Stephenie Meyer owns it.

Music: "Fishin' in the Dark" – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

"Love Is Everything" – George Strait

Mississippiward is mine. So are any mistakes.


As much as I hate to admit it, I secretly love the heat. After months of cold, spring is a sight for sore eyes. Momma's crocus and daffodils bloom the second week of March. Edward and I decide to take advantage of the warm weekend and finally tackle his landscaping. He's over at Jordan's nursery, picking up azaleas, peonies, and a variety of trees. I'm on my knees in my front yard, digging up plants and thinning flower beds with Momma, so I can transplant some of these to Edward's house.

Scheduling all of my classes for the middle of the week is the best thing I've ever done. I don't always feel like that when it's test time, but having a four-day break every weekend makes it worth it. Sometimes, we stay in Oxford or Starkville, but most weekends, we try to make it home. Momma stopped asking about my love life a while back. The whole town knows about it. We haven't exactly been keeping it secret. Now that she's stopped prying, it's easier to spend time with her. It's… fun again.

"Have you heard anything about the job over at the water park?" she asks, stabbing the soil next to a cluster of lily shoots.

"I decided not to apply there. The Department of Wildlife offered me the position over at Clarkco working at the campground. I accepted. They're hopin' to add more biologists to our area over the next three to five years. This will look good on my resume when it's time to apply for one of those positions."

"You won't have much of a summer, graduatin' and goin' straight to work like that."

"Busy season doesn't start until the first week of June. I'll have time to move and a week left over to spend on the beach with Edward down at Gulf Shores."

"So you're startin' in June?"

"Yes, ma'am. It's better for them, too, for budget purposes."

"Well, as long as you're happy."

I never expected to graduate and step right in as a field biologist. That's not how things work, and I knew it going in. It may take more than five years. It might take more than ten. At least this way, I'll be working close to home, mostly outdoors, and I'll get some seniority. The pay isn't great, but I'll have good health insurance, which is never a bad thing. I'll also have time to start a Master's program online.

"I am. I'm actually lookin' forward to movin' back home."

"And by home, you mean..."

"Here. Edward and I aren't plannin' to move in together, yet."

She smiles, pushing stray hairs away from her forehead with her arm. "Good. Seein' both my girls happy… Well, I can't ask for more than that."

We have a nice selection of lilies, daffodils, crocus, and bluebells stacked and ready when Edward stops by to pick me up on the way home.

"Y'all want some lunch before you go?" Momma asks, keeping her back to us and focusing on the flowers.

"It's up to you," he says. "You know I could eat…"

Of course he could.

"I've yet to see you turn down food."

His hands wander over my ribs slowly making their way down, over my hips, and into my back pockets. "It'll probably never happen," he grins, pulling me closer for a sweet hello kiss.

"All right, you two. It's too early in the day to be messin' with Charlie's blood pressure." Momma walks past us, smiling and leading the way indoors.

She doles out homemade chicken soup and makes fresh chicken salad sandwiches while I tell Daddy about my new job.

"So they're finally gonna start payin' you." He nods. "That's good news, honey. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Daddy. You can come and get your fishin' licenses from me from now on."

"Speakin' of fishin'," Edward says, glancing at me and then my father. "You feel like hittin' the lake next week, Chief?"

Daddy looks at me before answering. "Monday or Tuesday would work."

We're out of school for Spring Break, and Edward finally brought the boat back over to his parents' dock. We went out for a couple of hours yesterday and barely got a nibble. Maybe they'll have better luck. I have a sneaking suspicion that there's a purpose behind this fishing trip.

My boyfriend is terrible at being subtle. He's made it quite clear that he's going to propose. We're spending a week together on the beach after graduation. Now would be a good time to get Daddy's permission, if that's his plan.

Or maybe he does just want to fish.

The waiting is making me crazy.

I try not to think about it too much, and that gets a little easier as the afternoon progresses back at Edward's house. Watching him toss mulch with a shovel for almost an hour makes it feel much warmer out here than mid-70s. He stops to wipe his forehead with his t-shirt twice, and the little glimpses of his abs make me wish it was summer already.

"I wish we could hop in the lake to cool off."

"We'd turn blue," he says, using the back of the shovel to tramp down the dirt around a newly planted azalea.

"You're right. I'm impatient and ready to be done with the cold."

"I'll check with Brady and see if next week is Amber-free. If it is, we can take a dip in his pool. It's heated."

