Well, folks, it's a lot easier to write fics when you already have a plot set up for you (and when you're intent on procrastinating). Look at me, popping 2 out in 2 days, with half of the third chapter already written. If only I could update Bells and Wishes like that!

I hold her hand under the table at Tibby's as we talk and laugh with everyone. I am amazed at how comfortable I feel with her. We've only been together officially for a week now, and already I feel like I can tell her anything, like I can be myself with her. The boys accepted her immediately as part of my life, so I bring her around to Tibby's and parties a lot more often. Which mean that I can be with her even more.

Mush makes some comment about kids playing down in Central Park, and Sarah glances toward me briefly, not quite catching my eye. I smile, knowing that she, too, is remembering our walk through Central Park, when we watched those same kids and joked about having our own. Her voice echoes in my mind: "Oh, I want loads of kids. I want to fill the house to the rafters! Maybe," she had said, looking at me, "I'll be raising them on a ranch in Santa Fe, and they can spill out onto the fields and acres of land."

I shake my head in amazement at the way we connect. It's as though I can read her thoughts from her face and movements, and she feels the same way. I know because she told me. And we share so many opinions, so many hopes and dreams. We both want to get out of the city, somewhere where you can really breathe. We both want to have loads of kids and live a simple life, growing old with the one we love. And, well, why can't my love be Sarah? It just fits.

OOOOO

"Six months, huh?" I say incredulously, half because I can't believe we've been together that long, half because it seems we've been together longer, like we've always been this way.

"It seems like it's been longer than that," Sarah smiles, echoing my thoughts, "I can't remember before we were together." She looks down at her hand, twisting the simple ring I've given her as an anniversary present. It's not much, just a little silver band with a small stone in the middle – probably glass – but it's hers from me, and I couldn't be prouder to see it on her finger.

I open the door for her, marveling at the good manners she seems to have produced in me, and we walk out of the Italian restaurant where we've just had our "special dinner;" meals here cost a couple of pennies more than at Tibby's, and it's a bit nicer, as it's not full of rowdy newsies.

Sarah catches sight of my face before I can hide my bitterness, and quickly asks, "What's wrong, Jack?"

Sighing, I reply, "It's jus'...you deserve better dan dis, y'know?" I wave my hand at the restaurant and the ring, "You deserve jewels. Real jewels, not glass. And someone who can give you fancy dinners at nice restaurants without havin' to worry 'bout eatin' da next day."

"But I don't want any of that, Jack. Remember?" she admonishes gently, "I want a simple life, just me, surrounded by kids and the man I love."

"Sarah, I can't even – can I even give you that?" I ask desperately. "I been workin' a long time, I still don't got enough money to go West, not to mention buy some land o' my own. I'll probably work for years for odder people before I ever get da chance to own a ranch."

She stopped and looked at me seriously, "Jack Kelly, do you think I'm not willing to work for my dream? I'm strong, too; my life hasn't exactly been handed to me on a silver platter. I work every day to help keep food on my family's table, sometimes I'm so tired and worried that I can't sleep for wondering how the rent's gonna get paid. And you think that I can't wait and work my way up with my husband for my dream, our dream?"

I stare at her, then smile in admiration, "Sarah, you are amazing."

I hold my arm out and she slips under it. "I know," she sighs contentedly, laughing a little. And I look at her and I love her. I love her for who she is and for what she makes me. Because, like it or not – and I'm pretty sure that I like it – she's changed me. She makes me want to be better, to be everything that she wants and deserves.

Eventually, we have to leave, but I linger on her doorstep as long as I can, holding her hand, brushing her hair away from her face, giving her one last kiss before walking home alone, my thoughts full of her.

OOOOO

Too Good is True

I guess it's cause and effect
Your heart and mine
The way that we connect
Keeps blowing my mind
There you go again
It never ends
What you do to me

chorus

That I have seen the light of day
Love is finally going my way
Is it too good to be true
Give me one more kiss
One more touch
Baby, I just can't get enough of you
This time, too good is true

All of a sudden
I'm not who I used to be
I had my heart locked
But you held the key
And you find a way, everyday
To show me even more

repeat chorus

Some people say we're too good to be true
But they don't get to be loved by you

repeat chorus

Oh, this time, too good is true
Yeah it is, yeah

koodles: Wow, that was some quick reviewing there! I'm actually not a huge Jack and Sarah fan either, but it was easier to write a couple who was already together, and since they're the only couple in the movie...Don't worry, though, it won't be too much longer. (Hint, Hint)