Thanks for reviewing, everyone! Sorry you were number two, Sportarobyn. Pip3, you're right. She is an adult and should tell her parents but that will come later don't worry.

Chapter 4

Later that night, Sportacus was actually lying still in bed, staring up at the ceiling of his new airship. It had been completed on time just as the engineers predicted. He was thrilled to once again have a home of his own but also sad in a way. No longer would he be just downstairs from Stephanie. Sportacus knew that she felt better when he was closer to her. That summer two years ago had really messed with their emotions.

Every night for the rest of that summer, Sportacus had caught himself keeping a closer eye on Stephanie. Quite a few times he also noticed how she would hold him like she used to when she was eight. Stephanie would grab him and, with a surprisingly strong grip, seemed like she refused to let go.

Last summer had been closer to normal. Robbie was still in jail and Stephanie didn't seem to have that death grip anymore. Now a bigger problem faced them. Stephanie had applied and been accepted to many good colleges and the last thing Sportacus wanted to do was keep her from going to college. He wanted to see her succeed and grow as a person. But part of him kept saying to not let her go. Soon his eyelids began to droop and his body craved for sleep. Finally giving in, a very confused Sportacus fell asleep.

Stephanie's cousins had been there for what seemed an eternity. Its not that they weren't having a good time it was just that she had other things on her mind. Finally she realized that everyone was starting to say their goodbyes. Hugging all the aunts, uncles, and cousins, Stephanie thanked them for coming. Soon only she, her mother, her father, and her best friend Beth were left. Beth walked over to Stephanie and pulled her into the kitchen.

"What is going on with you tonight?" Beth asked.

"Huh?" Stephanie said completely distracted.

"There it is again. Huh? That's all you've been saying all night. Are you ok?" Her friend asked, clearly concerned by Stephanie's behavior.

"Oh, I'm just tired, is all. It's been a long couple of days." Came Stephanie reply. This seemed to satisfy Beth but she looked as if she wanted to say something. However all she said was,

"You're right it has been a long couple of days. Listen we have to get together one more time before you go running off to your Uncle's. What day does your train leave?"

"Tuesday morning, the train leaves at eight a.m. That doesn't give us much time does it?" Stephanie said. Beth shook her head. Stephanie sighed and promised to call her tomorrow.

"We'll do something before I leave I promise." The two friends hugged and Beth left. Stephanie pulled on the gold chain around her neck. Fingering the gold locket on the end, she went up to her room.

Once up in here room, she looked at the locket a little closer. Sportacus had really out done himself this time. She loved the little locket and the pictures of her and him inside. On the back there was a little inscription that read, "Stephanie, I'll love you forever."

Smiling Stephanie got ready for bed. Slipping between the sheets, she still had the locket on. She probably would never take it off. Tuesday would not come fast enough, for Stephanie.

Meanwhile, Robbie was sitting in his jail cell. Well at least today he was. He had been a model prisoner and tomorrow the parole board would hear about how a good a prisoner he was. Its payback time, he thought.

To Be Continued...