Lily of the valley- Symbolizes the return of happiness.

In his dream, David was standing onstage, facing a multitude of bodies he could barely see because of the lighting focused on him. In his right hand was a microphone, which he held close to his lips. He heard the music playing in the background, and felt the heat coming from the lights overhead. Everything was perfect…the people, the place, and the music he felt calling to him.

However, David didn't feel connected to the world he'd once surrendered himself to. This world filled with light offered peace, calm, and release, but he found that he didn't want to exist here anymore. A part of him knew that this world was only temporary, and like this dream it would disappear as soon as he woke up. David didn't want that kind of feeling that vanished in moments…he would rather live in the kind of world that offered real, tangible happiness.

He stared at the microphone in his hand and smiled. He didn't need it anymore. David Harper no longer needed to sing to vent his emotions…he was now strong enough to speak for himself without having to use someone else's lyrics. He would never forget the feelings he'd gotten from performing, but he had to let them go. He was ready to move on, and suddenly the world outside the stage seemed a lot more welcoming than it had in the past.

David dropped the microphone on the stage, and turned his back on the crowd. As he walked towards the backstage door he found himself heading not for shadows, but for a warmer, more welcoming home.

He reached out, turned the doorknob, and in a blinding flash of light…he was free.

"It feels really strange to be back." Bryony squeezed David's hand, searching for comfort.

"Yeah, it does." He squeezed her hand back reassuringly.

"I'm glad we came though. I know it was the right thing to do."

Bryony looked up at him, her warm chocolate-colored eyes looking both fragile and brave. His heart skipped a beat as his eyes fell to their interlocked hands, and when he looked back at her he smiled. He'd held her hand like this a thousand times before, but it still felt like the first time.

Finally, Bryony was his girl. He no longer had to hide the fact that he loved her, and being this close only reminded him of that.

Bryony turned away from him, looking towards the grave that laid only a few feet away from where they were standing.

"Do you think she'd be happy for us?" Bryony asked, sounding like she needed to be assured.

"Maggie loved you." David released her hand so that he could wrap a protective arm around her shoulder. "She didn't show it, but I know she did. I believe she's happy for you now, in her own way." David could tell that his answer did little to ease Bryony's heart. "What's wrong?"

"I hope she's happy for us, but I'm afraid that this isn't what she wants."

"Are you second guessing our relationship?" David watched her carefully.

"No. David, I love you and I'm not going to let you go again. I just don't want to have any lingering regrets."

"I understand." David sighed in relief. For a moment he'd thought she might really push him away. The happiness he felt now was so strong it was scary. He loved her so much that he was keenly aware of how much it would hurt to lose her again. "But we'll never know the answer to your question. The best we can do is keep living, and prove to her that this decision will make us both happy."

Bryony stared at her sister's grave, and smiled. "You're right. No more regrets." She broke away from David so that she could lay the bouquet she'd been holding down next to the gravestone.

She backed away from the grave, and took hold of the hand David offered out to her. Both stood in silence, praying for Maggie's blessing as they moved forward in their life together.

"Maggie." David began softly. Bryony hadn't expected him to speak, and she glanced at him in surprise. "Magnolia Noelle Lark, thank you. I never thought I would say this…but thank you. The last time I came, I told you that I regretted loving you…but that's a lie. You were a huge part of my life, and even though it hurt to lose you, I'm glad that we were together. I will never forget you, I promise." David lifted his and Bryony's hands together. "Maggie, I'm in love with your sister. I think I've loved her for a really, really long time. We're going to be together, and we're going to be happy. Wherever you are, I just wanted you to know that."

Bryony watched David proudly. She could tell it hurt him to talk of the past, but he was strong enough to deal with the pain. His strength was a testament to how far he'd come since Maggie's death so many years before.

"Maggie." Bryony smiled as she started to speak. "Thank you. For a long time, I thought you were the worst sister anyone could've asked for. I know it's awful, but it's the truth. You bullied me, teased me, and took away my best friend. Sometimes, it was so easy to hate you. In my eyes, you were perfect. You always had the coolest friends, the cutest clothes, and the best life. I used to idolize you, which made all of the teasing hurt even more. It got to the point that I was so jealous I forgot how you used to look after me. I forgot how you would defend me when the other kids at school would make fun of me. I forgot how you used to share all of your clothes, and how you used to teach me how to be confident in myself. After you died, I hated you so much I blocked out all of those memories. I think it was easier to hate you because then it didn't hurt as much." Bryony brushed away the tears falling down her cheek. "It turns out, I was wrong. Hating you hurt so much more because I wasn't being honest with myself. I love you, Maggie. I'm sorry I spent so many years taking you for granted."

