He Stayed.

(RORY'S POV)The sun had long since set, but none of us wanted to leave. Why would we want to when we were having the most amazing time?The lawn had emptied out. Most families had gone home, and the campus was quiet now. But our little group was still huddled under the large tree, passing around delicious snacks and reliving the best moments of the day.Todd hadn't let go of my hand since he arrived. Every few minutes, he would squeeze it, like he was checking that I was still real. I squeezed back every time."You're staring again." I whispered to him."Can you blame me?" He whispered back.Aunt Ryan caught us and winked. "Young love. It never gets old."“Like can you both just remember that the rest of us are here. Please??”Andrew checked his watch. "We should probably head to the hotel. It's getting late."Nana nodded, yawning. "Mija, you must be exhausted.""A little." I admitted. "But the good kind of tired."Everyone started gathering their things. Rosalie was still taking vid

A Thousand Times Yes.

(RORY'S POV)I woke up to the smell of coffee.For a moment, I didn't know where I was. The bed was warm. The sheets smelled like Todd. And then I remembered.He stayed.I rolled over, but his side of the bed was empty. My heart almost dropped until I heard movement in the kitchen.I pulled on his shirt—the one he had left on the floor last night—and padded out of the bedroom.Todd was standing at my small kitchen counter, pouring coffee into two mugs. He was wearing only his sweatpants, his hair still messy from sleep. The morning light streamed through the window, making his skin glow."Good morning, graduate." He said without turning around."How did you know I was awake?""I heard you sigh."I laughed. "I don't sigh.""You do. You just did."He turned and handed me a mug. His blue eyes were bright. His smile was soft."Good morning, Candy.""Good morning my love."We leaned against the counter, sipping coffee, not saying much. It was comfortable. Easy. The way it had always been.

A Thousand Times Yes (2)

(RORY'S POV)"Yes." I finally whispered. "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes."The words tumbled out of me like water breaking through a dam. I couldn't stop saying it. Yes. Yes. Yes.Todd's face broke into the widest smile I had ever seen. His eyes were wet, but he was laughing. He slid the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly. Like it had been waiting for me.Then he stood up, and I threw myself into his arms.We kissed. Right there in the private room, with the city lights twinkling below and the candles flickering around us. It wasn't a polite kiss. It wasn't a quick kiss. It was deep and joyful and full of every promise we had ever made to each other."I love you." He said against my lips."I love you too." I said back.He pulled away just enough to look at me. His hands cupped my face, his thumbs wiping away my tears."You're crying." He said."Happy tears." I said. "The best kind."He kissed my forehead. Then my nose. Then my lips again."I can't believe you're going to be my

The Wedding.

(RORY'S POV)Six months later, I stood in front of a mirror in a white dress.The room was buzzing around me. Rosalie was fixing my veil. Nana was pinning a small blue ribbon to the inside of my dress. Tia was adjusting my bouquet. Aunt Ryan was running around making sure I didn’t need anything. Amanda was taking pictures of me."Stop moving, Bun." Rosalie said."I'm not moving.""You're vibrating."I laughed. She was right. I couldn't stop shaking. Not from cold. From nerves. From joy. From the overwhelming reality that in less than an hour, I would become Rory Davis-O'Connor.The dress was simple but elegant. White lace, long sleeves, a train that flowed behind me like water. My red curls were pinned up with small white flowers. The star necklace was around my neck, and on my finger, the engagement ring sparkled next to a simple gold band."You look beautiful, Mija." Nana said, stepping back to admire her work."Mom would have cried." I whispered.Nana's eyes filled with tears. "She

Epilogue.

(RORY'S POV)(TWO YEARS LATER)The hospital room was quiet except for the beeping of the machines.I lay in the bed, exhausted but buzzing with a kind of energy I had never felt before. My red hair was plastered to my forehead. My body ached in places I didn't know existed. But none of that mattered.Because she was here."Here she is." The nurse placed a small bundle in my arms. "A healthy baby girl."I looked down at her. Really looked.She was tiny. Her skin was pink and wrinkled. Her eyes were closed, her little fists curled against her chest. A tuft of red hair peeked out from under the small blanket.Red hair. Just like mine."Hi, Mia." I whispered.My voice broke.Todd was beside me, his arm around my shoulders, his face wet with tears. He had been crying since they placed her in my arms. Maybe before that. I wasn't sure."She's perfect." He said, his voice hoarse. "She's absolutely perfect.""She has your nose.""She has your hair."We both laughed. We both cried.I looked at

All Chapters of When Best Friends Kiss: Chapter 351 - Chapter 355

He Stayed.

A Thousand Times Yes.

A Thousand Times Yes (2)

The Wedding.

Epilogue.