A/N: This is the final chapter. Thank you very much to all of you who have read it, I'm really happy you liked my first story.

Chapter 8

They stood there kissing; drawing every part of each other's essence, committing the moment to memory. Selena marveled at how lucky she was to have found such a person; strong, energetic, a survivor, and at the same time, fragile like a crystal. She was incredibly relieved everything seemed to be better now.

Selena broke the kiss- apparently humans needed to breathe to survive- but she was willing to bet she could survive just on Demi alone. No food, no water, no air. Just Demi. It was so hard, but she had learned her lesson, she refrained from taking things further. It was going to be torture having to wait for her to be ready, but she would do it. Demi was worth every sacrifice possible.

They looked at each other for what seemed like time without end. Each girl was studying the other. How Demi had a habit of biting on her lower lip, with a small grin that showed just the tiniest bit of the gap between her teeth. How her bang had a knack for covering her right eye while she did nothing about it. How her nose had this little bunch of freckles. Her cleft chin. Selena was conscious that one day she would know every single inch of Demi, and she looked forward to discover it all.

Meanwhile Demi was uneasy. Not at all with the way Selena was staring at her like she was a Renaissance masterpiece. She found that incredibly flattering, for she never thought someone would look at her with love ever again. No, she was weary because the way the universe had treated her had made her a realist, and she couldn't help but think about how they were going to make it happen. She gestured for Selena to sit at her couch, asked if she had had breakfast. When she answered that just an apple, Demi got some Kenya AA beans, grinded them, and went through the complicated process of making a couple of perfect espresso doppios, which she served on two brushed aluminum cups. She then got out some brown sugar sticks and some speculaas she had bought as gift to herself the other week, put them on a platter, and set everything on the coffee table by Selena. Apparently, the star took her coffee sweetened. She was more of a straight kind of girl. Or not. Well, when it came to coffee she was very straight. She chuckled at her own little joke while Selena sipped at her cup.

"Mmm! You make a mean espresso." Selena said admiringly.

"I learned in college. I had some free time; I wasn't the most popular undergraduate because of my age, so I took whatever extracurricular the SUNY offered, and one day the only course available was 'Introduction to Coffee Appreciation' taught by this famous Professor called Dr. Juan Valdez. I was hooked instantly; I ran to the store after the first class and spent a lot of money I didn't had to buy my first machine and a pound of beans. I've taken every single course, class, lecture, etc. about coffee I've been able to ever since."

"Wow! You really are a coffee buff! And these cookies, they are wonderful too!"

"Caffeine is life, Lena." Demi said contemplatively. "I don't think I can ever fathom living in world without coffee. The speculaas I bought from a little store a couple of blocks from here."

"I love you, Demi."

Demi sighed and set her cup down. She wasn't sure how to express herself, but she needed to have her say. "I love you too, Lena. Please don't get the wrong idea, but I still have some misgivings about this all. I don't know how we can make it work. Everything seems so complicated."

"Demi, I understand; we'll find a way."

"But how? My life is a mess, and I don't know when I'll be able to get a new job. Or how I'll ever be able to afford the fare to go visit you on the wage the kind of jobs I usually get pay. I can try and cut my expenses, but I'm still going to be hard-pressed. And I know you'll be busy; you're going to get a million movie and TV offers and such. You won't have any time to visit. And I mean, even if you did, would you want to be seen in public with me? Do you think the people are ready to accept you've grown up, left Disney, and hooked with your best-friend's middle sister? Won't it be a dangerous career move?"

"Demi, I can't tell you I've thought about and have an answer for everything, because I don't. But honestly these past few hours the only thing I could think about was if I was going to get the chance to fix up the mistake I made last night. There was nothing in my mind other than: 'Will she ever come back and let me apologize?' 'Will she forgive me?' I guess my point is that the only thing that mattered to me was you taking me back. I didn't cared about what happened after."

"Lena, I don't mean to be a killjoy, but this isn't a movie; love isn't everything you need. Granted, it's probably one of the most important part of everyone's life, but we need to be practical about this too."

"Why do you always say that?" Selena was irked, and she lashed out at Demi. "Why do you always assume I think life is all rosy and sweet? I know I haven't gone through nearly as much as you, but still I'm not some naïve teen with any experience whatsoever, OK? I'm really sick of people thinking that because I'm a Disney Girl I must be dumb or waited on hand and foot, or a fucking princess for that matter, you know!"

"What the hell was that all about?" Demi screamed back at Selena. "I really don't know where did that came from, because up to a few days ago, I didn't even knew who you where, and even though I'll admit I did thought you were a spoiled brat, I never acted on that belief; you never gave me the chance. Since we first met, you proved to me that you were a decent, caring human being. Do you really think I would fall for you otherwise? Right now I'm only saying that we should consider your best interests, Lena. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, but you really need to take a chill pill."

