BONUS CHAPTER

NOTE:

I decided to go ahead and write a bonus chapter because I (like many of you) miss Lex and Ev, haha.

Enjoy!

* * *

Six years later

Lexi's POV:

"Ava Copeland... Grace Copeland." Their names echo through the loudspeaker. Mason and (more so) I scream at the top of our lungs once the announcer calls the names of both of my girls.

My cheers are brief, only because the names of other graduates are being called... and because Mason is embarrassed by my yelling. The ceremony comes to an end about fifty minutes later and I trot down the bleachers and run into the field, dragging Mason behind me.

We find Ava and Grace first and I wrap both of them in hugs, kissing their heads. "I'm so proud of both of you." I remind them, loving seeing them in their caps and gowns.

They give me subtle smiles and I feel a hand snake around my back and the other rests against my stomach. "There you are!" Evan says, kissing my cheek. She was forced into being a stage-guide during the ceremony, so we didn't get to sit together and watch this milestone for the girls.

"Here we are." I smile. She glances at me, her eyes flicking to my lips then back up.

"Does this feel crazy?" Her nose scrunches.

I smile and glance at the kids, who are all about the same height as us at this point. "Very. It's gonna be really crazy when we're moving you two into college dorms for the fall."

Evan leans her head on my shoulder, "ugh. Don't remind me of that part."

"Can I have Grace's room?" Mason asks, eyes widening and his braces shining in the lights.

Grace wastes no time throwing her first into his shoulder, "hell no!"

Evan eyes the girl, "really? Cool it." She hisses, not pleased with Grace's language.

Life has been... chaotic. Life was great up until about six months ago. Everyone was happy, but them Grace- for whatever reason- started acting out. It's taken a toll on Evan, no doubt.

Grace's eyes roll and I put my hand over my fiancé's, "let's go out and have a nice dinner." I say, hoping to ease the tension.

Mason, Grace, and Ava walk off together, leaving me with Evan.

"What is up with her, Lexi?" Evan whines.

"She's a teenager, babe. It's normal." I remind her.

Her green eyes cut me, "normal? Normal would be sneaking out a few times and drinking. This is... not normal." Even shakes her head, interlocking her fingers with mine as we walk.

"Now that school's over maybe things can cool down. She was stressed-"

"Stop making excuses! You saw how she acted." Evan reminds me.

I scrunch my nose, knowing she's right. Grace and Evan have gone toe-to-toe before, and it wasn't pretty. Needless to say Evan came out on top though.

"Let's just try to make the rest of the day good, okay?" I smile, hoping Evan will lighten up.

Her eyes scan over my face and she pecks my lips quickly, "I'm gonna need a massage to de-stress tonight."

I nod, "anything you want."

After dinner, I pull into the driveway behind Evan, who has the twins in the car with her, and immediately see a series of dramatic hand gestures.

"Here they go again." Mason groans.

Grace is the first to jump out of the car and slam the door, running into the house.

Evan gets out and shakes her head, looking especially angry. I get out too and throw my hands up, "what happened?"

Evan shakes her head, heading into the house behind Grace- yelling.

Ava looks over at me, "Grace wants to go to a graduation party, mom said no. You know the rest..." she explains.

I sigh hard and shove my hand through my hair, "jeez." I wrap my arm around Ava's shoulder and kiss her head again, "thank you for not making it worse."

"I just want it to be calm again." She admits.

Honestly, I feel bad for Ava. Grace and her were so close until this madness started unfolding. But Grace has changed.

As we walk into the house Ava glances at me, "chances of you letting me have a glass of wine?"

I cut my eyes at her, "one. And don't tell your mom. Just- go to your room." I tell her.

She smiles and pours herself a glass. "Thank you for everything, Lex. Not just for the gifts tonight, but like... for being here, and for keeping my mom happy and sane."

I wink at the girl and smile softly. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Ava retires to her bedroom, happy with her single glass of wine. Just moments later, I see Grace ripping through the hallway dressed in shredded jeans and a crop top.

"Grace! I swear-" Evan's scream makes me jump a little. She isn't a screamer- well... - she doesn't raise her voice outside of the bedroom unless she's pissed.

Grace goes through the door without hesitation and I call out to Evan, "babe, she's gone. Let her go.

