Juliana's P.O.V

"I'm sorry mamá"
"I'm sorry as well but I just need proof if what he's saying is true or not, I just don't want you to get hurt again"

I smiled at her, no matter what I say it'll be dirt compared to the love he shows me.

"I want you to listen to me as an adult, I know the mistakes I've made before, I was stupid, sometimes I'm thankful it was Andreas and not someone else that could've done way worse but now, it's different, with Andreas after every happy moment came a flood of tears, now I feel like I'm going to explode from the love and admiration I get from spending an hour with this man,"

I held her hand and brought it close to my face.

"Will you give me your blessing to take a risk I won't regret?"
"How can I refuse when you say it like that" she laughed.

I smiled and kissed her hand and then I kissed her cheek a few times before she swatted my face away.

"Where is that boy anyway?"
"He's outside I'll go call-"

And the door slammed open, he needs to just remove it entirely, it's an ugly door anyway.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to speak to Juliana, I'll make it up to you by inviting you to dinner to meet the rest of my family, if that's alright with you that is?"

"It's fine, it seems urgent and yes I will be taking you up on dinner, it was good to meet you Derick, I don't think I need to openly threaten you to take care of my daughter do I?"

"No ma'am" he replied after swallowing nervously.

And my mother pranced out the door like she owned the place, Derick looks shaken.

"Hey" I waved awkwardly.
He stared for a second before giving me his hundred watt smile.

"Hi"
"So are we just going to greet each other or..."
"I'm going to take you shopping Jewel"
"Excuse me? We just went through a traumatic experience together and you want to go shopping?"

He came closer and held my hands.

"Yes, I want to take you shopping and make you the most beautiful girl in the world, to show you off to everyone"

"What are you planning?" I smirked.
"Not what's going on in your dirty little mind sweetheart, that's for sure but maybe we can do what you're suggesting later" he smirked back.

"I love you" I smiled putting my arms around his neck.
"I love you more Jewel" he said, putting his hands on my waist.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Derick is this really necessary?"
"Yes so let's go in"
"Just tell me what we're doing so I can agree to this peacefully, you already forced me to go shopping for a dress! That's enough money to spend for the day!"

"I don't know what you mean by peaceful Jewel, you seem pretty peaceful to me and let me tell you love, no amount of money is a problem for me"
"You're hilarious, are we even going somewhere that requires me to get my hair done at a salon?!"

"I've said it before and I'll say it again Jewel, patience is a virtue, now let's go inside"

We walked into the extremely expensive looking salon and we looked around when I found a snazzy petite woman charging at us.

"Mr. Reid! So good to see you! How is your sister?! I haven't seen her in ages, I heard her daughter is gorgeous!"
She gasped when she finally noticed me.
"Is this her? The girl I'll be working my magic on?!"

"Molly, it's good to see you too, Sia is doing fine and yes, this is her" Derick said in one whole breath.

"Who is she?" I whispered.
"This is Molly Terrance, she's a professional and owner of this salon, she was hired for my sisters wedding and she became a family friend"

"What are you two whispering about? Whatever! Come with me!" She squealed, grabbing my hands and taking me into a private room, slamming the door on Derick's face, shouting 'ladies only'.

"Now first before I do anything, let me see your clothes, I heard he took you shopping and I know for a fact Mr. Reid has good taste in clothes"

"Actually he wanted me to pick everything out myself saying he wanted to be surprised" I chuckled, he always bought my dresses now that I think about it.

"Well I trust your judgment, now I'm going to dress you up like your going to be on the next season of 'America's next top model' I can't wait!"

And so that's what she did, they gave me the full on spa treatment, ranging from a massage to a facial, by the time they were finished I was sparkling clean and my hair, makeup and nails were done to perfection and the whole process took two entire hours of my life.

I don't think getting ready for my wedding day would have taken this long.

I wasn't allowed to look at myself until I was in my dress.

I held the soft emerald green material and put it on carefully not wanting to ruin all the work that was put into my hair and face.

