Chapter Text
Ty runs up the stairs, eager to get away from the Christmas festivities. He wipes at the tears in his eyes as he darts into the yoga room, slamming the door behind him. He hears footsteps in the hallway.
“I asked Annie to go on the European tour with me, and she said no,” he says without turning around, sensing her presence.
“She has college,” Maddie replies quietly.
“I know,” he says, turning around. His mother takes a tentative step towards him. “But I thought it would feed her art, to be able to travel around Europe and photograph the whole experience. And she could defer.”
“You know it isn’t fair to ask that of her,” his mother says. “Not after she’s supported you and your music all these years. That photography program, that’s her dream.”
“I know,” he says, standing with his back to her, looking out the windows. He runs his hands over his face. “I’m in love with her, Mom. I love her so much that it scares me. And these last few weeks without her were so difficult. How am I going to survive with her halfway across the world from me for months? What if she meets someone new? What if we never get to see each other?”
She rubs his back soothingly. “She’s not going to forget about you, Ty. I can see how much she loves you. And you two will find a way to make it work, because you belong together. I really believe that.”
“I do, too,” he sniffs. “You know what she said to me? That I waited seventeen years to tell her how I felt, so if I can’t wait another year, then maybe that’s our answer. I don’t want to lose her, Mom.”
“I know,” she says, still rubbing his back.
“And I waited because,” he hesitates, unsure of how to continue. “I waited because I think deep down I was afraid that I’m not enough for her. I was afraid of opening myself up to feeling this way, with so much love that I don’t know what to do with it. It was easier just bottling that all up inside.”
“Was it really easier, though?” Maddie questions. “Watching her be with someone else? Trying to date girls that you didn’t truly have feelings for? Was any of that easy?”
“No,” he admits. “And I know the best things are worth waiting for, but I don’t know how I’m going to be without her. She’s my heart. She’s my home.”
Maddie hugs him, and he clenches his eyes shut, trying to hold back tears. “I have to talk to her. I need her to know how I feel.”
He turns around to find Annie standing in the doorway, tears streaming down her face. He rushes over to her while Maddie quickly slips out the door, closing it behind her.
“Annie,” he says, almost reverently. He wipes her tears away gently with his fingertips. “I’m so sorry,” he tells her. “I never meant to hurt you. I know it’s not fair of me to ask you to give up anything for me. I just freaked out because I love you so, so much.”
“I know, I heard,” she whispers. “What you said to your mom, I heard.” She pulls him into a hug, her hand stroking the back of his head. “And I feel the same way. I’m terrified of what being apart from you means. But I know we’re strong enough to get through it.”
“You really think so?” he asks tentatively in a way so adorable she has to smile.
“I know so,” she says. “Besides, we have from now until when we need to leave to be together. And there’s texting and FaceTime, we’ll make it work.”
“It’s a nine-hour time difference,” he clarifies. “Just don’t meet any hot artist-type guys in your fancy new photography program,” he grins.
“Hotter than you? Not a chance,” she replies, smiling at him.
He stares at her, suddenly serious. “I’m sorry that it took me so long to admit that I love you. I want to be the man you deserve, and I keep falling short.”
“Tyler Townsend, there is no one better for me than you,” she mock-scolds. “I know everything about you. All your memories are mine too. And yet my heart pounds whenever I’m near you. You take my breath away when you smile at me. And I can’t imagine loving anyone else the way that I love you. And if this is going to work, we need to trust each other, and have faith.”
“You take my breath away, too,” he says, his voice smooth like silk. He lowers his lips to hers, kissing her passionately. His tongue traces the seam of her lips before tangling with hers, and he holds her tightly against his body. Her hands are in his hair, and she can feel his body responding to hers. She breaks the kiss, breathing hard.
“I love you,” she whispers into his lips.
“I love you, too,” he replies, leaning his forehead against hers, trying to calm himself down.
“And I love that you want me like that,” she says.
“Of course I do,” he responds. “But I know we’re not ready yet. I want you to be my first and only.”
She releases the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Me too,” she tells him, her heart pounding inside her chest.
He kisses her again, first her lips and then a path along her jaw and down her neck. She arches into him involuntarily, her body responding on its own accord. She lets out a breathless moan, and Ty stops his ministrations to look at her. She claps her hand over her mouth, embarrassed.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says softly, taking her hand in his. “And you never have to be embarrassed about anything in front of me.”
“I want you, too,” she admits quietly, gathering the courage to look into his gorgeous blue eyes. He’s staring at her with an intensity that makes her weak in the knees.
