you had been planning drew’s 31st birthday surprise for weeks, and now the day had finally arrived. as his girlfriend, you wanted everything to be perfect. You recruited with chase , rudy , madison, madelyn, carlacia , and jonathan to help
in the morning, you transformed the pool into a vibrant beach party. you set up colorful decorations, tiki torches, and a table piled high with drew’s favorite snacks and drinks . you could already envision the look on his face when he walked in.
as the afternoon rolled around, you texted drew, asking him to come over . you paced nervously, making sure everything was in place. when you heard his car pull up, your heart raced.
“just a minute!” you called as you took a deep breath. you opened the door and greeted him with a smile. “i have a surprise for you, follow me.”
leading him into the backyard, you and the others shouted, “surprise!” the moment drew saw the decorations and all his friends, his eyes widened in shock. a grin spread across his face as he took in the scene.
“you’ve got to be kidding me!” he exclaimed, looking at the colorful setup and the familiar faces of his friends.
madison stepped forward with a drink. “we couldn’t let you turn 31 without a party!”
you watched as Drew embraced everyone, laughter ringing through the air. The energy was contagious, and soon everyone was playing games, taking photos, and enjoying the delicious food you had prepared.
At one point, you pulled drew aside. “i just wanted to make this day special for you,” you said, feeling a warm glow as you looked into his eyes.
“i can’t believe you did all this. it’s incredible,” he replied, his voice filled with gratitude. “thank you baby.”
as the evening wore on, it was time for the cake. you brought out a stunning tropical-themed cake, and everyone gathered around, singing “happy birthday.” drew blew out the candles, a huge smile on his face as he made his wish.
the night was filled with heartwarming moments—friends sharing their favorite memories of him, laughter echoing under the twinkling lights. you felt a rush of happiness watching drew enjoy every second of it, knowing that you had created a truly unforgettable celebration for him.
you hadn’t heard from rafe in days, and the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. his recent behavior, short texts, missed calls, sudden disappearances, had her worried. deciding she couldn’t take it anymore, she headed over to the cameron house, hoping for answers.
as she approached the house, she heard familiar voices from the open window nearby. she slowed her steps and stopping by the doorway , recognizing rafe, topper, and kelce talking inside. she wasn’t one to eavesdrop, but the urgency in their voices made her stop.
“rafe, this is getting out of control,” topper said, his voice tense. “are you ever going to tell y/n about this?”
your heart raced, her mind spinning. tell me what?
rafe’s voice came next, defensive but shaky. “she doesn’t need to know, okay? y/n wouldn’t get it… she’d probably just leave if she knew about the coke.”
y/n’s heart plummeted, the reality of his words settling in. coke? she felt frozen in place, a mixture of worry, hurt, and shock flooding her.
“you think you can keep hiding it from her?” Kelce asked. “rafe, you’re not the same. she’s going to notice , man.”
rafe’s response was barely a whisper. “i know… but I can’t lose her. she’s… she’s the only thing in my life that makes any sense right now.”
y/n couldn’t stand it any longer. taking a deep breath, she stepped around the corner and into the room, her sudden presence shocking all three of them into silence. rafe’s face paled as he locked eyes with her, guilt written all over him.
“baby…” he started, struggling for words. “i-i… didn’t mean for you to find out like this.”
“were you ever planning to tell me?” she asked quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. “or were you going to keep lying?” then you run out of the room, tears rolling down your cheeks.
“baby wait!” rafe said , running after you.
“baby wait , please listen to me “ . rafe said grabbing your wrist.
“rafe please…let me go, i-i just need time to think…”
“no, no, no please, y/n please just listen to me !” rafe cried . “i’m sorry for not telling you sooner , i’m sorry for not answering your calls, texts , everything, “just please, i-i can’t do this w-without you, please stay baby”. he said
your face softens, you have never seen rafe break down like this , you began to walk closer to him and wrap your arms around his neck bringing him down into a hug. then rest your forehead on his , looking up at him, smiling.
“ i’ll stay always, we will get through this together, i promise.” you whispered. you feel rafe nod his head into your shoulder.
rafe stood outside the bar, his heart heavy as he prepared to end things with sofia.
rafe walked into the bar , walking up to sofia “sofia, can we talk?” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
“sure, what’s up?” she replied, sensing the tension in the air.
“i think we should break up,” he says.
her expression shifted from confusion to hurt. “what do you mean? why now?”
“i need to figure things out for myself,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “i don’t think this is right for either of us.”
sofia sigh, her eyes glistening. “it’s about y/n , you…you love her, don’t you?”