Bryony's hands shook, and her tears could no longer be stopped. David turned her away from her sister's grave, and pulled her into a hug. Bryony rested her head against his chest, and continued to speak.

"I've decided I'm going to love this boy, Maggie. He needs me, and I know I need him. From now on, I'm going to love him without any regrets. I'm not going to take him for granted, and I'm going to live my life moving forward." Bryony closed her eyes, and pictured her sister's face. "Wherever you are, please know that I'm doing better than okay. You just worry about taking care of yourself now. Mom and Dad are still healing, but I'll be there for them. Please be happy. I need to believe that you are in order to move on."

David hugged her tightly, and she hugged him back. The painful memories of Maggie's death had faded, and they both knew that they'd already left her behind.

"I think we've done a lot of growing up in these last two years." David whispered, smiling to himself.

"Yeah, I guess we have." Bryony answered, opening her eyes.

They pulled away from each other, and turned their backs on Maggie's grave.

"Are you okay?" David asked as they began to walk away.

"Yeah, it was just harder than I imagined." She replied, sighing.

"I hate to break it to you, my love, but the hard part's still ahead." David hid his amusement as she flashed him a startled look.

"Where are we going now?" Bryony's voice was suspicious.

"Now that we've told Maggie, I think it's time we told our parents."

"Oh, God." Bryony winced, realizing that David had been right. "Where should we start, your place or mine?"

"I thought we'd kill two birds with one stone. My mother's invited your family over for lunch." David shared Bryony's uncomfortable expression.

"This is going to be bad." Bryony could easily picture how it was all going to play out.

"They're going to be overjoyed." David added, rolling his eyes.

"Ten bucks says my mom's going to bring out the old photo albums and go through every single picture of us together." Bryony's voice was laced with dread.

"Twenty says that my mother is going to start crying and insist that we stay for dinner." David sighed, knowing his mother only too well.

"I bet your dad's going to tell you that I'm too good for you." Bryony was half teasing, half serious.

"Of course he will. He's been telling me that for years. Your father's probably going to thank me for putting up with you for so long."

"What's there to put up with?" Bryony scowled, and hit him in the shoulder. "If anything, I've been the one to put up with you."

"No, I'm pretty sure you haven't had to put up with listening to my tone-deaf singing every day like I have with you." David narrowed his eyes as she glared up at him.

"I put up with you when you went through that phase where you thought you wanted to be a cowboy!"

"I was eight!" He countered. "Have you ever seen yourself when you fall asleep? You drool everywhere!"

"Stalker." She muttered.

"It's hard to not notice when I'm stuck in a car with you for nine hours."

"You chose to sit in the back seat with me." She stuck out her tongue playfully. "If you're really disgusted by my sleeping habits, then I guess I'll just never sleep with you."

David's mouth dropped open, and he froze in place. Bryony continued walking ahead, and David ended up jogging after her.

"Actually, I think the whole drooling thing is really cute." He winked, slipping his hand slyly through her own.

"I thought so." She replied, laughing.

As they walked hand in hand down the path a gentle breeze blew by them, tossing a handful of flower petals into the air.

"Do you know what I love?" Bryony asked in a bright voice.

"Vanilla ice cream, the color green, singing in the shower, waking up late, banana pancakes, and blueberry muffins?" David answered absentmindedly.

"Correct, but not what I was looking for." She twirled around in their old classroom, not feeling in the least bit silly. "I love seeing how much everything hasn't changed since we were kids."

The two of them were standing in the middle of their old kindergarten classroom. One of their friends from high school had taken a position as an elementary teacher at the school earlier that year, and had offered to let them explore if they helped her clean out her classroom before summer began. Since both of them had been eager to come back, they'd accepted her offer.

Now that their work was over they were able to return back to where they'd first met.

"The chairs are so small." Bryony mused as she walked through the classroom.

"Everything is smaller." David commented, as he sat down on the rainbow colored carpet in the center of the room. "Ah, good memories." He glanced over beside him at the orange colored stain on the rug and grinned. "I can't believe they still have this after…how many years has it been?"

"Too many." Bryony frowned as she took a seat in the old rocking chair that faced the rainbow rug. In the past this had been where they'd been read to.