“You are not making this easy,” he grits out before kissing her again, this time with more passion than ever before. He walks her backward until her back is pressed against the door to the room, blocking anyone else from trying to enter. His hands are in her hair, and when she begins kissing his neck, he lets out a sound that she swears is the sexiest thing she’s ever heard.
“Remind me to get you to make that sound as often as possible,” she says, and he groans, pressing the full length of his body against hers. She can feel how much he wants her and she secretly triumphs. “You’re mine, and don’t you forget it,” she tells him.
“Always,” he replies softly, giving her his trademark smile he reserves only for her, and she swears her heart skips a beat.
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“And then he pressed me against the door and kissed me,” she tells her friends, and they gasp, leaning forward, eager for more.
“Oh my,” Lilly says, fanning herself.
“That is so hot,” Cece agrees. “So, what happened next?”
“Kyle knocked on the door and we had to cool off and go back to the party. And then I haven’t seen him since,” Annie explains. She looks over at Cece. “When you dated Ty did you guys ever go beyond kissing?”
“No, not really,” Cece agrees. “I always felt like Ty wasn’t really with me when he was with me, you know. Obviously, because he was desperately in love with you.”
“Do you think you’ll go all the way before you leave for college and he goes on tour?” Lilly asks.
Annie blushes, “I don’t know. I mean, I want to, I just don’t know if I’m ready, you know?”
Lilly nods, “I know I’m not.”
Cece grins, “I think Gabe and I might soon, we’ve gotten close a few times.”
“Really?” Annie asks. “How do you know when the time is right?”
“I think you just know,” Lilly responds. “Have you talked to your mom about it?”
“I mean, we had the general talk a few years ago, but I don’t think I can talk to her about this. She might not let me see Ty again. And my dad would probably freak out,” Annie laughs.
“What about you and Jackson? Did you guys fool around at all?” Cece asks.
“Just kissing,” Annie admits. “But he never kissed me the way Ty did last night.”
“Aww,” Lilly and Cece say simultaneously, and Annie blushes again.
“Knowing Ty,” Cece says, “He’s probably waiting for you to be ready. He respects you way too much to do anything he thinks might be pressuring you.”
“Cece is right,” Lilly chimes in. “Our Townsend boys are gentlemen first, for sure.”
“If you want something, you’re going to have to take the lead. At least, until you break through that wall with him,” Cece adds.
“I think I’m a little afraid of what getting even closer to him will mean for us. Like will it be even more difficult being apart after we take that step?” Annie wonders.
“Probably,” Lilly replies, “But again, I really think you’ll know when the time is right. Just do what feels right and stop overthinking it. This is Ty we’re talking about.”
“You’re right,” Annie says, hugging her friends.
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She’s been spending every free moment with him, both knowing that their time together is limited. They take walks, watch movies, eat meals together, and just sit and talk. They hang out with Lilly, Kyle, Cece, and Gabe. It’s rare that they can find extended time when they can be alone together in a room without someone else interrupting. One night they find themselves at Ty’s house completely alone. Maddie and Cal are having a date night, and Kyle and Katie are with friends. Annie and Ty are sitting on the couch watching a movie when he pauses it and turns to her. “Hey, I want to show you something upstairs,” he says.
He leads her to his room and grabs a small, wrapped box from his dresser and hands it to her.
“What is this for?” she asks, smiling. “My birthday was a few weeks ago, and you already got me a present.”
“Open it,” he returns, staring at her intently.
She opens the box to reveal a delicate silver charm bracelet with a charm of the letter T, the letter A, a guitar, and a camera. Ty lifts it out of the box and fastens it on her wrist.
“Thank you. It’s perfect,” she breathes, fingering the tiny charms.
“So are you,” he says quietly, and she looks into his eyes to find him giving her the look he only reserves for her. Her stomach fills with butterflies and her heart begins pounding in her chest. She moves to close his bedroom door before turning around to face him. She pauses for a beat and then suddenly her lips are on his and she’s pushing him backwards towards his bed. His knees hit the mattress, and he sits on the edge of the bed, his lips still fused to hers. She straddles his lap, and she can feel him through the thin material of his shorts. She presses herself into him without thinking and he breaks the kiss, breathing deeply.
“Annie,” he says, taking her hands in his, his eyes searching hers.
“I love you,” she tells him, leaning her forehead against his. “And I trust you.”
“I love you,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion. She lowers her lips to his as her fingers begin unbuttoning his shirt. Ty hesitates only for a moment before his lips descend to her neck and his hands begin sliding up under her shirt. Again, she presses herself into him and he gasps. She pushes his shirt over his shoulders, leaving his chest bare.
