Summer kills

his eyes searching hers. He wanted to comfort her, reassure her that they weren't alone in this journey.

Olivia hesitated for a moment before she responded. "Yes, I am," she admitted, her gaze not wavering from his. "But I think...I'd be more scared if we didn't try." She offered him a small, brave smile that tugged on Ethan's heartstrings. Ethan nodded slowly, capturing her hand and bringing it to his lips. He gently kissed her knuckles and said, "Me too, Liv. Me too." Their intertwined fingers seemed to symbolize a new beginning - a second chance that they had been given. A silence fell over them again as they held each other's gaze. It was a silence filled with understanding, hope and an unspoken promise of trying their best in this second chance they were affording their relationship.

"I don't know what the future holds," Ethan started, his voice steady and strong despite the

emotional gravity of their conversation. "But whatever it is, we'll weather it together." He squeezed her hand gently, reaffirming his words with his touch.

Olivia's eyes began to well up again, but this time her tears were followed by a soft laugh. "You always know just what to say to make things better," she murmured. Somehow, despite the distance that had grown between them and the emotional turmoil they'd both experienced, Ethan still felt like home to her. She leaned into him once more, resting her head on his chest.

Ethan's heart pounded in response, every beat echoing an affirmation of his promise. "Just trying to keep you on your toes," he teased lightly, earning a soft giggle from her. This sound, laced with such raw emotion and yet so familiar, brought a sense of soothing familiarity to the uncertain path they were treading.

He wrapped his arms around her more tightly. For a moment he simply held her, feeling

the rise and fall of her breath against his chest. It was a connection as intimate as it was simple, anchoring them both in the promise of their shared future. His heart held a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with hers, and in the silence of their embrace, he felt the world outside fade away.

Olivia lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes now clear, the tears all but gone. "Ethan," she whispered, her voice carrying a tenderness that sent a warm tingle down his spine. "I... I think we're ready." Her words weren't merely spoken, but declared - sparking a newfound determination between them.

Ethan nodded solemnly, holding her gaze. "We are," he affirmed softly, his hand reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. As he did so, his thumb brushed against her cheek, causing an involuntary shiver to run through him. "We're more than ready."

A soft smile

curved Olivia's lips at his words, a glimpse of the pleasure and warmth that was beginning to seep through the cracks left by their previous hurts. "More than ready..." she echoed, her fingers tracing lazily against his chest. The sound of her voice, so raw yet filled with reassurance, resonated in his heart and he felt a surge of affection towards her.

Feeling bold, Ethan took a step back to fully take in the sight of her. Even after all these years, Olivia still held the power to captivate him entirely. The soft glow from the kitchen lamp highlighted her features so perfectly it felt as if he was seeing her for the first time. He reached out to trace the contour of her face with his hand, a gesture that seemed to kindle something raw and beautiful between them.

"Is it too early to say that I love you again?" he asked, his voice a mix of hesitance and certainty. His eyes searched hers for an answer even

before his question fully left his lips.

Olivia stood still for a moment, a look of surprise crossing her face before it was replaced by a warm smile. Her hand reached out to trace his jawline, the tenderness in her touch causing him to close his eyes in quiet anticipation. "Not at all," she replied, the warmth in her voice causing his heart to flutter. "I never stopped loving you, Ethan."

His heart swelled at her confession, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest. He pulled her closer, his hands running through her hair as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. He felt Olivia's arms tighten around him, her body pressing against his in a comfortingly familiar way.

"The same goes for me," Ethan whispered into her ear, his voice filled with emotion. "I've always loved you."

They stood there for what seemed like hours - two people caught up in a dance of love and rediscovery. The room was silent except for their

soft whispers and the synchrony of their breaths. The world outside, with all its noise and chaos, felt like a distant memory as they basked in the comfort of each other's presence, reaffirming promises that had been made a long time ago.