Chapter 26

Forever and Beyond

Now that they were together, Drew and Kate sizzled with more chemistry than ever before. This

made the West Side Story production a gripping event that memorized all attendees. Alan found

himself choking up a bit at the final scene, when Maria threw herself, sobbing, over Tony's

motionless body.

Perhaps this display of emotion had to do with Kate's excellent performance, or maybe it just had

to do with Kate. It was in that moment that Alan fully realized that his little girl had grown up.

After the show was over, J and Alan made their way backstage to congratulate Kate. Her face lit

up like a candle when she saw her parents. Kate ran to J and gave her a massive hug. When she

did the same for Alan, he whispered something in her ear. "You're all grown up," he said, his

voice a mix of sadness and pride. "You don't really need me anymore."

Kate drew back to give her father a warm smile and a kiss on the cheek. I'll always need you,

daddy. And you too, mom," she added, smiling at J. Then her face alighted with a very familiar

puckish grin and mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Besides, you can't get rid of me that easily."

***

Kate was right. She did go off to college at the end of the summer (to the same university as

Drew no less), but she was only an hour from home. Kate found this ideal, claiming that she

needed to live on her own, but still wanted to be close enough to come home at least one

weekend a month so she could get a decent meal.

***

Arm in arm, Alan and J gave Kate a final wave, then watched as she disappeared into the dorm

building. They remained in place for awhile, gazing at the spot where they had last seen their

youngest daughter. "Well…that's the last one…" J sighed reluctantly.

"All of our kids are out on their own now..." Alan added.

"Kate will be back, though. We'll see her a lot. She's still got for more years of school left." J

pulled Alan closer, still hesitant to get in the car and drive away. "Tell me again why Coach isn't

here?"

"He's over at Boone's today. Those two are doing who knows what. He wants to show up here

tomorrow and surprise Kate," Alan answered, resting his cheek against the side of J's head and

kissing it. Gradually, J and Alan detached themselves and trudged into the car. The trip home was

silent as both of them were immersed in memories. From changing Will's very first diaper to

loading up the car to take Kate to college, it had been a long journey. The past 30 years of their

life together had been filled with their children, their life. It was strange, now, there was no one to

take care of (except for when Kate came home, and even that would not last forever).

Alan pulled into the driveway, stopped the car, and got out with J. They both stopped and stared

at the door, not quite ready to go inside yet. "An empty nest…" J murmured, contemplative.

"It's going to be so quiet," Alan replied, debating about whether that was good or bad.

"Peaceful quiet or empty quiet?" J asked, voicing Alan's thoughts.

"I think it's a mix of both," he answered, coming to a decision.

"It'll be strange…" J thought aloud. "We only had the house to ourselves for 10 months after

getting married, before we had Will. That was such a short period of time, and it's been so

long…"

A sudden realization, followed by a sense of peace, settled upon Alan. He smiled lovingly at J and

gave her hand a squeeze. "We've got each other. We'll do this together. The kids, the grandkids,

Sunshine and Adrienne, Julius, and everyone, they'll be here. And it'll always be you and me.

Forever."

J returned Alan's smile and squeeze. "And beyond." The couple opened the door and walked

through into their home.

The End.

Note from Kelly (aka Sunshine3)

1. The whole thing started late one night over the summer…technically it was early one morning,

I think. I'm so lucky to have such an awesome writer for a friend. (kora—awww *blushes*) Kora

did most of the hard stuff, I just focused on the mushy, lovey-dovey stuff. I'm your classic diehard

romantic. Now that it's over, I'm not sure what Kora and I will do during the sermons at church!

Ha ha ha! Maybe she can help me work on my story, which hasn't been updated in forever. I

know her favorite character was Kate, but mine would have to be Shay. My fellow

debater…maybe there'll be a story or two about her in the future, after TSSOS is finished…who

knows?

Peace, Love, Pillows,

Kelly