Hey lovelies,

Thank you for the support as always. Kinda blown away by all the love that this story has (and even 'Dear Elle' seems to be getting the flow on effect).

This chapter is a special one and the reason why it's very long is this is one that I had in my mind from the very beginning and was a moment I wanted to write. It may seem a little far fetched.....but it is definitely all the feels.

In that span on six years, in my fic, Noah and Elle saw each other twice - the Christmas after they split and half way through Elle's second year at USC.....which is where this chapter starts.

Hopefully you love it as much as I do.

AliciaRuby90 x

Elle POV

Today was a big day.

Today we had officially welcomed Linda into the Evan's family and my Dad was happy, I mean really really happy, once again. Not that he ever wasn't, but I guess being in love and knowing that you were going to grow old with someone who made you happy made you smile just a little bigger.

The wedding had been scheduled for the summer during my second year of USC. I was really loving being a College student. I was learning so much and was really developing my creative skills. I loved discussing game ideas and concepts with my tutors and getting great feedback.

In the last couple of months, I was grateful for still being close to home and to be able to have that time to really get to know Linda. It wasn't a big surprise when Dad sat Brad and I down and discussed his wish of wanting to marry Linda. For us, it was a no brainer to say yes. Brad relished the opportunity of having a proper 'Mum' figure in his life and have those moments with her that were taken away when we lost Mum, but she was never too far away in the stories that were shared. To me, she was someone that I could confide in, someone who I could openly talk to most things about. I knew that June was my go to if I needed some solid 'Mum' advice as she knew me better than I knew myself, but sometimes I felt like if I wanted to vent about Lee or something reminded me of Noah, I felt bad ratting to their mum. After she accepted, Linda had told us of her surprise but also that she was so very happy. It was a intimate wedding with only our close family and friends. Dad didn't really want anything big, but as it was Linda's first wedding he agreed to make it special.

And that's how we came today.

Brad stood at Dad's side, while I stood at Linda's as they exchanged vows and the crowd applauded when they were husband and wife. They had chosen a simple garden wedding with the reception at a restaurant overlooking the park. Everything was covered in candles and flowers and was just really, really natural.

I sipped on my champagne as the guests milled around the room, speaking and wishing their congratulations to the happy couple. The band was playing in a corner and the music was flowing.

'There's my girl', June said as she waved me over, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. 'You look gorgeous as always'.

'Thank you!', I grinned as I clinked glasses with her. Lee walked over and nudged my shoulder as he glanced around the room, 'If the video design fails, you could always try to become a wedding planner. Everything turned out great!'

I rolled my eyes into my flute as the guest began to take their seats, as he gave me a pointed look. 'How you doing? Big day!'

I sighed as I looked over towards my Dad and Linda, they were smiling and holding hands, 'I'm okay. I'm happy that he is happy. Linda....is....'

'Not your Mum', June concluded.

'No, but I don't think that she can ever be replaced. I'm glad he's happy and he's found someone to have the life that he wanted to have with Mum. Someone to grow old and be happy with. That's all she ever wanted for him, for any of us. Just to be happy', I said as I flicked away the stray tear and took another sip.

Lee and June were quiet as I changed the topic as Matthew approached, 'Noah couldn't make it?'

'Nah, apparently Harvard and work are keeping him busy. He did try though', Lee answered as gripped the back of his neck nervously. I shot him a look as the band requested that everyone begin to take their seats.

June quickly squeezed my hand, 'I take it David wasn't able to come either?'

'Yeah, I was sooooooooo looking forward to meeting him. You know seeing if he is decent enough for my bestie', Lee laughed and then grimaced as June stood on his foot and shot him a warning look.

I laughed. Ah David.

David wasn't my boyfriend but things certainly seemed to be going in that direction. We were in the same classes at USC and happened to end up collaborating on a project together. Obviously, when you are spending that much time with a person you end up talking about other things and we were able to hold a conversation that was filled with a lot of laughter. We had been on a few dates and he was on my family's radar as 'someone' but we hadn't really put a label on it yet. There were a few photos of us on social media and people were speculating that maybe we were, but we were just taking things slow. I hadn't elaborated on Noah, just mentioned that there had been someone who regardless of whether he was my boyfriends or not, would always be family because of how are families were connected, but things had a way of always being too difficult or we both managed to keep messing it up. David had accepted that and that had been the whole conversation that wasn't really mentioned again.

'No, he's not. And not because I thought that someone else might be here. I did extend an invite but the timing just didn't work out....plus we are not official.....yet'

'Ooooooo', Lee mock squealed, 'So things have turned serious?'

