is that Steven had him beat with passion for this business by a mile. He was just the dirty blonde son with baby blue eyes that matched his mothers.

Jack and Steven laughed some more, then the conversation shifted back to me. "So, it's a little strange seeing you two back to basics again." Dana hinted as she pointed to her son and I.

Steven sat up a little taller, "Well, we actually wanted to tell you both that we are back together."

Dana's eyes lit up and she held onto my arm. "Oh that makes me so happy! Bonnie, I kept telling him that he needed to get you back. But these Bohn boys are always stubborn, you and I know that very well."

Jack smiled, eyeing Steven with approval. "Great news, son. You know Bonnie is my favorite girl. Next to my Dana of course." The fakeness that was dripping off of him was enough to fill an ocean. It was no secret that Jack Bohn was an unfaithful man. He was very handsome, don't get me wrong. But, he was a prick and everyone knew it. Dana could've left him and got his fortune, but she wanted to work on their marriage. I commend her for that, actually. Steven never really forgave his father, mainly because he was just old enough to understand what his father was doing. But ultimately, it was his mother's decision, not his.

"Yeah, we're really happy. Two years makes you grow up, I guess." Steven admitted, his hand rubbing my thigh softly.

The rest of the brunch was spent on us catching up. Dana and I were chugging those mimosas like they were the last drinks on earth, so we were buzzing quickly from how strong they were made. Steven doesn't really see his parents often, not together at least. He has dinner with his mom once a week and has never cancelled. I was about to mentally tally off that this might've been one of the few get togethers where Jack didn't upset Steven, but just when I thought that you could tell he just did.

"So Steven, when are you gonna make partner over there at Black and Perez? I feel like it's been a million years that you've been there." Jack ran his tongue over his teeth then smiled cockily. He always knew where to hit Steven where it hurt most.

Steven smiled through the anger, "Well dad, Derek really wants me to thrive some more; take on more cases alone. I'm doing a really great job right now. The pressure of becoming a partner at this moment would be too much. Derek has so much more to teach me. And he must be doing something right seeing as how he has the number one practice in all of California." And Steven always knew where to hit Jack where it hurt most.

I looked down at my plate and my eyes widened a bit. I desperately wanted to burst out laughing, but I couldn't. Jack's firm was always, always, number two to my dad's. It'd been that way since they both opened around the same time. Granted, his dad has been doing this two years longer than my dad, he was still the bottom choice. My dad had better reviews, better clients, a better staff. One time, years and years ago, our dad's went at it in court; my dad winning the case by a landslide. They respected the hell out of each other, but they would always be rivals. That was a given.

Jack eyed Steven, trying not to get mad but Steven sat there with a genuine grin on his face. Dana looked over to me and began to compliment mine and Nicole's site, saying she looks at it every single day.

"Oh, I just love it Bonnie! It's so cute and helpful for even an old hag like myself." She grinned, making me smile in return. "How's the buying been going?"

"It's been going really well. I've been a lot busier, especially since the site went up. Nicole and I were actually discussing maybe opening up a vintage clothing shop. I can't even begin to tell you how many incredible but aged clothes we find weekly. I had so much stored up that I ended up selling to stores for extra profit. Vintage is in right now." I was happy to change the subject to something I enjoyed for once. Steven and Jack stopped their showdown in order to be polite and chime in on the conversation now and then. Thank god for Dana bringing it up, am I right?

Not soon enough, brunch was over. We had said our goodbyes, both of his parents hugging me tightly and telling me separately that they are so happy I am back in their lives. The valet brought Steven's car back to the front and we tipped him, and then drove off.

As we were driving to his place, I burst out laughing all of a sudden. "Well, glad that's over." I joked, getting a smile to come out of Steven.

"How annoying is he? Fuck, man. He's always got to say shit and compete with me. My dad is actually the most annoying dickshit on the planet!" He vented as his eyes were glued to the road in front of us. "And he wonders why I'm never around."

"He's always been like that though, what's so new about it? You gotta suck up to him. Like I do." I grinned, knowing very well that Jack liked me better than he liked his own son.