"It suits you." David smiled, motioning towards the chair. "You would look great as a kindergarten teacher."

"Sure I would." Bryony rolled her eyes. "You just don't want me to go off traveling again."

"Way to make me seem like a bad guy." He pouted. "Isn't it normal for me to want you to stay with me?"

"Selfish." She teased. "I'll be here for another couple of weeks."

After spending a week at home following her sudden arrival from Haiti, Bryony had returned back to her job. She'd spent another month working on finishing up the shelter, and she'd even gotten the chance to write the article for Wesley's magazine. At first, she'd considered sticking with her career in Haiti, but a part of her knew that she didn't want to stay so far away from home any longer. She still wanted to help others, but now she was focused on helping out within her own country. Bryony had also taken a position at Wesley's magazine, and would start working as his assistant next month, when he returned from traveling. The pay was acceptable, but Bryony was more excited about working her way up to being a full-fledged journalist.

"A couple of weeks?" David moaned. "That's hardly enough time."

"Oh, hush. I'm only going to New York for the weekend with Rika. I'll be back before you miss me."

David scowled, and turned his head away. "I doubt it."

"It's not like I'm leaving the country." She continued, grinning. "I'm sure you and Gio will find something to do with your free time. If anyone has a right to pout, it's me. Since I got back you've spent more time working than hanging out with me."

"Wow, it's weird that you would complain about that." David mused. "I vaguely remember you getting on my case for not having a normal day job. Will I ever make you happy?"

"Someday." Bryony replied, laughing. "You'll just have to work extra hard."

David smirked, and their eyes locked for a long moment.

Ever since Bryony had returned for good, they'd had times like this when they'd sit and stare at each other for extended amounts of time. David felt like it was because they were both still surprised that they were actually together now. They'd been dating for over a month, but it still felt like they were stumbling through the first awkward stages of a new relationship.

In the beginning, they'd had to find their footing with one another. They had been apart for two years, and those years had brought changes that both needed to deal with. They'd also had to figure out how their relationship was going to work. Being friends for over twenty years had created barriers that they were slowly having to break down in order to be together romantically. David had spent so much time trying not to let his feelings get the better of him, it felt strange to start letting them show. Bryony, who had tried to prevent herself from loving him, forgot how to treat him as more than just a friend.

However, the first awkward steps soon became easier to take. They stumbled through the first stages of their relationship together while laughing at how strange the process was. David felt like he was a boy again, learning how to date. He found himself embarrassed, confused, and exasperated with their situation, but he loved every minute of it. It was like they were making up for all of the years they'd wasted being just friends.

"David…" Bryony's eyes never left his face. "I love you."

"I had no idea." He whispered in mock surprise.

"I just wanted you to know." She giggled, and leaned back in the rocking chair. "Man, it really feels great to be here. I wish I could go back in time."

"Why?" David crossed his legs "Indian style", like his teachers used to tell him to do.

"I want to see us as kids, when we were just becoming friends." She closed her eyes, picturing the past. "After we met everything clicked, but it took time for us to become really close."

"As I remember, it took a few weeks and a lot of recess time for you to tell me all of your secrets." David continued, smiling.

"We weren't sure how to start." Bryony shook her head in amusement. "We were both trying to look cool to each other."

"You almost killed yourself showing me how far you could jump off the swing." David laughed at the memory.

"You got sent to the office for kicking over the sand castle of the kids who were teasing me."

"Yeah, and they called my mom because I would never apologize." David closed his eyes as well, imagining what he'd been like back then.

"We figured it out though." Bryony whispered. "Somehow, everything became natural."

"I don't remember when it happened. I mean, I remember everything, but there was never just one moment when we realized we didn't have to work so hard anymore."

"I guess that'll happen with us." Bryony pried open one eye to glance at him. "One day, the awkwardness will go away."

"I hope not." David stood up and walked towards her, offering out his hand. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. "I kind of like it."

"Why?" She asked curiously.

David pulled her forward, and cupped his hand under her chin. He leaned down to kiss her gently, taking her breath away in surprise.

"I like that when I do this…" He whispered, "You blush like this." He motioned to her face, which had turned a deep shade of rose. "I like that when I hold your hand, you smile because it's a new kind of feeling." He grinned broadly, and lowered his voice. "And I love when I accidentally see you walking around in only a towel, and you freak out because it's me."