I motioned to Lee 'later' and went and sat back down on the main table, as the band requested that people start taking their seats.

'How's everything going?', I asked, sweeping my dress under my hands before taking my seat near Dad, Brad and Linda.

Linda smiled, 'Thank you so much for your help Elle, everything looks really really beautiful'.

I motioned 'forget it about it' as the food was served and suddenly the room got very quiet and everyone dived for their meals. It had been a big day and I was starving, although clearly not as bad a Brad.....jeez the teenager could eat.

***

'Ladies and Gentleman', the MC began as her motioned for the guests to circle around the dance floor. 'Mike and Linda will be opening the dance floor. But along with them, I'm going to ask Brad and Elle to join them. Now kids....'

I shot the MC a look....as I knew what was going to come out of his mouth next.

When was this agreed to?

'Grab a special someone or maybe a someone might grab you first....', the room rang out in applause as Brad and I shared an eye roll, before standing up. Dad and Linda headed to the dance floor and for a second, I saw Brad make a beeline towards one of his friends from school. I almost wanted to hi five the dude for having the confidence. Everyone 'aww'd' as she held out her hand as my brother blushed and then lead her to the dance floor.

'Your turn Elle!'

Remind me to kill the MC later.....

I spun back around as I made a beeline for Lee, as I held out my hand. He laughed as he took a step forward, before he looked past me and shook his hand. I watched him raise his eyebrows as he grabbed my had, before he rolled his eyes and dropped my hand. It was almost as if he was having a silent conversation with......

Oh shit......

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Every step that he took, it was like they were echoing louder and louder as they got closer towards me. I looked towards Lee as his eyes looked back asking me - you okay with this?

There was a part of me that wasn't. There was a part of me that knew this was a really, really bad idea and that I should just leave him and drag Lee onto the dance floor. We weren't a couple. I hadn't seen him since Christmas like two years ago and I had....David?

But I knew that part of me was always going to lose. Because I knew that no matter what, even if I hadn't see him in five, ten or fifteen years - he would still make me smile, he would still make me feel only the way he could make me feel and to relive those feelings for five minutes and to know that were were happy all that time ago. There was a part of me that knew that I needed to live without him and I would do that after tonight, just let me have this......just give this one song and let me say goodbye in his arms.

As I started to turn around, I saw Matthew and June exchange a glance. There were only five people in this room who really knew what we meant to each other and what we had gone through, if they thought this was going to be a bad idea - we would hear about it, but not now. There would be questions and we would be honest, two fiends sharing a dance.

I tried to stay calm, but I couldn't help the smile that came across my lips as I saw him. He wore that signature smirk as he always did and he flicked his head ever so slightly to the dance floor, as he held out his hand. He was dressed in a suit, and his hair was longer. He looked older and tired. Harvard was giving him a hard time.

'I thought Noah Flynn doesn't dance and you know this is a very bad idea', I asked as he shrugged as he pulled me just a little closer and we started to dance to the music. I'm pretty sure my Dad's eyes were burning a hole in the back of my head....but I would deal with that later.

'Oh, why not', he shrugged. 'Besides, my brother sees your more than I do and since you look so beautiful....dibs', he laughed.

We were caught in our own little world, as people starting to join in on the dancing.

'Lee said you weren't coming?'

'I was caught up with work and said to him I might not be able to make it, but I was able to get a flight out. I missed the ceremony though. Mike looks happy.....', he motioned towards my Dad.

'Yeah, he is. I'm glad he has someone to take care of him now. It's been hard since I moved out....'

'You moved?', he stopped as he looked down at me 'Really? That's.....big'

'I've been on my own for a couple of months. It's been great to have my own space. I'm surprised Lee didn't mention it', he frowned as I felt his fingers flex and pull me just a little closer.

'He mentioned a few things....'

Ah

We were quiet and I could feel he song starting to finish up. We had less than a minute left like this.

'Noah....'

'Are you happy?', he asked his eyes boring down into mine. The height difference always allowing him to pull this off.

'Noah...yeah, I am' I nodded. 'I really am'

As the notes of the music finished up and everyone on the dance floor broke out into applause, we stood still. His arms still locked around me and I knew, he didn't want to let go. It was like the rest of the world had disappeared and it was just us.

'Then thats all I want', he said. He leant down and kissed my cheek, his lips lingering for a second longer than they should have before he pulled away for the last time.

7.5 years later - Part 1

'What are you doing here?', I asked as I swung my front door open and there stood the groom, the night before his big day.

'Ah, you know.....' he shrugged as he shuffled his feet in my door way.

'Your nervous for tomorrow aren't you?', I laughed as I waved him in, shutting the door behind in and pulling me in for a hug. 'Little bit', he murmured into my shoulder.

