"A witch is not afraid of her own power; she embraces it."

He’s about to say something else when there’s a pounding on your door.

“You stay here, I’ll get it,” he quickly mumbles as he gets up. The door is open for all of two seconds before you hear, “she doesn’t need to see you right now.”

“Of course you’re here,” your Mother snarls, trying to push past Jim. “I’m her Mother-”

“You don’t act like it!”

“That’s why you’ve been fuckin’ her?!”

“Lower your feckin’ voice,” he warns in the tone he uses when he’s on the verge of losing all control.

“Jim,” you sigh as you get up, “I’ll-”

“You stay there. You haven’t eaten in days, you’ve barely gone to class...I can handle this-”

“How fuckin’ romantic,” your Mother laughs. “Taking care of the step-daughter you’ve been fuckin’ behind my back? Aren’t you just the best man?” she taunts.

You don’t even have to look at Jim to know that, that was the final straw.

“Who the feck lied first? Hm? Wasn’t me and it wasn’t Y/N. You lied to the both of us! You made up a version of you that does not exist, then didn’t even bother to tell Y/N about us! She comes home, which you begged her to do, and you treated her like shite the entire time! You treated me like shite the entire time! Yet, Y/N did everything she could to try and make it work! She stayed away, she helped with the kids, she made dinner...hell, after the first time we made love, she wanted to leave the next day, but you were too fecked up to be around my kids!” he huffs, voice rising as he continues. “If ya wanna be mad at someone, take all ya anger out on me, but I’m not gonna let ya take your anger out on her anymore! You’re a shite Mother and ya were a shite wife, and I know you can’t see it, but it’s not Y/N’s fault! You’re a feckin’ adult! Take some goddamn responsibility!” he shouts.

You wouldn’t be surprised at all if there were people in the hallway.

“You’re a real piece of shite, Jim,” she sobs, and your heart feels just a bit lighter.

He’s really all in with you.

“Yeah, and you’re a real bitch. Now, get out of here,” he warns, before slamming the door shut. “Are you okay, Angel?” he asks softly as he makes his way over to the bed. “I’m so sorry-”

You don’t even give it a second thought, you just pull him close and kiss him passionately, and he instantly stiffens; grabbing your wrists and pushing you away.

“Y/N-”

“Jim, I just need to feel ya. Please?”

“We shouldn’t. Not while you’re like this. You need to-”

“I just need you, Jim.”

“Angel-”

“Please.”

It really doesn’t take much to break him when it comes to you. 

Climbing on top of you, slowly and softly, he captures your lips in a soft yet soul stealing kiss. Gently prying your legs apart, he slots himself between them, and a satisfied groan leaves his mouth as you grind yourself against him.

“Angel, we don’t have to do this. We can wait,” he promises with a husk once you two break apart. 

“Jim, I just need you. I just need to feel you. I love you,” you promise, cupping right side of his face with your hand. 

That’s all it took.

Little by little, clothes are removed and promises are being made. Promises of forever, promises of a love a never dying love, promises of faithfulness...Jim just wants you to know how much he needs you. How much he’ll always need you. How much he’ll always love you.

You gasp once he thrusts himself inside you, “Jim!”

“Oh, my Angel,” he groans, bottoming out.

“It’s only you for me, Jim! It’ll only ever be you for me,” you promise as you try and match his steady pace.

“I want everythin’ with ya, Angel!”

“Jim...when ya...oh God! Oh fuck!”

“That’s right, Angel,” he grunts as he picks up his pace, “take all of me!”

“Oh shit! Baby! Please...right there...FUCK!”

“Not yet!” he demands, kissing from your lips to your collar bone.

“Baby, please!”

“Fuckin’ hold on! You don’t cum until I say so!”

You screech and throw your head back when he hits that spot deep inside of you, “JIM!”

“Not yet!” he repeats with a growl, picking up his pace. “You take what I have to give you, Angel, because it’s all for you!”

You wrap your legs around his waist as you dig your nails into his back, trying to hold on for the ride.

“That’s it! You’re so sweet, Love! Did ya know that?”

“Jim!”

“You take me so well! Best fuckin’ cunny!”

Your eyes roll back as you roll your hips along with his, “oh God!”

“Ya wanna get married, Angel? Want kids? I’ll give ya anything ya want! Ya just ‘ave to tell me!”

“Anything! I’ll give you everything!” you promise as your walls flutter around him. “Baby...please!”

“You’re almost there! Just need a little more,” he pants, using his thumb to tease your clit.

“Oh God!”

“There she is! Knew she’d open up for me!”

“Baby...baby!!”

“You’re almost there, Angel! Squeezin me like you’ll die without me!”

