Cruel Cruel World

Chapter 8: Lucky Town

This time, I`ll try to love again. I`ll never lose you my friend. I`ll be there till the end. Forever. This time, I`ll take the happy pill. Chew off more than I can spill. Play until you stay forever.

Matthew had been fully dressed by the time Kelly had woken up. He had even treated her to breakfast at her favorite place once she was dressed for the day. He said it was to pay her back for what she did for him, even though she insisted he didn't have to. He insisted on writing her a check for the dress as well. He wouldn't take no for an answer.

Breakfast had been nice, but then, after kissing her cheeks, bidding her farewell, and thanking her once again, he left to go make up with Maria in person.

Kelly bet she knew how they were going to make up. It made her sick.

Now, a month had passed since the second Matthew getting drunk and coming to Kelly's place incident. It was a bittersweet day. It was the last day of filming before Gossip Girl would officially be over. Well, the filming of Gossip Girl that is. The night before, Kelly had been crying most the night, and knew that the tears were sure to come back. It was sad. It wasn't just that she was out of a job. She was sure she'd find something else. It was the fact that, for the last five plus years, they had all been a family. She would always look forward to coming to work after a few months off, and seeing everyone again, and acting with them. Especially with Matthew. The way things were going lately, who knew if they'd ever act together again? Right now, she wasn't even sure they wouldn't eventually drift apart. Ever since he met Maria, she had kind of gotten the shaft a bit from Matthew. It saddened her. She and he used to be so close.

The drunken thing meant nothing to her now. He still posted videos of all the places, and all the things he did with Maria. It was a daily reminder that he loved and wanted to be with Maria—not her. Now, she wouldn't even have work to keep her and Matthew together.

Kelly sighed. She didn't want to start up crying again, but it was hard not to as she made her way to the studio for the very last time. At least, the very last time on the job.

Matthew was there waiting for her. He smiled when he saw her, and draped an arm over her shoulder. "So, this is it, huh?"

Kelly nodded. "Don't remind me. I might start crying again. I'm going to miss you all so much!"

Matthew nodded. "I know," he whispered. "I'm going to miss it too. We've all become like family."

Kelly nodded. "We have," she agreed.

Matthew kissed her temple. "Don't worry, Kel. We'll still work together, you and I. After all, you and I are a team, right?" He grinned at her.

Kelly placed her arm around him, and smiled up at him. "Right!" She winked at him.

They grinned eat each other, then kissed each other's cheek in unison before heading arm-in-arm for Rufus and Lily's last hurrah.

But nobody said it would be easy now. We live in a lucky town, but the foundations are shaking. The bridges are breaking in two, but nobody said it would be easy now. I don`t want to let you down, but my heart is alight. It`s alright. Cuz it`s burning for you, and it burns right through.

"And, that's a wrap!" the director called as the clapper board clapped for the very last time of filming Gossip Girl.

Everyone cheered, but then their cheers soon turned into hugs, kisses, and crying. They were all sobbing like babies. It was sad. What they had come to used to in the last five plus years was now at an end. The Gossip Girl part of their life was now officially gone except for the farewell party, which was now officially underway. They all decided just to have the farewell part directly after they finished taping. It seemed fitting. Besides, they were all already at the studio. There was no use in leaving, then coming back another time.

"Don't worry. We'll all have to promise we'll work together again. Even if not everyone at the same time, we'll all eventually get to working with each other again at sometime," Leighton said.

"And soon too! I'm not going to wait for like a twenty-five year reunion or something," Blake added.

Everyone voiced their agreement.

"Well, enough of this crying, mushy stuff," Josh, the show's producer stated.

"Yeah," Stephanie, Josh's fellow producer agreed. "Let's get this party started!"

As if on cue, the Black Eyed Pea's "Let's Get It Started" started playing loudly over the speakers.

Everyone immediately began to dance then.

"Care to give your TV husband a dance?" Matthew asked Kelly with an extended hand to her. He smirked.

