Greg's POV:

Was it weird if I used my key to let myself in? I pushed all of those thoughts out of my mind. I was home, I was back with Holly and we were going to get back to being us and discovering the world one memory at a time. I checked my watch again before going in.

"Holly?" She didn't immediately answer which was unlike her. I walked towards our room; I know I was a few minutes early, but she should still be almost ready.

"Holly where are you?" I walked into the room knocking on the door. The lights were uncharacteristically out. I felt for the light switch and flicked the lights on. There she was, passed out with a box of tissues in the center of the bed. I took a seat on the edge of the bed and attempted to rouse her.

Holly's POV:

My mind was somewhere between being awake and asleep. That mellow zone where you know you are resting and yet your mind hasn't turned off yet, so you know you are not relaxing. I felt like I could hear Greg calling out my name. I was awoken by the bed dipping under the weight of someone. I shot up suddenly hyperaware of my surroundings.

"Greg!" He reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder trying to steady me.

"Holly? Holly? Relax it's just me." I gasped trying to settle my rapid heartbeat.

"Greg what time is it?"

"It's late, are you okay?"

"I uhh? What's going on? Why are you dressed up?"

"Holly are you feeling alright?" He reached out and touched my forehead. "My god, you are burning up."

"What do you mean?"

"You have a fever Holly."

"Greg, I'm so sorry. We have plans, give me a few minutes I'll be ready."

"Honey it's okay don't worry about it."

"No, no I promise I'll be okay."

"Absolutely not, I'm going to go get some stuff and change you wait here."

"I don't want to ruin our plans." Greg leaned down and kissed my forehead softly.

"Everything is going to be okay Holly don't worry." Greg slipped out of the room. I went to the bathroom and tried to gather myself. I felt so nauseous and stuffy. When I finally collected myself, I went outside to the living room. There was Greg in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, hard at work cooking.

"God you look sexy as hell like that."

"Do I now?"

"mmh"

"To bad you are sick otherwise I would ask you to demonstrate exactly how I am 'sexy as hell'". He looked up at me using air quotes as he reiterated my words. I walked over the counter watching as Greg made swift movements.

"How did I get so lucky with you." Greg stopped and looked up at me, and then moved over to grab my hand.

"By being the amazing loving person that you are. Don't doubt for a second that you deserve the world. I wish more than anything that I could take back these last weeks, that I could take away whatever pain I caused. God, I love you so much."

"I love you too Greg."

"Come on, go back to bed I'll be right there."

Moments later Greg walked into the bedroom with a tray and smile on his face. I love him, that's all that matters right now. Why shouldn't we just pick up where we left off? "What are you up to?"

"I want to take care of my girl."

"Your girl?"

"Mmh, I quite like the sound of that." After managing to eat something, Greg settled into bed next me and pulled me close. I was fighting the urge to close my eyes.

"It's okay, go to sleep, we can talk more in the morning."

Greg's P.O.V.:

I could see her exhaustion just crash over her. She finally gave in to sleep. She looked so peaceful, like the weight of the world had just been lifted from her shoulders. I pulled her closer before allowing sleep to overtake me. I had Holly back in my life and I wasn't going to let her go ever again.

…

Sometime later, I felt a stirring and bed shifted. I was awake now, and aware of my surroundings.

"Holly?" When she didn't respond I opened my eyes and looked over at her. She was sound asleep, but her face showed a mixture of emotions. Whatever was going on in her dreams was troubling her. I glanced at the clock it was only four in the morning. I shifted and wrapped an arm around her. She seemed to relax into my grasp. Sleep overcame me again. I had to remember to talk to her in the morning.

Holly's P.O.V.:

No one thing had woken me. It was one of those mornings where your mind just wakes up and you open your eyes. I felt Greg's arm around me and sighed in content. He was a true gentleman and a caring man. I just needed to understand our time apart better, and I wanted to forgive him. More importantly I wanted us to be us again. The real question was, could I see my future with him. I knew that back in August we were in a honeymoon phase, but I didn't know he was ready to get married. I started playing with my promise ring.

"What are you thinking about so intensely this early in the morning?" I let out a long breath and arched my head back to get a look at him. I gave him a peck on the lips.

