Dan fcked up: Time Skip Unknown - July, 1998 (to December, technically)
Part 9 - Final
The past month and a half had been a whirlwind. For the first time in what felt like forever, Addie allowed herself to breathe, to laugh, to love. Leo made it easy. He was effortless—steady, charming, and maddeningly patient with her quirks. But it hadn’t started that way. The first weeks had been touch and go—Leo holding back, walls built up around his heart that Addie knew she had put there… with two too many… stupid checks. And honestly, it hurt like hell to see him like that. To know that she was the reason he flinched at moments that should’ve felt safe.
But slowly, he opened up again, and with every passing day, the cracks between them healed. They hadn’t been able to stay away from each other. He was a gravitational pull she couldn’t escape even if she tried, and truthfully, she didn’t want to. When Leo finally said, “I love you,” it had been like the world clicked into place. She’d said it back without hesitation, and though her chest felt full every time she thought about it, there was still that nagging edge of fear she couldn’t quite shake.
Every morning, she woke with the same thought: What if today is the day everything changes? What if she blinked, and it all slipped away? The universe had a cruel sense of humor, and she knew better than to think she could have this kind of happiness without some kind of cost.
She had been here for a month and a half. Forty-Three days, to be exact. She had never been stuck in time for that long. Trust her—this wasn’t her first time travel rodeo. It always started the same: a headache, a flicker of pain, and then… bam. She was somewhere else. Some other version of herself, some other version of the world. And she was scared out of her mind that it would happen again.
And if it does? Addie’s stomach twisted every time the thought crossed her mind. If she was yanked out of this world, if she had to leave this version of Leo, she was terrified that history would repeat itself. That this timeline, this version of her, would hurt him just like the first one did. And Addie was so goddamn tired of hurting him.
So… So Adelaide Parker made a plan… one she put into motion within the next couple of days: a trip.
Addie had been restless ever since they’d arrived at Leo’s Hamptons beach house—one she’d begged him to take a weekend trip to. The place was stunning, just as she remembered it, but her mind was too busy spinning to appreciate it fully. The idea of proposing to Leo had been simmering in her thoughts for days.
No, weeks. No… bloody… since the moment she decided she wasn’t going to pull away from him anymore.
Her rationale was simple. If they were engaged, if they were married, if she could anchor herself to him in this timeline, then maybe… just maybe, the universe wouldn’t take this away. Maybe it would cement her here, with him, in a way that felt safe, secure, unshakeable. And even if the worst happened—if she blinked back into her original timeline—it would leave her Leo in this world with something. A promise. A future. A version of them that didn’t break. He deserved at least that.
The idea had struck her as painfully bittersweet, and yet, every time she thought about abandoning it, she couldn’t. She loved him too much. She’d messed it up before; she’d run from him. But this time, Addie wasn’t running. She’d spent the last month and a half falling deeper in love with him—this version of him—and he deserved to know it. He deserved more than a fleeting version of her.
But the fear hadn’t left her. What if he said no? What if he thought it was too soon? What if he didn’t understand why she was so desperate to cement this relationship? What if it broke them? Or pushed him away. Fck… it had only been a month and a half. It had only been a few weeks since they found this normal…
Her heart pounded as she stood in the bedroom at sunrise, pulling Leo out of bed with more energy than she’d shown on any other morning of their trip. I mean—come on—everyone knew Addie wasn’t a morning person. But today… today, she was. For him, she always would be. “Come on, Leo. I want to see the sunrise, darlingggg. We need to take photos.”
Leo groaned, his arm slung lazily over his eyes as he mumbled, “Addie, since when do you willingly wake up this early?”
Addie forced a laugh, tugging at his hand. “Come onnnnnn, I just thought it would be romantic. You know, my love, memories and all that. And I want photos. Lots of photos with you and me… potentially making out… potentially doing more.”
His skeptical look lingered for a moment, but eventually, he sighed, pushing himself out of bed. “Fine. We’re grabbing coffee after this.”
They made their way down to the beach, Addie clutching her camera like a lifeline. Well… the camera with one hand… and the velvet box in her pocket with the other. The sky was tinged with hues of pink and orange, and the waves lapped softly against the shore. It was perfect—the perfect moment to do what she had planned… reminiscent of another perfect moment years ago.
Addie insisted on setting up the camera, fiddling with the timer to make sure it was just right. Leo stood a few feet away, watching her with an amused expression at the top of the little hill where Leo had proposed to her once before. “I still don’t know how you convinced me to get out of bed this early,” he teased as she jogged back to him, setting the timer on the camera again.
“Memories, darling. For the photo albums.” Her voice was light, but her heart pounded against her ribs. “Now smile.” She stated, her hand resting on his stomach as she looked at him lovingly. The flash indicated the photo had been taken.
“Okay, one more. Just one more.”