Evan stops at the door and leans her head against it. She balls her fist and taps the door over and over again. "Fuck!"

I bite my cheek and walk over to her, hooking her waist and laying my head against her back, "come here."

I pull Evan over to the couch and make her sit with me. "How the hell can she just- walk out?! It's fucking ridiculous, Lex."

I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles, "I don't know, Ev. We're gonna get all this shit sorted out though. I don't like seeing you like this."

A comfortable silence falls, but she looks up at me with desperate eyes. "He didn't even show up, Lex."

I know who she's talking about instantly. "That's no surprise. We knew he probably wouldn't, Ev. They knew it too."

She shakes her head and shoves her hair around, making it look all sexy and distraught. "Do you think all of that is finally coming down on her?"

I grab Evan's hips and pull her into my lap. She straddles me and lays her head on my shoulder, letting me stroke up and down her back. "Maybe... but Scott wasn't the greatest to start with. I think it's something deeper."

"Like what?" She continues, her mind stirring hopelessly.

"I'm gonna talk to her, okay? Just- let's not think about all that right now." I suggest, knowing she is stressed.

She lifts her head and her eyes roll, "our kid just left to go to a party.... how the hell do we think about anything else?"

"She's not dumb, Ev." I remind her. "You raised her to be smart and handle herself."

Her lips turn up and she pulls her hand over my collarbones, "I love you so much."

I smile and pull her into me, "I love you more." I kiss her slowly and she wraps her arms around my head, letting her ringed finger get tangled in my hair.

"Get a room! Jeez!" Mason's cringing makes both of us laugh as our lips separate.

Evan glances at him, "okay, okay. We are going to bed. Don't stay up late, please." She says, grabbing my hand and pulling me with her down to the bedroom.

"Night, Mas. Love you." I call out as his mom shuts the door with us on the other side.

Evan pulls her dress off her shoulders and lets it hit the floor. "Can I cash in on that massage?"

"Looking like that... I might even give you some extra attention." I tease her.

* * *

Waking up with Evan beside me for the past six years (and counting) has been the most comforting feeling imaginable. I seriously don't think we've spent a single night apart from each other, even if we do get pissy and annoyed sometimes.

Evan's alarm is what initially wakes me up, but I don't budge.

She leaves the bedroom, I'm assuming to go check and see if Grace made it home.

When she returns I hear a sigh and she starts getting dressed. "Where are you going?" I groan, my voice thick with sleep.

"She didn't come home. I'm going to find her." Evan says, snatching her keys from the table.

Bad idea.

"Ev, no. Let me go pick her up. You know it's going to be another knock-down, drag-out if you go pick her up." I remind Evan.

I lazily get peel myself from the bed and get dressed. Evan watches, shaking her head.

"Lex, I can't-"

"You don't need to. Just lay down in bed. I'll get Mason to bring you coffee." I assure her, ushering her back to the left side of the bed.

She sighs and sits down, still clutching her keys. "Will you call me when you get her?"

I nod, "yes. I love you." I say, kissing her forehead gently before leaving the room.

I get in my car and drive for about fifteen minutes, headed to the location Grace's phone is pinging at. I eventually come to a house that is clearly a party house.

I shake my head and throw it into park, having vivid flashbacks to the parties I attended throughout college.

I walk up to the door and knock loudly, well aware that I'm probably waking up everyone inside.

After several seconds of hopeless pounding, the door opens and a hungover teen looks me up and down. "Dude, chill! What do you want?!"

"Grace Copeland. Now." I grit, not in the mood.

I'm given an eye roll and the teen walks away from the door. I go inside, though I'm not even sure if I'm invited.

"I'll go get her, wait here." The teen instructs, trotting up the staircase.

I stand in that spot for about two minutes, but I hear and see no one. Fed up with the games, I head upstairs and start pushing bedroom doors open.

On the third door I find Grace... laying in bed with a girl.

"What the fuck, Lexi?!" She yells, instantly separating herself.

I fight any expression that tries to appear on my face. Woah. "Get your shit. We are leaving." I say, holding my composure. "And watch your mouth."

I head back down the hall and stairs, my head spinning from what I just saw.

Is Grace...? No. She can't be. She would have told us! Ava would have said something!