"Nothing." He looked at him as if trying to read my micro expressions.

"Feeling better?" I nodded in response. " Okay then, how about breakfast?"

"Sounds amazing."

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Anything."

Breakfast went by fast. I was so happy to get back to our normal routines. 'Our', it felt so good to say that. I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face at that thought. I looked up from my mug of coffee to see Greg emerge from our bedroom.

"Holly?"

"Yes?"

"What do you say to going to Rowley's today?"

"Sure, what do you want to do?"

"Well I thought we could hangout as a group and then we could pack up my things."

"So, you are seriously moving back in?"

"Yes, I don't want to waste any more time than I already have. I want to be here with you and only you if you'll have me?"

"Of course. Thank you for coming home Greg."

"Thank you for waiting for me." He leaned down and kissed me. It wasn't hungry and full of urgency like our more recent kisses, it was soft and endearing. He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. "I've made a lot of mistakes, but I know that I love you and if you will let me, I will spend the rest of our time showing you just how much I love you."

"Is that a promise?"

"Yes"

"Good I intend to hold you to it." We smiled at each other and he pulled me to my feet.

"Dance with me?"

"What?"

"Come on, I want to dance with you."

"To what music?" He pulled his phone out, tapping at his screen. A soft song started playing. He held out his hand, and I grabbed ahold. He spun me and pulled me into the center of our living room. It was slow and intimate. I felt safe in his arms. "You were always a romantic Greg."

"Mmh, I don't remember you complaining."

"Never." I don't know how long we spent like that, enjoying each other's company in peace until his phone starting ringing. He let go slightly before picked up his phone with one hand, the other still wrapped around my waist.

"Okay, yeah sounds good. See you soon."

"Who was that?"

"Rowley, he's ready whenever we are."

Rowley's P.O.V.:

I was happy that Greg had gone to see Holly on Friday. I finally had my place to myself. Greg is like my brother, but dude was so down all the time. He just needed to get his head on straight and go back to Holly. I did whatever I could to comfort him. But something had changed on Friday. He seemed determined and when he said he was going out, I wanted to ask but decided it was best not to. That way he wouldn't think twice. And when he didn't come home Friday night was so relieved. Hopefully it would be good news. He finally called me midday Saturday to say that he was on his way.

"Greg is that you?"

"Rowley!"

"What's going on?"

"It was incredible, I'm on cloud nine. Rowley I just—"

"Greg slow down. Take a breath, what happened?"

"I went to find Holly. I went to the bar she was at with her friends and asked to take her on a walk. We talked and she took me upstairs and well—"

"So?"

"So…she wants me back."

"Does that really surprise you? Sometimes Greg you are the biggest idiot in the world."

"What you do you mean?"

"Did you really think she wouldn't want you back? You guys were so clearly in love, and you couldn't keep your hands off each other. I mean dude sometimes it was sickening. Of course, she was going to want you back. She said she would wait."

"I guess you are right."

"The real question is, did you guys talk about everything?"

"We did. I explained about my soul searching and we talked about all that had happened in the last six weeks."

"Okay that's great Greg. I'm really happy for you, for the both of you,"

"Rowley we are going to give this an honest shot. This is it, we want to try a long lasting drama free relationship."

"I'm happy for your Greg. So, why are you here if you are working on your relationship with her."

"I want to take her out to tonight, so I thought I could come back here make some arrangements and pick up my tux."

"That's amazing Greg…so if this all goes well, do I get my apartment back?"

"Ha ha, you are sooo hilarious Rowley."

"Seriously though, are you ready Greg?"

"I don't want to spend another minute without her. I want to go the distance with her."

"Alright then, let's get you ready for your date."

Greg left in the evening on Saturday. I didn't hear from him until later that night when he texted me.

"Rowley…she's sick, what do I make?"

"That sucks. But is that really why you texted me?"

"Yeah"

"So you want to know what to make your sick girlfriend to make her feel better?"

"Yes that's why I texted you Rowley."

"Honestly Greg, what am I? Your mom dude?"

"Rowley stop messing with me."

"Hold on one minute."

"Greg this is my mom's chicken noodle soup recipe."

"Thanks Rowley you are the man."