"Heck no. We'll still have to get out when we're done swimmin', and it's not supposed to get above 65 all week."

He drops the shovel and helps me up from my spot in the flower bed, letting his hands linger at my waist. "I'll keep you warm."

There's nothing like swimming with him. He floats right behind me, touching but not holding for as long as he can stand it. But once his will breaks, he pulls me against him and kisses every inch of wet skin he can get his mouth on.

I may have to brave the cold.

"We'll see."

He grins before turning to walk away. "I'm going to till the garden now. You want to show me one more time where you want it?"

I follow him around back and point out the most suitable area. Before I can get back to the lilies out front, he tugs the hem of his shirt and pulls it off this time. He tosses it on the back porch before leaning over to crank the tiller.

Dear God, please let next week be Amber-free.

Since we can't swim today, I settle for a shower with him after we've planted broccoli, carrots, celery, lettuce, and peas. We're both covered in dirt from head to foot by the time we strip down in his bathroom.

I spend a good minute or so reacquainting my lips with his jaw. He shaved while he was in Starkville last week. As much as I love his clean-shaven face, I'm going to miss the beard until it comes back next fall.

We lose track of time on the shower bench while working up a different kind of sweat. I blame him entirely for being shirtless in front of me all afternoon.

We're thirty minutes late for a cookout at Eric's place because of our activities. He shrugs off the teasing from his buddies, and we relax over burgers and beer.

The boys collect a burn pile before the sun sets, and by the time it does, we're keeping warm by the fire. After working all day, Edward and I are ready to leave by ten, so we can get up in time for church in the morning.

Rosalie corners me the moment we walk through the door of the fellowship hall. "Ms. Cope said to tell you that there are donuts by the coffee pot," she says to Edward.

"I'll see you after." He kisses me on the cheek and gives my hip a light squeeze before walking away.

By the time we reach the choir room, Rosalie has sweet-talked me into agreeing to help her stuff hundreds of plastic Easter eggs with candy one day next week. She's offering lunch and good company in exchange for my services.

Edward sits alone on our pew, watching me from time to time instead of paying attention to Reverend McCarty. I've done my share of staring at him during church throughout the years, so I can't say much. He was an easy target since he spent most Sunday mornings snoozing on the last pew with his head leaned back against the wall. I'm not sure what I would have done back then if he'd looked at me the way he does now.

Daddy is working graveyard, so we skip lunch with my parents and pick up sandwiches from Hardee's on the way back to Edward's house. After we eat, we fire up the four-wheeler and spend our afternoon inspecting his ten acres and making sure all is well.

The red buds along his stretch of the highway are blooming, bright and pink. Squirrels and deer flee when they hear us coming, and on the way back to the house, he hits every mud hole he can find.

He makes up for it by washing the mud from my hair in his shower. "One of these days, you're gonna remember to tuck your hair into your helmet," he says, rubbing the pads of his fingers against my scalp.

"Where's the fun in that?"

His hands slide down over the curve of my hips, turning me until my hair is under the stream. With one step forward, his chest touches mine, and the way he's staring down at me makes it hard to even breathe.

"That's part of why I love you so much," he says. "I've always had fun when I'm with you, even when you were a mean little girl."

"I wasn't mean." My argument loses steam when I have to stop to rinse the shampoo from my hair.

"There was a mean spell. You laughed at me and teased me mercilessly for passin' out in front of y'all." If there wasn't a huge smile on his face, I'd be worried he's been holding a grudge.

"That was payback, and you know it."

"For what?" He switches places with me, so he can rinse the soap from his body.

"I'm not buyin' the innocent act. How long did you tease me about scorin' for the other team when we were playin' flag football after that potluck?" Months. He made fun of me for months.

"Well, you were the world's worst football player."

"And you wonder why I jumped at the opportunity to pick on you."

"You still pick on me," he says, turning off the water. "I like it." His arm rubs against my ribs when he reaches for our towels. "Almost as much as I like makin' you blush."

The towels don't make it to the bed with us. He's stretched out on top of me before either of us has a chance to dry.

"Do you know why I like seein' your cheeks turn pink?" he asks, brushing his lips over my nipple.

"Why?" I try to lift my hips and he shifts away from me, kissing my ribs and navel.

"Because most of the time, it happens when you're thinkin' something dirty." He grins when I don't deny it, making his way back up until he finds my lips and settles between my thighs. One strong hand skims my side and belly on the way down. He slips it between us to test the waters. "Damn, girl. I swear you were made for me."