I slipped on my peep toe black heels and I looked into the mirror and felt my breath hitch.

Now that is what I call professional makeup and I thought Kate was good! my eyes were an emerald glittery smokey eye and my lips were painted a stuttering red, my hair was left open but there were pins letting it flow on only one side, showing off green stud earrings.

Everything complemented the other.

I'm a happy puppy at the moment but when I looked at the time I almost chocked.

Derick!

I completely forgot about him during the most relaxing two hours of my life, what had he been doing for two whole hours?!

I looked at Molly and saw that she was admiring her work appreciatively.

"Let's go and see if Derick is done so we can do a photo shoot"
"Photo shoot?" I asked, confused.

"Of course, you two are a golden couple together, I'll see if I can convince Derick into letting the photo be hung up in the salon" she smiled.

I smiled warily following her down the stairs.

We found Derick sitting on one of the sofas and when he looked up and saw me he got to his feet making me appreciate how he looked this evening.

He had his hair sleeked back and was wearing from the looks of it, a new suit that was pure black, he usually has on a white dress shirt but this time he looks dangerous in his black suit, making him look sexy as hell.

(A/N since when has hell been sexy?)

"You really are a Jewel tonight love, an emerald one at that"
"You look as handsome as the night then"

He chuckled shaking his head and leaned in giving me a kiss on the cheek.

I don't know if what I said was a compliment or not but hey at least he chuckled.

"Mr. Reid would you like a commemorative photo?" Molly said clearing her throat.

"I'd like that, what about you Jewel?"
"I don't mind" I said nervously.
"You do mind so tell me why?"
"I'm not really the one that gets their photo taken, I'm more of a photo taker"

"I'll guide the whole step of the way don't worry" he winked, leading me to what I assume is where we take photos.

When we were there the photographer told as to get into a position that showed off what we were wearing and how we were wearing it.

I awkwardly stood there and blanked on any posses to do and just stared at the camera.

I was pulled out of my daze when Derick directed my one hand to his shoulder and he angled my other on my hip.

"Don't smile and try to pout your lips a bit"
I tried following his instructions but I just couldn't do it without looking like a duck.

He brought his thumb onto my bottom lip and I felt him tracing it and pulling it out.

"Don't close your mouth" he whispered his thumb still on my bottom lip.

We heard a click and the photographer gave us a thumbs up.

Derick then changed his position and stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and putting his head in the crook of my neck.

He gave it a small kiss making me shut my eyes and I felt him smirk against my neck.

I felt my face heating up from the very intimate act.

After another click he turned to face me and held my hand in his and put my hand on his shoulder while he put his on my waist as though we were dancing.

"Those were perfect! You two have great chemistry you know that? Those photos are surely going to attract attention"

Derick gave her a confused look and put his arm around my waist protectively.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble Molly but those pictures are private and I don't think me or my girlfriend would appreciate it if you put our photos for the public to see"

"Understood Mr. Reid" She said seriously, losing all traces of the playfulness in her voice.

With that he dragged me out of the salon and towards the car.

"Why not?" I asked him when we sat in the car.
"Juliana, do you think I'd let another man look at you when you look so beautiful? Your beauty is for my eyes only"

I blushed and nodded.

What a man!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"When we get out of this car, I'll do all the talking, alright?"
"I don't understand but okay and a fair warning Derick, I will talk if I have to" I threatened.
"I feel the love Jewel" he chuckled, nodding his head.

He got out of the car and came to my side opening the door and stretched out his hand.

Well here goes nothing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hey it's May!

Sorry for the late update! End of the year exams are starting and I want to finish this story before we get to July so yeah I think chapter 45 will be the last chapter.

I know not much happened this chapter but hey we had a few 'Deriana' moments, that's the ship I finally decided on tell me what your ships are!

So thank you everyone for reading and as always I hope you Vote on that ⭐️ , Comment on that 💬 and share with your close buds.
Love ya 😘❤️✌️