He called me the next morning, he wanted to come hangout and pack up his stuff. I was just happy to help him. Greg and Holly have their moments, but they really bring out the best in each other and I wanted them to be happy. My doorbell rang a few hours later.

"Greg! Holly! So good to see you both." Holly reached out for a hug and whispered in my ear "Thank you", I looked at her and nodded. Greg was at his best with her, and that's all I wanted for him.

"So what do you guys want to do?"

"Lunch on me Rowley, pick the place." We spent the next two hours wandering about the city and eating lunch before we returned to my place. Once we returned, we made quick work of packing up Greg's things and loading them into their car.

"Holly let me know if Greg gets out of line, I'll set him straight."

"Thank you for everything Rowley, it was so good to see you."

"Likewise."

"See you soon Rowley."

"See you soon Greg."

Greg's P.O.V.:

The rest of the week passed by in flurry of activity. We fell into many of our old routines: Waking up, breakfast, work, dinner, relaxing by the TV and bed. It was normal again. It felt really good. I couldn't get my mind off of Holly. I just wanted to only be with her. Every free moment I was thinking about how long until I see her again. I got home on Friday afternoon with the intention of going on a date.

"Holly you home yet?" "Holly?" I wandered into the bedroom, and I heard the shower running. Something in my gut twisted or flipped, I'm not really sure how to describe it. I wanted her and my body reacted before my mind could to the thought of Holly in the shower. The door opened and Holly stepped out.

"Greg! You are home early."

"Yeah…" My eyes locked on hers for a brief second before running up and down her body. The water drops racing down her chest caught my attention. Her wet hair was matted against her forehead. I could feel my heart racing and my blood rushed southward.

"Greg?" I snapped out of my daze.

"Yes?"

"You okay?"

"Just, um, yeah."

"How come you are home early?"

"I wanted to come home to you…"My gaze fell to the floor; my mind was racing—filled with scenarios of pulling her towel off.

"Okay?"

"I…sorry. I wanted to come home so we could go on date night."

"Mmh, what did you have in mind?"

"I thought that maybe we could go out for dinner and movie? Or maybe go out with your friends? It's been a while…maybe we could go dancing as a group?"

"I quite like the idea of going dancing. Maybe we can have an intimate dinner and then join my friends?"

"Sounds good to me."

"I'll text Erin."

"I'm going to shower, see you in a few."

"Too bad I just finished; I would have loved to take a shower with you." She smirked at me, as if she knew exactly what reaction she was getting out of me and my body—which apparently has a mind of its own. I groaned ever so slightly, painfully aware of my current predicament.

"I need a long cold shower." I glanced at Holly and she dropped her towel ever so slightly exposing more of her chest. "A very cold shower." She laughed and I made my way to the bathroom.

Holly's P.O.V.:

I finished dressing and started on my makeup. Greg soon came into the bedroom and got dressed fairly quickly. We made our way to a small fusion restaurant not far from our apartment. Dinner passed quickly with small talk and innocent hand holding. Shortly thereafter we made it to the club with my friends.

"Erin!"

"Holly!" Erin pulled me into a tight hug. "And Greg! So good to see you." She looked at me and I nodded to assure her all was good.

"Greg why don't you go get us a round of drinks while Erin and I find a booth for us and the other girls?"

"Sounds good, tequila good?" I nodded and he disappeared.

"So Holly…spill!"

"I well…"

"Okay so last week he showed up and you went for a walk with him and then what?"

"We talked and somehow ended up by our place and well, I asked him to come up. We spent the night together."

"Together together" Erin winked at me with a suggestive smirk.

"Yes."

"oooooo, and?"

"And it was incredible. I mean they say makeup sex is great, but this was mind blowing."

"Uh I'm so jealous. But in all seriousness did you guys talk?"

"Yes, between Friday night and Saturday we had a decent conversation about everything that happened. We are working towards a better us."

"I'm really happy for you Holly. He's a fine man, I really hope it works out for you."

"So what are you ladies talking about?"

"Nothing to worry you about." Greg leaned down and gave my quick peck on the lips.

"Uhh you two, enough with the PDA. Let's dance." Erin dragged us towards the dance floor. The music was decent. We fell into a rhythm and it felt really good. Our chemistry was incredible and as the night went on, the more I just wanted to get back to our place and explore that chemistry.