"I was." He's right. All those years… He was right there. I don't how I missed it.

When he presses forward, I relax my legs, so he can move. Sweet kisses pepper my jaw and neck, and he gives, only to take away, keeping it slow and deliberate until his hips meet mine.

He's the mean one tonight, teasing me with shallow strokes and tugging my nipple between his fingers as he kisses me. He picks up the pace until our foreheads are pressed together and we're breathless.

After a quick trip to the bathroom, I settle under the sheets with him, staring at the fire and enjoying the warmth of his arms.

"Can I ask you somethin'?"

"Shoot," he says.

"Did you ask me to Becky Black's birthday party just so you could hickey me?"

"Hmmm." He rolls over onto his side and looks down at me. "I'd like to say no, but I know damn well that had the opportunity presented itself, I would've taken it. I asked you, because I wanted you to be my girlfriend. I liked you."

"I had already said yes to Ty when you asked me. If you'd asked first, things would've been different. Maybe. Who knows? When you hooked up with Becky, I figured –"

"I did not hook up with Becky. We kissed and made out. That was it."

"That's not what she said."

"I don't give a damn what she said. I lost my card to Jessica the night before school started our senior year."

"All that messin' around and Jessica was your first?"

"She was."

"Well, that's awkward."

"Awkward and quick. It was certainly nothin' to write home about. I feel bad for her, honestly."

"I can't imagine you not performing well." I've had a few good lovers in my day, but Edward puts them all to shame. Maybe it's because I love him. Or because he loves me. It could be both.

He laughs before rubbing the pad of his thumb across my blazing cheek. "Oh, I made up for lost time after that and dated a girl or two."

"Or ten. You got around senior year."

"And my first semester of college," he says. "But probably not as much as you think."

"It doesn't matter. Sometimes, I just wonder what would've happened if I'd been free to go to that party with you."

"I wondered that for a while myself, but then I decided that it didn't matter." He leans down, whispering against my lips. "What matters is now. You're all mine, and I intend to keep it that way."

We sleep in Monday morning, not budging until well after ten. He cooks breakfast while I stay warm under the covers.

Brady texts while we're eating, letting us know that Amber stayed with her boyfriend this weekend and won't be home until tomorrow. Because it's been so long since we've been in the water, we slip into suits and head over to his place.

It's the perfect way to relax on a sunny, spring afternoon.

Edward is starting a job in Meridian on Wednesday, so he and Daddy spend Tuesday morning out on the lake. Momma took a few days off this week, so I spend my morning with her, working on a scrapbook for my grandparents' wedding anniversary. We try to do it every year and include pictures of all of Momma's siblings and my cousins.

The men come home in time for lunch and spend the afternoon switching out the tops on my Jeep again. I sneak peeks at them through the front curtains every now and then. They talk and laugh while they work. At some point, Edward ends up underneath my Jeep, changing the oil while Daddy barks directions at him from above. Only his jeans and boots are visible when I step outside with drinks for them.

At the sound of my voice, Edward rolls out into the sunlight with oil smeared across his jaw and covering his hands.

"Bella, close your mouth," Daddy says, giving me a look that means business.

Momma tries to stifle her laughter behind me, and I can tell by the tiny gloat in Edward's eyes that he'd like to laugh, too. My father's tone is the only thing stopping him.

Edward stands and wipes his hands with a towel, twisting the rag over each finger. When he's done, he reaches for the glass. I've seen him sweaty, covered in saw dust, and caked with mud, but I'm going to start remembering my oil changes from now on if this is one of the perks of being his girl. The smudges…

"We've got to go," I say, pointing to my watch. "I promised Esme I would help her with… a thing."

Edward grins until he sees Daddy scowling at him. "I just agreed to help Chief clean the fish, so we can fry them for dinner tonight. You'll have to help Momma without me."

"Oh."

He tosses me the keys to the beast since he's still working. Being forced to walk away and leave him half-naked and greasy is cruel and unusual punishment considering my only sin was a tiny white lie. And a terrible one at that.

Luckily, Esme is home. I need to figure out what to tell Daddy when I go back and he interrogates me.

She's busy attaching price stickers to stacks of clothes she has covering the dining room table. There's a yard sale in the church parking lot this weekend. It's a fundraiser to help offset the cost of summer camp for the members of the youth group. She lets me help her tag clothing and listens to me rattle on about my new job and how excited I am about moving back home.