A heavy silence fell upon the room. Selena was still angry, but she felt justified in a way. She was sick and tired of people assuming she was naïve, and in need of protection. On the other hand, wasn't loving someone all about caring and protecting said person to the fullest extent of your capabilities? Maybe Demi had miffed her, but she was sure it had been unintentional. So now it had been her time to overreact. She looked at Demi silently brooding, both chocolate orbs covered by her bang. Damn it, that girl made it impossible to stay mad at her. She was unsure of how to deal with this now.

"So I guess this is our first fight, isn't it?"

Demi ran her hand through her hair, while slouching back on the couch. "Actually it would be our second one."

"Can we have hot, nasty, sweaty, make-up sex?" Selena said hopefully, in a sexy, hoarse voice.

"Not until fight number ten."

"I'm going to go and smash your coffeemaker; that should count as at least ten fights"

Before Selena had a chance to get up, Demi grabbed her arm firmly. "Sit, horn dog. First off, it's not a coffeemaker, it's a coffee machine. Just as fine watches aren't just watches but timepieces; 'la Pavoni' coffee machines are precision-crafted equipment made in Italy for the discerning palate of the coffee connoisseur."

"Jeez, just don't get your panties in a twist. Looks like someone forgot to take her medication."

Demi ignored Selena's comment and continued. "Secondly, if you actually broke it, it would count as a thousand fights, and still wouldn't get you anywhere near my panties. Actually it would get you so far away from them the only possible chance you would ever get to see my underwear would be if you pointed the Hubble at my hamper."

"Are we cool?"

"Yes, Lena, we are. But I truly think we need to settle how we are going to handle this whole thing."

They were both deep in thought for some time, when Selena spoke. "Mmm maybe you could try getting a job on the east coast, or maybe I could speak with my mom and you could work with us; I haven't told you but we're about to set up our own production company."

"Thank you Lena, but that won't work. I'm not completely opposed to moving though I'm not really sure I want to be so near my family. And then there's the fact that I can't afford it. And I can't take that offer Lena. I'm really grateful for all you've done for me, but I can't take a job working for you, it would make me feel like a kept woman."

"Are you serious?" Selena was angry again. Was this girl for real? "You're kidding, right? What do you mean you don't want to be my kept woman? What makes you think you would be? We're going to need a lot of help getting this company up and running. Why is it so hard for you to accept help? Why are you being so headstrong?"

"Because, Lena, I spent half my life trying to please my mum and sister, and the other half living a crappy existence a thousand light years away from what I hoped it would be. I've been sober for just a bit over a year, I told you. I feel like I need to try and do everything I can to make it on my own. I know I can be hard to relate to sometimes, but I really need you to try and understand me. During all the crap I've endured, no one ever helped me. And still I survived. So now that I'm finally clean and out of that black hole of the soul I was living in, I need to help myself before I can accept help from others. So maybe I didn't explain myself clearly before, and for that I apologize. But you too need to take your meds."

"Three fights in less than a day, we're so near having sex I can taste it." Selena chuckled lightly at Demi.

"Though I really appreciate your attempts at making light of our circumstances, doesn't it bother you that we seem to keep walking into these misunderstandings? Like we're rushing things somewhat?" Demi was truly worried; she wanted so much for this to work. The past few hours had been an emotional rollercoaster, but strangely enough, she couldn't think of a happier time in her entire life.

"I won't lie and say it doesn't, but I'm positively sure we can get over this and any situation. You need to have faith in us, Demi."

"You won't mind having a long distance relationship?"

"Again, I won't lie to you, I would much rather you'd be by my side from right now, but now I think I understand why you need to deal with some stuff on your own. I guess I'll have to wait."

"Thank you Lena." Demi was so appreciative that the taller girl was so understanding. She wondered once again what had she done correct in her life to find someone like her. "I'm not saying it's always gonna be like this; I promise you I'll try and find a job in LA so we can be together."

"Don't forget you promised you'd talk to your family."

"I never promised you that. I promised I would think about it, and I intend to keep that promise."

"And that's all I ask." Selena looked at Demi's eyes; they were so beautiful, two chocolate pools so deep one could drown in them, and knew that she had to kiss her. She took her face in her hands, crashed her lips with her own. Never had someone tasted so sweet. She explored every millimeter of Demi's mouth with her own, and she kissed back with a passion and strength from deep within her soul. They spent the remainder of the day curled up on the couch, both thanking their lucky stars they found each other.

