I groaned at the loud sound of what I thought was my alarm clock exploding into the room, putting the pillow over my head to drown out the noise, and block out the blinding light. My hand searched for the phone as more groans escaped me when it seemed like the sound was only getting louder. I sighed once I realized it was someone calling me. "This better be good for you to be calling me at six in the freaking morning." I growled into the phone, not caring who was on the other side.

"Good morning to you, doll." Lyric chuckled and I sprung up, completely in shock to hear his voice, since it has been almost two months since he got checked into rehab.

"Lyric? When did you get out?" I asked, suddenly not tired.

"About thirty minuets ago. I'm waiting for a cab as we speak." He said and the sound of car horns mixed in with his voice.

"You didn't have to call a cab. I could have came and picked you up." I told and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I grabbed the hair tie off the night stand and turned the phone on speaker before pulling my hair up in to a bun.

"It's fine, doll. I need to go do some stuff before I head back to Rain's place." He started. "I called cause I want to see you." My heart started flutter at the softness of his voice and how good it was to hear him say that.

"I want to see you too." I smiled and ran my hand over the engagement ring I still wear. "I'm honestly really surprise you want anything to do with me."

"Well, at first I didn't want to but spending those two months in rehab gave me a lot of time to think and I've come to realize that I don't want to throw away almost three years of what we had just because of some drunken mistake." I looked down at my lap, not being able to keep the huge smile off my face, and my heart beating a million times per second. "But we'll talk more about this when we meet up. That old diner by the studio good for you? Say around one o'clock today?"

"That's perfect." I beamed, standing from the bed, and walking over to the dresser to find something to wear. There was a comfortable silence for a few minuets and the only thing heard was the sound of the city from his side of the phone, before he spoke up.

"I'll see you then, doll." You could practically hear the smile in his tone. "I...I love you, Ella." He whispered and the shirt I was holding dropped to the floor. My heart skipped a beat at his words and my mind was begging for him to say the words I thought I would never hear from him again.

"I love you too, Lyric." I replied back and even though he has said it a million times before my cheeks felt warm and I bet they were a rose color as well.

With that our short, six in the morning, heart racing conversation ended. And I was left with seven hours to prepare myself to see him again. With nerves I haven't felt since we went on our very first date three years ago.

*** I hummed along to the sound of S.O.S by Jonas Brothers as I curled the final piece of my now mainly brown hair. I had a few last minute touches to the waterfall curls before proceeding to do a light coat of makeup.

"I gave my all for you now my heart's in two." I sang into my powder brush and shook my hips to the beat. Once my makeup was done I danced across the room to the closet to pick out a pair of shoes.

I was wearing a pair of black high waisted shorts and a light blue crop tops with a sliver owl shaped necklace to tie it all together. I settled with a pair with a pair of tan leather sandals and natural makeup to keep things casual. I took a glance in the full body mirror and gave a small smile, feeling prettier than I have ever had for the last few months. 

My phone buzzed from the dresser, making the sound ripple through the now quiet room. I walked over and smiled once I saw that it was Lyric texting me to confirm I was still meeting up with him. I gave a quick reply before realizing I only had twenty minuets before I'm suppose to meet him and it took me twenty-five to get there.

"Shit." I cursed and snatched up my bag from the bed, startling a sleeping Charlie who was laying next to it. "Sorry, bud." I cooed, petting him quickly, and gave a fast kiss to his head, before I was rushing out to the living room.

I went to walk out of the apartment and froze, feeling like I was missing something. "Phone, bag, clothes...what else?" I said to myself. "Keys. I need keys." I exclaimed and reached for the forget-me-not blow, filling with worry when I felt nothingness. "Where are the-" I was cut off by the jingling sound coming from behind me. 