Our lease is up in June, but we'll be moved out before the end of May. Alice is moving back to Jackson to work on a Masters in foreign language. Charlotte is spending her summer at home in Texas and then moving to Tennessee with Peter for vet school in the fall.

It's almost supper time when we finish, so I invite her back to my house for fish. Since Carlisle is working, she rides with me.

"I can hardly believe he let you drive his truck," she says after buckling her seatbelt.

"Why?"

"He's never even let Brady drive it."

I'm not sure what to say, so I change the subject and tell her about my upcoming plans with Rosalie this week. Jake's truck is in the driveway, so I'm guessing Momma thawed some extra fish.

Edward is cleaned up and wearing a fresh t-shirt when I find him on the back porch with Jake and Tanya. "I'm sorry," he says, pulling me in for a hug and brushing his lips just beneath my ear. "Chief had just asked."

"It's okay. Your momma is in the kitchen with mine, ballin' up hush puppies."

"I figured that's where you ended up when I didn't see you at home."

"You went home?"

"Just long enough for a quick shower." His hands move swiftly over my waist and end up in my back pockets. "I was really hopin' to run into you while I was there."

"I'm sorry I missed it."

"Momma said you were droolin' and havin' trouble formin' sentences earlier," Tanya laughs.

"Shut up. He was greasy and shirtless." I give her the look. "It's the same level as wearin' camo."

She nods. "Ahhh. Well, that explains it."

Daddy joins us on the porch, letting the screen door slam behind him. It's nice watching him relax with Jake and Edward. They cook while Tanya catches me up on the latest episodes of her favorite soap opera. It doesn't matter to her that I don't watch it. When she's forlorn about it, she wants someone to share her misery.

Momma and Esme finish up in the kitchen and come out to sit with us. The conversation quickly switches to wedding walk. Tanya is trying to decide between a wedding in Las Vegas or the chapel at Graceland.

Daddy votes Graceland. He's never been on a plane, and he'd like to keep it that way.

Tanya will choose Vegas out of playful spite. And we all know Gran would have more fun there than in Memphis. I wouldn't mind it, either. I'll be able to cross the Grand Canyon off my bucket list if she picks Vegas.

She's not really concerned about it since she wants to wait a couple of years before tying the knot. Graceland books up about a year in advance, so she still has time to decide.

During supper, the men change the subject to the upcoming boat show. Jake is thinking about getting a boat since he paid off his truck this year. Daddy wants a pontoon. He always has. Now that my schooling is done and I'm moving home, he's finally going to do something for him and Momma.

Esme rides home with Edward, and I follow after packing a bag to stay overnight with him. Daddy doesn't even blink nowadays when I say I'm not coming home. Things changed when Tanya decided not to go to Jackson. He finally realized we're grown now and that I don't have to live here or check in with him. I do it because I respect him. And he's finally started to respect me.

When I finally get my hands on Edward back at his house, he smells clean and there isn't a trace of oil on him. I strip him quickly and push him onto his back on the bed. He props up on one elbow to watch me undress. I decide that his cleanliness isn't necessarily a bad thing since it means I can kiss his skin and tease him a little as I make my way up his body. He watches as I lift one leg to put my foot flat on the bad next him and lean forward to take his nipple between my teeth.

"Dammit, Bella." His hand cups the back of my head and he anchors me there, lifting his hips to meet mine, pressing deep. "Fuckin' flexible…" He jerks when I accidently bite too hard. "She-Devil…" The rest of what he's saying gets lost, but I'm sure I hear the word "perfect" spill from his lips a time or two when I come for him.

I couldn't agree more.

His work days are long for the rest of the week, daybreak to sunset with only a half hour for lunch. I hate it, but I know he wants this barn finished before we go back to school next week.

I kill time with Momma in Meridian on Thursday, picking out fabric for new curtains for my bedroom and catching the latest romantic comedy on the big screen. When it's over, she texts Daddy and tells him to fend for himself with supper tonight after parking in front of her favorite Mexican restaurant. She orders margaritas for both of us, and she doesn't say a word, only smiles, when I order a second one with my meal.

Rosalie keeps up a constant chatter Friday afternoon during lunch and egg-stuffing. It helps keep my mind off of Edward, the fact that we're right down the road from each other, and that I miss him the same way I do when we're at school. He's been passing out every night right after supper, and I haven't had a real conversation with him in days.

He sends a text not long after the sun disappears.

Come over?