Dallas. Christmas Eve

The doorbell rang at the De la Garza-Munroe household. Dallas Munroe went to open the door and was met by Selena Russo, her mom, Mandy, and her step dad Brian. They exchanged hellos, and where immediately joined by Dianna, Dallas' mother.

"Oh I'm so glad you guys could make it! We were beginning to get worried you wouldn't find our house." Said Dianna cheerfully.

"Ohh Dianna, we live three blocks away! We really meant to get here earlier, but it took Selena forever to get ready. She must have changed her dress five times!" was Mandy's just as cheerful reply. She showed them the big container she was carrying. "We brought dessert!"

Dianna took it from her. "Oh, Brian, Eddie is at the TV room, he's trying to set up this new home theatre he bought; he's been at it since 4. Maybe you could help him so we can have dinner before New Year's." They all laughed while Brian excused himself and walked toward the TV room. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen."

After they had each taken a seat on the kitchen table, and Dallas had served them each a brandy, the strangely silent Selena spoke. "Dianna, have you heard from her?"

The mood turned serious instantly. "No, honey, I haven't; not since that day in August. I'm so sorry."

"No, it's not your fault Dianna. I just needed to ask."

Dianna sighed. "No, Selena. It was my fault. It was my fault since I first started pushing my child away. I have so much to thank you for; you opened my eyes and showed me what a horrible person I was with Demi." Mandy grabbed her hand and squeezed her; mother to mother. "Had I been a better parent, you two might have met before and… a—and nothing would have happened to her." Dianna was nearly crying by now.

Selena had been angry with her. How could she have abandoned her child? But after she had convinced Demi to come back home and talk to them, after seeing their reaction to Demi's tale, and after watching Demi walk out of everyone's life again, there was no way she could still be angry. She was sad, incredibly sad. She hadn't smiled since that fateful day. But Demi had disappeared from the face of the world. She just occasionally left word that she was OK with her friend, Anna, who passed it on to them. She had been waiting ever since for the girl to come out of hiding. She thought it might happen on Thanksgiving, but the date came and went with no contact from her.

"I wish there was something I could do, but she's not answering my emails either," a deeply sad Dallas added.

"It's OK Dal, really. I'm going to wait for her as long as it takes."

"Selly!" Came the exited and overly cheerful voice of Madison Munroe.

Instantly Selena put on the mask she had been wearing for the past months and smiled while the sixteen year old hugged her. "Oh Maddie! How are you? Look at you, so tall and beautiful!"

"Oh shut the front door!"

"Madison! Watch your mouth!" A mortified Dianna reprimanded her youngest.

"Chillax mother. Anyway, I guess since Selly's here we're only waiting for Dems. I hope it doesn't take her that much longer, I'm starving. I got her the most amazing gift you know. Well, at least for her. A first edition of 'Catcher in the Rye'. Took me forever to find. Actually, it took my assistant forever, but same deal."

Selena almost broke when she heard that. No one had told Maddie the whole story; she was completely in the dark about what had her sister gone through, and she sincerely wished she came for Christmas dinner. Even though Maddie knew something was wrong, it was consensually decided to keep her in the dark for a while. It was a bit hard, the kid was used to speaking with Demi around every two months, and getting emails regularly. But it was thought it was best for her; at least until they had a notion of where Demi was. Selena excused herself saying she needed to get something out of their car, but the adults knew she had to go outside before she started crying.

She leaned on her car, parked in the driveway. It was cold outside, but she didn't mind. It was colder inside her heart, and unless Demi came back, it would never stop. How did it ended up like this? She was sure nobody could foresee the way things were going to go when she convinced Demi to talk to her family. After almost 3 months of keeping their relationship quiet, after Demi finally found a job in LA and agreed to accept her help to pay for the move. After months of Dallas trying to get her to tell her what had happened. After swearing she would not pressure her to talk to the family.

It had been a colossal fuck up since the start. Dianna had not reacted well to the news that they were a couple, even though Dallas had helped prepare her. She had been hostile to Demi from the start. But the human waste matter didn't struck the ventilator until she told her about the years of alcohol abuse and what had happened that fateful week back in Manhattan. Dianna had been in total denial, even accusing Demi of making everything up, and then threatened to have her committed to a mental hospital. It had been ugly. Demi had screamed, Dianna had screamed, she had screamed, and Dallas had been quiet once again. That was until the mother slapped the child hard enough to draw blood. Dallas had reacted like a lioness protecting her cub; she stood up to her mother and finally gave her a piece of her mind. Of course, by then it was too late.