Steven rolled his eyes, "It's just annoying. It got old. I'm 28 years old, I'm not gonna suck up to my dad anymore like my thirty four year old brother does. I should've just told him I made partner so he would shut the fuck up. Even though, I know he wouldn't. He'd just say that I wasn't ready for it. Which I am by the way. I've paid a lot of dues to get this position."

"I know baby, I know." I sat up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Some parents are just like that. I feel like my dad would be that way if he had a son."

Steven shook his head, "No way. Your dad is open-minded and willing to teach and accept. My dad has the ‘My way or the highway’ mentality. Your dad is more my dad than my own dad is."

I smiled softly at his last words, knowing that my dad always felt a connection to Steven; whether he and I were together or not. He was protective over him, which is why he made sure that he would succeed. I grabbed ahold of his hand and held it in mine, rubbing it softly. "Pretty sure my dad loves you more than me, baby."

He chuckled lightly and we pulled into his driveway. Steven killed the engine and we both got out, walking towards his front door. He let me walk in first then watched me wobble a little in my heels and champagne filled body. "Bonnie baby, how many mimosas did you have?" He laughed to himself while helping me out a little.

"Mmm, bottomless." I answered, turning around and pinching his cheeks.

"C'mon, let's go up and you can take advantage of me." He joked, pinching my butt and carrying me up the stairs.

"Ooh, I like that idea." I said, placing little kisses on his neck as he was running up the stairs with me in tow.

---

Later that night, we got to my parents house for Sunday dinner, in different outfits and different attitudes. We didn't tell my parents that we were coming together. I just knew my mom made a shit ton of extra food and it was going to be a wonderful surprise for them to see us two actually together again. I was excited, he was excited. This is what I meant by shouting it from the mountaintops.

Before I rang the doorbell, Steven took ahold of my hand. "Good luck kiss that it goes well?"

I grinned, placing my hand on the nape of his neck and refusing to give him a peck. I wanted him to remember this kiss for the rest of his entire life. And make it sexy enough to leave him wanting more through the course of our time at this house. Hey, I wouldn't be me if I didn't tease a little. I pulled away just as he was getting into it, shooting him a wink and ringing the doorbell.

"Oh Bonnie, you fucker." He whispered in my ear making me grin. Moments later, the door swung open and my mom answered it, her eyes confused as to why he and I were standing together.

"Hey mom!" I greeted her, giving her a hug.

"Hi sweetheart, hi Steven. What are you two doing here together?" Her face was confused as we both walked in and saw my dad watching football on tv.

"Hey daddy." I kissed his head from behind the couch, and Steven walked in and shook his hand. My dad was just as confused as my mom was and it was so funny.

We all walked into the kitchen and I poured my mom and I some wine, and Steven got he and my dad some beers. My parents were looking back and forth between Steven and I, wondering what the hell was happening. "I bet you're wondering what's going on" I said, taking a sip of my wine and letting it fall into my insides.

"Yes, Bonnie what's going on?" My mom asked as she got plates for the four of us.

"Well... Steven and I wanted to tell you that we are back together. We've been back together for a few weeks. And dad, when he was in New York, I was there with him." I announced, gleaming with pride.

I swear the look in their eyes was enough to light up the entirety of Times Square. Their happiness bled off of them and it made me so happy that they were happy for us. I had without a doubt taken a bit of a risk in getting back with Steven, but the heart wants what it wants. My heart wants the only man I've ever really loved; the only man I've ever really wanted.

I looked over to Steven and my dad still smiling about the news, then discussing the trip to New York. My heart wouldn't be able to take him being in another city, across the country. But, I couldn't be that selfish. I couldn't keep him away from being the top guy. I'd just sit here and let him make his own decision. He was a grown ass man, he could do it.

But could I do it? Could I let him decide to ho to NYC and leave me behind?

Notes

A NIIIIICE LENGTHY ONE FOR YA

Alright guys, nothing really big happening in this chapter other than some day-to-day stuff for Steven and Bonnie. What do you think of his parents? Well, they finally told their parents the good news, and the reactions were one in the same. Next chapter, I'm thinking some Mike POV stuff, what do you think?

Thank you for reading, guys. As always, leave your questions/ comments/ concerns.

XO,
Ambs