Kelly smirked as well. "Ah, why not?" She then squealed as he practically yanked her out to the dance floor.

They both laughed as they danced to the music.

Matthew danced crazily just to be funny. It worked. Kelly found it hilarious, and found herself dancing just as crazily with him.

The other cast members pointed and laughed, then cheered them on, beginning crazy dances of their own.

Kelly was having a great time. It felt so nice to dance with Matthew like that. It helped her forget her problems for the time being, and just enjoy the music, and her time with her dear friend.

"Go Kelly!" Chase called out as Kelly let out a loud, "Woo!" and swayed her arms back and forth above her head as she repeatedly bent and unbent her knees.

Matthew followed suit, only he waved not only his arms back and forth, but his whole body as well.

Everyone was laughing, and having such a good time.

Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" came on, and everyone cheered. After all, who didn't love Lady Gaga? She had even guest stared on the show once.

Matthew took Kelly's hands in his own, and moved their arms one out, one in, then switched, the other one out, and the other one in.

Kelly laughed. "You're such a nut!" she shouted over the music.

"But you love that I'm a nut!" Matthew shouted back, twirling her around then dipping her.

Kelly smiled. "That I do!" She winked.

They continued to dance until the song was over. Then, the music volume lowered to a more comfortable listening volume as Bon Jovi's "Always" began to play.

"Do you still want to dance?" Matthew asked, his eyes lowered a bit.

Kelly slowly blinked. "I'm up for it if you are," she said quietly.

In response, Matthew placed his hands over her waist.

Kelly placed her hands over his shoulders, and they slowly began to sway back and forth to the music.

They didn't speak for a good minute, then Matthew spoke, breaking the silence. "You know, I meant what I said earlier about you and I being a team. I think you and I make a great team as both friends and actors. We should definitely do a movie together or, better yet, another TV show."

Kelly smiled. "Or both."

Matthew nodded and smiled. "Now you're talking!"

Kelly nodded. "Well, I'd love to. We'll definitely have to see about that!"

"Definitely!" Matthew moved so that his lips were practically brushing against Kelly's left ear. "I'd miss you too much if we didn't."

Kelly looked him in the eyes. "I'd miss you too," she said just loud enough for him to hear.

He kissed her cheek and held her close, then they continued to sway slowly back and forth to the rest of the song, no more words between them.

When the song ended, Matthew looked at Kelly in a way that Kelly thought looked like he wanted to kiss her. She knew better, but her heart still sped up at the thought.

"Thanks for the dance," he said. "I'm kind of getting hungry now, and they just brought out the food!"

Kelly laughed. "Yeah, I saw that. It all looks good. I don't like this song anyway. Let's go dig in!"

Matthew laughed too. "Sounds good to me!"

However, before Kelly could link her arm with his, and lead him to the food table, in walked Maria wearing a pare of skinny jeans, and black and white tunic. On her feet were black flats. She smiled when she saw Matthew, and ran right over to him, latching onto his arm, kissing his cheek, then resting her head on his chest. "I finally made it! My class ran a little late."

"Class?" Kelly asked before she could stop herself. Not that she really cared, but she was curious.

"I take cooking classes. I just joined this semester at the culinary school," she said.

"But I thought you were an artist," Kelly stated. Maria liked to draw and such.

Maria nodded. "I am, but I also love to cook. Besides, when I'm cooking, I can kind of put my art into something you can eat." She clung tightly to Matthew's arm, and smiled up at him. "Right, Honey?"

Matthew licked his lips, his eyes on her. He nodded. "Right!" He smiled back at her, then turned his attention back to Kelly as he gently rubbed Maria's arm. "She's an incredible cook. You should come over sometime, and she can cook for us all. Then you'll see how good she is."

Maria nodded. "Totally! We always have plenty left, so I wouldn't be going out of my way or anything."

