Always For Keeps ( For Keeps part 2)

Nineteen. Scarlett

I spent the day with Marcella and Cooper trying to get the house ready for the party. I have a huge surprise for Brett and Kare, and I can't wait to give it to them.

I soak in the hot jacuzzi tub after talking to Luke a little. I feel content as I sip my glass of wine.
Cooper walks in and he actually blushes.
"Cooper Shay, are you blushing? You've seen me naked a million times. You recently rescued me from a bathtub!" I tease.
He shakes his head. "Well I'll have you know, your spell affects a many."
"Heard you had a date tonight."
"Funny. He's a good guy." He says sitting next to the tub.
"So you're admitting defeat?" I raise a brow and click my tongue.
"Me?" He stands and pulls off his shirt. "No, my dear, you and I will be best friends for life." He smiles as he strips off the rest of his clothes and steps in the hot water.
He settles in across from me.
"Do you ever wish you would have never met me?" I ask and he instantly frowns.
"No. While I wish things were simpler, I am happy to have you in my life as anything." He smiles as he comes closer and grabs my hand; pulling me gently in front of him. My back relaxes against his chest as he massages my neck and shoulders.
"Thanks for being here, Cooper." I whisper.
"I'm happy to be here." He kisses the back of my head and continues massaging my shoulders.
Before I know it, I'm being lifted from the huge tub.
"Did I fall asleep again?" I ask as Cooper dries me off.
"Yes. Don't make it a habit. Especially when I'm not around." He smiles sadly and my heart aches. The selfish part of me wishes I could have Luke and Cooper both.
I wrap my arms around him, as he carries me to the bedroom. He grabs some boxers and puts them on, then grabs me a t shirt and panties before making his way back to the bed. He hands them to me, and crawls next to me. I smile wickedly as I toss the clothes at the end of the bed and cuddle into his warm body.
"Scarlett." He sighs and pulls me closer. "You're making it very difficult to be a gentleman."
"Well I am still your wife." I tease and he smiles.
"That you are." He says before kissing me softly. "But, I don't want to make this more difficult for you. Ya know, with my mind blowing sex skills." He wiggles his eyebrows and I laugh.
"Sex with you is always mind blowing." I say and kiss him again. "But it's your heart that's making it hard to think." He smiles and holds me a little tighter.
"My heart is always yours. Even if you end up with Luke. Even if I find someone else, you and I will always have a connection. I would always be there for you. Even if I have to open up shop here to see you more often. I would want to be you and Luke's friend. I want to meet your children and you mine."
I don't even try to stop the tears. They spill down my cheeks onto his warm chest. He pulls my face to his and kisses them away, then kisses me deeply.
After a while, he slows the kiss but places feather light kisses over my cheekbones and down to my jaw.
"How can you still love me after all I've put you through?" I whisper.
"I could ask you the same thing." He whispers.
"Thank you for being here with me. I could never repay your kindness the last month."
"You put up with a version of myself that I wish I never were." He clears his throat. "My dad used to hit my mom. I was really little but I remember little things. When she left my dad, she left me and I think a part of me changed. It wasn't until you left and I went to therapy that I realized how angry I was. Not with you, but with my parents."
Tears spill over again as I think about all Cooper has been through. I knew his mom abandoned him when he was younger, but I never knew this.
"Don't cry for me." He tilts my chin up.
"I love you. You do matter to me, so yes, hubby, I'm going to cry for you." I try to stifle a smile.
"I really don't deserve you." He says rubbing my arms softly.
"I think it's me who doesn't deserve you."
"Don't say that, Scar. God you're perfect and Luke and I can't seem to be exactly what you need."
"I need you. I always will. I'm sorry if that's selfish and I don't expect you to always come to my rescue at the drop of a hat, but please mean what you said. Please always be my friend no matter what."
"Always." He kisses me again softly.
I listen to his breathing even out, and feeling completely exhausted, I fall asleep on his chest.