“You’re incredible,” she breathes, running her hands over the ridges of his muscles and he trembles under her palms. It isn’t until she removes her own shirt, leaving her only in her lacy bra that his resolve seems to snap. He wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her off his lap, setting her on her knees on the mattress. He stands before kneeling in front of her, his right hand sweeping her hair from her neck as he kisses a path from her jaw to her collarbone. And while her hands trace every patch of skin she can reach, his stay locked on her waist. Frustrated, she reaches behind herself and unclasps her bra, letting it slide down her arms before tossing it to the floor.
He gapes at her for a second, “You’re so beautiful Annie,” he says.
Trembling, she takes his hand and places it on her breast, never breaking eye contact with him.
“Are you sure?” he asks, always the gentleman.
She nods, and he kisses her passionately, the pad of his thumb grazing over her nipple. She gasps, arching into him, and they fall onto the mattress together, with him hovering over her. She can feel how much he wants her. She breaks the kiss, her hand cupping his face.
“Do you know how long I hoped you’d look at me just like you are right now?” she asks.
“Ditto,” he replies, and she laughs. “I was afraid of losing my best friend. I was afraid it was too late for us. That you didn’t want me anymore.”
“I’ve always wanted you,” she whispers.
“I’ve always loved you,” he responds.
She cradles his face in her hands, and he covers her body with his own, his full weight pressing her into the mattress, his bare chest against hers. He kisses her passionately before kissing every inch of skin between her lips and the tops of her breasts. He leans on one arm while his other hand teases her nipple. When he closes his lips around it, sucking lightly she lets out a guttural moan, throwing her head back into the pillow. He is relentless, the pleasure sending shockwaves through her entire body and settling in her core.
“Ty,” she moans, threading her fingers into his hair and tugging gently until he stops to look at her. “I need, I want,” she says, unable to form a coherent thought.
“I know,” he says smoothly as she shifts her hips under his weight. He rolls them onto their sides and kisses her again. His hand glides down her body, settling on the waistband of her shorts. He begins tugging them down. “Tell me if anything I’m doing is not ok, and I’ll stop, alright?” he says, and she nods.
“I love you,” he whispers, kissing her as his hand slides inside her underwear to her most sensitive parts. She gasps as his finger gently presses against her, teasing her before entering her slightly. It isn’t long before she’s moaning and shaking against his lips as her first orgasm hits. He breaks the kiss, studying her carefully.
“Are you ok?” he asks nervously.
She laughs, kissing him again, “I am more than ok. How did you know what to do?” she asks innocently.
“Well, I’ve hung out with guys in locker rooms, and you learn stuff,” he jokes, giving her his trademark grin.
“Well done,” she jokes back, so grateful that they can just experience a huge first together and still be them. She pulls him close against her body, feeling his arousal eagerly pressing into her. She looks into his eyes, “Can you show me?” she asks.
He takes her hand in his and slides it under the waistband of his boxers, running it along his length, showing her how to stroke him. “God, Annie,” he grits out, trying to maintain control as long as possible, his hips bucking against her hand. He moans, clenching his eyes shut. “Annie,” he says again, almost a warning before his orgasm takes over, and he trembles against her grasp. He kisses her, long and slow before hugging her against his body.
“Are you ok?” he asks again.
“Yes,” she insists. “Are you?”
“I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m with you,” he says simply. She smiles brightly at him and he gives her a quick kiss before climbing out of bed. He grabs a clean pair of underwear and a pair of pajama bottoms and a t-shirt before winking at her and heading into the hall bathroom. She gets out of bed to retrieve her clothes, and is fully dressed when he returns.
“Want to watch another movie?” he asks, and she nods. They climb back onto the bed together, pulling a blanket over their legs as they sit his laptop on their legs and start the movie. She texts her mom to let her know she’ll be home when it is over. She snuggles into Ty, resting her head on his chest, his arm wrapped protectively around her, his hands holding hers.
They watch the opening sequence of the movie before he speaks, “You said you hoped I would feel that way about you for a long time. Annie, you’re the star of every fantasy I’ve ever had. I always think about you when I…” he trails off.
She tilts her head to look at him, “Really?” she asks, blushing.
“Really,” he replies.
She kisses him sweetly, resting her forehead against his. “Which is better? The fantasy or the reality?”
“I’ll let you know,” he quips before laughing, and she pokes him in the ribs while he squirms. “The reality, of course.”
“Good,” she responds, tucking herself into his side again. And that’s how Maddie finds them an hour later when she returns home with Cal, both Annie and Ty asleep in each other’s arms. She picks up her phone and texts Dana Sue to let her know Annie will be spending the night.
They’re so adorable. I don’t have the heart to wake them. Maddie’s text reads.
Let them sleep. I’ll text Annie so she doesn’t panic if she wakes in the middle of the night. Dana Sue replies.