Heaven forbid you go our of your way for me, Kelly thought bitterly. She smiled. "Sure. Sounds good!" Another night with Matthew and Maria didn't sound particularly appealing, but Kelly didn't want to be a bitch. If Maria would try to be nice to her, then she would try to be nice to Maria. Besides, who was she to pass up a good meal? Though, it would be just her luck that Maria would give her food poisoning. Probably on purpose. Kelly didn't really believe that, but in an odd way, it made her feel good to joke about it in her mind.

"Oo, I love this song!" Maria said suddenly.

You would, Kelly thought with a put on smile.

"Let's go dance!" Maria said, dragging Matthew out onto the dance floor without even waiting for a response.

Matthew shrugged apologetically at Kelly, then laughed as Maria continued to drag him out onto the dance floor.

They then danced together, a little too closely for Kelly's taste.

Kelly turned away from the disturbing scene on the dance floor. "Yuck!" she said.

She sighed, then headed to eat before she lost her appetite. Once again, Maria had showed up to ruin everything. Lately, it had become the story of Kelly's life.

This time I`ll try to make believe, wear my heart upon my sleeve. Just take it when you leave. It`s better. This time, I`ll be the better man. I know the world understands. Cuz greatness is overrated. You`ll see.

After the song ended, Matthew and Maria came back, hand-in-hand to the food table, and filled their own plates of food.

Kelly had already devoured half her plate. She suddenly felt like a pig. She voiced her thoughts. "I shouldn't be eating all this. I usually eat better than this. I'm going to have to work this off before it becomes a problem." She pat her stomach for emphasis.

"Oh, please, Woman! You're beautiful, and you know it! Nothing you can eat will make you anything less than breathtakingly beautiful," Matthew said to her.

Kelly smiled, partially at Matthew's words, but mainly at the look of distaste on Maria's face upon hearing her boyfriend say that about another woman. "Thank you, my Darling. I appreciate that." She smiled even bigger as Maria's distaste intensified on her face.

"Besides, we're at a party. What better time to stuff your face and your stomach, right?" Matthew asked.

Kelly laughed. "Right!"

"So ends an era. You two will no longer be husband and wife," Maria said with a wink, and a little giggle.

Kelly didn't know what was funny about that. Then again, she knew why Maria found it funny. "Well, we're going to be sure to work together on future projects, so who knows? We might just be married again eventually." Kelly winked back.

Maria smiled, but clearly, it wasn't sincere.

Kelly hid a smirk.

"Ah yes! They have brought in the alcohol!" Matthew said.

Suddenly Jamie Foxx's "Blame It" came on.

Maria laughed. "How appropriate! We totally have to dance to this!"

"With our a-a-a-a-a-alcohol, Baby!" Matthew said,

Maria laughed. "I'm down with that!"

They set down their barely touched plates, grabbed some Champaign, and headed out to the dance floor to drink and dance.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Stupid! 'Down with that?' Give me a break!" She finished her food, and sipped some Champaign of her own as she watched Matthew and Maria dance and drink. They looked even more dumb that she and Matthew had looked dancing crazily. So much for Matthew being hungry, she thought. At least for food...

She sighed, then went to seek out Chase and Ed, and anyone else she could find that wouldn't make her want to vomit back up what she had just eaten.

But nobody said it would be easy now. We live in a lucky town, but the foundations are shaking. The bridges are breaking in two, and nobody said it would be easy now. I don`t want to let you down, but my heart is alight. It`s alright cuz it`s burning for you.

After "Blame It," Matthew and Maria had finally come back to finish their food. They finished their plates, and even had seconds. Maria had a Coke and rum, and Matthew had whatever alcohol he could get his hands on. In fact, he spent a good fifteen minutes at the bar.

Maria wanted to dance, but he told her five more minutes. He was talking with the bartender and Ed.

The three men all laughed at something.

Maria sighed, not looking too pleased, then headed to the bathroom.

Kelly downed her second glass of Champaign. That was it for her. She had to go to the bathroom too, so she headed over tot he bathrooms as well.

She went into the stall.

Maria was in the stall two stalls down.

After Kelly was finished, she came out, and saw Maria touching up her makeup at the mirror.