And there my darling pup; Charlie, stood with a playful look in his eyes, and my really and much needed car keys dangling from his mouth. "Charlie. Bring me those keys, buddy." I said in a sweet but commanding voice. His tail wagged behind him as a taunting whine came from his throat once I took a careful step towards him. "Come buddy. Give mommy the keys. Please." I practically begged, praying he wasn't going to run off.

But no one up stairs was listening because just as I reached for the keys Charlie dashed under my legs and into the dining room as I struggled to follow him without busting my ass. And here I was chasing after a damn puppy for my keys when I was suppose to be meeting Lyric to finally find out where we stood. 

I was in no mood for games.

"Charlie! You get back here." I screamed as I chased the little shit around the coffee table. In desperate need to get the keys. He ran into a corner and I knew I had. I could finally get the keys and go meet Lyric with a great excuse for why I'm late. "Ha! No where to go is there, pup?" I teased and reached down to grab them before once again he ran under my legs, hitting one of them, throwing me off balance, and successfully knocking me onto my ass. 

I gave a pathetic mixture of a scream and sob as I covered my face in frustration. I heard soft patter of feet coming towards me, along with the mixture of keys jingling. There was along thump sound next me before Charlie's wet tongue licked at my fingers. And I took that as his way of saying sorry. 

I moved my hands from my face and hugged his neck, ignoring the fact he was getting all his slobber on my face and I worked hard on my makeup.  "You can be a pain in my ass sometimes but you are too cute to stay mad at." I giggled as he laid down behind me and rested his head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes for a few seconds and let out a calm sigh before pushing myself up, and snatched up the keys. 

Before rushing out the door. With dog slobber and all.

***

I ran down the side walk, with mirror in my hand, trying to fix any problems with my makeup, and hair. I stopped in front of the diner and looked in the giant window, spotting Lyric instantly, and went in straight away. He looked up once the bell over the door dinged and his eyes lit up with relief.I gave a sheepish smile as I walked over.

"I am so sorry. Charlie had me chasing him around the damn apartment trying to get my keys and I-" I broke off as Shane walked up holding three mugs of steaming coffee and a nervous smile plastered on his lips. I cut my eyes between the both of them, my heart thumping hard against my chest, and my hands sweating with nerves. 

"Hey, El." Shane said with a slightly shaky voice and sat the mugs on the booth table we were all standing around. 

I opened my mouth to say something, wanting to ask so many questions, but nothing came out. Not even air. I couldn't talk. I couldn't even breath. This was my worst nightmare coming true. All three of us together, with so much to talk about, and knowing what was going to come out of it. No matter what we did to avoid it...it was always going to come back to that topic. Someone was always going to get hurt. There was no way to stop it and that's what terrifies me the most.

"What's going on?" I suddenly blurted out and they both casted each other a look. "Why is he here?" I snapped at Lyric, trying my hardest not to sound mean, but I was exploding on the inside. Shane gave a hurt look and looked down at his feet which made me feel even more horrible.

"We all need to talk." Lyric stated simply, possibly being the only calm one here. "Shane and I both have a few things to ask you, right?" He added and cut his eyes at Shane who gave a small nod. I almost cringed at the sound of him saying Shane's name, knowing whatever they had to ask me was serious. 

"O-okay." I stuttered and slowly slid into the booth. They followed but sat on the opposite...next to each other. I glanced at both of them and shook my head before muttering a "This is so weird."

We sat in awkward silence, sipping from our coffee time to time, and going to say something but never actually did. Well not until Shane spoke up. "How have you been, Ella?" He asked looking at me intently and I felt like I could spontaneously combust under his eyes.

"I..." I paused once my voice cracked, closing my eyes, and letting out a small breath. "I've been good. Went out with Cassie and Maddie a few days ago. Hung out with Rain and cleaned the house a few thousand times." I continued and Lyric chuckled, sipping from his mug.

"You were always cleaning when we weren't..." He broke off, acting as if he just remembered that Shane was there with us.  "Er...doing stuff." He cleared his throat awkwardly and looked down at his cup with slightly red cheeks.

