Ebony smiles as she slowly wakes up, lying on her left side. She loved waking up so warm and comfortable. Soft breathing by her ear made her giggle softly. Turning her head to the right, she could catch a glimpse of Keith's sleeping face out of the corner of her eye. Keith's arms were wrapped around her lower chest, with her back against him. Ebony snuggles into him, purring softly.

Back to the present

Keith was too busy remembering Christmas Day to notice what Ebony was doing. He blushes beetroot red as she kisses him, kissing her back seconds later. Christmas was a while ago but he was still getting used to having a girlfriend. Ebony had admitted to him early on that she knew very little about dating. Keith wraps his arms around her waist and gently pulls her close to him. Ebony rests her head on his shoulder as she feels him shiver. Both of them had their winter fur coats but the snow was melting easier as spring drew closer. Snow melted by his body heat had seeped through his clothes and into his fur.

Ebony "You OK Keith?"

Keith "Yeah, beside for being wet from the snow you dumped on me"

Keith and Ebony laugh as he was just teasing her and it showed in his tone of voice.

Ebony "I'm so sorry for that. Let's get you dry and out of these wet clothes"

Keith smiles a bit and nods. Ebony giggles and helps him out of the snow and onto his feet. Keith smiles at her as they walk hand in hand to the house. Keith lets her lead him into the bathroom, grabbing a towel as they go. Ebony closes the door behind them then looks at him.

Ebony "Alright. Take off your wet clothes"

Keith blushes a bit and takes off his polerfleece jumper. He blushes more when Ebony takes his wet shirt off and starts dry off his chest, back and shoulders. Leaving the removed wet clothes in a neat pile on the floor, Ebony leaves the room to get Keith some dry clothes while he takes off his pants and finishes drying himself off. She hands him dry pants and boxers through the door, being careful not to look at him naked. Ebony walks in when he asks for the shirt though. Keith blushes as she puts a hand on his chest.

Ebony "I wasn't sure which shirt to choose so I didn't grab one"

Keith "Or did you just want to see me without a shirt on?"

Ebony "That too"

He blushes more as she hugs him, resting her head against his shoulder. Keith's tail started to wag as Ebony purrs. He kisses her forehead, loving the sound of her purr. They stand like that for a few minutes before they hear Keith's stomach grumble. Ebony giggles and lets go of him, poking him in the belly.

Ebony "Looks like someone is hungry!"

Keith "Hungry? I'm starving!"

The two teens laugh as they walk out of the bathroom after Ebony put the wet clothes in the dirty clothes basket. Her own stomach started growling as she caught the first whiff of breakfast, making her mouth water. Jenny's delicious waffles, hash browns and… oohhh! Hickory smoked bacon! Ebony glances at Keith. She could tell he was starting to smell it too. She grins and races into the kitchen with Keith hot on her heels. Jenny couldn't help laughing when she turns around to see them both in their seats. She serves them their first helping then calls up to John.

Jenny "You better get down here quick dear or else there will be none left for you! I made your favourite…"

The three in the kitchen couldn't help laughing as they heard John leap out of bed with a thump at the very mention of her making his favourite anything! They only laughed harder when John stumbled into view with his shirt on backwards.

John "What? What's so funny?"

Ebony "Your... ha-ha! Your shirt is on backwards

They all laugh and start to eat after John had turned his shirt the right way. Ebony listens as the other three discuss who would get which chores for the day. She never minds which is delegated to her. As the days pass and the snow started to turn to slush and melt, everyone could tell spring was well on its way. The snow itself is no indicator as false spring brings weather warm enough to melt some of the snow. The birds were starting to sing in the trees again and tender buds were starting to form. They all knew that everything will be warmer and brighter soon.

Spring

Ebony yawns and rubs her eyes as she walks towards the house. Somehow she had slept in late. Keith wasn't beside her when she woke up and the house seemed like the best option as she was hungry for breakfast. Ebony couldn't help smiling as she felt the soft spring grass beneath her feet. She loves all the seasons for the changes they bring. Winter brings snow, spring brings new life, summer brings perfect swimming weather and autumn brings the falling of deciduous leaves.

Walking up to the front door, the house was strangely quiet. Ebony flicks her ears then lies them back in apprehension. The house was hardly ever quiet at this time of day. She hesitates before she opens the door and walks inside. All the curtains were drawn, making it dark inside. Ebony closes the door with her tail, glancing around nervously as she heads for the lounge, hearing something. She jumps in surprise as the lights suddenly switch on, momentarily blinding her.

Voices "Surprise! Happy 18th birthday Ebony!"

Ebony opens her eyes and gapes in surprise. At least 9 presents were on the coffee table, balloons were everywhere, she could smell the various foods that were set aside for lunch as well as the cake and almost every human that she had met during her stay at the farm was present. Keith smiles as he walks over to her.

Keith "Do you like your surprise party?"

Ebony "I... I'm speechless..."

Everyone chuckles as Keith puts a birthday hat on her head, just for the fun of it. Only then does she realise that almost everyone was wearing the silly looking paper hats, making Ebony giggle. Keith grins at her and kisses her cheek. The adults chuckle and the party gets underway. Keith and Ebony decided to dance a little as the music started up. Keith looks into her eyes, smiling softly as everyone watched. Ebony blushes as he dips just as the song ended and as everyone clapped happily.

Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the party. Keith had explained that they had gone to such lengths because Ebony had never had a birthday party before and they wanted to show how much they cared about her. Time had flown by and Ebony was now opening her presents. Among the presents she had already opened was a black Samsung Galaxy S 5, a birthstone necklace, arts and crafts supplies, a yoga poses poster, a stainless steel Premier Chocolate Fondue Fountain and chocolate for said fountain. Keith fidgets as he waits for the right moment. He hadn't put his gift for her with the others so he could give it to her himself.

When she had finally opened all the presents on the coffee table, Ebony looks at Keith. She had noticed that there had been none from him among them. Keith walks over to her and brings out the present from behind his back.

Keith "I wanted to give you this myself"

He hands it to her and watches as she opens it. Everyone looks at them when they hear her gasp. Inside the present was a little ring box and inside the box was a beautiful promise ring. Keith blushes as he takes the ring out of the box and slides it onto Ebony's left middle finger, whispering in her ear as he does so. The two blush bright red and kiss. They stand with their foreheads together for a while, just holding each other.

Ebony knew she should return to New York soon. Even though she wants to go home, she also wants to stay here on Meadowbrook farm. Jenny had reassured her that she could visit whenever she likes. Luckily for her, Fred the local produce truck driver is a good friend of the Meadowbrook's and is one of the people at her party. Ebony could hear Jenny asking Fred if he could be Ebony's mode of transport when she wants to come over and go home to New York. They started talking about something else as they walked out of her hearing range.