It was nearing midnight when Greg and I parted ways from my friends. We made it back to our apartment in record time. As soon as the door closed, my lips were on his. Clearly Greg had felt our chemistry just as much. He pinned me to the wall and my hands drifted over his back. When his lips fell to a soft spot just above my collar bone, I let out a moan. He chuckled and his scruff tickled my neck. His hands ran down and pulled my legs up over his hips. I could feel heat pooling and my desire growing. Greg carried us back towards the bedroom. Once he had positioned us on the bed, I made quick work of his dress shirt. But somewhere along the line Greg's body language had shifted.

"We can't—"

"What?"

"Holly we can't" I let out an exacerbated sigh. I tried to kiss him and pulled him closer with my legs. "Holly…"

"Don't you want this Greg?" I whispered in his ear.

"I…"And for a moment I thought I had convinced him. Suddenly he got up and I felt rapid loss of heat.

"What's wrong Greg?"

"We can't do this Holly…it's too soon. We can't fall back into patterns. I want this", he motioned between us, "to be better than before." I groaned in frustration.

"Holly, I promise we will get back to that level of intimacy, but I want to be sure." I placed my hand on his forearm and gazed into his eyes. I could see his worry and passion all at once.

"I understand." I wanted to scream. Twice now he had left me on edge like this. "I just need a moment Greg."

"Yeah, of course."

He walked towards the closet and emerged in pajamas a few minutes later. I took my time changing, trying to decompress. I changed into pajamas as well and crawled into bed. I was drifting off when Greg returned to the room and joined me in bed. I hoped that this wasn't going to become a pattern.

Of course, it was like the universe wanted to smite me, because over the next month we would come close to these intimate moments and he would always pull back after a few kisses before anything got too intimate. I've been denied sex so many times now that I was beginning to question what the problem was. We've come so far, and we are so much stronger this time and now I wanted to take our relationship to the next step. I'd even resorted to trying to seduce him; wearing certain revealing clothes, giving him languid kisses, roaming my hands over his chest. It was all for naught, he would never allow us to get beyond some intense kisses.

Thanksgiving came and went in a blink of an eye. We spent it among friends, and nothing had improved on the intimacy front. I'd had even tried to initiate some intimate moments but to no avail. When I confronted Greg about it he assured me that it was him who needed more time—which did nothing to satisfy my curiosity and desires. One early December morning I had enough. Greg was going on a work trip this weekend and I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to confront him about it. If our relationship wasn't going anywhere, I wanted to know now.

"Greg what is going on with you?"

"What do you mean Holly?"

"I mean that we haven't been intimate in months. I mean that every time you or even I start something, it never goes beyond kisses. You all always pull back."

"I just need—"

"I KNOW" I yelled back. I took a deep breath before continuing. "I know you keep saying you need more time. But I'm beginning to question if it's me that's the issue."

"Holly—"

"No let me finish. It is me Greg? Do you not find me attractive anymore?"

"Holly it's not like that?"

"Then what is it like? Because it feels really crappy to constantly be rejected by your boyfriend. It would be different if we were having other emotional or trust issues, but I thought we had moved beyond that. Am I wrong?"

"No, we did move beyond that, we are in a really good place Holly. Our relationship is so much stronger—"

"Then what is it?" He stayed silent for a few moments. "Is there someone else Greg? I would understand if there were?"

"God no. Holly I would never cheat on you. I love you. I'm hopelessly in love with you."

"Then what Greg?"

"I just need to work through a few more things, I promise." He pulled me into a hug, eventually he pulled back and gave me a kiss on my cheek. "I have to catch my flight. I'll be back Monday. I love you Holly, please just be patient with me."

"Okay." We exchanged texts over the next few days, he was overwhelmed with work."

When he returned on Monday, he seemed happier and lighter than he was before. Neither of us had tried anything intimate beyond good morning and good night kisses over the next few weeks.

One evening towards the end of the month:

"Holly, I wanted to double check something?"

"Mmh?" I looked up from my book to meet his eyes.

"We were going to go to your parents for Christmas, right? And spend New Year's with mine?"

"Uh yeah, listen Greg?"

"Yeah Holly."