"Enjoying the party?" Kelly asked, partly trying to be nice, and partly wanting to see if Maria complained about Matthew.

Maria looked at her. "Sort of."

"Only sort of?" Kelly asked. She washed her hands.

"Well, as much as I love a drink, Matthew's drinking is getting a bit out of control. And, to be completely honest with you, I don't like the way he flirts with you," Maria said matter-of-factly.

Kelly took a paper towel, and dried her hands. She smirked. "Flirts with me? No. Trust me, it's not flirting. He and I are just very close. We joke around all the time, and we do have a mutual love and respects for each other as friends, but that is as far as it goes."

"Yeah, well I don't see why flirting has to be a part of that," Maria grumbled.

Kelly was annoyed now. "Well, I knew him first, so there's going to be a closeness between him and I even if you don't like it. I'm sorry, but it's true." She then walked out of the bathroom before she said something worse. She didn't want to argue with Maria. Heck, it wasn't like her to go off like she just had. She just wasn't herself lately. All the crap she had to go through lately was making her snap.

She headed over to the bar where Matthew was laughing with Ed and Chase as they made a bottle of soda explode.

"That's what happens when you put a starlight mint into a bottle of soda!" Chase said loud enough for anyone within listening range to hear.

Blake and Leighton both laughed, but rolled their eyes.

Matthew took another Champaign, and downed it in one swig.

Kelly shook her head. Maria was right about one thing, and one thing only. His drinking was getting out of control.

Well this time I`ll try to love again. This time I`ll never lose you my friend. I`ll stay until the end. Forever and ever and ever more.

For the next two hours, they all enjoyed the party. Old Gossip Girl clips were shown, they read their favorite scenes off scripts from all six seasons, they had karaoke, and they reminisced about old times, looking at old photos from the set and behind the scenes included. At one point, a big cake was even brought out with all of their pictures on it. They all toasted with Champaign, then Josh and Stephanie cut the cake together.

They all enjoyed their cake, and reminisced some more.

Josh and Stephanie gave them all trophies they had had especially made to remember Gossip Girl.

Matthew got a trophy of a waffle that said King of the Waffles!

Kelly got one that was the word, "Bitch." There was a crown resting over the B. It read, Queen Bitch of course, since Lily was a bitch most of the time. Kelly had to laugh at that one.

Leighton's was one of her favorites. It was a golden bee wearing a crown. The plaque of course said none other than Queen Bee, which was totally appropriate for Blair.

Ed's was a statue of the Empire State Building and read, King of the Empire. Blake's was a big letter "S" with the plaque reading, Queen of the Boys. It was another of Kelly's favorites.

Finally, the night was slowing down. Karaoke had started up again. Some were singing, some were dancing in another part of the studios to the music the DJ was playing. Others were chowing down. And some, were getting ready to leave.

Kelly thought of leaving. She wanted to say goodbye to Matthew, but saw that he was drinking again.

Maria was sitting on the couch, her legs crossed, looking bored. Once in a while, she'd shoot an annoyed look at Matthew, but he didn't seem to notice.

Kelly was going to stay something to Matthew about maybe calling it a night when it came to drinks, but before she could, he went up to the karaoke stage.

He whispered something to the guy running the karaoke, then grabbed the microphone.

Suddenly, the sounds of Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" began to play, and Matthew began to sing.

Kelly covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my gosh." She usually didn't find drunkenness funny in the slightest, but this was just too funny!

He started swaying his hips, and when he got to the part about being too sexy for his shirt, he pulled it off, and tossed it aside.

Kelly shook her head, and continued to laugh. She looked around to see Maria's reaction.

Maria walked over near her, and smiled big as she stood and watched Matthew sing and perform.

The guys were all clapping, and encouraging Matthew to continue.

Leighton, Blake, Michelle, Kaylee, and even Stephanie were all cheering and whistling.

"Woo!" Take it all off!" Michelle joked.

Maria glanced over at her, and laughed.

