Chapter 54 – Let's Celebrate!

A wave of happiness washed over her replacing the confusion and fear though the shock was still there. Her tears now fell down her cheeks like a waterfall but not from sadness but from joy. How could she be mad at him? There are probably rules he has to follow, but then again, Billy is himself around Rose, so why couldn't Bastian be the same with her? In typical love stories, the girl would be furious with the guy for keeping secrets, and he'd have to win her back, but this wasn't your typical love story.

Her love died and then came back—and to make it even crazier, he made her fall for him all over again. All those feelings she had for 'Warren' suddenly made sense. They weren't simple at all.

Now, finding out he's been Bastian the entire time? The love she had for him before and the love she feels for him now—it all just made her heart feel like it was going to burst. The goose bumps were real, and all she wanted was to run back into his arms and never let go.

She hugged herself and smiled soaking in the beauty of nature around her feeling her world shift in the most unexpected way. Demons, wars—none of that mattered now that she had Bastian back. However, she did need to do one thing before she went back to the house to see Bastian. She needed to talk to Billy. She had to be sure. Everything is just speculation until Billy confirms it because if she were to call Warren by her dead boyfriend's name and be wrong, that would be pretty awkward. 

She spent hours going over everything in her mind, trying to calm down from all the emotions swirling in her head. By the time the sun started to set, she finally made her way back, taking deep breaths as the house got closer. It was getting dark, so she half-expected to find Bastian waiting on the porch. And, of course, he was. But Billy and Rose were there too, looking like they'd been waiting for a while.

"We almost sent out that search party," Bastian said as she walked up. She didn't respond, just smiled at him, feeling butterflies—no, more like a whole swarm of them in her stomach. He narrowed his eyes at her, reading her emotions like a book, and she could tell he was confused. What he was sensing now wasn't what he'd felt earlier. He could feel her happiness, her nervousness, and so much… love? 'What is going on with her today?' he wondered, tilting his head, trying to figure her out.

"Billy," Anastasia said, turning to him. "Can you come to the yacht with me for a few minutes?"

Bastian's frown straightened out and had a surprised look on his face turning to Billy. 'She hasn't been around for hours and now wants a moment with Billy? This is weird.'

Noticing Bastian's confusion, she added, "Oh I just your help with a couple of champagne bottles. I feel like your battle today deserves some reward."

"I don't mind helping-" Bastian started, but Billy cut in.

"No, it's good. Ana and I haven't spent much time together lately so back off, she's mine for a few minutes," Billy teased, smirking at Bastian, who responded with a sarcastic pout, making Rose giggle

Billy jumped up, and arm in arm, he and Anastasia headed towards the pier. One of the guards appeared from nowhere, subtly trailing them. Bastian relaxed a bit, realizing the guards had been watching her all along. Wyatt had been quick to replace the traitor guard and brought in more, making Carlos the Chief. Everything was secure again. 

"Well, Rose, looks like it's just you and me. Shall we get the table set for a celebratory evening? The chef's almost done with dinner," Bastian said, heading inside with Rose.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * 

"So there's a couple of reasons I want champagne tonight," Anastasia said to Billy as she rummaged behind the bar for the bottles.

"Oh? Enlighten me?" Billy replied, leaning casually on the bar, one hand on his hip, eyebrows raised as she shot up with a smirk on her face.

"I saw a ring Bill," Anastasia said. "Did you propose?"

Billy flushed, rubbing his neck. "Yeah."."

"Aaaaah!" Anastasia squealed, rushing into his arms and hugging him tightly. "Congratulations Billy! I'm so happy for you! Rose must have been so emotional."

"Thanks, Ana. She really was," Billy said proudly as Anastasia went back to searching for champagne. He shared how he proposed while she picked out bottles. She settled on four different types, including non-alcoholic ones for the guards, which she was sure they would appreciate. 

"Sounds like a wonderful proposal Billy. Well done!"

"Thanks. You mentioned two occasions?" Billy reminded her.

"Oh, right. The other is for your battle today," she began, taking a deep breath and busying herself by grabbing another bottle. "You and Bastian really nailed it and set an example for us."

"Yeah, that battle was intense. We put everything out th—" Billy stopped mid-sentence as she stared at him and he grasped what she had just said. "Uh… you mean Warren."

"Yeah, Warren," she said, watching as relief washed over Billy's face—until she burst his bubble. "Warren, aka Bastian. Or whatever he goes by now."

Billy nearly doubled over. There was no point in denying it. She knew. "How did you find out?"

"So it's true then?" Anastasia widened her eyes as if she didn't already know. But hearing it confirmed was something else entirely.

"I guess I just confirmed it for you, didn't I?" Billy grimaced as Anastasia nodded enthusiastically. "Well, shit. You are taking it surprisingly well."

"Well earlier, I wasn't as calm as I am now. I needed a few hours to process while I assessed all the facts and the times when it was so obvious," she said, her body trembling slightly.

"Is that why you were acting weird earlier and disappeared for hours? When you said you were sick?" Billy gasped.

Anastasia nodded.

"But wait, that was out of the blue. We didn't do or say anything. We were just walking into the house when he sensed your anxiety," Billy said, perplexed.

"He sensed my anxiety? Billy, what do you mean?" Anastasia asked, shocked.

"Shit, sometimes I don't know when to shut up," Billy groaned, smacking his forehead. "He can sense your emotions, Ana. You two are connected like that. He knew you weren't sick because he felt everything you were going through. I can feel Rose's emotions too."

"Oh no… what did he think it was?" she asked, panicking.

"He thought that you must have seen or sensed something that made you freak out but perhaps too scared to tell us. But seriously, what made you realize it at that moment? And why are you not angry? With me? With Bastian?"

"Billy, you've been his best friend since you guys were kids. There is only one person we know who says or sings, 'Don't break my achy breaky heart'," Anastasia stated as if it was obvious making Billy's eyes bulge out of his sockets.

"And he said that earlier! I didn't even think of that! What an idiot!" Billy said dumbfounded.

"And Billy, I don't know the story about how he became an angel or how long you know, or if you have always known, but there is no point in getting angry. The love of my life is right there in that house and back in my life. I would never ever waste my second chance with him by being angry with him or you. I know you would have had your reasons but I am sure Bas will tell me everything. I plan on telling him later after dinner that I know."

"Ana, you are one incredible woman you know that?" Billy said to her while he looked at her in awe. He thought if she ever found out, she would hate everyone for knowing. He isn't sure how she would react if she found out her father and brothers know but once everyone knows, including Rose, Bastian can turn his face back to the Bastian he knows which is such a relief. "You are right! We do need to celebrate tonight"