"I um, I haven't exactly told my parents everything about our time apart and everything that's happened since that night."

"So…what exactly do they know?"

"I mean they know what really happened at the club and they know that we had a conversation and well…"

"What is it?"

"They know that we aren't engaged."

"Oh"

"I mean they knew you planned on asking back in August. I'm just worried that they will be confused that we aren't engaged…" I didn't mean to get emotional but all the stress of visiting my parents had just crashed over me.

"Hey…" Greg reached over and wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Whatever the questions are, we will face them together. We are in this together." I let him pull me into a hug, I just needed his warmth and strength.

The following days passed by quickly and we were on our way to my parent's place for Christmas. When we arrived, they welcomed us, and something felt off? It's like you know something is going on but at the same time you are terrified of angering or agitating your parents. After dinner we all retired to our rooms and slept early. Greg was tense half the time and he spaced out the other half. I was worried this would happen. Clearly my parents' attitudes toward my relationship with Greg had changed.

***Christmas Eve***

We had spent most of our day relaxing and enjoying the Christmas cheer, we even watched some old Christmas classics. Dinner came and went without pause. Eventually we made our way into the living room. I took in all of the decorations, the tree was magnificent; mother had really outdone herself this year. Greg came over to me and pulled me towards the fireplace.

"Greg?"

"Come here Holly."

"What's going on?"

"I know Christmas is tomorrow, but I can't wait any longer."

"What are you talking about?"

" I wanted this moment to be special—and I know how special Christmas is to you and your family."

"Greg—" Before I could get a word out he dropped down.

"Holly Hills, you are my best friend. We've known each other for so long and somehow we drifted apart only to rediscover ourselves and our relationship as adults. This past year with you has been the best of my life and somewhere along the way we fell in love. You bring out the best in me and you make me want to be a better man every day. Every day brings a new adventure and I can't imagine my life without you in it. I love you Holly and I want to spend the rest of life loving you. Will you marry me?"

I couldn't get any words out and somewhere in the middle of his speech I started crying but I'm not sure why. I could only nod and he pulled the ring—his family's ring, out of its small black box and placed on my finger. He rose and kissed me lightly before pulling me into a hug. That's when I heard the applause and cheering from my mother and father. He had put on a show for my parents. 'A show', I mean what better way to stop any questions of our relationship by proposing to me, here in front of them. So much was running through my head that the next half hour passed in blur. We finally retired to our bedroom. Once we closed the door, I took a deep breath. So much was running through my mind.

"Greg?" He turned towards me and his smile faltered.

"What is it honey?"

"That proposal, I mean thank you for doing that for my parents. I understand now."

"I don't follow Holly." I was fidgeting with the ring, and finally removed it.

"Here, you can have your family's ring back."

"Holly, I don't understand. Do you not want to get married?"

"God no, I want nothing more. I love you so much that sometimes it hurts."

"They why are you giving me back my ring?"

"Because Greg, I expressed to you less than two weeks ago about how us not being engaged would be raise questions with my parents and here you are proposing at Christmas. I mean if they really knew everything from the last few months, god they wouldn't even let us be together."

"Holly hold on. Give me a chance to talk."

"What else is there to say Greg?" He grabbed my hands and looked me in the eyes. I could see hurt flash across his eyes.

"I meant every single word I said down there, that was a real proposal. Nothing about that was show for your parents. Nothing about that was prompted by our conversation two weeks ago. Ever since Thanksgiving I've been thinking about proposing to you. I realized that I've wasted so much time and now I just want to start our lives together. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If you need more time then take it, but don't give me back my ring. Just only start wearing it when you are ready."

"Greg as romantic as all that sounds, my parents will find out about everything, and then they won't let us be together let alone get married." He shakes his head and I'm kind of lost.

"I've already took responsibility for everything."

"What do you mean?"

"My business trip earlier this month, it wasn't for work. I came here. I spoke with both of our parents. I explained everything that had happened since August. I sought both of their approvals to get engaged. It took some serious work to convince your parents, but they approved. Everything downstairs was planned, approved, and genuine."

"It was?"