They stood side by side, her head resting against his shoulder as the camera clicked. She ran back to reset the timer, her movements quick and purposeful as she pressed the button and returned to him.
“Addie,” he said softly, catching her hand before she could step away. “You’re jittery. What’s going on?”
She forced a smile, her voice catching slightly. “Nothing’s going on. I’m just excited.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t press further. She adjusted the camera one last time, setting the timer before running back to her spot.
And this time, as he watched her approach, she didn’t stop at his side. Instead, she dropped to one knee, her hands trembling as she pulled the ring box from her pocket.
His entire body froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. The look on his face was one she’d never forget—shock, confusion, and something else she couldn’t quite name. “Addie…” he began, his voice trailing off as she opened the box.
Click.
The picture was taken—her on her knees and Leo staring at her with this… this… face.
Fck.
“Leo,” she started, her voice shaking but determined. “I know this isn’t traditional, and I know it’s probably completely out of the blue, but I love you. I love you so much, and I know what I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to build a future with you—”
“Stop.” His voice was soft but firm, and before she could process what was happening, he stepped forward, pulling her gently to her feet. “Addie, stop.”
Her chest tightened as his words sank in, her hand still clutching the ring box. “What?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He held her gaze, his hands steady on her arms. “No.”
The single word broke her, tears springing to her eyes as she tried to pull away. “Why?” she choked out, the desperation clear in her voice. “Why not?”
He sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face as he cupped her cheek. “Because this isn’t how it’s supposed to happen. Not like this. Not with you proposing to me. When we get married, it’s going to be me asking you. Not you asking… because… because you’re scared… or trying to fix something. Because you want to, Addie. Because we both do, on our terms.”
Her chest burned, her throat tightening as she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. “I do want to.”
He tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Then let me do it the right way. Please.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she nodded, her breath catching as she leaned into him, her forehead resting against his. “I just don’t want to lose you, Leo.” The words spilled out before she could stop them, raw and vulnerable.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as the first rays of sunlight lit up the water. “You won’t. I promise, Addie. You won’t.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself believe him.
The rest of the day felt… off. Addie could sense it—Leo trying to act like nothing was wrong, trying to joke with her, distract her, but his laughter didn’t quite reach his eyes. It wasn’t like him to carry something without saying it outright. She hated it. Hated the weight in the air between them, the unsaid things pressing on both their shoulders.
And then there was the velvet box on the kitchen counter. She glanced at it more than once, feeling her stomach churn every time she caught it in her peripheral vision. A quiet, unspoken reminder of the morning’s failed proposal. She’d laughed it off with a joke earlier, called herself impulsive and dramatic to ease the tension, but the truth was she hadn’t stopped thinking about it.
Now, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the world in muted pinks and golds, Addie found herself sitting on the balcony. Her knees were pulled to her chest, her chin resting on them as the breeze swept through her hair. The ocean stretched out endlessly before her, but her mind couldn’t settle. She felt restless, tangled in a web of emotions she couldn’t name. Guilt. Longing. Anxiety.
The sound of the sliding door caught her attention, and she didn’t need to look to know it was Leo. His presence was magnetic, a force she couldn’t ignore even if she tried. “You’re thinking again.” His voice broke the silence, light but probing.
She glanced up at him, trying to muster a smile. “Aren’t I always?”
He walked closer, leaning against the railing beside her. “Yeah, but this feels… heavier. Like your thoughts are about to knock you over.”
Her laugh was soft, forced. “Don’t flatter me, darling. I’m not that dramatic.”
He arched an eyebrow, his lips quirking up slightly. “Addie, you tried to propose to me on a beach at sunrise this morning. I think we’ve passed the point of denying your flair for drama.”
“Oh, shut up.” She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at her lips. “It was romantic, okay? Just… maybe a little miscalculated.”
“A little?” He smirked, but his tone softened as he added, “You know I didn’t say no because I don’t want to marry you, right?”
Her chest tightened, the words hitting too close to the truth she wasn’t ready to share. She looked away, focusing on the horizon. “I know.”
Silence fell between them, the kind that felt like a fragile thread threatening to snap. He pulled a chair beside her, the scrape of it against the floor breaking the quiet. When he sat down, his tone shifted, softer but more deliberate. “Addie, I need to ask you something. And I need you to be honest.”
Her chest tightened again, this time with something closer to dread. She forced herself to meet his gaze, her voice quiet. “What is it?”
He hesitated, his fingers brushing hers in a gesture so small but so grounding. “That guy you couldn’t stop thinking about when we first started this. The one who made you say all those things about hurting me. Where is he? What happened with you two?”
For a moment, Addie was genuinely confused, her brow furrowing as she tried to piece together his words. And then it hit her. Oh. He thought she’d been talking about an ex. Her stomach twisted, and she had to look away for a moment, composing herself. Of course, he would’ve thought that. Why wouldn’t he?