Kelly fought to not roll her eyes. Maria had a problem with Matthew flirting with her (Kelly), but no problem at all with another woman joking that Matthew should "take it all off?" Whatever.

Matthew sang about being too sexy for the party, and disco dancing, then strutted around the stage as he sang about being a model on the catwalk.

He then walked off the stage, still carrying his cordless mic, and singing into it about being too sexy for his car and his hat.

He headed over Kelly's and Maria's way.

Maria grinned widely, and held out her arms, thinking he was going to walk over to her.

Instead, he walked right past her, and over to Kelly.

He ran his free hand down Kelly's right side as he sang about being a model on the catwalk again. He shook his butt when he sang about shaking his little tush, then he gripped Kelly's butt, giving it a hard squeeze before gently slapping it.

Kelly gasped.

Maria shot them both the death glare.

He ground up against Kelly as he continued to sing. "I'm too sexy for my... Too sexy for my..."

Kelly wasn't going to flirt with Matthew in front of Maria. She knew that wouldn't be right. Besides, he was so drunk out of his mind, it kind of took away from it anyway.

He sang about the catwalk again, and let go of her. Kelly was momentarily relieved.

He shook his tush again at the "shake my little tush" part, then, when he got to the "I'm too sexy for my cat" part, he pulled her close again. Then, he nudged her right leg up, and moved it around his waist as he sang the "too sexy for my love" part.

Finally, right after he ended with the "I'm too sexy for this song," part, he bent Kelly backwards, and kissed her passionately.

Kelly kissed him back instinctively.

The music ended, and suddenly, everyone was quiet.

Kelly could see a look of realization on Matthew's face. He gently let her back up. "I'm sorry," he whispered to Kelly.

"You should be apologizing to me!" Maria snapped.

Matthew turned around to face Maria.

Kelly winced as Maria's hand made loud contact with his cheek. "That's it! I tried to be like Kelly, and I tried to make sure you distanced yourself from her, but nothing has worked! No matter how much I love your daughter, and no matter how I do everything you say as far as where to go, and what we'e going to do... No matter how many of the same things we like, it's never going to be enough! It's pretty clear to me your always going to be hung up on Kelly! I've been an idiot to not see that! You and I are through!" Maria stomped her foot angrily, then ran out of the party.

Everyone else looked away then, and quickly busied themselves with something else.

"I should go after her," Matthew stated. Still, he didn't make a move to do so. "I think I had too much to drink," he then added.

"Ya think?" Kelly asked.

"I should go to her," he said, trying to walk off to catch up with Maria. He stumbled, almost falling. He actually would have fallen if Kelly hadn't caught him.

Kelly sighed. "Come on. I think you're far too drunk to talk to her anyway. Why don't you give her a night to cool off? You can stay at my place."

Matthew smiled at her. "You're the best, Kel!" He rested his head against her shoulder.

"I know," Kelly said. She then helped him out of the studios, and hailed them a cab.

She sighed as she helped him into the cab. It was going to be a long night.

But nobody said it would be easy now. We live in a lucky town, but the foundations are shaking. The bridges are breaking in two, but nobody said it would be easy now. I don`t want to let you down, but my heart is alight. It`s alright. Cuz it`s burning for you.

"Are you going to make me take a cold shower again?" Matthew asked when they arrived back at her apartment, and she locked up behind them.

Kelly sighed. "I'll take pity on you this time. I still want you to take a shower to sober up, but it doesn't have to be freezing cold. Do you think you can handle it on your own?" She had opened the window on the way back to her place, hoping the cool breeze would sober him up a bit.

"Yeah, I don't feel as drunk as I did earlier, but I really think I'm going to have to use your toilet in a minute. All this alcohol is finally fighting back," he said.

"Then go to the bathroom now before you throw up yet again on something you shouldn't!" Kelly said.

Matthew nodded, then quickly ran to the bathroom.

Kelly sighed. She headed to her bedroom, and into her closet. She took out a bin from the top shelf, then headed back to the bathroom.

