It was nearly dawn, everyone inside the cabin was still tucked inside their rooms.  William had made his bunk on the oversize sofa that was in the font room.  Colton, Lily and Sammy were all bunked in their room, Summer had finally come inside after several hours of much needed alone time and had cuddled up in her man’s arms for the night.  Cassie lays restless in her room.  She tossed and turned for most of the evening, strategizing an unnoticed escape to the front room to be in William’s arms.   She had finally given up; her restless mind could no longer be detained.  She stepped quietly from her room, walking into the living room where William slept.  She stood quietly. Just admiring him as he slept.  With a smile, she sneaks herself under the covers and cuddles up into his arms.  A few hours have passed, and Hunter is the first to wake.  He steps out from the room rubbing his eyes and begins to make his way into the restroom across the hall.

He splashes water on his face and makes his way into the front room where he notices both Cassie and William cuddled on the sofa in front of him.

Hunter leans down and thumps William in the forehead. As William’s eyes shoot open Hunter covers his mouth and points to the kitchen. William feels a body next to him and looks over. Seeing Cassie with a small smile on her lips he lets out a soft sigh and gets off the sofa trying not to wake her up. Dressed in a T-shirt and basketball shorts he walks to the kitchen. As he goes through the door, he finds Hunter making coffee and just staring at him. William looks at him. "It is not what you think sir. When I went to bed I was totally alone." Hunter moves closer to William with a stern look in his eyes. Just then the door opens and Cassie walks in rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Cassie steps up to the counter, wearing an over-sized Titan's T-shirt and a pair of thin blue pajama pants, not paying attention to her father standing close by, she steps behind William and gives him a quick pat on the butt.  "Did you sleep well, I finally did."  She slowly began to wrap her arms around his waist from behind until Hunter clears his throat.  Cassie turns suddenly to see him standing there with his cup of coffee in his hand.  Surprised, Cassie greets him. "Eh..good morning, daddy."  She moves quickly towards the coffee maker, looking for a cup

Hunter rolls his eyes and hands Cassie his cup and walks out of the room. William looks at Cassie. "You trying to get me killed Crashie?"

She takes a sip of the coffee, spitting it out on the counter.  "Ah hell no, this shit is black."  She goes to the fridge and gets the creamer, adding it to the cup.  "Billy, if daddy was going to kill you, you would have been dead by now."  She nudged in the ribs.  "You could have warned me, ya know."  She takes another sip of coffee and sits up on a stool.

"Yeah, yeah I know, but when you wake from a thump to the forehead and a huge hand covering your mouth, all reason tends to leave your brain." Just then Colton walks in with Sammy. He walks up to Cassie and passes Sammy over to her as he takes the cup from her hand and starts to drink. " Thanks for the coffee sis. That was damn nice of you."

Cassie nuzzles Sammy as his eyes begin too fully open.  "Good morning, kiddo."  Cassie rubs the top of his head.  She begins to watch Colton slowly take a sip of the coffee, as he spits his out onto the floor.  "What kind of shit is this?"  He looks inside the cup.  "This is not coffee; this is some fake cow juice with a touch of espresso.  How do you drink this shit?"  He looks for another cup, quickly pouring himself a glass as Cassie laughs. "Good morning, butthead."

 

Colton looks at Cassie and William. "Sis, I am glad you are awake, because I wanted you to be the first to know." He reaches into the front pocket of his jeans and pulls out a little box; He slides it across to Cassie. He walks over and covers Sammy's ears. "I am going to give this to Lily today. I have been a fool for too long. She is the perfect one for me." He looks down at Sammy. "For us."

Cassie's eyes light up as if it were hers.  "Oh my God, Colton, that is gorgeous!" She shows the box to William. "And I agree, you have been a fool for too long!  I know she is going to love it!"  She smiles.  "I am so happy for you!"  She hops off the stool and gives Colton a big hug.  Sammy looks confused.  "Where is my hug, Auntie Cass?"  Cassie smiles and picks Sammy up in her arms and hugs him tightly. She looks over to Colton.  "When are you planning on doing this?"

