-Chapter Seven-
Joey had decided to take Craig and Christie out for lunch to celebrate the good news. They went to a popular Mexican restaurant and had a blast.
"Oh gosh, I almost forgot," said Christie as she took a sip of her drink," Sean and Emma!!"
"Sean and Emma?" said Joey inquisitively.
"They got engaged too," said Craig, finishing Christie's thought.
Joey lighted slapped himself in the forehead with his hand. "Geezus, you guys are going to give me a heart attack with all this stuff."
Christie laughed. "Christieee, would you take me to the bathroom?" asked Angela.
"Sure," replied Christie," we'll be right back guys."
Christie took Angela's hand and led her off to the bathroom.
Joey turned to Craig. "I'm so glad you decided to propose to Christie. After everything you guys have been through you really deserve to be happy."
Craig smiled, when he heard a familiar voice behind him say," Propose huh? I always thought that I would be the one you would propose to Criagy."
The smiled melted from Craig's face as he turned around to see....
"Ashley...uhm, I thought you moved to California? What on earth are you doing here?"
Ashley sat down in the empty chair Christie had left. "Well I'm just back here for a few months, Toby's got a new place and it's almost my mom and his dad's anniversary. I thought I should be here for the festivities."
"Oh," replied Craig - he could feel his face getting warm as he could see Christie and Angela making their way back from the bathroom.
Ashley turned her focus to what Craig was looking at, and she smiled. "It seems as thought I should be going now, but don't think this is the last you'll see of me Craig Manning."
Christie approached the table just as Ashley had made her way back to her own table.
"Craig you look like you just saw a ghost," Christie said.
"No, not a ghost," replied Craig," Joey was just telling about something very interesting and unexpected that happened to him."
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Back at the girls apartment, Manny was busy making herself some lunch when there was a knock the door.
"Hmm, I wonder who that could be," she said.
When she got to the door, she unlocked it and was quite surprised to find Jimmy standing there.
"Jimmy!" she exclaimed. "I wasn't expecting to see you here, come on in."
Jimmy stepped inside the apartment and sat down. "Yeah, I was just in the neighborhood and I had something I wanted to ask you so I thought that I would stop by."
Manny cocked her head to the side, wondering what it was Jimmy could be wanting to ask her.
"Well," he started," we always have so much fun when were hanging with the group, or even when we are in class. I was kind of wondering if you like to go out with me sometime."
Manny face lit up and she smiled brightly. "Of course Jimmy!" She squealed, "I'd love to go out with you."
"Great," said Jimmy - standing up. He walked over and gave Manny a quick hug.
"What are you doing tonight?" she asked.
"Well, nothing. You want to go to, say, dinner and a movie?"
"Sounds like a plan," replied Manny.
"Okay, I'll be back to pick you up around seven," said Jimmy - heading for the door.
"See you later," Manny called after him as he headed down the hall.
She closed the door and stood with her back against it as she squealed with joy and danced back into the kitchen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Thanks for everything Joey," Christie said - as she and Craig headed for the car.
"No problem guys, it was great to see you. If you need anything - like help with planning the wedding - I'd be happy to. I'm sure Caitlin would also."
The couple climbed into the car and waved as they pulled away. "That was great, I have so much fun with them."
"Yeah," replied Craig. Ever since Ashley had said those things to him the restaurant, he was so worried - it was all he could think about.
"Craig what's going on, you've seemed so dazed ever since lunch."
Craig was silent. He really wasn't sure what to do. Should he tell Christie? What would happen if he did? What would happen if he didn't?
"Hello? Earth to Mr. Manning."
"I don't want to talk about it Cris."
"Craig come on...," she whined.
"NOT NOW," he said - sort of raising his voice to her.
Christie was stunned, Craig never got that way with her. Especially about little things.
She turned her head away from him and replied, oh, trying to keep herself from getting to upset by Craig's actions.
Great - he thought - look what I did now.
A/N : Well thanks for those of you who have reviewed! That's one of my favorite parts of writing. Keep doing it - and give me some input. What do you guys think should happen next? I like to hear some ideas I might be able to play off of. Remember, KEEP REVIEWING , and tell other people to read and review too :-)