"It was." He takes the ring from my hand and he gets down on one knee again. "Holly Elizabeth Hills, I love you and I can't imagine my life without you. You are best friend and lover. You make me want to be better. Will you let me spend the rest of my life loving you? Will you marry me and make me the luckiest guy in the world?" This time there is no hesitation.

"Yes!" He places the ring back on my finger and rises to his feet.

"I love you more than you will ever know Holly."

"Thank you for making this so special Greg." I get on my tip toes to give him a kiss. His hands pull me closer and I feel my back bump against the wall. It's clear Greg has a thing for pushing me up against a wall. Somewhere along the way Greg has moved us to the bed. Our kisses become more and more urgent. He's already undone my dress, exposing my neckline. I had already gotten his dress shirt off. I needed to get closer to him, I needed more contact. As lost our clothes he trailed kisses down my neck, and down my abdomen. I felt all new emotions wash over me. His hands and kiss had left my skin on fire. My desire was building rapidly.

"Greg!" He was positioned lower and looked up at me through lust filled eyes.

"Tell me what you want Holly."

"Please!"

"Please what?"

"Don't make me beg Greg."

"I want to hear you say it."

"God…Greg I need you, only you."

"Your wish is my command."

Sleep finally came to us in early morning hours after we had made love several times. As much as we explored new intimacy there was a part of it that was incredibly familiar. We were woken by a persistent knocking.

"Holly dear?" Oh god it was my mother—oh shit Greg and I were less than decent and if she found us in this state, engaged or not she wouldn't accept it. Not under her roof. I jumped out of bed and grabbed a robe pulling it tight before opening the door to my room.

"Holly, there you are."

"Good morning mother, Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas dear. Where is Greg? Getting ready I hope."

"What are you talking about mother?"

"Dear it's already half past ten. We know that you and Greg are recently engaged but you missed all of breakfast and your father and I wanted to have luncheon with you and Greg and celebrate Christmas and your engagement."

"I can't believe it's so late."

"Dear, I don't want details, I understand that you and Greg just got engaged. Please get ready. I'll have coffee and fruit brought up to hold you off until lunch at 12."

"Thank you, mother."

"Congratulations Holly. See you soon." My mother and I have come a long way in our relationship, and she was so genuine in her excitement over our engagement that it touched my heart. This is exactly what I've always wanted. I closed the door behind my mother and went to my bed where Greg was still sound asleep. I sat on the edge of the bed.

"Greg?...Greg?" After a few moments of silence, I shook his shoulder a little. He sighed and opened his eyes. They lit up and he smiled.

"Mmh, good morning fiancée." He sat up and leaned over to kiss me. He pulled me closer before twisting us so that he hovered over me. He pepped kisses along my jaw while his one free hand went to work opening my robe. "You are too overdressed." I could feel the pleasure building again. What Greg could do to my body was incredible.

"No wait."

"What could possibly be more important than what we were starting?" He continued to trail kisses along my neck.

"My mother—"

"What?" Greg shot up out of bed.

"My mother stopped by this morning. Greg it's almost eleven. We missed breakfast and she excused it but said that we must be down for luncheon at noon. She's sending up fruit and coffee now."

"Not that I am complaining about how last night turned out, but I am famished."

"We only have so much time, and we need to get ready. But this is hardly over, just wait until tonight." I moved to get out of bed and Greg grabbed me by my waste.

"Why wait for tonight, if we shower together, we can continue this and save time." His breath was hot on my neck and my desire had already returned. I let out a gasp and we quickly made our way to the bathroom.

Not before long we had joined my parents downstairs for lunch. In some ways we were like teenagers, unable to keep our hands off each other. We had to be careful though, my parents would only excuse so much—they still weren't fans of PDA.

The week passed by quicker than I thought possible and our nights almost always ended with us in bed exploring more intimacy. His parents were happy to see us and threw us a small party with some of his old friends and family friends. Not before long we returned to New York. So much has happened in the past year and I wouldn't trade anything in the world for it. Greg and I were finally engaged. We are about to start a new journey together.

Thank you to everyone for reading this story—it has been eight years in the making so thank you for your continued support. I love writing and wish I could find the time to write more often. For now, I've brought the characters to a good place and I'm going to mark this story as complete. I may write an epilogue in the near future if time permits it. Until then, thank you for your support. I hope you have enjoyed this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Please R&R!