“yeah,” he whispered , the words sinking in, he took one last look at sofia, before walking out of the bar and to his truck.
as he drove to the chateau, thoughts raced through his mind. he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to see you. you were the one person who understood him.
when he finally reached the chateau, he opened the truck , heart pounding. the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air, but his eyes were locked on you. you were outside painting the new surfboards you made.
your eyes meet rafe , confused you begin to walk closer to him, stopped half way
“rafe , what are you doing her-” not being able to finish your sentence , rafe, pulled you close, and kissed you fiercely. it was a kiss filled with everything he had been holding back—his longing, his uncertainty, and his newfound clarity. you responded instantly, wrapping your arms around his neck, as if this was where you both belonged.
when he finally pulled away, your eyes were wide with surprise. “what are you doing? you have a girlfriend.” you say
“not anymore, i broke up with sofia,” he admitted, breathless. “and I realized i want to be with you. for all the bad things that i did , i’m trying to make things right, starting with you, and trying to make things right with sarah and the pogues.”
your expression softened, and a smile crept onto your face. “really? i didn’t know you felt that way.”
“i’ve been scared to say it,” he confessed, relief washing over him. “but I want to be with you, if you’ll have me.”
you nodded, a glimmer of excitement in your eyes. “I’d love that.”
the annual midsummers party was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the smooth melodies of a live band. rafe was right in the middle of it, playing his role as the perfect kook, dressed in a spotless light blue suit. his mind wasn’t on the party or his friends—his thoughts were miles away, focused on the secret he was hiding.
across from him, y/n routledge stood by the railing, her dress flowing gently in the evening breeze. rafe’s gaze kept drifting back to her, even though he knew he had to be careful. it had been months now—months of sneaking around, of finding moments in the sneak together. she wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met. with her, he felt like he could breathe, and he was hooked.
finally, when she caught his eye and gave him a subtle nod toward the house, he couldn’t resist. waiting until she disappeared into the doorway, rafe checked to make sure his friends were not watching, then slipped inside after her. the music and noise of the party grew faint as he made his way down a quiet hallway, finding her waiting at the end.
the second he was close enough, she took his hand, pulling him into an empty room, and they both stifled laughter as they shut the door behind them.
“do you know how hard it was not to look at you all night?” he whispered, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
she laughed, rolling her eyes. “i think you managed pretty well, cameron .”
before he could answer, she leaned up to kiss him, but their quiet moment was cut short by the sound of voices down the hall.
“yo, where’s rafe?” topper slurred.
“i don’t man, probably off somewhere trying to impress some chick,” kelce replied.
rafe and y/n exchanged a panicked look, pressing closer to the door to stay out of sight. they held their breath, listening as topper and kelce moved past the room, still laughing and calling rafe’s name.
when their voices finally faded, rafe let out a quiet sigh of relief, grinning as he looked down at her.
“guess I’m missing out on all the fun,” he joked softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
she nodded her head, smiling. “i think we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”
then rafe kisses her , his hands on her waist, her arms around his neck, the rafe backs her up to the wall , but she bumps into a vase, causing the vase to shatter.
“it’s topper and kelce , come on”. rafe said. and they ran to hide.
the crowd is wild. a sea of bodies, roaring for blood. dust rises from the sun-scorched sand, thick with the scent of sweat and death.
from the imperial box, you sit between emperor geta and caracalla, your golden silk dress draped elegantly over the marble seat. you barely feel it. your pulse is too loud in your ears.
below, in the arena, the gladiator stands victorious.
lucius.
you grip the arms of your chair, watching him. He is covered in sweat, streaked with blood—but alive. the last man who stood against him lies motionless in the sand, throat slit, another fallen pawn in this game of survival.
caracalla leans forward, amused. “he fights well. the people love him.”
geta exhales slowly, eyes narrowing at the man below. his expression shifts—calculating, cruel.
“they love their champions until they don’t,” he says. then, a smirk. he turns to you. too close. “don’t they, princess?”
you ignore the weight of his gaze, keeping your eyes locked on the arena. “he has won,” you say, voice steady. “you must let him live.”
geta chuckles. “must I?”
the crowd roars, waiting for their emperor’s verdict. the moment of judgment is here.
geta stands. the colosseum holds its breath.
lucius, breathing heavily, lifts his head—his eyes find yours.
and then—
geta raises his hand.
his thumb points up.
the crowd cheers. a flicker of hope sparks in your chest.
then—he turns his thumb down.
a heartbeat of silence.
then chaos.
the crowd erupts in shouts, some roaring in approval, others in shock.
your stomach drops.
“no!” you lurch forward, but geta grabs your wrist, fingers tight, bruising.
he doesn’t even look at you as he speaks. his gaze remains fixed on lucius, on the execution order he has just given.
“THE GODS HAVE SPOKEN !,” he yells raising his arms . “and so have I.”
in the arena, the executioner advances.
lucius stands still, sword hanging at his side. not afraid. never afraid.
the executioner raises his blade—
lucius moves.
a sharp sidestep. a cloud of sand. a dagger wrenched from the fallen body of his last opponent.
steel flashes. blood sprays.
the executioner falls.
lucius lives.
the colosseum goes silent.
geta’s smirk fades.
lucius stands tall, breath heaving, dagger dripping red. and then—he looks up.
straight at you.
his eyes burn with something undeniable. something that terrifies geta.
defiance.
the people—those same people who had screamed for blood—begin to chant.
