Chpater 26
by Punk
(Jeremey's POV)

"Promise you'll call me as soon as you get home."

I kissed Hanna and squeezed her hand. I can't believe school is over already, and now Hanna and Aila are going home. They promised to be back in a few weeks though; Right before we all leave to go on tour.

A few feet away Cole had Aila in a soft embrace. His forehead was pressed against hers. His blue eyes stared into her green ones. He had his arms around her, the fingers of one hand laced into her long and straight dark brown hair. She had her arms around his neck, fingering his soft black locks. They looked like Aila was leaving for longer then a few weeks. Then Cole bent forward and kissed her and she kissed him back. I noticed just then the flicker of the diamond around her neck.

Just then I felt Hanna's hand across my face.

"Jey." She whispered softly.

I turned to her. I stared into her blue eyes and ran my hands threw her raven colored hair. She kissed me and I kissed her back.

"I love you." She whispered only she said it in Finnish. "Mina lempia te."

"Mina lempia te." I whispered back. "Mina lempia te."

She broke away from me and grabbed her bag. She held my hand and let it slide out as she walked away. Aila joined her and they linked hands as they walked onto the plane. I felt Cole's arm wrap round my shoulders.

"I miss her already." I confessed.

He nodded. "I know. I miss Aila already."

"So, you two are officially back together?"

"Since last night. She took her ring back."

"Yeah I saw it around her neck. But she's not wearing it on her finger?"

"Not for awhile. Right now it's just a promise. The diamond isn't real anyway."

"What?" My eyed widened and I laughed looking at my big brother. "You gave her a fake one?"

Cole snickered. "I didn't have enough money on me when I bought that so I had to buy a fake one. I'm getting her a real one when we decide the time is right. Not a diamond though, well maybe diamonds around it but I think I'll get her an emerald or a sapphire. Maybe both; the colors of our eyes."

I looked at him and snickered. "You really have it all planned out don't you."

He blushed and pushed my shoulder as we walked back to his car.

"What about you and Hanna?" He asked as we got in and he started it up. HIM came blasting through the speakers.

"Well...I really don't know. I love her but I ain't rushin' things." I yelled over the sound of Ville's voice.

Cole laughed and began to sing along to "Solitary man" I joined in, taking the words to heart. By the time Ville's voice drowned out I had decided that I really did want to be with Hanna, but only when she decided the same.

(Chris's POV)

"Hey guys." I was sitting on the couch drinking over my perfect college report card when Cole and Jeremey came in.

"Hey Man."

Cole slapped me a high five and sat down next to me. He grabbed a beer and switched on the TV. Jeremey on the other hand, the straight edge brat he was just grabbed the latest skate mag and threw himself across the chair.

"So many damn things are weird around here without Corey." I said, downing the last of my beer and grabbing another.

"Yeah. Hey, Cole's in here!" Jeremey yelled. "Aww damn it, that's my shot! That's my shot! Did I get paid for that?"

Cole laughed and grabbed the magazine. "Dude. They spelled Novak wrong!"

"What?" I asked laughing grabbing the magazine from Cole. "Damn it how the hell do you spell that wrong?"

"Who the hell is Cole Nowak?" Jeremey asked laughing his ass off.

Cole laughed. "Dude they are gonna get so fuckin' slammed for this. My fans will have their asses!"

"You have fans?" I tried to look serious and then burst out laughing.

"Jeeze, you guys drunk already?" Mom asked coming in carrying the laundry.

"Yup." Cole said with a straight face.

Mom laughed and shook her head. "You boys."

Cole jumped over the couch and took the laundry from Mom. "So where is everyone?" He asked as they walked to the laundry room, with me and Jeremey following just to see Cole do laundry in person.

"Josh and Amy are at the park with their kids. Alex and Jacey took the twins shopping. Scarlett is with Derek Gee doing something, she didn't tell me what." Mom wiped a strain of her jet black hair back and helped Cole with the laundry.

"Where's Dad?" I asked getting so caught up that I didn't realize I was helping.

"He's getting dinner." Mom replied as we got the laundry done.

"So Scarlett is out with Derek Gee. Don't it bother you that your niece is dating your son's half brother?" Jeremey asked jokingly.

"Nope. Didn't bother me when I found out Jacey was going with Dico's kid either."

"Oh." Mom rubbed her knee. "It's gonna storm."

Ever since Mom totally fucked up her knee a few years ago it's always hurt her when the weather gets bad.

"Cool, we could light the candles on the chandelier. Have an old fashion dinner."

I looked and Cole and laughed. He was so much like Mom when it came to that stuff.

"It's gonna storm!" Dad called throwing open the front door and bringing the food inside.

"Yeah we know." Mom went over and kissed him.

Jeremey, Cole, and I helped with the food. Josh and Amy got in just as we got the table set. They were followed closely by Jacey, Alex and the twins. Scarlett came in right behind him. Just as we all sat down, Corey, Mark and their daughter showed up.

"Hey guys. The electricity went off in our apartment so, here we are." Corey said, sitting down.

Mark sat beside him with the baby in his arms. I got up and helped Mom fix them plates and a bottle for Katy.

"Well, the lights are still on here, but we're having an old fashion dinner so everything's unplugged anyway." Mom explained as we served them.

Corey and Mark laughed.

"This is great." I said sliding back into my seat. "It's is really great."