The door was open, so she knew Matthew was still decent. He retched one more time, then took some toilet paper, and wiped his mouth. He then tossed the paper into the toilet, and flushed. He stood up.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

Matthew nodded. "I still feel a little tipsy, but my stomach feels better anyway. He noticed the bin in her hands, and nodded at it. "What's that?"

"Well, after the second time of you coming over and having nothing to wear, I thought I'd be prepared in case it ever happened again. I got you a pair of pajamas, a T-shirt, a pair of boxer shorts, a package of briefs, and a package of boxer-briefs, so whatever you prefer to wear, you're all set. I also bought you a tooth brush, so you're all set hygiene wise too. The toothpaste is right there on the sink. I also got you some extra strength Tylenol for the headache you're sure to have in the morning. She set both the tooth brush, and the Tylenol on the sink next to the tooth paste, and tossed Matthew the other items.

"Aw, Kelly! That's so sweet of you! You didn't have to do that! I feel bad now. You spent the money on me when you yourself said you need to save your money for your lawyer's fees." Matthew sincerely looked touched.

Kelly shrugged. "I got all the stuff at Target. It's not going to break the bank." She winked.

"Well, thank you still. It's so nice of you!" He hugged her tightly.

She hugged him. "You're welcome." She then let go of him. "Now, take that shower! No offense, but you stink. The shampoo, body wash, and conditioner are all in the shower. The towels are in there." She nodded to the linen closet.

Matthew laughed. "Yes, Ma'am!" He saluted.

Kelly rolled her eyes, but grinned as she left, shutting the door behind her.

She shook her head and smiled as she headed to the kitchen. As much as she tried to deny it, she was undeniably, irrevocably in love with him, and she always would be. There was just no way around it.

But nobody said it would be easy now. We live in a lucky town, but my heart is on fire. The bridges are burning for you, but nobody said it would be easy now. I don`t want to let you down, but my heart is alight. It`s alright cuz it`s burning for you.

Twenty minutes later, Matthew came into the kitchen wearing the blue and white striped pajamas she had gotten him, looking clean and fresh.

She grinned. "So, which underwear did you chose?" she teased. "I wasn't sure which you wore, so I got you one of each kind."

Matthew blushed. "It varies, but tonight I chose the briefs."

Kelly nodded. "Good choice! You know, I never got how guys can wear shorts and call it underwear. It would feel icky to me. It's like wearing shorts with no underwear!"

Matthew laughed. "Well, guys have different parts than women, so it's different."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Really? What kind of parts?"

Again, Matthew laughed. "Shut up!"

Kelly smirked, and handed him some Gatorade. "Drink this." She smiled at Matthew's confused reaction. "I did some research, and a lot of people said that Gatorade is good for hydrating, which in turn is good fro helping to sober you up. You also should get some food in your system, so I made you a turkey and mustard sandwich."

Matthew smiled. "Thanks, Kel."

"Don't mention it!" She said as she carried his sandwich to the table for him.

"I just brushed my teeth. I would have held off, had I known you were gonna make me something to eat," he said, sitting down at the table in front of his sandwich.

"I'm glad you didn't hold off. No one likes barf breath," she teased.

Matthew laughed. "Good point!" He nodded at her then. "Aren't you going to eat anything?"

Kelly shook her head. "I'm still full from the party. I'm good with my chamomile tea." She held up her mug for emphasis.

Matthew ate in silence as Kelly drank her tea in silence.

It only took Matthew two minutes to finish his sandwich. He washed it down with the rest of his Gatorade.

"I guess you were hungry even after all that food you ate at the party," Kelly said; amused. She winked and smiled at him.

He shrugged. "I actually didn't eat all that much at the party. I was too busy drinking."

"Why do you drink so much?" Kelly decided to just flat out ask him.

Matthew sighed. "I don't know. I like to drink. It's fun. Of course afterwards it's not so fun, but for a while at least, it helps me to forget all my problems. I feel the happiest I've ever been when I'm drunk. I like the feeling. It's like I'm walking on air."

Kelly laughed. "Until you're puking out your guts."