“hanno! hanno! hanno!”
it builds. louder. fiercer. the name of a man who should be dead. a man who has defied an emperor’s will.
caracalla lets out a low cackle beside you. “well,” he muses, leaning back, “this should be interesting.”
geta’s fingers dig into the arms of his throne. tension coils around him like a snake.
the front door open, and drew’s heart skips a beat. he watches as his family—his parents, his siblings—file into the house, their eyes bright with excitement. the day has finally arrived, the moment he’s been waiting for since he found out he was going to be a dad. his family is about to meet their new granddaughter, niece, and baby girl, and drew can’t wait for them to finally see her.
his wife, sitting on the couch with their newborn daughter , ariana, in her arms, glances up and gives him a soft smile. the baby, wrapped snugly in a soft, white blanket, is peacefully asleep, her little face just barely visible. drew can’t help but stare at her for a moment, his heart swelling with love for this tiny, perfect human they’ve created together.
“are you ready?” his wife asks, her voice gentle and calm, though drew can hear the excitement behind it.
he nods, still overwhelmed by the moment. “i think so.”
as soon as his mom steps into the living room, her eyes immediately land on the baby. drew’s mom is the first to break the silence, her voice a mix of awe and emotion. “oh, drew,” she says softly, her voice trembling as she steps forward. “she’s beautiful.”
drew smiles, but his chest tightens with emotion. he knows this moment will be one he never forgets—seeing his mom hold his daughter for the first time. He steps aside, letting his mom take the baby into her arms. She cradles the tiny girl like she’s made of glass, her face soft with wonder.
“look at you,” his mom murmurs, her eyes brimming with tears as she gently kisses the baby’s forehead. “you’re perfect, just like your daddy.”
drew’s dad, standing a few steps behind his mom, watches the scene quietly. drew looks at him, and his dad gives him a small but knowing nod. “she’s a lucky little girl,” he says, his voice gruff but full of pride. “and you’re gonna be a hell of a dad.”
drew swallows hard, trying to keep it together. “thanks, dad.”
as his mom continues to hold the baby, drew’s siblings step forward, each eager to meet their niece. his sister, brooke , is the first to take a turn, carefully cradling the baby in her arms. she looks down at her niece with a soft smile, her eyes twinkling with love. “she’s got your eyes, drew,” she says, her voice soft. “i can see it already.”
drew laughs, a little surprised at how much his sister’s words make him swell with pride. He’s never really thought about the little details—his daughter having his eyes or his smile—but hearing it from his sister makes it feel all the more real.
drew’s brother, logan, always the jokester, leans in next, raising an eyebrow. “you sure she’s yours? i think she might’ve gotten her beauty from her mom,” he teases, causing the room to erupt in laughter. drew rolls his eyes but can’t help but laugh along with them. it’s the perfect kind of light-hearted moment after such an intense, emotional day.
his dad steps forward, his arms crossed over his chest, watching with a proud, almost solemn expression as the baby is passed from person to person. “you know, drew,” his dad says, his voice softer now, “you’re not just bringing a new life into the world. you’re carrying on the family. she’s got the starkey name, and that means something. she’s got a lot of love ahead of her.”
drew nods slowly, feeling the weight of his dad’s words sink in. he’s always known what it meant to be a starkey, to be part of this tight-knit, no-nonsense family. but now, looking down at his daughter in his arms for the first time, he realizes the legacy he’s carrying is bigger than just his name. It’s about love, about protecting this little person with everything he has.
his wife leans over to him, whispering in his ear. “she’s perfect, drew. she’s everything.”
drew looks over at her, his eyes soft with admiration and love. he can’t believe this is his life now, this beautiful little family they’ve built together. he pulls her close, his arm around her shoulders, and they both turn to watch as the family takes turns holding their daughter, cooing over her and making plans for the future.
the evening passes in a blur of laughter, stories, and happy tears. drew’s sister , mackayla, holds the baby , her voice full of warmth and pride as she whispers, “she’s is so cute, her and lillian are going to be best friends forever”.
drew stands back for a moment, his eyes on his daughter, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. he’s no longer just the guy on the screen, the actor who gets to live out a thousand different lives. he’s a father. and this little girl, who’s so new to the world, will be his greatest adventure.
when the last family member finally says their goodbyes, the house grows quiet again. Drew and his wife sit on the couch, the baby peacefully asleep in her crib. drew can’t tear his eyes away from her, his hand resting lightly on her tiny chest.
“she’s everything,” drew says quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
his wife nods, her hand resting in his. “we’re everything, drew. this is just the beginning.”
and in that moment, drew knows she’s right. the journey of parenthood has just begun, and with his family by his side, he’s ready for every single moment of it.