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The next morning, Ty and Annie wake up together, having slept through the entire night.
“Oh my God,” Annie gasps, realizing the time. She snatches up her phone and lets out a sigh of relief upon seeing her mother’s text. Still, she gathers up her bag and leaves to head home after giving Ty a long kiss goodbye.
She arrives home and is surprised when her mother is bright and cheerful, and the two have a sit down talk about her relationship with Ty. Dana Sue agrees that Annie is eighteen and Ty is nineteen, and she trusts them both to be responsible, so sleepovers are ok as long as they’re safe and Annie tells her parents where she is. Annie tells her mother that she’s being safe and that Ty is always a gentleman. But when the Mini Magnolias meet later that day, she tells them the whole story.
“Oh, my goodness!” Lilly exclaims. “Was it weird at all, crossing that line with him?”
“No, that’s the thing, it felt totally natural. Right,” Annie flushes, unable to stop smiling.
“And how was it?’ Cece asks.
“Completely amazing,” Annie replies. “He’s amazing. When he took his shirt off I practically swooned. I mean, I always did but now that he’s mine…wow.”
“Ty is fine,” Cece agrees, and when Annie shoots her a look she clarifies, “Just agreeing, not pining,” she says, holding her hands up defensively, and they all laugh.
”I slept in his arms, and it was just the most incredible feeling. I felt so safe and loved. And the best thing is my mom and his mom agreed that we can have more freedom with our relationship. Honestly, I think they just want us to stay together at this point.”
“Yeah, they’re already planning your wedding,” Lilly jokes.
“Probably!” Annie exclaims.
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Over the next few months before Ty leaves for Europe and Annie for college, they spend almost every night together, either at his house or hers. They eat dinner together with their families, watch TV or a movie, or just sit and talk. She loves every minute being with him. Most nights, they honestly just hold each other and sleep, but in the rare moments when they get some alone time, they grow closer intimately. She’s not ready to fully lose her virginity, but they explore with hands and mouths and touches and gasps. She’s never felt closer to anyone in her life, and her love for him only grows and deepens. She doesn’t know how she’s going to say goodbye to him in a few weeks.
She catches Ty staring at her when he thinks she isn’t paying attention, his expression solemn and his thoughts far away from the present. When she sees him looking at her that way one night after dinner at her house, she takes him by the hand and leads him to her room. “What are you thinking about?” she asks.
“I’m thinking about how much I’m going to miss you, and how afraid I am to lose you,” he admits.
“And why are you going to lose me?” she asks.
“What if we grow apart? We’re still so young, and we’re still figuring out who we are. We are going to meet so many new people and experience so many new things separately. I’m afraid that once we leave Serenity, you’ll want more than me,” he looks away from her.
“No one knows me like you do. We are soulmates. We’ll text and we’ll talk every day. And we will still be a part of each other’s lives, no matter how long we’re apart. I love you, Ty, with my whole heart. I can’t imagine ever loving anyone else the way that I love you,” she insists.
“I love you, Annie. More than I could possibly tell you. You’re going to steal all of my clothes, aren’t you?” he laughs.
“Absolutely,” she grins at him.
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The day he needs to leave for his tour comes way faster than either of them want. Her program needs her to report to Monterey earlier than expected, and she still needs time to pack and drive across the country. She sits with him on his living room sofa, and he reaches for her wrist, unclasping her charm bracelet. He slips another charm onto the silver chain and reattaches it. She looks at the charm and realizes it’s tiny silver heart with the word “Always” engraved on it.
“Because I love you, and I always will,” he explains. She kisses him and then laughs, covering her face with her hands.
“What?” he asks, confused. She hands him a small, wrapped box. He tears the paper off and opens it to reveal a silver chain with a silver guitar-pick shaped medallion with his band’s logo engraved on one side and the word “Always” engraved on the other.
“See I told you, soulmates,” she says, and his lips are immediately on hers, kissing her passionately.
“It’s perfect, I love it,” he tells her. He kisses her, and thoughts of their last night together flash through her mind. The way that he held her, touched her, and kissed her brings tears to her eyes that she can’t help but allow to fall. He pulls back and looks at her. “Please don’t cry,” he begs.
“I’m going to miss you so much. Every single minute of every single day,” she sniffs.
“Me too,” he whispers, wiping her tears from her cheeks. “I love you, and I’m going to tell you every day. No matter how busy we are, no matter where we are or what we’re doing, I want you to know that.”
He gives her a long, passionate kiss before pulling her into a hug. He holds her for a full minute before releasing her. “We will find a way to see each other, ok?” he gives her another quick kiss, and then he’s gone.