"Uh...yeah." I said and glanced around the room in a internal panic. "How have you guys been? Anything new happen?" I asked, hoping to clear some of the tension.

"One ambush booked a record deal." Shane said excitedly and I beamed at him.

"Oh my god! I'm so proud of you!" I exclaimed and he gave me his dimply smile in return. "What song did you guys use to get noticed?"

"Oh we sang a few. The thing with the album we're gonna make is that we all get one solo song that we wrote on there." He explained. "And I chose 18 to be mine." He added with a shy smile. 

My heart fluttered and my cheeks turned red at the memory of the first time he sang that to me two months ago. We locked eyes and the world faded away for a few seconds as the memory and him was the only thing I was focused on. But Lyric's eyes burning into my face made me quickly snap back to reality.

"Uh...what about you, Lyric?" I asked, shifting in my seat uncomfortably.

"Been in rehab for the pass few months." He said blandly before adding. "But I'm clean now and working on getting my life back in order. Starting with this meeting."  

"What? So now we're business partners?" Shane joked and I bit back a laugh once Lyric shot him a looked. "Sorry..." Shane muttered and looked down at his mug. "Go on."

Lyric let out a little sigh and messed with his unusually long hair. "Ella we need you to decide." He stated and Shane's head shot up to look at him. 

"I thought we were gonna ease into it?" Shane mumbled under his breath but I could still hear it perfectly. Lyric didn't even cast him a glance and kept his eyes locked on me as I lost track of my breathing.

"It's better to get straight to the point instead of beating around the bush." Lyric noted. "Besides the only reason I can stand to be in the same room as you is because of the conversation." He added, looking over at Shane from the corner of his eyes. 

Shane went to say something but shut his mouth when he saw Lyric's glare and slumped into his seat with a huff. "Fine." He grumbled and flicked his hair out of his eyes. I stared at the two of them, still not finding anything to say, and trying to to have a mental break down. "Nice one, Stone. She's freaking out now because you want to get straight to the point." He said noticing the panic look in my eyes.

Lyric's face soften once he looked over at me and he reached his hand to to take one of mine in it. "Doll, breath. There is nothing to freak out about." He said in a hushed tone, running his thumb over the top of my hand. I stared his eyes, my chest growing tighter, and tighter every second.

Shane's hand filled my other one and my eyes snapped towards him once we touched. "All we want you to do is decide who you want to be with." He cooed, ignoring the death glare Lyric was giving him. "We're both willing to stay in your life even if you don't choose us."

"The decision is up to you, doll. And we'll be here for you no matter who chose." Lyric added as I cut my eyes back at him. "I love you, Ella."

"And so do I." Shane smiled softly. "So very much." He whispered and gave my hand a small squeeze.

"And we're here to stay."

"Nothing will change that."

"Forever and Always." They finished together and didn't even look the slightest bit fazed by the face that they said at the same time. While I on the other hand had so many emotions rushing around in side in that it felt like I could laugh, cry, scream, and jump off a cliff all at the same time.

My eyes dropped down to their hands in mine and I felt my heart stopped at the realization that I had to choose. That they are finally demanding a answer and there was no way I could back of it. They deserved one. After everything we have all been through together. We all deserved one.

"Okay. Just hold on." I blurted, snatching my hands out of theirs. I put my hands over my face and let out deep breaths, trying to calm myself down before I speak again. "How long?" I asked peaking at them through my fingers.

They gave each other a confused look before looking back at me. "What?" Shane asked with an raised eyebrow and I dropped my hands back to the table with a sigh.

"How long do I have to decide?" I explained and they both made an 'o' shape with their mouths.

"I mean we were kind of hoping for an answer today." Lyric said carefully and I widen my eyes at them, heart speeding up once again.

"T-today?" I forced out and nearly fainted when they both nodded. "I...I can't just magically come up with an answer today. You do both know I'm in love with you both right?" I glanced between them with expecting eyes, waiting for them to realize this was completely insane.

