A/N: And just like that, it's over. 42 Chapters! There's still so much I want to put but it will have to wait for Zach's POV. I'm not sure if I'll be able to start posting for Zach's until around February. I promise it will happen, but until then check out my one-shot series! Thanks for being amazing!
Epilogue
Venice, Italy in June
The hotel ballroom held nothing but warm feelings, a guitar strumming, a couple dancing with about 20 people watching in awe. Sure it was a small wedding, but Abigail Cameron-Vega had the eye of every single person in the room. Her sleek dress shimmered under the lights as Alejandro twirled her around and I had never seen my aunt smile brighter than when he pressed his forehead against hers and kissed her. Even mom stopped taking pictures to swoon at the sight. But I just leaned my head on the shoulder of the boy next to me.
"I can't believe it. Abby actually got married."
"Yeah she married her 'just friend'. Very few people make it out of that limbo." I smiled up at him.
"We did." His eyes lit up and he kissed me softly.
I heard applause and looked to see Abby and Alejandro walking hand in hand to mingle with their guests. The guitarist started up another song and Zach took my hand pulling me toward the center of the room.
We swayed and when he spun me we seamlessly continued dancing. We've come a far way since the beach in Miami. I was more confident in my moves and we were in sync.
"Are you having a good time?" He smiled and dipped me.
"I don't know. I'm in Italy dancing with my girlfriend, who looks stunning by the way." He winked at me and I still blushed. "I think I'm having the time of my life."
The song slowed and I rested my head on his chest. In this moment everything was perfect.
"I'm really glad you invited me, Cam."
"Well Abby felt really bad about being away for my birthday, so her present was a little upgraded this year. And I think she just wanted you here to see her in all her glory." I looked over at my Aunt who was laughing and spinning around with my mom.
"They really like you." Zach smirked at me.
"It's because I'm a good influence." I tiptoed up to next to his ear.
"You weren't very good last night." He kept me close enough and his lips were light on my neck.
"I remember." His voice was gruff and sent goosebumps on my arms.
"You're not being very good right now either." He rubbed a hand up and down my arms, ridding me of goosebumps.
"But you're not stopping me either." His eyes were dark looking into mine and the room felt too hot and crowded now. I took his hand and walked backwards away from the party. Zach's hand was on my back as we made it through the lobby to the elevator. We shared a sly smile as we climbed inside and watched the doors close. The instant it was shut Zach picked me up and pushed me against the elevator wall. I was already working on unbuttoning his shirt, a task most difficult when every other second you're joined at the lips. Zach took the flower from my hair and slowly my hair was falling down. I looked at the floor count and we had two left. Why was this elevator so long?
Finally the doors opened into my room and had his face in my hands.
"Surprise!" We jolted to a stop and stared wide eyed at the sight of all of our friends standing in my room.
"Geeze, I would say get a room but I guess that was your purpose." I was speechless. I felt like a kid caught sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar. Glancing up at Zach, I could tell he felt the same.
Finally Liz pushed forward, "Were you surprised?" I heard Bex scoff.
"Of course they are, Lizzie. They still can't speak." I shook my head trying to find words inside of it.
"What are you guys doing here? In Italy? In my room?"
Macey cocked an eyebrow, "You're not the only one close to Abby. And I couldn't pass up a trip to Venice." My eyebrows scrunched together.
"Buy I didn't see you guys during the ceremony." Everyone glared at Nick.
"Yeah. We. Know." Nick held his hands up in surrender.
"I kind of left one of my bags on Macey's jet and we had to go back to the airfield."
The shock finally wore off so I rushed forward to hug them all.
"It's so good to see you guys!"
"You too, just a little too much. Dammit Camster, you said this wouldn't happen anymore." Lucas shook his head looking between Zach and I. Zach just wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.
"Not our fault this time, Lucas. We didn't know you would be up here."
"Well we won't be for long." David checked his watch and fell back into his team captain role. "They're cutting the cake in ten minutes and you guys need to pack." I looked around the group for some type of hint.
"What are we packing for?"
"Well Cam some people didn't want to fly all the way to Europe just for one night, so we kind of have a trip in mind. So hurry up and pack. Once the party is over we were going to stay at he Embassy. Preston got us a connection there." I shared a look with Zach and he was smiling, but I had a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"I'm going to stay here tonight. I need to help my mom finish with the party and it's already paid for." I saw Bex, Liz and Macey all share a skeptical glance.
