UNCOMPLETE LOVE

Lena woke up to the soft light filtering through the curtains, casting golden patterns on the walls. Ethan lay beside her, his face relaxed, his breathing steady. They hadn't slept much the night before—not because of passion, but because of the conversations that had stretched into the early hours. Conversations filled with honesty, vulnerability, and the weight of unspoken fears.

For the first time in a long time, Lena felt lighter.

She turned slightly, studying Ethan's face. In sleep, he looked younger, almost like the boy she had first fallen for years ago. But she wasn't the same girl anymore. And he wasn't the same boy.

They had both changed. The question now was—could they grow together?

Ethan stirred, his eyelashes fluttering before his gaze settled on her. A slow, sleepy smile tugged at his lips.

"You're staring," he murmured.

Lena flushed but didn't look away. "I was just thinking."

Ethan shifted onto his side, propping his head on his hand. "Dangerous habit."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "I mean it. Last night felt… different."

Ethan nodded, his expression turning serious. "Because we were finally honest with each other."

Lena traced patterns on the bedsheet. "Yeah. And for the first time, I wasn't just waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Ethan exhaled. "I know I've given you every reason to doubt me, Lena. And I know trust isn't something I can just ask for. I have to earn it."

She swallowed hard. "I want to trust you. I really do."

Ethan reached for her hand, his fingers warm against hers. "Then let's take it one day at a time."

---

The First Real Date—Again

Later that morning, Ethan insisted on taking her out.

"We've spent so much time fighting and breaking up and making up," he said as they walked down the street. "I feel like we forgot how to just… be together."

Lena smirked. "Are you saying we should go back to dating basics?"

"Exactly."

She considered this for a moment. Maybe he was right. Maybe they needed to start fresh.

"Alright," she said, squeezing his hand. "Where are we going?"

Ethan grinned. "You'll see."

He led her to a quiet part of town, where the streets were lined with small shops and cozy cafés. They stopped in front of a little bookstore with a handwritten sign in the window that read: Come in and fall in love… with a book or a person.

Lena laughed. "Did you pick this place just for the sign?"

Ethan shrugged. "Maybe."

They stepped inside, the scent of old paper and fresh coffee wrapping around them like a warm hug. The store was small, filled with towering bookshelves and mismatched chairs.

Ethan wandered toward the poetry section, pulling out a worn copy of Love in the Time of Cholera.

"This was the first book I ever bought for you," he said, handing it to her.

Lena took it, running her fingers over the cover. She remembered. He had given it to her on their first anniversary, with a note tucked inside that read: Because love should be patient, and I want to spend a lifetime proving mine to you.

Her throat tightened.

She had lost count of how many times she had questioned his love. But standing here, holding this book, she realized—he had always loved her.

He had just been terrible at showing it the right way.

Ethan watched her carefully. "Too much?"

Lena shook her head. "No. It's perfect."

---

A Test of Patience

After the bookstore, they grabbed coffee and walked through the park, talking about everything and nothing. It felt easy—natural in a way that surprised Lena.

But as the afternoon faded into evening, reality crept back in.

They stopped by Ethan's apartment to pick up something he had forgotten, and when Lena stepped inside, she immediately noticed the framed photo on his desk.

It was of her.

Taken years ago, back when they were still in the early days of their love. She was laughing, her head tilted back, completely unaware of the camera.

Lena felt her chest tighten.

"You still have this?" she asked, picking it up.

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "I never got rid of it."

Lena turned to face him. "Even when we were apart?"

Ethan met her gaze. "Especially then."

Her heart clenched.

This was the part that scared her the most—how deeply he had always been woven into her life. She wasn't sure she could survive losing him again.

She set the photo down carefully. "Ethan…"

He stepped closer. "I know. It's scary. But I'm here, Lena. I'm not going anywhere."

She wanted to believe him.

She needed to believe him.

But some wounds took longer to heal than others.

---

Dinner with Friends

That evening, Ethan suggested they have dinner with some of their old friends.

"I think it'll be good for us," he said. "Remind ourselves that we're not the only ones in this."

Lena hesitated but agreed.

They met at a small Italian restaurant, where their friends James and Olivia were already waiting.

As soon as Lena walked in, Olivia squealed. "Oh my god! Look at you two! Together again!"

Lena laughed, hugging her. "It's… a work in progress."

James smirked at Ethan. "You finally stopped being an idiot?"

Ethan groaned. "Not entirely, but I'm working on it."

Dinner was filled with laughter, stories, and just enough teasing to make Lena feel at ease. But as the night wore on, she noticed Ethan growing quiet.

She nudged him. "What's wrong?"

Ethan hesitated before speaking. "I didn't realize how much I missed this—missed us."

Lena's heart ached. "Me too."

James raised an eyebrow. "Are you guys saying you're officially back together?"

Lena and Ethan exchanged a look.

Then Ethan smiled. "We're saying we're trying."

---

The Final Realization

On the way home, Ethan walked Lena to her apartment.

They stopped outside her door, the city lights casting a golden glow around them.

Ethan reached for her hand, his thumb brushing against her skin. "Tonight was a good night."

Lena nodded. "Yeah. It was."

Ethan hesitated. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Are you happy?"

Lena looked up at him.

And for the first time in a long time, she didn't have to think about the answer.

"Yes," she whispered. "I think I am."

Ethan smiled, leaning in slowly.

Lena's breath caught. This moment—this feeling—it was everything she had been afraid to believe in.

But as his lips brushed against hers, she realized…

Maybe love wasn't about being fearless.

Maybe it was about choosing to stay, even when fear whispered that you should run.

And she was finally ready to stay.