Chapter 24

MCKINLEY P.O.V

Although I had mostly forgiven Luke for what he had put me through, I was still having a hard time being around him and around his friends. He came over every night to sleep with me but things between us still seemed tense.

It wasn't that I was angry with all of them, I just felt like I couldn't talk to them about anything anymore. My new medications were making me exhausted and I wasn't allowed to drink on them at all. They were still watching me closely. When Luke was out, Ashton was here and if Ashton couldn't be here, Calum was. But I tended to ignore them and sit in my office doing work.

I only really had to go to the office twice a week, the other three days I worked from home. Which actually works really well since I could stay here with the cat and Petunia. But, working from home meant I was busier. I got phone calls at least every 15 minutes. Usually when I was in the office people would just come see me. Now that I'm home more, the phone was ringing more. Which is fine with me.

I had a sign posted on the door of my office so the guys wouldn't come barging in while I was on the phone. But recently, I kept it up all day. I could hear Luke in the kitchen while I was typing up a report. He told me he was going to cook but there was no need for him to be that loud. I still had about another hour of work before I would be able to join him for dinner. The report was due at the end of the week but I wanted to bang it out. He was banging around for a while before I could hear him chopping stuff. I decided to end my day a little early and I closed down my computer for the day.

I went into my bedroom to change into pjs before heading to the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" I asked. There was a big pot on the stove, another small pot next to it and there were tons of ingredients on the island.

"I'm making soup." I wasn't sure why he was making soup at the end of July in L.A but okay. I moved closer to him. The smaller pot had chicken soup in it while the other had chili in it. The oven was on and had garlic bread in it. Which was my favorite. I sat down at the island as he cooked.

"Are the guys joining us tonight?" I asked. He didn't look away from cutting peppers to answer.

"No. Figured it could just be us." I nodded even though he couldn't see me. I moved around the counter to grab a lighter to light a candle sitting on the island. I then grabbed myself a drink and sat down again.

"How come you made two different soups?" I questioned.

"Cause I wanted chili but I know you like chicken soup more." He turned back and added the ingredients to the pot. "I actually have news." He answered turning back to look at me. "My entire family is planning a trip out here. My brother's, my nephew, my parents, even my grandparents." He commented. I automatically smiled. It would be so nice to see them.

"When?" I asked.

"They fly in on August 4th. They're going to leave on the 12th." He answered. "They're gonna stay at that hotel down the street."

"They're not gonna stay with us?"

"Well I figured they shouldn't. Cause Calum and Nicole have that thing going on. I figured you would want your own space." He shrugged washing his hands.

"I'm so excited to see Emmett." I smiled. Facetime calls and pictures didn't do him justice. I couldn't wait to get my hands on him. He was so sweet and I was looking forward to baby cuddles.

"Me too." Luke smiled. "I even think Ben is bringing a girl." He commented grabbing bowls.

"Really?" This was the first that I had heard of him seeing anyone. "What's her name?" I asked.

"No idea." He set a bowl in front of me before getting the shredded parmesan cheese from the fridge. I added a bunch before stirring it in. He sat beside me with his own bowl.

"The bread!" I shouted. He quickly stood and pulled it out of the oven before it could burn. He gave a piece to me before getting one for himself. We ate in silence before I turned to him. "Wanna know what would make me love you forever?" I asked.

"If we got married?" He smiled at me.

"Yes. But no." I giggled placing my hands on this thighs. "If you went and got me an ice cream." I batted my eyelashes at him.

"How about you come with me?" He asked. "I did cook you a wonderful dinner."

"You did. Thank you." I smiled leaning over to kiss him. "I appreciate you. A lot." I knew that things had been hard lately. We were both trying to deal with things and we weren't communicating our feelings to each other very well.

"Why don't you go get dressed and I'll clean up then we can go?" He asked.

"I want another bowl first." I answered getting up to help myself.

"Can you me another?" He asked sliding his bowl over the counter towards me. I placed mine back on the counter before filling him and setting it back and sliding it over to him. "I think while my family is here that Celeste want's to have a spa day. So us guys are gonna watch the baby and you, her and mom can go out to the spa."

"That would be awesome." I smiled. I would love to have a massage. We finished eating quickly. I put my bowl in the dishwasher before rushing off to get dressed. I dressed in a cute lavender crop top and a pair or white shorts. I put on a pair of Van's and grabbed my purse. By the time I got out to him, dinner was cleaned up and he was getting his shoes on.

He grabbed my hand as we headed out the door. We walked hand and hand down the street.

"Did you wanna get one ice cream or go to the store so we can have a weeks worth?" He questioned.

"Um." I debated. "The store." That way we could buy a bunch more ice cream and maybe some other snacks. "Wanna have a movie night?"

"Would love to." He answered as we walked into the store together. I grabbed a cart while he walked ahead of me. We first went to the candy aisle and we both picked out a few things. Then we went to the snack aisle where I went crazy before we went over and picked out ice cream and toppings. He paid for everything before we headed back to the apartment.