Colton smiles. " I was thinking at breakfast. I know that the few days have not been the best for everyone, but I also do not want to wait." William walks up and shakes Colton's hand. "I am so happy for you Colt. She is a wonderful person."

As the four remain in the kitchen talking, Summer emerges from the bedroom.  She is wearing a black satin robe which is partially tied closed.  She is barefoot and her hair was a shaken mess.  Half asleep, she walks right past William and Colton and sees Cassie holding the box.  "Where's your dad?"  She looks down at the box.  "What's this?"  She takes the box from Cassie's hand and looks inside.  Her eyes grow wide, and she gives her a stern look. "This is beautiful and all, but you two have not even went on a date yet!" She shakes her head.  "Judging by the absence of your father, I'm assuming you told him?"

Cassie looks up at Summer and smiles. With a sly smile she points over to Colton and slides the box back to him. Summer looks over and big smile forms on her face. William walks over and whispers in Cassie's ear. "She is right. We have not been on a date yet. Would you like to go to dinner and a show with me tonight?"

Summer walks up to Colton as he holds the box in his hand.  She smiles and grabs him around the shoulders and tightly squeezes him.  "I'm so happy for you!"  She steps back, noticing William nearby.  She pulls her robe closed tighter and tries to fix her hair.  "Billy, I like you and all, but I am glad that was not your box."  She looks at Cassie.  "We have issues that need to be settled with first."  She looks back to Colton.  "When are you planning..."  Colton notices Lily stepping out from the room, she does not look over to the kitchen, she walks straight across the hall to the bathroom.  He quickly shoves the box into his pocket and puts his finger to his lips to quiet everyone in the room.  Summer steps away from everyone, looking out the front door to see Gyon's black 2024 Maserati Levante Trofeo driving slowly down the dirt road.  He comes to a stop, seeing Hunter down by the boat ramp.  He blares the horn, stepping out and opening the back hatch, unlatching the gate to a large wire kennel from which Kita immediately escapes from.  Gyon shakes his head, walking up to Hunter as Kita runs to greet him.  "You better have a damn good reason for asking me to come out here in Hillbilly Country in my damn ride, Hunter.  That damn dog howled all the way here.  Fucker bit me when I closed the gate,” Gyon stood looking up to Hunter as he began to laugh while petting Kita.

Hunter looks at Gyon and nods his head. "Thanks for this man. Things have really turned to shit in the past week. These people have really pissed me off. Not only all the shit that has happened with Cassie, but they also almost took Summer from me. This is not going to end pretty you know that right?" Gyon looks at Hunter and just nods. Up the path William is seen walking towards the two men. As he reaches them, he stops looking at Gyon. His mouth opens a little like he is trying to say something. Looking at Hunter. "Sir Mrs. Summer sent me down here to let you know that breakfast will be ready in 30 minutes." He turns to face Gyon. He holds out his hand to shake Gyon's hand. "Mr. Gyon, I am William Barnes. I have been a big fan of yours since I was a little kid. You were always my favorite wrestler. It is such an honor to meet you." William lets his hand go and starts walking up the path back to the cabin. They watch William leave and Gyon turns and smiles at Hunter. "So, who is the outstanding young man with such great taste in wrestlers?" Hunter just looks at Gyon trying not to laugh. "He is just a stray that Cassie picked up, but he is good kid and cares for her a lot. We better get up there before we are late, and Summer gets mad." Hunter lets out a Sharp whistle and Kita runs back to Hunter's side. " Oh, just a heads up. This is Megan's place and she paid us a visit the other night. So, try and be cool, you know how Summer is about all that stuff." Gyon looks up to Hunter. "Fucking trash person."

