Hey guys! Anabelgem14 here. First of all, I am so sorry I haven't updated sooner. I had a cold, which developed into strep throat, and an ear infection... Talk about sick. I tried to write this sooner, but I didn't have any energy. Second of all, I wanted to apologize for how short this chapter is. Next chapter will be longer (most likely). We're nearing the end, but don't worry. I have the epilogue thought out, with the glimmers of a sequel on a distant shore. Man, I need the Titanic right now. Oh well, I guess I'll have to settle for Mean Girls. (Third of all= :) )

Okay, sorry for the ranting. On with it.

When Dez told his friends what Macy had shared, it seemed like time stopped. Ally, being her sensitive self, took it the hardest. She was bawling. This was something neither Dez or Austin had never seen. She excused herself, and Austin tried to follow her, but after a death-glare from Trish, he sat back down again. Trish ran after her instead.

Austin stared down at the floor. "I'm sorry, bro. I had no idea about Macy."

Dez scoffed. "I didn't know either. And don't apologize. It's not your fault."

Austin nodded, and then lifted his gaze. "So what happens now?"

The red-head was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, are you going to try to start a relationship with Macy? Is she going to stay with you longer, or go back home?"

Dez paled. "I have no idea. I guess I have to talk to her parents. I mean, I want to try something, but I can't do anything if I don't have their permission, and her own. I don't want to be the one to get on their bad side after this whole thing. But I cannot and will not let her slip away from me. I can't just let her go."

"Well duh. You're in love with her. You told us that the first time you saw her." Dez smiled at the memory. It seemed like so long ago. But he was right. Although he tried to avoid using that word, or even thinking that word, he was done pretending. Just like Macy stopped pretending she wasn't dying inside. Like Austin stopped pretending that he didn't feel anything for Ally. These things were all obvious. They were just being ignorant until now. He would never again use the saying 'ignorance is bliss'.

Austin nodded his head towards the McCallisters. They sat chatting about something quietly, looking much happier than they had when Dez had first met them. It was close to 2 in the morning, so he was sure they were almost as tired as he was. Austin wandered off to find the girls, and Dez took a deep breath before going over to them.

They stopped talking, and gave him a sympathetic smile. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. McCallister. How are you holding up?"

"Oh, we're fine. It's Macy we're worried about. She's been through a lot this past year."

Dez nodded as he plopped down in an oversized chair across from them. "Of course. But Macy is a strong girl. And I'm planning on being there to help her through any more problems."

Mr. McCallister nodded, and a small smile made its' way to his stony face. "I know. I mean, we met you under... not-ideal circumstances, but just seeing you and Macy together is indescribable."

Dez nodded hesitatantly, unsure of where this talk was going. No matter, his heart was beginning to soar from all of the compliments her parents were giving him.

Mrs. McCallister nodded, and spoke up. "Dez, we know the connection you and Macy have. It's kind of like the one we had when we were younger. High school sweethearts, you know."

Mr. McCallister cleared his throat, and the Mrs. blushed, quite like Macy did. "I know you didn't ask, but we want to give you permission to date Macy."

Dez's mouth flew into a grin, and he had to contain himself from getting up and kissing these people on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere until Macy tells me to." However, reality came crashing back down to him as he realized that Macy would probably have to move back home. He wouldn't get to date her because they would live two hours apart. And even if they dated, he wouldn't get to see her. Kiss her. Actually be with her.

He relaxed, not wanting to show her parents how hurt he was. "So what are your plans?"

Mr. McCallister shifted. "Well, it all depends on how long Macy takes to recover. I think the doctor said that she needs to stay one more night."

Dez nodded. They made small talk for a while, but he realized that nothing was going to change tonight. Macy was finally safe, and he was finally free to leave her side. He went to kiss Macy goodnight, and with a last goodbye to the McCallisters, he started down to the lobby. Austin was faithfully waiting in the parking lot. He'd borrowed his mother's van, and he and Ally were snoozing in the front seat, her head resting against his chest. He saw Trish's feet in the back window, and assumed she was stretched out in the third row. He tried to knock softly on the driver's window, but the slightest noise caused all three of the teens to jump in fright.

Ally noticed her position and blushed. Austin smoothed his shirt and unlocked the car. By the time Dez had climbed in the backseat, Trish had climbed up next to him.

"Hey, Freckles. How's your other half?" She sounded so sleepy.

"Asleep. Like I'm sure we all want to be. Let's just get home."

The drive was silent, and Trish was the first to be dropped off. She left with a yawn, and the van was quiet once again. Dez could hardly stay awake, but he did realize that they were pulling into his neighborhood.

"Sorry I ruined your date tonight." He said before getting out.

Austin shrugged, but Ally whipped around so fast it gave him whiplash just watching her. "Dezmond Fisher, don't you ever say you're sorry for something you had no control over. That is one of my biggest pet-peeves. Now go inside and get some sleep so you can surprise Macy with flowers tomorrow."

Dez nodded. supressing a laugh (mostly because he didn't have the energy). "Okay, then."

He walked to the door, and gave one last wave to the awkward-looking couple in the van. He hid his smile as he opened the front door. The same one that Macy had swung open just a mere 12 hours ago. His mother was sitting on the couch, reading the newspaper. When he came in, she sighed happily. She always had been a worrier. That must've been where Dez had gotten the trait.

He didn't know what his dad was like. No good, according to his mother. As soon as she told him she was pregnant, he bolted. Sent the divorce papers through the lawyer so she wouldn't know where he was.

That was one of the reasons that Macy's predicament had bothered him so much when he'd heard it. John reminded him of his father. It all clicked. Macy reminded him of his mother. Dez never thought he would wind up falling for someone like his mother, like the old adage said. Yes, their personalities were similar. But what linked one to the other so strongly was the fact that they had come from the same place in life. Bad relationships, with emotional baggage to bring along for the rest of their lives.

It hurt his ego only slightly to refer to himself as 'baggage'. He wasn't a burden. He was help. He was sent to Macy to uplift her from the dark place she was in, and heal her after a tramatic event.

When Dez climbed into his bed, now unfamiliar to him, he realized just how monumental the day was. He rolled over to check the time, and his eyes fell on what remained of the suckers that he and Macy had challenged each other to. There was one sucker, and one stick, sitting on top of a post it note. He rolled the sucker stick away, and plucked the note off the table.

In Macy's large, swirly scroll was a single sentence.

I win.

-Macy

He smiled, and held the note tight in his hand. Dez fell asleep thinking of the best bet he'd ever made in his life, and how he was going to pay up.

Please review! They inspire me. I only have one faithful reviewer, queenc1 (. Please? :}

Until Next Time, Anabelgem14