Momma sends leftovers with me, and he cleans his plate before we cuddle up on the couch to watch television. His head is on my lap, and he's snoring before the first commercial break. I'll be glad when school is over and we've graduated. It's important to him to prove himself to Alec, even though it's clear he doesn't need to. At times, he takes on too much.

I wake him around ten, because I need the restroom and my left leg is numb from sitting still for too long. His arm wraps around my waist as we walk down the hall.

"I'm sorry I knocked out on you," he says. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow. I just need to sleep for twelve hours first."

"You're not workin'?"

"Nah, we finished up tonight." He kisses the top of my head and leaves me at the door of the bathroom.

By the time I make it to bed, he's sleeping again but still aware enough to grip my butt in his hand when I throw my leg over his and rest my head on his shoulder.

He's still snoozing when the sun wakes me up a little after eight. I know how hard he's been working this week, and I'd like him to be well-rested when I finally get him to myself later on. Riley is having a cookout tonight since so many of their friends are home for Spring break. We'll at least need to make an appearance.

I leave him sleeping and make my way home to take care of a few chores. The minutes tick by, noon comes and goes, and it's only me and Momma at the table for lunch. I know it's silly, but I'd hoped Edward would show up.

An hour later, I give in and send a text, because I miss him. Surely he's awake by now.

I'm seconds away from getting in the Jeep and driving over to check on him when he finally texts back a half hour later.

Something's come up. I'll be there soon.

I'm four chapters into a historical romance that Alice recommended when he finally shows up. He's clean as a whistle, so he wasn't working. His hair is dry and thoroughly windblown.

He's been up for a while.

I half expect an explanation when he hugs me, but all I get is a "Hey, pretty girl." It's hard sometimes to remember that he already has a job and obligations down here. I'll be glad when June comes and I have something of my own, too.

"I'm sorry I passed out on you last night," he says during the drive to Riley's.

"I've been missin' you all day. All week, really. When we're at school, it's easier. But knowing you're just down the road… I think about you. A lot." He glances down at my cheeks and smiles. "Not always like that." His eyes are back on the road, because Riley's driveway is easy to miss if you blink.

"I know what you mean." He gives my thigh a gentle squeeze before signaling and turning.

There's a larger crowd than normal since so many of us are on break. Jessica got back from Destin last night and decided to kill a couple of days with her parents before heading back to Oxford. She and Leah offer me Jell-O shots in Riley's kitchen.

I opt for a beer instead, having learned my freshman year that nothing good ever comes from Jell-O shots. I almost change my mind when Amber shows up with her new beau glued to her side like a lovesick puppy.

Much to my surprise, she introduces me to Doctor Stephen Mills like she and I are old buddies. He's polite and handsome, too. Quite a catch. Edward doesn't get an introduction, so he does it himself when she runs inside to use the restroom.

We stay past sunset, until supper is over and his buddies are fiddling with kindling, trying to start a fire.

"We're gonna go," Edward says to Riley. "It's been a long week."

"Get out of here before the others notice." He slaps Edward on the back and gives me a wink and sly grin.

Edward tugs my hand, leading me through the shadows around the side of Riley's house. The beast grumbles when he starts it, and I buckle up next to him.

Instead of turning for his place, he signals and makes a left onto his parents' driveway. He doesn't stop until we're parked next to the dock.

"You really have missed fishin', huh?" Our gear is already in the boat.

"Tell me you haven't."

"I liked bein' snuggled up under blankets and next to fires with you all winter, but I'd be lyin' if I said I didn't miss this."

He doesn't take us out far, only a mile or two from home, before he cuts the motor. He brought worms tonight, and I have one on my hook and in the water before we come to a complete stop.

"I think you might be more impatient than I am, girl." He scoots closer to me until our thighs are touching.

"Well, you're not gonna catch anything just sittin' there all night."

"I'm tryin' to catch a fish."

His rod is still lying on the bottom of the boat between our feet. "You haven't even picked up your… Oh!" My fishing pole hits the deck, and I forget the rest when I see the ring in the center of his upturned hand.

A square cut diamond with tiny sapphires framing it. The tears start before he even says a word.

"Don't cry." He leans over to kiss my salty cheek, wrapping his free arm around me and pulling me closer until my side is flush with his. He holds the ring up between us. "You know I have this pretty huge crush on you."

"You don't say."

The corners of his lips turn up before he speaks. "I think you have a crush on me, too."

"I do."