I wait in the car and a minute or so later the passenger door opens and Grace slings herself into the passenger seat. I start to drive, but I am not going in the direction of home.

I let the silence exist for several minutes, unsure of what to say to her.

"Grace..." I start.

She sighs and pulls her leg into the seat with her, "please- don't. I don't want to discuss anything."

"You know that's not going to work with your mom." I remind her.

She finally looks at me. "You're gonna snitch?"

I furrow my eyebrows, "you ask that like I usually keep secrets from her."

Grace shakes her head, "really, Lex? You and I are supposed to be-"

"Friends?" I laugh. "No. Grace, I am just as much of a mother to you as Evan is. Do not try to pretend like I'm your best friend and secret keeper." I set the teen in her place instantly and her eyes roll. She looks so much like Evan when she does that.

"Whatever, Lex."

I shake my head. "What is going on? Is this why have you been acting like this?" I ask, genuinely confused.

Grace remains silent and focuses her stare out the window.

"I'm still waiting." I groan, though I know she probably won't crack. I finally put my hand on her knee, "Grace. You know you can talk to me."

She scoffs, "yeah, so you can go tell mom?"

I laugh pathetically, "you can talk to both of us. Don't act like that. What's going on?"

I watch her chew her lip aggressively, still avoiding eye contact.

I sigh hard, realizing that me begging her isn't going to get us anywhere. "Okay, new plan."

I swing the car into the coffee shop and pull through the drive-thru, getting two large drinks. I let Grace have her way with the silence until we arrive at a park. I turn off the car and she looks at me like I'm crazy, "what are we doing?"

"Taking a walk, kid. Come on." I say, exiting the car.

I'm given yet another eye-roll, but she follows. We start walking down the paved path, and I begin with the questions again. "Are you seeing anyone?"

She shakes her head no, clutching her cup for dear life.

"Who was the girl?" I ask, referring to the one from the bed.

She sighs and glances over at me, "no one important."

I raise my brows, "if you're sleeping with her, I'd hope she's at least a little important." I laugh.

Grace's lips crack a small smile. "She's just a friend."

I nod, not wanting to push her too far. "So you like girls..?"

She glares at me and then looks forward again. "I dunno."

My brows furrow once more. If she's sleeping with a girl, she probably likes girls?

"You know... I get it. Sexuality is a hard thing to navigate, Grace. Your mom probably knows more about that than anyone." I remind her.

She finally lands a solid glare on me and I see her lip quiver hopelessly. Tears pool in her eyes and she steps into me, hugging me tighter than she has since she was little.

I wrap my arm around her and stroke her back, "hey..." I hear soft cries and I'll admit- I'm confused. "Where is all this coming from?"

She stands there, letting me hold her, for serval seconds. "I don't know what to do."

I frown at her statement and she looks at me once again with red, wet eyes. "What do you mean, baby?"

"I-I just-" she pauses and shakes her head. "I don't want to disappoint anyone or have anyone think I'm just looking for attention."

I wipe her cheeks, "Grace, you are anything but a disappointment to us. You know that."

She shakes her head, "Lexi, I can't tell mom- I don't even know what I like. It's so— confusing."

I laugh, agreeing with the statement. "It is confusing, but I can promise you that your mom can help you understand it more than anyone else. Think about it... she was married to a man for how long? Now look at her." I remind Grace.

She takes an uneasy breath, starting to regain her composure. "How do you know that you like girls?"

I smile a little, "that's tricky. I never labeled myself when I was your age. I didn't even really 'come out' at any point. I was just... Lexi. I still don't label myself. Now I'm just Lexi, Evan's fiancé."

She bites her lip hard, "it'd be easier if I was just... straight? My grandma is such a-"

I know exactly where she is going with this. Even though Scott has somewhat removed himself for the lives of the kids, his mom has not. And needless to say... his mom is not fond of Evan or myself.

"Fuck her." I laugh.

My profanity and bluntness solicits a giggle from Grace.

"She always talks about mom and how- you know. Same stuff all the time."

I shake my head, "not everyone in this life is going to like you, your choices, or your lifestyle. If you spend every last second you have trying to please everyone, you will waste your whole life on it, Grace. You have to learn to just... not give a damn. Be unapologetic about who you are. Live your truth."

She nods, and for once I actually feel like my words sink into her thick-skull... I wonder where she gets that from.