“Jim...give me everything! All of you! I need it!”

“Fuck! Let go!”

That’s all it took. You cry out his name as your orgasm washes over you, and he releases his love into you, you both making a mess on the bed. Both of you pant quietly as he rides out your highs, and you know nothing can be better. It’s just you and him from this point out.

You and him forever.

“I mean it, Angel,” he breathes once you two are once again one with reality. “Marriage, kids, a house...I’ll do it with you. I want it all with you. Just tell me when and we’ll do it.”

Your mind still in a fog, you shake your head softly, “Jim-”

“It’s always been you, Angel,” he promises as he opens up the drawer next to your bed and pulls out a small velvet black box.

“Jim!”

“You just have to say ‘yes’. Whenever you’re ready, all you have to do is say ‘yes’.”

“How long-”

“As soon as I came back from dropping you off after Christmas break.”

“You weren’t even-”

“I didn’t need to be. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you, and the feeling has always stayed with me, It’s you and me, forever. When you’re ready-”

“Yes,” you smile up at him.

“Yes?”

“Jim, I want it all, and I want it all with you. Yes.”

You giggle as he crashes his lips into yours, forcing your legs back around his waist.

“Jim!”

“We’ve gotta find those damn handcuffs!” he huffs as he starts to move within you again.

“Baby!” you laugh with a moan, once again, moving your hips with his.

“I promise, you’ll never have to worry about anything again. I’ll take care of ya, Angel,” he grunts, picking up his pace. “I’ll never make ya wonder.”

“Fuck! I trust ya! I believe ya! Please...right there! Fuck! So close!”

“We’ve got all night! Just let me take care of ya! I love ya so much...let me take care of ya forever,” he begs desperately.

As always, you and Jim get lost in each other time and time again, with you telling him ‘yes’ each and every time. When all is said and done, he gently slides the beautiful black and silver engagement ring on your ring finger as he kisses away your tears.

“Angel, I promise you that this is forever. The way I feel for you, the way I’ve always felt for you...it’s never gonna change. It’s you and me forever,” he promises before kissing your temple. 

Holding up your hand, you look at your ring and more happy tears stream down your face. Yes, it was hell to get to this point, and you know that you two have more hell to go through, but your heart can’t help but believe him. Jim may have a rocky history, but he’s been nothing but faithful to you this entire time. Holding him close as he kisses more of your tears away, you know it’s all gonna be okay.

You know that you and him will be okay.

~~

The days leading up to graduation are a bitch. Your Mother kept sending you  these long messages about you apologizing to her, begging you to leave Jim, and threatening to take back your inheritance (which she can’t do since it was legally left to you). Rose is no better, leaving you voicemails about how disgusting you and Jim are, and teling you how disgusted she is with the woman that you’ve become. 

Yes, Jim’s kids come and see you regularly, but Danielle gives him shit every time he goes to pickup them up. She didn’t even want them at the graduation, but the kids actually made a fuss about it. The one time she saw you afterwards, she had nothing to say to you, but she give you the ugliest look of disdain. 

It’s not like you didn’t deserve it.

However, nonetheless, Ciara, Nora, Darragh, Jim and his kids, and your Mother are there. You know your Mother is soley there because she’s your it’s what your Grandparents would have wanted, but it doesn’t stop the uneasiness you feel in your stomach.

However, at least she gives a little bit of a fuck and you’ll take what you can get.

“You fuckin’ did it!” Ciara screams once she finds you in the crowd, engulfing in the biggest hug shes ever given you.

You laugh, hugging her back just as tight, “took me a lot of obstacles, didn’t it?”

“But you got here!”

“Thanks for being here,” you giggle softly as Jim wraps him arms around you tightly from behind, picking you up and spinning you around. “Hey fianceé!”

“I’m so proud of you, Angel. Ya did it,” he chuckles, setting you down before kissing the hollow of your neck. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too-”

“This is disgusting,” your Mother scowls once she makes her way over to the both of you.

The feeling of dread that you had been hanging over you since you woke up, comes back with a vengance.

“Ya didn’t have to come,” you mumble as Jim sets you down, but doesn’t let go of you.

“I’m ya Mother-”

“You’re rightfully angry with me, and I would’ve understood. Besides, it’s not like you’ve ever taken much interest before, so it wouldn’t have hurt.”

“Your grandparents would’ve wanted me to be here, so you could try and be grateful.”

You knew it.

“Leave her alone,” Jim growls and you gently squeeze his arm. “No, this is a day of celebration, she doesn’t get to ruin it for you, Angel,” he defends, kissing your temple. 

“I bet the both of ya are so proud of yourselves, huh?”

“Leave her alone,” Ciara warns, standing in front of you and Jim.

