Reminder...I retouched chapters 15 and 16... and edited some from 19 too. This story isn't as easy as Splintered Ties That Bind, and I just really hope you readers like it. I would quit, but want to get this to the conclusion I had set out for it. My apologies if it doesn't hold to the same standard as Splintered, but like I have said, lightening wont strike me twice with that fortune. I am trying though, I really am.

My thanks to those who haven't given up on me. You don't know how much that means.

Calla Lilly Rose

Chapter 20

Christmas Visit

"You let Patty move in with you? Are you nuts? What the hell were you thinking?" He looked at me, a strange combination of anger, confusion and disbelief reflecting in his eyes.

"Patty showed up on my doorstep at ten at night with Andy, upset and no where to go. What was I supposed to do, send her away? I love her, Darry. She just needs a place to stay. She hasn't said 'yes' to staying any longer than Christmas anyway, just so Andy can have somewhere safe and reliable to be through the holiday. I thought you of all people would understand that. You never turned anyone away."

She had been at my place for two days now, and still hadn't decided if she wanted to make this permanent. She had classes all day today and work tonight, so Andy was hanging out with me at Darry's.

"Where are you taking this relationship, Soda? Where? You two just gonna be live-in lovers or something?" He asked me point blank as he wiped the sweat off his forehead while leaning on the old fridge after pulling it out of it's spot. "I may not have a say in what you do anymore, but you're old enough to know better than this."

"No, Darry! I'm not...." I started angrily at first, then realized what I had been feeling for a while now. He looked at me, the sheen of sweat still on him as he waited for me to finish. "I'm not wanting to be just lovers. I want to marry her." There, I said it. I looked at Darry then looked down to where Andy was playing with the toy cars I bought him for his birthday last month.

Darry shifted in his stance but didn't move. "Have you asked her yet?" He quietly asked me. I looked at him. He didn't seem angry or shocked. Almost like he was expecting it.

"No." I said. "Ohh... I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do. How did Pony figure this out?" I wondered aloud as I pulled out a chair to sit on and pressed my face into my hands.

Darry sat down next to me at the table. "Now, that's a stupid question, Soda. He's a romantic... and romantic's just know." He grabbed a drink from the now pulled -out fridge and took a sip, then continued. "Have you asked her parents yet?"

I looked at him and shook my head in awe. "Darry, her dad split long ago and her mom just threw her and her son out of the house in the middle of the night. Do you really think her mom gives two shits about either of them?"

"I see your point." He paused for a long time, thinking this over. "Well, you're gonna need a ring and then you'll just have to ask her. After that, it's her decision. One you will have to accept, whatever that decision is. Think you're ready for that?" He said looking at me with a hidden message peaking out from behind his eyes.

"Spit it out, Darry. What are you trying to say?"

He took another sip then looked at the bottle. "Only that your last broken heart didn't mend so well. I ain't saying she'll say yes or no... just... are you prepared for the answer, whatever it may be?"

I sighed. "Yeah.." Andy came up to me then, holding out his toy car for me to take. I picked him up and held him in my lap. "I'm ready." I said smiling at him.

XXX

"Ashley, really! I'm gonna be fine The train leaves in an hour so we need to get going if I'm going to make it there on time. I'll get back in Tulsa around nine in the morning."

"And they know you're coming?" She asked for the forth time today and what had to be the tenth time this week. She was absolutely scared to death something was going to happen to me, but I wasn't worried. I loved train rides...especially over the prairie, when I could see nature in the wild and get ideas for my work.

I had been picked up by another publishing company for my artwork and another author had added me as his primary illustrator, so now I had projects coming at me from everywhere. I was glad the school term had ended so I could get caught up on all my work, which was now going to sit for a few days. I was determined to get home in time for Christmas with my brothers.

"Yes, they know I'm coming. Call them if it will make you feel better." I looked at her, she shook her head and smiled finally.

"No, I trust you. Tell everyone there hello for me."

"I will." I kissed her as I handed her the key to the house then headed for the car. Hera and Zeus looked out at us from the stables where they had free roam. Hera had a surprise, one that I wasn't ready for. I hadn't told Ashley yet that she was due to foal in August. This was gonna be an action packed summer, that's for sure.

An hour later I was on the train, headed back down the tracks toward Oklahoma.

XXX

"There he is! Hey! Pony! Over here!" I looked up and sawTwo-Bit and Steve waving at me as I made my way up the platform. I was surprised, thinking Darry would be picking me up, guess something happened at the last minute.

"Hey Two-Bit, Steve! This is a surprise. How ya been?"

"Good, man. How was the ride?" I asked as we headed back out to the parking lot.

"Great. It's one hell of a long ride, but I prefer the train to a plane any day. How's the airport, Steve?"

"Flighty, Pone." He said, smiling.

"How much longer you got in that class before you take that exam?" I asked him. I couldn't remember if it was a six month program or a year.

"Another four months, but I'm gonna try to sit in on it early. I already do the work on the birds without the supervisor breathing down my neck."

"Good luck." I said, loading my bag into the car. Then I stepped back, getting a closer look at the whole car. "Two-Bit.... who's car is this? Isn't this the new Firebird that came out?" This was a tuff ride if I ever saw one.

