The Protective Heart ✔️

31. Protecting her from wondering 'what if'

A/N: Hey, everyone! I entered this story for the Wattys! It would mean a lot to me if you could vote and comment! Thank you!

::

"Ready. Set. Go!" Bridget said and we all tore apart the wrapping on our presents. I opened the one from Bailey first and saw that it was a heart shaped locket with three jewels engraved in it. I recognized them as our birthstones. I opened the locket to see that it had two pictures already placed in it. One of the three of us when we first met and one of us from a few months ago. I smiled and looked up at Bailey.

"Thank you, Bails!" I said and then wrapped my arms around her. After I released her, I saw that she had gotten a scrapbook from Bridget and I had a feeling she had made the same one for me as well. I eagerly opened my next gift and saw that I was right. I looked up to see that Bailey had also gotten the same locket for Bridget and they had both opened my presents for them. I was sure that they already knew what they would be getting but it was still fun to see them get excited.

The first year that we did this together, I bought them matching charm bracelets. So every year that we exchanged gifts, I gave them each a new charm. This year, I had decided on a simple gold heart.

"Thanks, Crystal." Bridget said as she attached the charm to her bracelet.

"Your welcome and thank you, too!" I said excitedly, looking through the scrapbook she made. It was filled with pictures of us together. Some of them I had completely forgotten about.

"So are you girls ready to go drink it up?" She asked.

"Yes! Let's go!" We put our gifts away and then called a taxi. We were all ready to go when Bridget's phone started ringing. She quickly denied the call and stuffed it back in her pocket. Once we got to the club, I looked up at the sign and started to feel uneasy.

This is where I met Declan.

I had been thinking about what Bailey had said and I couldn't help but start doubting my decision. However, I couldn't just change my mind. I couldn't do that to him. I didn't even know if he would take me back if I did try. I felt Bridget's arm wrap around my shoulders and I looked over at her.

"Look, I know you're going to be mad at first but I lied before, I wasn't talking to Grant."

"What are you talking about?" I asked and then I heard the door to the club open, bringing my attention to it.

My breath caught in my throat as I looked at the man who's heart I had broken. His leather jacket was the only thing protecting him from the chilly winter weather. I couldn't help but stare at him, taking in his appearance like I had been hiding in a cave and I was seeing the sun for the first time in years. I hadn't realized how much I missed him until he stood there in front of me.

Tears started streaming down my face and I ran as fast as my body would take me until I crashed into him. Somehow, he stood his ground against my momentum. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair. He held me as I sobbed into his chest just like he had the day that I had confessed how my father abandoned me.

"Can we talk?" He asked after a while. We parted slowly as I wiped my tears away and nodded. He led me to a bench on the sidewalk as Bridget and Bailey walked into the club. I stared at my hands and fiddled with my thumbs. I felt like my voice was stuck in my throat so I stayed silent. He grabbed my hands and intertwined our fingers, giving me the confidence to look up at his face. He had a small smile placed pleasantly on his lips and his mismatched eyes were trained on mine.