Matthew nodded, then looked down at the table. "Exactly."

Kelly didn't know what to say to that, so they sat in silence for a moment.

Kelly was just about to ask Matthew if he wanted some hot chocolate, or if he was tired, and just wanted to go to bed, but he spoke first.

"We need to talk about what I did tonight, hitting on you and all," he said suddenly.

Kelly looked up at him. "It's all right. You were drunk. You didn't know what you were doing."

Matthew blushed. "Actually, I kind of did. I might not have had the courage to do what I did had I been sober, but I definitely knew what I was doing."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. Well, this was a surprise. "Oh?"

Matthew nodded, then took her hands in his from across the table. "Maria was right. I want you. I know I haven't acted like it. I like being with younger women because it makes me feel young, and honestly, I sometimes feel like I'm too immature for an older woman. Also, it kind of makes me feel cool that I have such a young girlfriend."

"I think older men who date girls who are technically young enough to be their daughters are perverts—not cool." Kelly held her hands up. "Just putting that out there." Hey, it was the truth, Kelly figured. And, since he was being honest, she figured why not be honest with him too?

Matthew nodded. "Fair enough. Heck, I guess maybe there is a little bit of truth to that too. I don't know. I guess I just don't like the thought of being old. I feel like, if I'm dating someone younger, I'm not that old."

"Matthew, you're not even half way to fifty! You're not old! Come on. Anyway, you're still the same age no matter how young of a girl you date. Dating a young girl won't change anything. Besides, I think mature men are far more sexy than guys who act like boys, or who act like sugar daddies." Kelly squeezed his hand and winked.

Matthew smiled weakly. "So, you don't mind me sexy at all?"

"I didn't say that. I just like the way you act when you're with me. You're yourself. You're not trying to impress anybody for Lightt. You're Not showing off. You're just, well, you. You're my good friend, and I adore you. Plus, it helps that you're incredibly hot!" Kelly grinned and winked at him.

"So, you only think of me as a friend," he stated.

"I didn't say that either. But I'm too old according to you. I'm not in my twenties." Kelly couldn't help but say it.

Matthew shook his head. "You're not too old. Just because I've never dated someone..." he trailed off.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Old?"

Matthew laughed. "No! Kel, if you're old, I'm old. You may be older than me, but not even buy a year. We're currently the same age, you know." He winked. I just meant, I usually go for girls way younger than you. Way younger than me."

"Again, I'm too old!" Kelly said, feeling tired of this conversation already.

"Kelly, don't you get it? I'm not completely happy because I don't have you! It's always been you. You're not old, I'm just immature, and stupid. I'm having an extended midlife crisis if you would. I find you more beautiful than any woman I've ever met in my life! You're sexy, you're classy, you're beautiful, you're smart, your loving, you're a great mother, you're strong, and many other things that I can't I can't even think of right now! I've always been in love with you. I've just been too stupid to admit it. Also, I've been a little scared that you either wouldn't return my feelings, or you would!" Matthew said more intently.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "That I would?"

"I just mean that, if you did like me in that way, and we started dating, but then it ended horribly, what would happen to our friendship? I couldn't bear to lose you," Matthew explained. He squeezed her hand, then gently rubbed this thumb over the back of her hand.

"Who's to say it would end horribly?" Kelly asked.

Matthew shrugged. "I don't know."

"I don't think it could end horribly. Even if we didn't make it as a couple, it would end amicably," Kelly stated.

"How do you know?" Matthew asked.

"Because I could never live without you. Not being at least friends with you just isn't an option," Kelly stated. She squeezed his hand, and rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.

"So, do you have feelings for me too?" he asked her.

"Are you kidding? Seeing you with Maria has been pure torture! I just can't stand you being with another woman when you should be with me!" There. Kelly had said it. She didn't know how she had gotten the courage. She guessed it was the heat of the moment.

"Aren't you too occupied with having to deal with Daniel's crap, and trying to get your kids back to be in a relationship?" Matthew asked her.