I got myself a bowl of ice cream with all of the toppings I picked while he grabbed a few movies he wanted to watch. I walked into the living room and got into my spot on the couch with my ice cream and a blanket.

"Give me a few minutes." He rushed into the kitchen to get his own bowl.

"Take your time, babe." I smiled as I ate my own. I watched him move around the kitchen. These were the nights I loved to have with him. Sitting together, eating, watching movies. Being in our own company. I knew I loved him. I knew I wanted to be with him. We just needed to work on our communication skills. And I think we both knew that.

*LUKE P.O.V*

I picked my family up from the airport with McKinley. We had to take two different cars so she drove behind me. She drove to the hotel with my parents, Ben and his girlfriend, while I drove to the hotel with Jack, Celeste and the baby. I had offered to let them stay in my room so they wouldn't annoy any other hotel guests with a crying baby but they didn't want to bother Ashton and Calum.

"So, when are we going shopping?" Jack asked. I had hinted at him that I wanted to go shopping for rings. I just wanted to look around and see if anything caught my eye. I didn't want to rush in my plans to get an engagement ring for McKinley. She deserve the best ring possible and I was going to make sure it was the last ring I ever bought. Unless I was replacing this ring with something else for her finger.

"I figured we could go when the girls have their spa day." I answered.

"What?" Celeste asked from the back seat. I looked in the rearview mirror at her.

"I'm going ring shopping."

"For engagement rings?" She was shocked when I nodded. "Are you serious? Don't you think it's too soon?"

"I want to find the perfect ring for her. Please don't tell her." I said. I didn't care how much this ring cost. I would spend every penny I had on it. I would take out a loan for this ring. I knew she deserved the best. "I want something simple but also something that people will compliment her on." McKinley never liked flashy things. She never wanted to draw attention to herself. I was going to find a ring that suited her perfectly.

While everyone got settled into their hotel rooms, I took McKinley back to her apartment to start cooking dinner for everyone. We left her car with them so that they could drive over to the apartment. She sat at the island with her laptop while I cooked.

"What are you looking at?" I asked her.

"I'm booking us girls a spa day." She answered. "For tomorrow."

"So I'm suppose to just miss you all day?" I questioned.

"You said you would watch the baby." She answered closing the laptop. "And if you miss me all day, the sex will be better." She winked before jumping off the stool and heading down the hall. I chuckled and shook my head as I flipped the chicken and stirred the pasta.

My entire family came into her apartment and made themselves right at home. She gave them a tour while I finished cooking and set the table. We had never actually sat in the dining room. The only time we were ever really in here was when we were having sex. I made sure I cleaned the table really well before letting my family sit there. Ashton and Calum came in as everyone was heading back to the living room.

"Hey!" My mom greeted them giving them each a hug. McKinley opened a couple bottles of wine and poured everyone a glass as we sat down to eat. Ashton was proudly holding Emmett and cooing at him. "Thanks for cooking, Luke. It's always great."

"Thanks." I smiled. After dinner we moved to the living room. The t.v was on low but we were mostly playing games and telling stories. I could tell McKinley was starting to get tired. Her new medication was still taking a toll on her body. It was never easy for her to adjust to the medications. "Ready for bed?" I asked her. She nodded wrapping her arms around me.

"We should get going anyway." Mom answered standing up. She hugged us both good night before everyone left. Ashton and Calum stuck around but I helped McKinley into bed.

"I love you." She whispered looking at me. I smiled and leaned down to kiss her.

"I love you more." I went to say bye to Ashton and Calum before joining her in bed. She was already asleep by the time I turned the fan and sound machine on and shut the lights off.

We slept in the next morning, something we rarely did but it felt nice having her warm body pressed up against mine and her hand gripping mine. She looked well rested by the time she got up to shower. We were going to meet my family for lunch and then we would go our separate ways for the rest of the day. I hated being away from her. I wanted her close to me at all times. But, if I wanted to find the perfect ring, I would need to be away from her.

She held my hand as we walked to the diner down the street for lunch.

"How's LA life?" Ben asked her as we sat down.

"Good. Miss New York though." I knew that she hated New York when she first moved there. Boston would always be here home. People made fun of her slight accent.

"Think you'll ever come back?" She shrugged. I knew that there was no way either of us was going to move without the other. If she was going back to New York, I was following. I never wanted to be away from her again. If that meant quitting my job and finding a new one, I would. I was never going to live without her again.

"Not if Luke doesn't." She answered making me smile. We were both on the same page.

"What if he does?"

"Wherever he goes, I go." She answered. I rested my arm on her shoulder and pulled her into me. I kissed her head as she relaxed into my side. I knew this was the woman I was going to marry.

After lunch the girls headed to the spa. While us guys were on a mission to find the perfect engagement ring. I don't care how many stores we had to go to. I would find it. We walked into the first store, right away someone came over and asked if we needed anything.

"I'm looking for an engagement ring. I need something that is simple but also flashy."