“Or what? What will you...what the feck is that?!” your Mother screeches once she notices the ring on your finger.

Shit.

“It’s just-”

“We’re engaged,” Jim interrupts and you prepare yourself for the worst reaction in the world. 

Your Mother looks at you both wide eyed.

“The ink on the papers isn’t even dry yet, and ya already-”

“It would’ve ‘appened much sooner if it hadn’t been for Y/N tryin’ to get me to work things out with you!”

“Jim, please stop!” you plead softly, fighting back tears. 

“She has a right to know, Y/N. She’s hating you for something that you tried so hard to prevent. You fought for her and I and stayed away, just for her to treat ya like this now? No, I won’t tolerate it.”

“Jim-”

“You both make me sick,” your Mother spits.

“Mum, stop it. Just go back to wherever ya stayin-”

“You steal my husband-”

“No!” you snap, breaking out of Jim’s hold and standing in front of Ciara. “You don’t get to put this on him! He tried, we both tried, and you kept thinking you could do whatever, just like you always do! The way you treated him, me, his kids...listen, I am sorry, because I never wanted to hurt you. Especially like this, but the harder I tried to keep Jim and I away from each other, the worse you got. You got married and didn’t tell me, you invited me home for the Summer and treated me like I’d done somethin’ wrong, and you are the one who made a scene at Christmas. Not me and and not Jim. You always treat me poorly and expect me to just take it, because I always ‘ave! Not this time!” you yell, gaining a few stares from the people around.

She looks to Jim and scoffs, “gonna break her heart like ya did mine? Gave her that ring almost as fast as ya gave me mine. Couldn’t even wait till-”

“That was different!” he snaps, instantly getting infront of you as doubt starts to cloud your mind. “You lied to me! You made me believe you were this person that ya aren’t! You made up this person that doesn’t actually exist! Your daughter is nothin’ like you, and we can thank God for that! I know who I fell in love with and I have no regrets! I’ll never fall out of love with her, because I know her! I’ve never known you! Now, you’ve ruined enough of a good day. Leave,” he snarls.

She looks from him to you, wiping a few tears, before finally storming off.

“Angel-”

“That was a lot,” you chuckle to his children, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, “and now I’m pretty hungry. How about you guys?”

“Yes!” the agreed in unison as you laugh.

“Well, Jim, where ya takin’ us?” you smile up at him, knowing he can read all of the negative thoughts and feelings all over your face.

He sighs, but puts on the best smile he can, “I found the perfect place for us. It’s a surprise. I think we’ve all earned it today, especially after that,” he awkwardly laughs, holding out his hands for his children to take.

“Are ya okay?” Ciara asks once they’re all good distance away from you two, bouncing Nora in her arms.

“No, because she made a valid point and I hate it. I hate it!”

“Love, it’s not the same-”

“Ci, she’s right. By the time he got the ring, the papers hadn’t even been drawn up. Yes, he told her that he wanted to leave her, but he hadn’t even spoken to a lawyer about leavin’ her. Did he really think this through, or did-”

“Don’t let her get inside your head,” she warns. “That’s all this is, you and I both know that. Yes, the situation is fucked, but we both know she can’t just let you be happy. That’s why she said what she said. She’s not happy, so she doesn’t want you to be happy. That’s all this is,” she scoffs with sympatheic eyes.

“Ci-”

“He loves you just as much as you love him. Don’t let her ruin this for you,” she begs.

“Angel, ya ready?” Jim asks, pulling you out your conversation with Ciara, with a desperate tone.

You give him the best smile you can muster and nod, “always.”

**

“Why are you mad at me?” Jim sighs as he settles into the bedroom you two share while his kids are settled into the other room acrossn the hall, discarding his clothes. 

He took you all to Nandos and paid for everyone. Even Ciara and her little family. The whole thing went well enough, and you were able to ease the kids’ minds, but he could tell you were miles away. No matter what was said and done, as much as you hate to admit it: your Mother made a point.

Jim hadn’t even waited until he officially filed before he bought you your engagement ring. He probably saw the same thing in you that he saw in your Mother and jumped the gun. You know that things are different between you and Jim but, at the same time, how much more different?

“I’m not mad at ya, baby,” you sigh, getting into your pajamas and settleling into the bed.

“Well, somethins off-”

“I don’t wanna talk about it-”

“Angel, we’re gettin’ married-”

You scoff as you pull the sheet around you, “exactly.”

“Oh, so that’s it? You wanna call it off?”

“I never said that.”

“No, you think I’m doin’ the same thing with you that I did with ya Mum. Tell the truth.”

“Jim-”

“No, that’s what it is, isn’t it?!”