Kelly shrugged. "For anyone else, maybe, but never too busy to be in a relationship with you."

Matthew licked his lips. "So, where do we go from here?"

Again, Kelly shrugged. "You tell me!"

Matthew stood up, and walked over to Kelly. He took her hands, and helped her up. His eyes lowered. "Well, what better way to start than with a kiss?"

Kelly's eyes lowered as well, and soon, she found herself kissing Matthew passionately, him returning the kisses with just as much passion.

Matthew picked Kelly up, and his kisses got more intense.

Kelly wanted this. Boy did she ever want it, but they couldn't make love the second they decided to start dating. She broke the kiss, out breath. "Matthew, we can't. It's too soon."

"Sure we can." He continued to kiss her.

Kelly kissed him back for a brief moment, then broke the kiss again. "Matthew, I mean it. We just decided to date. It's too soon."

Matthew sighed, then gently put her down. "All right. You're worth waiting for. I guess I'll go to bed now. Do you have the blankets and pillow for the pullout?"

Kelly didn't answer. She was too busy thinking about how good Matthew's lips felt pressed against hers. This time, it wasn't as Rufus and Lily. It was as Matthew and Kelly, and boy did it ever felt amazing. She had wanted him for so long, and now she finally had him. Was she really passing up on the chance to make love with him?

No way in heck.

She walked right up to him, and draped her arms over his shoulders. She kissed his left ear. "Why don't you stay with me instead?" she purred. "There's plenty of room in my bed."

He looked at her in confusion. "But I thought you said it was too soon."

She shrugged. "I changed my mind. I'm a woman. It's allowed."

Matthew grinned happily. "In that case, it'd be a pleasure!" He picked her up, and Kelly giggled.

They kissed all the way to the bedroom.

Matthew kicked the door shut behind them, then laid her down onto the bed.

"You're so beautiful," he breathed as he undressed Kelly.

"And you're so sexy!" she said as she undressed him in return.

They both kissed each other's skin as it was exposed.

"Lucky for you, I'm on birth control to keep my skin clear," Kelly said with a smile. "Of course it would be only for your skin because you must not have to worry about reproduction anymore. I mean, given the fact that you're so old and all." He smiled and winked at her.

Kelly gasped, and pushed him. "You're such a jerk!" She grinned. "I still have a good ten years in me at least, thank you."

Matthew laughed. "You know I was only joking. Even if you weren't on birth control, we wouldn't have had to worry anyway. I have a condom in my wallet." He blushed then. "Gosh, I hope this conversation doesn't take the romance out of this."

Kelly smiled, and gently stroked his cheek. "Don't worry, it doesn't."

"Because I really do love you, Kel. Being able to make love to you is a dream come true for me," Matthew said to her.

"Trust me, it's a dream come true for me too. I just don't want things to be weird for us after this," Kelly said, still stroking his cheek.

Matthew kissed her. "I promise, it won't."

"I have a question first." Kelly stated.

"What is it?" Matthew asked.

"They actually make condoms that small?"

It was Matthew's turn to gasp.

Kelly laughed. "Payback!" she said with a smile and a wink.

"Haha, very funny," Matthew said. He grinned nonetheless.

Kelly took his face between hers and grinned. "I love you."

His eyes lowered. "I love you too. Are you sure you want this? Because I don't want you regretting anything later."

She put a finger to his lips. "Sh, I'm with you. I'd never regret being with you. Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret anything either. I mean, you might still be a little drunk, and —"

Matthew cut her off with his finger to her lips this time. "I know exactly what I'm doing, don't worry. I want this as much as you do. And I feel the same way. I'd never regret being with you, Kel. I love you so much. Like I said before, I always have. I know I always will too."

"Then, what are you waiting for?" Kelly asked quietly. She pulled him down closer. "Make love to me."

His eyes lowered with love for her. "With pleasure."

He clicked off the lamps beside the bed, then took her into his arms, and kissed her, the kisses soon turning into so much more.

But nobody said it would be easy now. We live in a lucky town.