"Do you have a price range?"

"Hadn't thought about that." I answered as I followed him to the counter. He grabbed a ring to show me. It just wasn't McKinley. It had too much going on. Jack was beside me holding Emmett on his chest while dad and Ben were on the other side of the store looking at watches.

"How long have you and the misses been together?" He asked.

"Roughly three years." I answered. If we were going by the original date that is. Of course this total stranger didn't need to know every single detail about our lives. "She likes things simple. But I want something no one else is going to have." I answered.

"How about this one?" Jack asked pointing to a ring on the end. The band was rose gold. There was a grey stone in the middle and around the entire band was diamonds. The man pulled it out so I could see it. He handed it to me so I could admire it. I could picture this ring sitting on her finger. I could picture getting down on one knee and proposing to her with this ring.

"I love it." I smiled. "Is there any way to get a bigger stone in the middle?" I questioned.

"It's grey moissanite. We can get a bigger one but it would be months to make and it would have to be custom made."

"This one is perfect then. She'll love it." I had no idea how I was actually going to propose. It wasn't something that had crossed my mind yet. I just wanted to get the ring for when I felt we were both ready.

We talked the price before I handed over my card. He did what he had to do before he helped me pick out a box for it and sent me on my way. I quickly rushed home and gave it to Ashton to hide. Of course he wanted to see it.

"Holy shit." He said as I opened the box. "She'll love it." Thankfully it just so happened to be in her ring finger size. If it wasn't it would be a while before I was able to pick it up. "Do you know how you're gonna propose yet?"

"No idea." I wasn't sure she was ready to get engaged right now. I knew that she would say yes. We had that discussion a few times now. "I just wanted to get the ring first. I can make plans to propose later."

"Who's proposing?" Calum asked.

"I am." I showed him the ring. We talked about ways I could propose before we all heard the front door open. Ashton quickly shoved the box into his underwear drawer.

"Is Luke here?" McKinley called.

"In Ashton's room babe." I heard her heels on the floor before she stood in the doorway. I smiled as soon as I saw her.

"What having a threesome without me?" She joked.

"Well then it would be a foursome." I said back smiling at her as she laughed. She was dressed in a red mini dress that perfectly showed off her cleavage. "Where are you going all fancy?" I questioned moving closer to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me.

"Your parents are gonna watch the baby so we can all go out." She answered. "We were gonna do dinner and then go to the club." She answered. "So everyone get dressed!" She clapped her hands heading to my bedroom. She opened my closet door and pulled out a shirt and handed it to me. "Those jeans should be fine." She looked down at what I was wearing.

I quickly changed my shirt before waiting for Ashton and Calum. We all walked down the street to the hotel where everyone was waiting for us. We went to a steakhouse for dinner before we headed to the club. I was a little worried about McKinley being a club and around drinking but I also knew that she as an adult and she could handle herself.

Once inside the club I headed to the bar to get us drinks while she was dancing with Ashton. I usually would have been totally jealous of her grinding on him and him having his hands on her but I knew that she didn't see him the way she saw me. Even if she did want to have sex with him. I brought her over her drink before leading her to the edge of the dance floor. This club had three stories. On the top floor, there were stripper poles.

"Upstairs there's stripper poles." I said in her ear as she sipped her drink.

"Wanna dance for me on one?" She smirked. I grabbed her hand heading up the stairs. I was nearly out of breath by the time we got there. We both stood off the side watching the girls on the poles before we both realized that this was a strip club. "We took your siblings to a strip club." She laughed and found a seat for us. She got out her purse and I watched as she stuck a dollar bill in one of the girls booty shorts. Then she disappeared. I noticed her at the bar ordering drinks before she came over and handed me one.

All of a sudden a different girl came over and started dancing right on top of me. I held my hands up so McKinley wouldn't think I wasn't being a gentleman.

"Just enjoy it." She smirked. It then clicked that she paid for this. I looked over at her. I would enjoy it more if she was the one dancing on my lap but I did enjoy watching it. I just wish I could get her back with a guy. Eventually Ashton and Calum came to join us.

"Watch out. McKinley is buying lap dances." I chuckled finishing off my drink.

"Just for you, lover." She smiled leaning over to kiss me. I let my hand slide down her back and grab her butt as we kissed.

"Okay. Gross." Calum commented as she sat down beside us. "You Hemming's have an obsession with asses. I watched all three of you grab woman's asses tonight."

"How come Nicole didn't come?" McKinley asked.

"How should I know?" Calum answered. They had been sleeping together but Calum had commitment issues. I'm assuming she wanted to make it official and Calum didn't want the same thing. I looked over at McKinley who gave me the same look I was giving her.

She giggled before resting her chin on my shoulder. I looked over at her. The most beautiful woman in the world. I was glad the ring wasn't in my pocket because I would have proposed right here. And I wanted to do it in a more romantic way.

"I love you." I said instead.

"I love you." She smiled kissing me. "So much."