“How am I not supposed to feel like that? After everything that’s been said and done, how am I not supposed to feel that way?!”

“Do ya want to give it back?”

“Jim, stop it. I don’t deserve it. All I’ve ever done is try to do right by you-”

“But it’s still not enough, is it?” he snaps, and you can hear the pain in his voice. “After all I’ve gone through for us, it’s still not enough? Things have been hard since day one, my Angel. What else can I do? What else do I need to do?”

“Can we please-”

“My ring is on your finger. What more do you want, Angel? Just tell me!”

“It’s not that simple, is it?!” you snap softly, before you can stop yourself, and hear the exhasperated sigh leave his body. “Jim-”

“I love you, Angel. I’m all in this with you. I don’t know what else-”

“Marry me,” you interrupt without thinking.

He scoffs, rubbing the back of his nack, “that’s the whole point of the ring, Angel.”

“No. Tomorrow. In front of your kids, Ciara, her fiance, and child...marry me. If you’re serious, we’ll be married tomorrow,” you shrug.

“Don’t test me, Y/N. If you mean it, I’ll do it right now.”

A small smiles comes to your face as you plant your hands on your hips, “I mean it.”

“Then why wait? Lets do it today. A graduation and a wedding in one day,” he shrugs.

“Jim-”

“If this is what it’ll take, lets do it.”

“Tomorrow. I want to be married at home. Plus, we have paperwork-”

“We can do the paperwork and get married in the same day,” he huffs, starting to pack.

“What-”

“We can go home today and get married first thing in the morning,” he mutters, throwing his stuff into a suitcase.

He’s mad. Of course he’s mad. 

“Jim-”

“I don’t know what else ya want from me, Angel. I get it, okay? I honestly do. I jumped the gun with your Mum, so who’s to say I’m not now? Three marriges...I get it. I don’t have the best track record. However, I’ve shown ya-”

“I know ya have, Jim. My love, I know, but this...she made a point. You can’t lie and say she didn’t, because she fuckin’ did. Ya didn’t even-”

“Ya want me to take it back?!”

“Why aren’t ya listening?! Why are you gettin’ so mad-”

“Because I love you! I’m in love with you! Why can’t you see that?! My ex-wife is tryin’ to keep my kids from me, your Mum doesn’t pass up any oppurtunity to turn people against me, Rose texts me every feckin’ day, from various numbers, to tell me how horrible I am...all of this, and I’m still here! What else...just pack, okay? Pack-”

“No.”

“No?”

“Jim, I don’t wanna get married like this. You resenting me-”

“You resent me! I could never-”

“That’s not true! I truly love you and I want to marry ya, but you have to acknowledge that this is moving fast! Yes, you’re right! This is ya third marriage, and ya can’t blame me for bein’ scared!”

He lets out a heavy sigh as he rests his hands on his hips, “what do you want me to do, Angel? Just tell me.”

“Jim, I love ya and want to be with ya...I want to marry you-”

“Then what’s the problem?! I’ll do anything you want-”

“Ya aren’t beholdent to me, Jim-” you scoff, looking at the bed. “You can do whatever-”

“Stop it, Y/N. Just stop it. Yes I am. We’ve always been-”

“Look me in the eyes and tell me we’re not rushin’ this! If you truly believe that we’re not movin’ too fast, say so, right here and now,” you sob as you try and dry your eyes.

Another heavy sigh falls from his lips, and he wraps his arms around you, “Angel...yes, it is moving fast. Faster than I would have ever expected. However, all of it feels right. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: nothing has ever felt so good or so right. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I never will again. I’m not rushing to marry ya because of some impulse, or because of some need to not feel alone. I want this. I want you. I need you. My Angel,” he smiles softly, as he cradles your face in his hands, “it’s always been you. It will always be you.”

You dry your eyes with the back of your hand, sniffling a little as you look up at him and smile.

“We can wait and have a proper wedding-”

“If you really want to get married tomorrow, we can.”

“I want to do it right, Jim. I know we don’t have a lot of people in our lives, but I like our original idea.”

“Angel, be sure.”

You smile as you wrap your arms around him, “’ve never been more sure of anythin’, but...I think it’d be nice.”

“You sure?”

You nod softly, a smile coming to your face as he softly caresses it.

He smirks as he starts to walk you back towards the bed, “you wanna show me just how sure ya are?”

“Jim! The kids!” you squeal as he lays you back on the bed.

He takes off his shirt before climbing on top of you, “just be quiet, Angel.”

As you two slowly start to get lost in one another, you tell yourself that you’re done letting your fears and anxiety win. Jim chooses you. He always has and he always will. No matter what comes next, you know that you two will always have each other, and your love will never die.

Even if you’re about to endure the wedding from Hell.