“Leo…” she began carefully, her voice steady but soft. “You know I love you, right?”
His jaw tensed, his eyes searching hers. “You’re not answering the question.”
She sighed, closing her eyes briefly before meeting his gaze again. “Because it’s not worth bringing up people who are… gone.”
His brows knit together, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes—an insecurity she hadn’t expected. “Addie, I’m scared if he ever comes back, you’re going to leave. That you’re going to wake up one day and realize I’m not enough.”
“No, Leo.” Her voice was firm, cutting him off before he could spiral further. She reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. “He’s gone. He’ll never come back.”
She saw the shift in his expression—the assumption clicking into place. He thought the guy was dead. And in a way, he wasn’t wrong. That version of Leo, her Leo from another timeline, was gone. He’d never return. But this Leo didn’t need to know that.
Her voice softened, trembling with the weight of unspoken truths. “And even if he could… it wouldn’t matter. He’s not you, Leo. He could never be you. You’re the only person I’ve ever loved, the only person I’ll ever love.”
He exhaled, his fingers threading through hers, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Then why does it still feel like you’re holding back?”
Her voice cracked, the tears she’d been holding back spilling over. “Because I’m scared. Scared of losing you. Scared of ruining this. Scared of doing everything wrong like I did before.”
He leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers. “Addie, whatever happened before—it’s over. This is now. And you’re not going to lose me. Not unless you let me go.”
She let out a shaky breath, her tears soaking into his shirt as she whispered, “I don’t want to let you go. Ever.”
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as the breeze wrapped around them, the moment raw and grounding. “Then don’t.”
For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of something other than fear. Hope.
Fast Forward - December
It had been months since Addie had found herself in this timeline, months since she’d stopped questioning the how and why of her situation and focused instead on living in the now. In Leo. They’d created a rhythm—one that felt so natural, so easy that some days she almost believed this was where she was always meant to be. And yet, the fear lingered. She hadn’t been in one place this long before.
Every time she caught Leo watching her with that familiar mix of adoration and curiosity, she felt her chest tighten. What if this was temporary? What if the universe was just waiting for the right moment to pull her back into her old life, leaving this version of him behind? She couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t lose him again.
It was that fear that had her dropping hints for months—about marriage, about the ring she wanted (she’d even drawn it out in detail). She joked about it, laughed when Leo rolled his eyes or teased her to be patient, but inside she was restless.
The Christmas tree sparkled with lights as Addie hummed softly, hanging ornaments on the branches. The entire living room smelled of pine and cinnamon, a blend of holiday cheer that filled the space with warmth. She tugged at one of the ribbons to make it sit just right before stepping back to admire her handiwork.
She heard the door creak slightly, the sound barely registering over her focus on the tree. “Leo, if that’s you, I swear you’re supposed to be getting the wine—” Her voice trailed off as a blur of fur darted through the door, heading straight for her.
Addie froze, her heart skipping as she dropped to her knees, scooping up the puppy into her arms. The familiar floppy ears, the tiny tail wagging furiously—it was impossible. “Holly?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
The puppy barked in response, licking her cheek enthusiastically, and that’s when Addie noticed the red ribbon around her neck. Attached to it was a small, velvet box. Her breath hitched, her hands shaking as she untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was the ring—the exact one she’d drawn, down to every intricate detail. Her eyes blurred with tears as she looked up.
And there he was. Leo stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “You’re not the only one with a flair for drama, Addie.”
Her tears spilled over as she clutched Holly close… “How…?” she began, but her voice cracked.
Leo stepped forward, kneeling down in front of her. He gently took the puppy from her arms, setting Holly down before taking Addie’s hands in his. “You’ve been dropping hints for months, darling. I figured it was time to stop torturing you.”
She laughed through her tears, her heart swelling as he held up the ring. “Adelaide Parker,” he began, his voice steady but full of emotion. “I love you. Every version of you, every moment we’ve had together—good or bad. You’re my world, Addie. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me. Will you marry me?”
Her answer was immediate, her voice breaking as she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, a million times yes my love” She kissed him, her tears mingling with their laughter as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
The moment was perfect—more perfect than she’d dared to hope. Holly barked excitedly at their feet, wagging her tail as if she understood the significance of the moment. Addie looked down at her new-old puppy and back up at Leo, her heart full in a way it hadn’t been in years.
Later that night, as snow began to fall outside their window, Addie leaned against Leo on the couch, Holly curled up at their feet. “You know,” she murmured, “you’ve officially made this the best Christmas ever.”
He chuckled, kissing her temple. “Just wait until next year, darling. This is only the beginning.”
For the first time, Addie allowed herself to believe it. The beginning. Not the end.
Snowflakes drifted softly outside, and for once, the future didn’t feel so scary. It felt like home.
@Littlefeets -im done