"Mine, kid. All mine." He said, grinning from ear to ear.

"You steal the money or the car?" I asked, disbelief on my face.

"Neither, just convinced the guy trying to mess with my sister that it wasn't worth his life to pursue that particular interest. He was very apologetic, signed over the title to me and scooted on out of town. It's my ride, free and clear!"

"Your sis okay?" I looked at him sharply, remembered his younger sister. Light brown hair and chestnut colored eyes. She rarely came over to the house when I was a kid, her mother just never felt it right to let her that far out of the house in our neighborhood. Knowing what I do now...that was probably a wise decision.

"She's fine. I caught the prick before he messed with her beyond frenching. I could tell he was intending more, pulling her clothes off while she put up a good fight. Steve and me took care of him, right buddy?"

"Damn straight. That's one old hood who won't father any kids. That's for damn sure."

"And he just signed over his wheels to you like that?" Even I was surprised. I'd heard of guys being beat within an inch of their lives for messing with certain sisters of certain guys in the East side, but never one handing over title to his car...especially a ride like this!

"He was a married businessman who thought my sis was a hooker. He could afford to lose the car, but not the wife in a divorce. We made it clear who would be told if he ever stepped back on our turf." Steve explained.

"Well, Two-Bit... even you can still manage to get something for nothing." I said, sitting back in the seat.

XXX

I had dinner going and the place as clean as I could get it before Darry came back from work. I noticed the new fridge. Guess the last one finally gave up the last bit of life that even Darry and Soda could squeeze from it.

"Hey Pony! How was the trip. Sorry I couldn't be at the station to get you."

"That's alright, Darry, I know you're busy with work and all. How are ya?"

"Good. Made 'Foreman' a few weeks ago. Less physical work but more papers to push. Longer hours too until I get the hang of it. How's Ashley?"

"She's doing fine. All wrapped up in school work and wedding plans." I shook my head.

"Something smells great!" The door opened and Soda came in, stomping off his boots and taking off his coat. He tossed it on the couch and missed. I looked at it an stifled a laugh. Almost a decade and he still couldn't get the coat to land on the couch. "Hey, Pony! How was the ride down?"

"Fine, Soda. Long but fine. How's work?"

He grabbed a drink and popped the lid. "Bloody. Gang shootings... I don't remember heaters being used so much when we were younger."

That took me right back to Dally. It stopped me a second, then I blinked and carried on. I got plates and silverware from the drawer and set the table. The pot roast was small, I guess now that we were both on our own, he could shop for smaller cuts of meat. He deserved that break.

"So how did you do in your class? Make honors?" Darry asked me.

I shook my head. "No. I missed it by three points." Darry looked disappointed. "I did the best I could. I may not have honors but I'm still up there in my GPA. Besides, I picked up a new author to draw for and got other work too. I'm about as busy as I can be. There's other things besides grades, Darry." I said, hoping he'd understand.

"We know you did your best. So how long before the next term starts?" Soda asked.

"January third. My last quarter and I'll be finished."

"Ready to graduate, huh? Darry said, pride shining from him.

"Yes! I am so ready for it to be over with, too. Ashley has even more work, once she gets her associates degree she's transferring to the University for her bachelors in teaching. Her credits are all going with her, so she'll thankfully start at the Junior level."

"Our first college graduate of the family. You've accomplished a lot, Pone. I'm proud of you. Mom and dad would be proud too." Darry said.

"They would be, Pony. Darry and I... we're real proud of everything you've done." Soda said.

I had to have turned a few shades of red.

"Check that out, Dar. We can still embarrass him. Haven't lost our touch, huh?"

"Aww, stop it!" I said. I looked around the room. "You planning on getting a tree this year or is this it?" I asked looking at Darry.

"We can, if you want to. Most of the ornaments are busted though. Doubt the lights work either. I haven't really been doing the Christmas thing since Soda...well, since then."

"Well, I guess we'll have to go shopping."

"I need your help, Pony...shopping that is." Soda said, suddenly finding the carrots on his plate interesting.

"Sure, Soda. What ya want to go shopping for?"

"A ring." He looked at me. "I'm gonna ask Patty to marry me. I've been looking at rings all week, and I have no clue what I'm even looking for."

I smiled, finally he accepted the fate I saw two months ago. "Have you asked her?"

"No. I want to on Christmas. I get so nervous every time I think of it that I sweat something fierce. How...how did you do this?"

I thought about it. I cant explain how I did what came so natural to me. It's like explaining how you breathe. The explanation is too long to go into something that comes so naturally. "I just did, Soda. And you will too. We'll go shopping in the morning, if you're off from work. Does she know about this?" I asked.

"Not a clue. She moved in at the beginning of the month when her mom threw her out. She said she was only staying until January. She was burned bad by Andy's father and isn't looking for a repeat performance from me. I, however, have no intention of doing that."

"What about Andy?" I asked. Darry looked at Soda for this answer too, obviously he hadn't asked this question before either.

"I already asked a lawyer. Once we get married, I can petition to adopt him."

Even Darry put his fork down for that statement.

Soda? A father? Wow.

XXX

Calla Lilly Rose

PS...Thanks to Madamadadanechibisuke for catching a point of view error I did not see in my multiple edits. Error fixed. Thanks!