'Don't be', I sighed as I wrapped my arms around him as we stayed like that for a few minutes before pulling away. He followed me into the kitchen and nodded when I held out a coffee mug. I filled ours and passed him one, before hearing the shower turn off and filled another one leaving it on the bench for Noah.

'Sooooooooo', I began as I pointed towards the sofa and quickly sat down. 'What's going on?'

'Nothing', Lee said, sipping his coffee, as he leaned back into the pillows. 'Just you know....getting married tomorrow.....'

'Yes. We all know that. Look, I've got clothes hanging everywhere. I'm already showered and your brother is all ready to stand beside you as your best man. I would say your good to go man'

He rolled his eyes as he heard the door open and close from the other room and the padding of feet from the bedroom. 'Do you want to tell me what's actually going on before Noah comes out? Or do I have to guess....'

Lee ran his ands through his hair, 'I'm just nervous I guess. I love Rachel and I'm so excited to be spending the rest of our lives together, just getting married is ALOT'

'So I've been told', I pulled my legs up and onto the couch as I let him continue. This was classic Lee. Keep everything bottled in until the point when everything just bursts out and all you can do is let him talk.

'I'm worried if I'm going to be a good husband. Tomorrow everything had been planned to such a detail, I don't even know if I can go to the bathroom. I'm scared of messing up. I'm scared of making a mistake and people are already harping on us about when we are going to have kids....it's just....yeah', he said setting his coffee mug down on the table and collapsing into the sofa, burying his head into the cushion.

Noah walked out of the bedroom, running a towel through his hair as he eyed his brother's form on the couch. 'Freaking out?' he mouthed and I nodded, pointing the coffee on the bench. Tossing the towel back into the bedroom, he grabbed the cup and came to sit by me, patting his brother on the leg as he went.

'Lee, c'mon man'

'Go away Noah', Noah grinned into his cup as he gave me a quick kiss on the cheeks.

'Lee....look at me', I called as I him him groan into the pillow. 'Lee, I'm giving you thirty seconds before I start throwing pillows at you. Get up'

He huffed as he pulled himself up and look towards us 'It's okay. It's totally normal to have cold feet. Like seriously, totally normal. As for all the other stuff, there are people there to handle all that. You just need to worry about you and Rach. That's it. You love each other, tomorrow you are going to be married and then you live your lives happily ever after. She's so excited.....'I finished as he looked towards me.

'She is?'

'Yeah,' I nodded 'I spoke to her just before you arrived at the front door. She's worried too, but she's so happy and excited and she can't wait to be and I quote 'Mrs Flynn'. So just take five, breath, chill here and then go home and get some sleep okay. Because tomorrow is going to be over before you know it and I don't want you to look back and think about all the stuff you missed out on because you were worried about things that are literally nothing'

'I got your back, bro. You're all good', Noah promised as he looked towards his brother and as usual, as silent conversation passed between the two of them.

He let out a long sigh, 'Thanks guys'

'Always. Love you'

'Love you too'

Noah wrapped his arms around my shoulder as he leaned forward and tossed Lee the remote 'Choose a movie. We'll chill and then bedtime. You crash here tonight and then I'll drive you back to Mum's in the morning and we can get ready from there....'

Lee opened his mouth to argue, but caught Noah's pointed stare 'Okay. Thank guys'

I laughed as I slapped Noah's leg before standing up and heading to the linen closet 'You make the popcorn. I'll get some blankets and stuff and we can all chill on the couches. SOMEONE, set an alarm. Last thing we need is to all pass out and sleep through the ceremony....'

I heard the boys laugh, 'Your mother will kill you. The both of you....'

They went quiet.

I grinned as I grabbed some blankets and pillows and walked back into the living room, tossing a set to Lee and placing the other on our sofa. I could heard the microwave going as Noah raided the fridge and pantry as Lee loaded a movie and flicked off the lights. I grabbed my spare charger and plugged it in, connecting my phone and setting it on LOUD with the alarm.

I watched Lee melt into the couch and knew that it wouldn't be too long before he would pass out. Noah clearly thought he was feeding an army as he placed the snacks on the table and tossed Lee a water bottle, as he hit play.

Jumping onto the sofa and pulling me against his chest, I cuddled in as his hands played with my hair.

'Not the night you envisioned, huh?' Noah chuckled as I looked up and met his eyes.

'No', I said glancing quickly to my best friend and back to his brother 'But I wouldn't have it any other way'.

As always, if you think it deserves it, leave it some love.

Chapter 7, we hear from Noah and it's the wedding - part 2.

See you soon. x