Demi demanded to leave, and Selena had obliged. The entire drive back to Selena's, she never said a word. When she had tried to console her, Demi asked to be left alone. She had stupidly obliged once again. The next morning she was gone. Selena had to wonder what their collective malfunction was; she already knew Demi had a tendency to react badly, and still she had left her alone. She should have chained her to the bedpost. There was just a small note saying she didn't blame her at all for what happened, that she needed to be alone, that she was sorry she was hurting her by leaving. Not one mention about where she was going, or when she was coming back. The worst part was that she hadn't even started crying when Dianna was pounding at her door, looking like she had gone through hell, begging for Selena's forgiveness, but most importantly; for Demi's.

A private investigator firm had been hired to no avail. Demi truly knew how to fly below the radar. A month of looking for her showed no results. Then Anna called and passed over the news that the girl was OK. The detectives asked for permission to look into Anna's phone records, and even though she granted it, still no Demi. She proved to be a really sneaky person.

Not a day went by when Dianna didn't ask for forgiveness from Selena and Dallas. She even started going to church. Selena knew she couldn't remain mad at her; her suffering for Demi was fate's punishment, and that was more than enough. But it wasn't easy for her either. Especially on days like this. She wasn't sure how much more she was going to be able to handle.

"Selena?"

She turned around so fast her neck hurt. She would recognize that voice anywhere. Standing there wearing a white long dress and a short blue coat was her; the girl Selena loved more than life itself. Her hair was curled ever so slightly, her lips as red as could be. Had she finally lost it? Was she hallucinating?

"Selena? Are you okay?"

Before Demi had a chance to say another word, Selena walked up to her and slapped her, hard. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Where the fuck have you been all this time? Do you have any idea what you've put me through these last months? Do you have any idea what you put your family through? How could you've been so selfish?" She couldn't stop her tears from falling anymore; all the anger she felt against Demi's behavior, mixed with the relief from seeing her again were too much. She started hitting her chest with her closed fists until Demi grabbed her and held her tight against her body.

For some time, they stayed like that. The slight height difference seemed inversed, as Selena practically crumbled against the love of her life. Demi held her like the world depended on it. She let Selena cry all she needed, while her own eyes remained dry.

Finally, Selena stepped back from the embrace, and spoke. "So what is your excuse this time, Demi? What's your reasoning for shattering my heart like this? How did you figure that it was right to wrench out your mother and sisters' heart? How long do you plan to stay this time before running away? I guess it's what you do best."

Demi stood there and took everything. "I make no excuse for my behavior, Lena. I fucked up one more time. And you're right, making a mess out of things is my specialty. I ran away because I was angry. But not really at my mum or Dallas or you. I was angry with myself. After all that has happened, I was angry at myself." Demi tried to grab Selena's hand, but the taller girl, who by now was actually standing at her full height, refused. She sighed and continued. "I didn't realize it at the moment, but I had to forgive myself before I could allow myself to love someone else."

Selena just looked at her with tired, dark eyes. "I ran away, I made everyone worry about me, and I might have even lost you. I'm not going to say it was worth it because nothing could be worth losing you. But I can tell you that if I hadn't done it, I don't think I would ever been able to completely allow myself to love you. There would always be something holding me back. And I'm so sorry for everything. If you were never able to forgive me, I would understand. I brought this upon myself." Demi looked up at the cloudy, moonless sky. "But I'm begging you, Lena. Don't give up on us. Just as you asked, me not so long ago. Do not give up on us. I will do whatever it takes for you to take me back. I don't care how long it takes. I don't care if I have to grovel, beg on my knees, whatever. I'll do it gladly."

Selena remained silent, her expression unwavering. After what seemed an eternity without any response from her, Demi spoke again. "I can see that you've made your decision. I really don't blame you. What I did is indefensible. I had hoped I might have been able to fix it. But I can understand you. I want to tell you that you will have my heart forever. I wish you only the best. May one day you find true love. I'll go now." She turned around and started walking away.

"Stop!"

Demi stopped, and slowly turned around; she didn't want to get her hopes up, after all, Selena might just want to drive the knife further into her heart.

"I found my true love, she's standing in front of me." She walked to Demi, looked right at her eyes and kissed her. The moment lasted forever. The kiss sealed their fate; their souls became one in that instant. When they broke contact, Demi finally had tears in her eyes.

"You will never know how much this means to me. I have never been more blissful. I promise you I will dedicate my life to make you happy."

Selena wiped Demi's tears with her thumbs. "Just love me. I don't need anything else." A small snowflake found its way to her nose, followed in a few seconds by a lot more. "It's snowing. I can't believe it, it wasn't supposed to."

"It's not snow, Lena. It's heaven's tears of joy for you and me." Demi took her lover's hand, and they walked together, as fate always had intended.

The End