"You said you didn't see anything!" Bryony hissed, shoving away from him in embarrassment.

"Oh, I forgot. I was just eating my cereal when you opened the bathroom door and for a few moments I conveniently went blind just as you walked through the room."

"I told you that if you didn't want to die, you should stick with that story." Bryony held up her hands to cover her face. "I'm never going to live that down."

David laughed as he watched her, adoring how cute she was when she was embarrassed. "Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I've seen you in more scandalous situations than that. Remember that time…"

"Yes! I remember!" Bryony dropped her hands to glare at him. "You promised you would never bring that up again!"

"Exactly which situation are you thinking about, because I know quite a few…"

"David!" Bryony covered her face again, pretending to sob into her hands.

He knowingly walked towards her, carefully bringing her hands away from her face. "This is what you get for falling in love with someone who knows everything about you. It would've been easier if you met a stranger."

"How about you? I know a thousand of your mortifying stories, but you're not embarrassed."

"Okay, try me." David smiled, assuming she didn't have anything good on him.

Bryony placed her hands on her hips, and raised her eyebrow in challenge. "I remember when I was around thirteen, and I went to your house on Christmas morning to watch you unwrap your presents. I particularly remember when you opened up the box filled with condoms."

David closed his eyes and winced, realizing too late that he'd been wrong to challenge her. "I'll never forgive my mother for that. Who gives their fourteen year old son condoms for Christmas?" Now it was David's turn to cover up his face.

"You wouldn't look at me straight for weeks!" Bryony laughed, her own embarrassment fading.

"Probably because you teased me about it every chance you got!"

"Oh, and remember when you found that picture of a naked woman in the library in fifth grade? You showed it to all your friends, and the teacher caught you with it!"

"Enough." David ordered, glaring up at her.

"Oh snap, I have a good one." Bryony's eyes glittered mischievously. "I remember one day in gym when I was watching you play basketball and…"

"Please don't remind me." David pleaded weakly. "I surrender!"

Bryony smiled, reaching up to pat him on the shoulder. "Okay, we're even."

"This whole knowing each other's secrets thing is awful." David commented, crossing his arms defensively. "Especially when we use it against each other."

"It's kind of fun though." Bryony mused. "But, I'll agree not to use your past against you in the future."

"I'll agree to that as well." David wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her forward. "Though in the future, it would be nice if you didn't walk around my apartment in only a towel. I refuse to allow you to be like Rika, and not care if we have company or not."

"I can't tell if this is you being protective, or just rude. Do you not want to see me in a towel?"

"Now, how can you turn the situation around like that?" David rolled his eyes.

"Fine, I'll just find my own place. I figured staying at yours was just temporary anyway."

"No." David said quickly. "Stay. It's fun having you around all the time. I've missed you."

"You had me at no." Bryony whispered, grinning up at him.

"Hey." David began. "I think we have one more place we need to visit."

Bryony thought for a moment, and her eyes lit up with realization.

She grabbed his hand, and they both turned towards the door.

"Seriously? I can't believe this thing is still here." Bryony bent down to stare into the green, worm-shaped tunnel.

"I thought they would've retired the old thing by now. All the other sections of the playground are new, but same old tunnel." David patted the green tunnel, marveling at how small it was.

"Hey, I can still fit inside." Bryony slipped into the small space, and poked her head out of the side. "Maybe I'm crazy, but this feels so familiar."

"Well, we both know you're crazy." David walked around the side, and knelt down so that he could see her. "I know the feeling, though." He closed his eyes and he could clearly picture the past in his mind. "This is the spot we both officially met."

David smiled, offering out his hand to her. Just like in the past, Bryony took his hand without hesitation. Once she was out of the tunnel he brushed her off, like he had when she'd been covered with bugs.

As he looked into her beautiful, chocolate colored eyes, he felt something change inside of him. Twenty two years ago his heart had told him that he wanted to be friends with the strange girl he'd known for only a few minutes. Today, his heart was telling him something else entirely.

"My name's David Harper." He said, taking a deep breath. "Would you like to be my wife?"

Bryony's smile vanished, replaced by complete shock. She took a few moments to absorb what he'd just said. Then, without warning, tears began to stream down her face. She lifted her hand to brush them away, but they kept coming.

"I'm sorry!" David mumbled, reaching forward to wrap her in a hug. "Bryony, I'm sorry. I'm not sure what I did, but it was very, very bad, and I was wrong. It's okay, don't cry."