"I'd like you to wear this ring and promise to say that again sometime in the near future. I want you to be my wife – my partner – but mostly," he pauses, leaning forward until our foreheads touch, "I want you to be mine until it's time for me to leave this earth." The ring is shaking in his hand. When I place the tip of my finger against it, he smiles and pushes it past my knuckle. "So, you'll marry me?"

"Yes. God, yes." He leans in until our lips touch, and it's just as sweet as the first time he kissed me on this lake. "Promise me something," I say when his lips wander to my neck.

"Anything."

"Never get rid of this boat."

"That's an easy one." I can feel his smile against my skin. "I promise."

"How long have you been carryin' this around?" I ask, holding the ring up behind his head to get another peek.

"I picked it up this afternoon in Meridian. It feels like I've been waitin' forever to ask."

"Was I your fish?"

His cheeks pink for a change, and he looks away. "Of course."

"I broke your heart?" It was me he was talking about with Granny. Me. I'm the one she said he didn't want to catch too early.

"Once or twice," he shrugs. "But you've more than fixed it."

"I'll take good care of it from now on. I promise."

We give up on fishing. I'm too excited. His momma and daddy are tickled pink when we interrupt the television show they're watching to share our good news.

"Have your momma give me a call tomorrow," Esme says when we're leaving to go to my folks' house. "We've got a lot to discuss."

"We haven't even set a date yet, Momma." Edward tugs on my waist, trying to steer me out the door.

"It's never too early to get started. You have no idea how much work it takes to plan a wedding, son."

"She's right," I say in her defense during the drive over to my parents' house. "Our mommas will have to discuss guest lists. We'll need to know many people to plan for before we can start plannin'. How would you feel about a spring wedding? Maybe something outdoors?"

"You want to wait a year?" he asks, turning to face me after cutting the engine in my driveway.

"I'd marry you tomorrow, but I've been dreamin' about a big wedding since I was a little girl. It's going to take time to plan it."

He pouts, leaning in for a kiss. "You're my greatest lesson in patience, girl. As much as I hate to wait, a spring wedding would be perfect. I might even have an idea of where we can make it happen."

"I love you." I tuck my head against his neck, stealing a hug while we're alone. "Thank you for bein' patient… and I'm not just talkin' about the wedding."

"I love you, too."

The sudden glow from the front porch light reminds both of us why we're here. "I'm assumin' you asked Daddy for permission?"

"No. I asked for his blessin'. There's a difference." He releases me and reaches for the door handle. "I was gonna propose to you either way."

"Did he give it?"

He helps me out of the truck, closes the door, and tucks his hand into my back pocket before answering. "What do you think?" His cocky grin is evidence that he somehow managed to get Daddy's approval.

Knowing that makes it easier to walk in and announce that we're getting married.

Momma cries, and Daddy shakes Edward's hand. "Remember what we talked about," he says. "As long as Bella's happy, I'm happy."

"Yes, sir. I remember." Edward keeps an arm around my waist and his hand away from my butt.

Momma takes a picture of my hand and sends it to Tanya. Eight minutes later, we hear Jake's truck in the driveway. Tanya is especially arrogant over my engagement, reminding everyone that she paved the way for it by telling Edward to be at County Line last summer.

Before we leave, I thank her. That night might not have ended well, but things turned out in the end.

Edward helps me into the beast and then follows, giving me a dirty look for scooting into the passenger seat instead of cuddling up next to him in the middle.

"You think you can find a mud hole between here and home?" I ask, shifting in my seat a little at the thought of what always comes after we mud.

"You must have forgotten who you're talkin' to," he grins, turning the key in the ignition. "Buckle up and hang on tight to that handle." He looks down at the ring on my hand before settling his gaze on my face. "It's gonna be a hell of a ride."

"I can't wait."


A/N- That's it, folks. Thanks for letting me tell a little story about a boy who finally got his girl. Also, thank you for voting it into the top 5 over at TLS a few weeks back. You guys are awesome.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm going to do my best to answer them this time since I don't have a "next chapter" to write for y'all. I'll post the outtake from Fandom4OK in a few days.

Thank you, M, for being my biggest cheerleader and the best sister.

Thank you, Iris, for making it pretty.

Thank you, Nic, for telling me that the oneshot wasn't enough and for pre-reading.

Thank you, Purely, for pre-reading these last two chapters.

These ladies are the bomb.

I hope that this has been a fun read for you guys. I had a lot of fun writing it. I'm not sure what's next for me, but I'll see y'all around. Take care. xoxo

-MSC