A/N: Thank you for the reviews "Lil Miss Mercer" & my friend bridget who used my own account and laptop to review off :)
So I thought I'd add to it... Please let me know if you think I'm getting the characters okay.
Like I said it has been 8 months and 3 days since that second, 'first' kiss as Francesca called it. Annabel had been the first to tease us. She whipped her phone out and texted Luca Spinelli with the news of Tom and I. Luca in turn told his sister Francesca. Who in turn text Siobhan and Justine. And that is how all my best friends came to know about us before we even knew what it was ourselves. I could feel my phone vibrating in my pocket as Tom and I got into Francesca's car which I had slyly borrowed to 'run an errand'. I remember how his laughter made me grin so hard my cheeks hurt when he knew exactly who the text would be from.
"The gang want answers Ms Finke" Tom gestured towards my pocket.
"What answers do I have for them Thomas?" I asked cheekily.
He leaned in over me, his lips hovering over mine.
"That finally two fools were able to get their timing right?" He suggested and then he kissed me again. Until I broke apart to correct him.
"Two fools? No no no. Tom. No. Just one fool. See me, I'm a genius, not a fool"
He chuckled, "Your right its my fault. I've been an inexplicable fool"
Repeating his line he'd adopted from Pride and Prejudice when we watched it together when we were still teenagers in high school.
After extending my stay near the election 8 months ago. We spent a few more days together before I had to fly back to Same again. It was enough, I stayed for the funeral of his grandfather. It wasn't a sad funeral. His family were just happy to have Tom Finches body back where it belonged. Thomas' Pop Bill and Nanni Grace told stories of him and had everyone laughing at the wake. I held Tom's hand and he squeezed it tight when they spoke. Francesca and Justine came as well in support. Its what us girls did best. Support each other. No matter what. Tom always teased us and told us we were lame but I know deep down he appreciated it. He'd somewhat matured and that day he didn't tease us. He was grateful.
Then something else incredible happened that night.
Jimmy Hailler entered our lives again.
"What the- shit man! Where have- How did you? What are you doing here?" Tom finally strung the words together when he saw him.
"I told him" Francesca confessed proudly. Jim was swarmed by our hugs. I couldn't believe it. Jim had returned. Our group was almost complete again.
After our fussing the boys had gone outside to share a cigarette and talk things over. I was going to make Tom quit that disgusting habit later, but I let it go seeing it was his families funeral.
"Oh my God" Justine kept repeating when they left.
'You can say that again" I mused.
She did.
"I can't believe he came back" Francesca admitted but couldn't hide how pleased she was. Neither could I. I know it was a funeral service but we had gained another in return we couldn't help but smile.
Jim never really did go into detail about where he'd been all that time. I have a feeling he told Tom a lot more than he let us girls know. But I didn't bother questioning it further even if Frankie did. I didn't mind where he'd been the important thing was he was back for now. Frankie had sent a text to Siobhan and Will repeating what she had said about Tom that she thought "we're getting our Jim back".
I flew back to Same the following night. Tom said he would book a ticket and join me, but I didn't let him. I knew he'd promised his Great Aunt to help build the development in Walgett, and I wouldn't let him come with me and break it. That summer he spent his time working beside Ned and Jim who agreed to chip in. Francesca's dad had returned sometime later and his business ran things smoothly. He wrote to me while we were apart. Like we did before. Sending emails to each other. Our contact became even more frequent than it was with the girls. I even started talking to Jim again via email.
After he had finished building he organized to fly and meet me in Same while I "saved the world" as Tom put it. Jim took over as "dish pig" at the Union while he was gone. I knew he'd miss our friends and especially his family.
But he told me he'd stay with his where ever I wanted to go. He said his grid was where ever I was now. Referring to when I told him he boxed himself into the safe confides of a grid around his house and families houses. I was flattered when he offered to stay with me. But I realized even though I was 'changing the world' I was still even with Tom by my side home sick. It took that realization for me to come home a month later with Tom. He made me pinky promise not to tell anyone we were actually returning home. He thought it would be fun to surprise everyone. I almost slipped and began texting the girls with my news of return when he came in and tackled me onto the bed. Snatching the phone out of my grasp. I was glad he made me keep it a surprise. The expression on Francesca and Justine's was priceless, as Tom said. They were working at the Union. Francesca was so excited when the realization clicked she dropped a glass she had been pouring. She raced over to embrace myself, then Tom.
Justine had come out alarmed at the sound of glass breaking and her jaw dropped when she saw us. She squealed and I couldn't help but grin. We had our own group hug. The four of us then. Thats when I knew that coming home was definitely the right decision.
Jim walked in curious as to why the girls had been screaming.
"You girls do a lot of hugging" was all Jim said.
"Get used to it mate" Tom warned him laughing.
"Aw, Shut up and get over here Hailler" I demanded.