"No." Bryony whispered into his chest, her sobs turning into laughter. "It's just….I really want to marry you too."

David's heart swelled in relief. For a second he'd wondered if she was about to turn him down. "You seriously have to stop crying when you're happy. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"I'm sorry." Bryony lifted her head up so that she could smile at him. "I was just too happy."

David took in her beautiful smile, her radiant eyes, and her amazing voice. It seemed impossible that she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him, and he didn't need to be told how lucky he was. He lifted his hand to her face, and leaned forward until they were only inches apart.

"I love you." He whispered, and those three words carried with them all of the experiences, challenges, and emotions he'd gone through together with her since they were kids. He didn't need to tell her how grateful he was that she'd been with him all this time, and he didn't need to promise that he'd be with her always. Through those three words alone, she knew all of that and more.

"I love you too." She whispered back, "I'll love you for a very, very long time."

David grinned, and bent down to kiss her.

In the background, the soft melody coming from the ice cream vendor floated through the air. When they turned to look towards the road, they noticed two hummingbirds hovering near the birdfeeder nearby.

Laughing like two children lost in their own world, Bryony and David turned back to each other and smiled.

The first day of kindergarten was always stressful for children, and when David's father came to pick him up in the afternoon, he was expecting his son to be exhausted.

He'd been feeling anxious about his son throughout the day, wondering if he was having fun and making friends. His wife had told him not to worry, but he'd seen the same concerns in her eyes.

Now, as he stepped out of his car and headed for his son's classroom, he felt his heart twist in his chest. Not knowing what to expect he entered into the room, and David's teacher waved at him politely. He wasn't the only nervous parent coming to pick up his kid, and he felt comforted by the fact that there were three other dad's looking just as frazzled as he was.

"Dad!" David walked towards him, and grinned. While he seemed a little tired, he wasn't as relieved as his father had thought he would be.

"Hey, kiddo." He ruffled David's hair. "How was your day?"

"Good." David answered, looking uninterested.

His father wasn't quite sure how to take that. He would have rather had his son been extremely grateful to see him, or be extremely excited about his first day. With an answer like that, David's father was at a loss for words.

The two of them exited the classroom and walked towards their car in silence.

"Hey, Dad?" David began, and his father's head whipped around to look at him.

"Yes?" He tried to act nonchalant, but his mind was racing with questions.

"What do you do when you meet someone you don't want to leave?" David was watching his father seriously, looking extremely puzzled.

"Well.." His father began as he climbed into the car. Out of all the questions he'd thought his son would ask, he hadn't imagined anything like this. "When I found someone like that, I married her." He smiled as he thought about his wife.

"What does that mean?" David hadn't learned yet what it meant to marry someone else.

"Well, we decided to spend forever together." His father wondered if his explanation made any sense whatsoever.

David sighed dramatically as he shut the door to the car. His father waited until they were out of the parking lot and off down the road until he couldn't wait any longer for his son to explain himself.

"What's up?" He glanced at his son anxiously, hoping he hadn't said the wrong thing.

"I think I'm going to spend forever with her." He said bluntly, staring out the window.

His father raised his eyebrow, and turned his full attention on his son.

Even though David's head was turned away, his father could see from the reflection in the glass that he was smiling.

**Author's Note:

To begin, I want to thank everyone who has supported this story, whether that be by reading every chapter, or reviewing my work. I really appreciate it, and I can promise it's helped me to get through days of writer's block.

I hope that you've enjoyed this story, and I hope it exceeded your expectations. I initially wanted this to be a story about growing up, and learning to be sincere with yourself, but I think it grew into a lot more once I really got into writing it.

I'm going to dedicate this story to one of my friends, who inspired it simply by saying "I want to see her again". They helped me to understand the emotions that came with losing someone suddenly, and I hope I was able to convey some of those feelings through this story.

If you have any last questions, comments, or concerns, I would to love to hear them. Constructive criticism is also very welcome : )

I also wanted to share a little bit of my inspiration for this story, which mostly comes in the form of music. "Jack and Jill" by Katie Hersig, "Far Far" by Yael Naim, and "How to be dead" by Snow Patrol, have all helped me at some point or another break through writer's block.

Finally, I want to thank everyone again for reading my story. If you enjoyed it, feel free to check out my other story, Momo. It's not all that similar, but I'm curious to see if you'd like it : )

As always, Quix