"Is mom upset?" She finally asks.

I give her a look, "upset is an understatement."

Her head hangs, "I can't tell her when she's mad at me."

"She isn't mad at you, Grace. She loves you and she wants you to be safe. You just- you can't run off like that and you can't keep fighting with her like you do. It hurts her more than you know. You three are the people she cares about more than anything in this world... and every time you go and do something dumb- it breaks her heart."

Grace frowns, realizing the impact of her actions. "She's hard to get along with sometimes."

I shoot her a look, "you think I don't know that?" I laugh. The girl grins wide, laughing with me. "She might be difficult and a major pain in the ass sometimes, but she's worth it. The love that woman will give you is so much more than worth it." I remind Grace of what she already knows.

She takes a breath and hugs me again, "I love you, Lex."

"I love you too. Promise me you'll stop doing that to her?" I beg, hating to see Evan in such a fucked-up emotional state. "She has enough to worry about. Adding the stress of you acting like a fool on top of it isn't necessary."

I get a nod, "yeah, I promise."

"Good. Now let's go home before she loses her mind wondering where we are." I grin.

* * *

Evan's POV:

An entire hour later, I hear Lexi's car shut off in the driveway.

I sit on the couch, not wanting to seem to eager to ground my daughter for the rest of her living days.

When the two of them walk through the door, I'm met with a pleasant surprise.

Grace hands me a bouquet of flowers and leans down, hugging me tight. "I'm sorry."

I hug her back and my brows furrow, but Lexi's expression tells me to just go with it. Um, okay?

"I- this was sweet of you." I say, looking at the flowers.

She gives me a half-hearted smile, "I need to talk to you... but I wanna take a shower first."

"I- okay?" I say, not having the slightest idea what's going on.

I watch the teen head to take a shower and I cut my eyes at Lexi. "What's that about?"

Her palms flash, "that's for her to disclose, not me!"

"Seriously? I don't even get a heads up?! What's going on?" I plead.

Lexi presses her lips and scoops my jaw, "have patience." She insists, kissing my lips softly.

I sigh hard, not loving the feeling in my stomach right now.

Despite my uneasiness, I wait for Grace to finish in the bathroom and she comes into the master bedroom where Lexi and I are laying together.

"Knock, knock." She says, nervously.

"Come sit." I say, making room for her on the bed beside me.

She pushes the doors shut and instead of climbing into bed beside me, she wiggles into the tiny space between Lexi and I.

"What are you doing?!" I laugh.

"I just wanna sit here!" She laughs, showing me the most genuine smile I've seen in a while.

"Weirdo. What's up with the cryptic 'we need to talk' thing?" I ask her.

She sighs and glances to Lexi first, but Lexi makes it clear that whatever this is is all on her. "I'm here for moral support, this is all you." Lexi says.

"What is going on?!" I beg, nervous as hell.

"Okay, look-" Grace starts. "First I'll say that I'm sorry for making your life hell for the past six months. I didn't mean to stress you out and hurt you, mom. I love you so much and I couldn't ask for a better mom." She confesses, already tugging at my heart strings.

I pout my lip out and tuck her hair behind her ear, "I love you too, baby."

The teen takes an uneasy breath and starts to twiddle her thumbs. Lexi lays a hand on her shoulder and I hold my breath, fearing the worst.

"So.. I guess I um-" she pauses and refuses to move her eyes from her hands. "I've been thinking and trying to figure myself out I guess? I-" she stops and I raise my brows.

"You what?"

"I've been trying to figure out my sexuality." She says.

I immediately look up at Lexi, not prepared for that admission.

"I told her that you'd be a good person to talk to about this considering... everything." Lexi explains.

Way to put me on the spot, babe. "Oh... I mean- yeah, baby." I say, stroking my daughter's arm. I guess I could see how I'd look like a good person to talk to about that, but at the same time... I'm clueless.

"I just- I don't know what I like, or what I should like. Grandma makes it out to so bad and such a disgrace. She already hates you for 'making the choices you did,' and I don't want to disappoint her... or you guys. I don't want you to think I'm doing it just so I can get attention or something either." Grace's admission continues to catch me off guard.