"Yeah we do but it should be easy to decide. You just have to figure out who you love more." Shane stated and I scoffed, not believing my ears.

"If it was that easy don't you think I would have decided by now? Or do you think I just like to torture us with all this drama for my own amusement?" I snapped and they looked down ashamed. I let out a frustrated groan and pulled at my hair. "Okay...can I at least have two weeks to think?" I asked looking at them with hopeful eyes.

They looked at each other for a while with a look I couldn't read and I felt a weird feeling at my stomach at the sight of these two guys, who has done nothing but shot glares at each other for as long as they have known each other, share a look that is going to help the decide something that is going to change everything. 

I knew that nothing was ever going to be the same after this. 

"Fine." Lyric said, cutting his eyes away from Shane after what seemed like years of staring. "Two weeks and then we get an answer." He added and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before giving a grateful smile. 

"Thank you." I beamed, placing my hands on both of their's. "I mean that. Thank you for everything." I said and they both gave a small smile.

"Oh...um I need to tell you something, Ella." Lyric said and I gave a worried look. "Shane told that the police found the girl that killed my mom." He continued and I took a quick glance at Shane. "It was Cecilia's sister." He finished and my stomach dropped as my mind filled with the memories of the night I fought Cecilia in the club.

"Which just so happens to Kayla from England." Shane sighed with an annoyed look. "I thought she be done messing with you when she left but I guess she thought otherwise."

"Well it doesn't matter. I'm just glad she's behind bars." I said relieved about the whole thing. "It's good to know that the monster that killed Mrs. Stone is locked away for good." I smiled softly at Lyric and gave him a comforting squeeze on his hand.

"Me too." He agreed. "Well, you have some thinking to get done so I guess we should close this meeting up." He grinned at Shane who rolled his eyes playfully. I giggled and grabbed my bag, before sliding out of the booth with them close behind.

"I'll you in two weeks beautiful." Shane smiled at me, before pulling me into a tight hug. "Here to back you up no matter what." He whispered into my ear before placing a small kiss under it, sending shivers down my spine. He pulled away and gave another smile before heading for the door. 

Lyric stood in front of me, staring down at me with a look of love, and brushed some hair out of my face. "God, I've missed you." He breathed, cupping the side of my face gently. I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes in content. 

"I've missed you too, Lyric." I whispered fluttering my eyes open to stare in his mint green ones. "More than you can imagine."

"Ella..." He began and pressed his lips to my forehead, letting them set there as he talked. "Promise me that you'll always be in my life no matter how complicated it gets." I wrapped my arms around his torso and pulled him into me, which made him bury his face into my head.

"I promise. Complicated and all remember?" I giggled once he smiled into my hair. We stood there in each others embrace for what seemed like an life time and I never wanted to let go. But knew I had to when his arms loosened around me.

"Two weeks okay?" He said softly looking down at me with gentle eyes.

"Two weeks." I nodded and closed my eyes as he pressed another lingering kiss on my forehead, before leaving me where I stood.

And I was right. Nothing would be the same.

*Author note*

Well hello there strangers! Long time no talk! And I know I know! That was all on me! And I am deeply sorry for my absence but I hoped the chapter made up for it. :D

So what do you think? Good chapter?

Think it was right for Shane and Lyric to make her choose?

Think it's finally time for her to make her decision?

Do you think two weeks is too much, not enough, or just the right amount of time to make a choice that huge?

Was it weird to read a chapter with both Shane and Lyric in it and not have them constantly at each others necks? {Cause it sure was weird for me to write}

Elane?

Elric? 

Both?

Neither?

2 more to go...

Next update WAY SOONER! {Let us pray at least!}

Much love my pandas!!xxxx

                                                                                                                              ~Storyofmylife5

SORRY FOR ANY MISTAKES!!!