As the guys walk up to the porch, Hunter types in the digits to the lock and opens the door.  Kita takes a quick sprint over to Cassie as she bends down allowing Kita to jump into her arms.  Summer looks at Kita, and a frightened look comes across her face.  She backs away slowly not taking her eyes off Kita.  Hunter takes notice and just looks on as she makes her way into the bedroom.  Gyon steps in and looks around.  "Woah, never thought I would ever see the day Sassy would sleep in the same damn bed that Bytch slept in." Gyon nudges Hunter in ribs. "How was it?"  Hunter turned to Gyon, giving him a stern look.  From the bedroom Summer walks out, she is holding a lamp with a broken lightbulb, she walks straight up to Gyon and points the broken glass into his face.  "Don't...Make....Me...."  Dropping the lamp in front of him, she stares at him evilly, nudging him in the shoulder as she passes by.  "Let's eat."  She glares over to Hunter and then back to Gyon as everyone takes a seat.  Sammy walks over to Summer and jumps up into her lap.

Everyone goes to sit down. Looking around the table, Colton seems to be missing. Hunter looks at Summer. "Where is the boy at babe?" Everyone turns and looks around. Through a window Summer sees Colton pacing back and forth in the yard on his phone. Summer gives Sammy a kiss on the forehead and pushes back from the table and giving the seat to Sammy. As she walks by Hunter she leans down and whispers in his ear. "I think our boy is nervous for some reason. I will be right back." She walks outside as Colton hangs up the phone. He turns towards Summer with a look of fear in his eyes. " Mom, what if it happens again? What if I cannot protect them, when they need me the most. I cannot lose her. I cannot lose them. They are my world. I love her more than anything or anyone." Summer looks at Colton and sees the fear and panic in his eyes.

She reaches out her hand to him.  "Come walk with me."  Colton looks down to Summer's hand and back up to her.  Summer gives him a look.  "You're not married yet; I still own you.  take my hand, son."  Colton tries to smile, but the fear in his eyes remains.  He takes her hand, and they walk down the hill and to the docks.  "Colton, I know you're scared, it's normal to be.  What happened to Sasha was terrible, and that pain of losing her will never leave you.  You were alone, having to face that Bastard and all his trash by yourself."  She turns him around to face the cabin. "You see everyone inside there?  You have an army fighting with you, and for you this time.  Do not live in the what ifs. We are stronger together.  There are not enough Mikaelson's in this world that can take on The New Breed.  I told you; I would burn the fuckin Earth to the ground for you, it goes without question your family qualifies.  I promise you son, nothing but old age will ever take them from you..from us!!"  Summer brings Colton close to her as she hugs him tightly, not wanting to let go. She releases him slowly, looking into his eyes with tears in hers. "My baby is getting married."  She smiles, as he smiles back. "Now, man up..and go get your girl, son."  Colton turns to Summer and whispers.  "I love you, mom."

As they walk in the room, everyone is laughing and talking loudly. They continue as Summer picks up Sammy and sits him back on her lap. Colton walks by Lily and leans down kissing her on top of her head. He sits down and starts to eat. Lily leans over and quietly asks. "Are you okay?" Colton looks at her and smiles. "I am now." As everyone gets done eating Colton turns his chair to Lily. He reaches out and takes her hand.  He takes a deep breath and lets it out, he stares into her eyes. "Lil, I don't know what I did to deserve someone like you in my life. After what happened, I never thought I could feel like this again; then you showed up. I was not looking for anyone, but I found you. You gave this idiot one of the best gifts in the world." He looks over at Sammy and smiles. "You are my strength. You have sat with this group of people and watch all the craziness around us and just smile." Colton stands up and pulls the small box from his pocket and gets down on his knee and opens it. "Lily we all know what is coming down the road right now. We can see the fight that is going to happen. You have never backed away yet. Please don't do it now. Lily, I love you, will you marry me?" He slowly raises the black and ruby ring to her.