"You don't have to have it all figured out, Grace. Clearly... I was married to your dad for a very long time before I even thought about any other possibilities." I say, trying to speak from experience. "Scott's mom has never been a good person to talk to about things. She has her ideas and you have yours. Let that be that. You know Lexi and I aren't going to freak out and condemn you for liking a girl... come on, now. It's just- take things like this one step at a time, baby. There is no need to rush. Are you seeing anyone?"

She shrugs, "not really."

I close my eyes and cringe internally. I know what that means, I just don't want to think about the idea that my sweet little angel is sleeping with people.

"Listen. The only think I ask of you is honestly and to use your brain, Grace. Don't put yourself in a bad situation, and don't be afraid to come to me... or Lexi... for anything." I say, not wanting to make this a big deal. I always told myself I was a cool mom and I was going to remain a cool mom when my kids started growing up and doing thing like this... sleeping with people, drinking, and all the other terrifying stuff. But now that it's here- I don't know if I'll be able to be cool for very long. That's my baby...

She nods, "I know. Lexi told me."

I smile a little and reach over, grabbing Lexi's hand. "We are both so proud of you and we love you more than you can imagine, okay? We have your back... I don't care what anyone else has to say about it." I assure her.

She smiles and pulls Lexi and I in for a group hug.

"I love both of you. Thanks for being the most badass set of mom's ever." She laughs.

I smile at the statement, and my heart flutters. I know the kids love Lexi. They've always made that clear. Sometimes I worry that Lexi doesn't feel as equal with the whole mom thing though. So when they say little stuff like that... it makes me happy.

"I love you." I tell her, kissing her forehead. "And I love you." I grin at Lexi, kissing her lips tenderly.

After a few seconds of suffocating my daughter in a Evan-Lexi sandwich, she wiggles out from between us. "I feel... better."

I smile and nod, "good. Now go do the dishes to make up for that stunt you pulled last night." I sass.

She goes without hesitation and I look at Lexi, wasting no time pushing her over. "Are you serious?! Why didn't you fucking warn me?!"

She chuckles and sits upright again, "and say what? Grace likes girls?"

I shake my head and force my hand through my hair. "She's sleeping with people?"

Lexi scrunches her face, "Ev, she's seventeen. What were you doing at her age?"

My eyes roll, "that is exactly what worries me. Ugh."

Lexi smiles, finding it funny that I'm having such a hard time accepting this. "Wanna know what I was doing at seventeen?"

My eyes find hers, finding no humor in the question.

"I was obsessing over my super hot neighbor and fantasizing about screwing her all the time." She jokes, biting her lip.

My eyes roll hard. "Keep fantasizing then, because you are not touching me for at least a week for keeping that from me." I growl.

Lexi laughs dramatically and I shake my head at her. "Babe, you'll be all over me in two hours. Don't even act like you could last a whole week."

"Fuck you, Lexi." I laugh, getting off of the bed.

"See? Already asking for it!" She jokes.

I stick my middle finger up and walk out of the room, but before I make it all the way Lexi calls my name. I poor my head through the door and raise my brows.

"I love you." She says, grinning.

"You've never gotten any less annoying, by the way."

She hurls a pillow from the bed towards my head and I laugh and run down the hallway.

I'm so thankful for Lexi and I's relationship holding up the way it has. It's never gotten boring or routine, which is something I've never experienced in a relationship. I know a lot of that has to do with her, but some of it is just natural.

I know how much Lexi puts in though. She tries harder than I would expect anyone to, and it means the world to me. Making my coffee every morning, running to pick up sweets for late night cravings, filling my car up with gas... and she still opens all my doors. All the little things she does mean so much to me.

Note (p2):

SO....

I have two ideas for a new story. Now is where I need some feedback and to hear your opinions!

Idea #1:

A new story based on the life of Grace in her young adult years... meaning the story would be told from Grace's POV for the most part. Lots of drama, and Mia might even make another appearance 👀...

OR

Idea #2:

A new story with brand new characters! Of course it will be gxg, and it's another sort of "forbidden" love story, but it is not teacherxstudent! Without giving too much away, I will say that it involves a troubled teen and another figure of authority (spoiler: it's an attorney). Likely  going to be a very slow burn, with a bit more drama and challenges than other things I've written. This would only be one book long!

Comment below and let me know which one sounds more interesting to you and/or other ideas and requests!

xxG