"Okay. But we want to leave at seven. First stop is Rome." I've always wanted to go to Rome.
"I need to think about it." There was a groan and a mumble of complaints. I made out a few, "Come on Cam", and "Get packed now". But I held my hand up to silence them.
"Guys, I need to think. Go downstairs and enjoy the party." They looked at each other reluctantly but nodded and made their way to the elevator, leaving me and Zach to decide. It was too quiet so I walked to the balcony just to hear some sounds from the street.
"What's going on in that mind of yours?" I took a deep breath trying to focus my thoughts.
"I don't know." He leaned against the rail waiting for me to crack. "I don't know. I just feel like I'm abandoning my mom."
"Gallagher Girl, I think your mom would understand. She went backpacking through Europe."
"Yeah, but things were different for her. She still needs me." He took both hands in mine.
"Cam she's going to miss you. But she would want this for you. It's time to live your life."
I stared off into the distance. We were in Venice but the rest of the world was calling me. Zach was right, I had been guarding my decisions for too long. Keeping my decisions safe, going to the college an hour from home, always making sure my mom would be okay.
"Come on they're about to cut the cake."
He didn't ask for my final decision. He just took my hand in his and we went back downstairs.
0000000000000000000
I couldn't sleep that night. I spent hours just tossing and turning in my sheets as Zach slept peacefully next to me. I told myself it was because of the extra slice of cake that I had at the end of the night, but I knew my mind had other things plaguing it besides sugar. I didn't talk to my mom about this trip yet. I knew I needed to, to at least see her opinion about it, but I did all I could to avoid the conversation.
I had to talk about it. I slipped out of bed quietly and swiped the card to take me one floor higher. When the doors opened with a ding, I saw mom jump up in her bed.
"It's just me." She relaxed and turned the lamp on next to her.
"What's wrong kiddo? Are you okay?" I sat at the end of her bed and took a deep breath.
"You know how all of the gang is here right?"
"Yes." She seemed to weigh my words carefully.
"Well, they want to take a trip around Europe." Mom smiled at that.
"That will be fun. Have they made hotel reservations or anything."
"No, but between Preston and Macey they have connections all over Europe."
"Well that would be the best way to see Europe. No one is spending thousands of dollars on flights and hotels."
"So you think it's a good idea?" She narrowed her eyes, waiting for the catch.
"Yes."
"Would you be okay with me going with them?" She pursed her lips and was silent for ten seconds.
"I think it would be a great experience." I hugged her instantly. "What is that for kiddo?"
"I wasn't sure if you would say yes. And I didn't realize how much I wanted to go until now." She stroked my hair.
"I'm glad you asked for my permission, but you're an adult now. You have to learn to trust your judgment. Be spontaneous every now and then." I gave a half laugh.
"I don't think I know how to be spontaneous. I've been taking the safe route my whole life." She pulled away and held my cheeks in her hand. I felt tears ready to spill but she was already wiping them away.
"You're so grown up kiddo. It's time you have a life of your own." I hugged her again.
"I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too, but when you get back I'll be ready to hear all the stories." We were in a comfortable silence, mom stroking my hair and a few tears still slipping down my cheeks.
"Where are you going first?"
"Macey said we were going to Rome." I saw mom light up and she was thinking about her own experiences.
"Well while you're there make sure to have some gelato. It will change your life." She was talking on about what places were good and what to avoid. I had never heard my mom so alive as she was then. That's when another piece of the puzzle fell together. My mom loved to travel and she would always be glowing for weeks after a trip with my dad. Maybe I was a little like my mother after all. I would come back with stories to tell and be wiser from my travels.
00000000000000000000
It was five by the time I left my mom's room to go back to my own. Zach was stirring a little, so I tried to pack as quietly as I could. I must not have done a great job because one I came out of the bathroom with my tooth brush and shampoo, Zach was sitting straight up.
"What are you going up so early?" I smiled and dropped my things in my suitcase.
"I guess I should get packing if we're leaving in two hours." He smiled and jumped out of bed to his own suitcase.
"So we're going?"
"I've always wanted to see Rome. I heard it's a good place to fall in love." He circled my waist and looked down at me.
"I'm already in love with you." I smirked at him.
"But now we can be in love with gelato."
"Be careful. Your first taste of gelato and you might not want to leave it." I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Then we'll just have to come back." He kissed me hard and fast.
"Let's go."