8 years later

*Arianna’s POV*

“Come on Lena! You can do it!” I heard Abby and Pat’s little girl Amelia yell from the bench. Abby and I were watching as Pat taught their little boy Ryan how to skate and Jon was trying to teach Lena. He had taught Annabella and Alex when they were about 3 and now they were zipping around the ice with Amelia every chance they got. Lena was 4 years old and Ryan was 5 years old and Abby and I were already planning the wedding. They were best friends and inseparable and Abby and I were ecstatic about it. We had planned it all out and now it was playing out before our eyes. Jon and Pat thought we were crazy but we could see the chemistry, even if no one else could. Ryan had gotten the hang of skating a few days before and was doing really well, but Lena was still having trouble. After about ten more minutes of her falling and Jon picking her up, Ryan came over and grabbed her little hand and started skating around with her. She was a little shaky at first, but she was slowly getting the hang of it. Over on the bench Abby and I were dying of cuteness and Jon and Pat were laughing at us. “You really are crazy babe.” Jon said coming over and kissing the top of my head as he stood behind me and the bench. “You just wait!” Abby said as Pat stood behind her.

“They’re meant for each other.” I said as I watched the two of them skate around. They were smiling and laughing and it reminded me of my first date with Jon. “That reminds me of our first date.” I said looking up at him. “Well we weren't that little when we started dating, but yeah, it does.” He said smiling and looking out at his little girl. “They’re too cute.” Pat said as they stopped skating and hugged then came over to us. “Daddy, daddy! I was skating!” Lena yelled as Jon went back out on the ice and picked up our little girl. “I know! I saw.” He said kissing her cheek before putting her down as she wobbled over to me on her little skates. “Mommy I was skating!” She said as she hugged my legs. “I know. Way to go baby.” “Hey buddy. Good job today.” Pat said taking Ryan’s skates off. “Lena made it funner.” He said looking over at my little girl. My eyes got really wide as I watched my little girl’s cheeks get red and she nuzzled into my neck. I looked over at Abby who had the same expression on her face and then to Pat who was smiling. “Well Lena is special sweetie. She’s your best friend just like mommy is my best friend and Auntie Arianna is Uncle Jon’s best friend.” Pat said as he stood up and kissed Abby’s cheek. “So does that mean Lena and I can jump on the bed like you and mommy were last night?” Ryan asked as he smiled. Jon was drinking water and nearly choked, my mouth was wide open, Abby looked mortified, and Pat looked like he was gonna bust out laughing. “Um… maybe when you’re older kiddo.” Pat said to his little boy and then put him down so he and Lena could go play with their siblings. “Oh my god…” Abby said as Pat sat down and rubbed the back of his neck. “Why would you do that when they’re home?” I asked looking at the two of them. “What do you mean!? They were asleep!” Pat said defensively. “Well obviously not.” Abby said sheepishly next to him. “You mean you guys don’t fool around when the kids are home?” Pat asked looking very confused. “No! I mean for god sakes I don’t want my kids walking in during that… talk about traumatizing.” I said looking at the ground. “Yeah and with the way Jon is, they’ll probably think he’s murdering you.” Pat said and Abby and him burst out laughing and then Jon started as I turned bright red and put my head in my hands.

After a few more minutes we decided to take the kids out for ice cream and I watched Lena and Ryan the whole time. They were holding hands and sharing ice cream. It was like they were in their own little world… like no one else existed when they were with each other. They had always been like that and although I was happy, it scared me a little bit. Lena was my little girl, she was my baby and the thought of her getting hurt, intentionally or not scared me. It was a given that her and Ryan would be together at some point, even if Jon and Pat didn't want to believe it. I just hoped it didn't go the way my relationship with Jon did at the beginning. Yes we’re happily married now, but up until the day of our wedding, there was always something coming up.

I watched them some more and once we got the kids home Lena insisted on getting out and saying goodbye to Ryan as Bella said bye to Amelia and Alex was talking with his dad and Pat about hockey as per usual. I watched Lena run up to Ryan as he waited for her with open arms and held her like she was everything to him. And then it happened and when it was over I looked at Pat and Jon who looked shocked and Abby who looked like she might die of happiness…

He just kissed my little girl…