Chapter 32

Moving On

Alex and Jay worked hard at deciding what they'll be taking with them for the big move. Jay had the house for a few years and over that time he accumulated a lot of junk but also some valuable stuff. He quickly realized picking up and moving was to be no easy feat. While he'll miss home, Emma and Sean and the familiarity of living in town he misses Manny the most and this is a good opportunity for him. Sean could take care of the garage in the meantime until Jay decides what exactly he plans to do with it, Tony did sign it over to him and Jay plans to when the grunt work is done pass the garage in good faith to Sean when all is said and done.

Jay and Alex plan to make the most of their time at home, so Alex went to go visit her mother who she hadn't seen in close to three years. Alex and her mom's relationship hasn't quite been the same since her mom spent the rent on bailing her boyfriend out of jail and while her mom hasn't seen Chad for a few years now Alex feels safe enough to see her mom with the hope her mom can stay away from troublesome relationships. Alex's moms house remains largely the same, meager decor and minimal furniture and room. When her mom answered the door she without a word threw her arms around her daughter, almost spilling her beer. She was dressed in a robe and smelt of tobacco. Alex lingered within the hug and her mom remained for a little too long before pulling away, "Honey, it's been so long. Have you been doing alright?"

"Eh," She muttered, sparing the details seeing herself inside, "I really honestly can't complain. Things are good."

"If I'd known you were stopping by I'd . . " She reacted, gesturing to the general upkeep of the house which to Alex appeared unchanged, "clean up the place a bit and pick something up for lunch."

"It's fine, ma just that Jay and I are moving to California and I wanted to come see you before we left, the way that you and I left things I don't want that to be the lasting impression. Still with Chad?"

"Chad and I didn't last much longer after you left town and that's great."

"I'm glad you're not with him anymore."

"Honey," Emily was wearing a floral nightgown that had a tiny pocket in the front of it. She took a few crumpled up bills out, it wasn't much, "I never gave you much but . . . "

Alex butts in with protest, "Mom . . . you don't have to."

"Alex, dear I want to. Take the money."

She hesitated before finally taking the money from the older raven haired woman. She stuffed it into her jean pocket, "So how have you been? What have you been doing since I left?"

"I work now." Emily stated, "at a little diner, work nights at Lola's; it's a living. As you know I left him, I don't know why I didn't see it sooner, that we weren't meant to be." She takes a sip of beer and shrugs her shoulder, "What about you honey?"

"I worked too."

"Well what did you do?"

Alex paused somewhat embarrassed and admitted, "I danced my way through college."

Sadly, Emily sighed and confessed, "I danced too for a time. I was hoping you never had to."

"I actually moved in with Jay, we're moving together. I mean we're not together, he's still with Manny who he's been with for years now."

"I knew you two would be friends again. Tell him hello for me."

"I will, he would've came but he figured that it'd be best it'd be just you and I."

"Didja eat?" She asked, "Can I make you something to eat?"

Alex shook her head, "I couldn't possibly - - "

"I want to make you something. Make up for all those years I disappointed you."

"I guess so." Alex replied sitting down at the kitchen table.

-x-

Sean and Emma have been going strong for a while and Sean is pretty serious about her. He could never leave knowing he has someone out there like Emma. He makes her smile like no other person and he feels like he's better with her. Sean decided to enter into counseling over everything with Shane turns out - it's completely normal to feel the way he does concerning loss with Emma's help; on the upside he started work at the garage and he pays his own way. He moved in with Emma and couldn't be happier. Together they decided to go to the shelter to find a pet of their own to raise. They walk in hand in hand and find the sweetest little yellow lab named Daisy. So it turned out the family who adopted her their daughter was allergic to dogs so they adopted her.

"I'm sad to see them go," Sean began to say, "but I think Jay will be much happier with Manny."

"I know but I'm going to miss them. Manny mostly came here because Jay lives here, with him moving there she'd have no reason to come home."

"What about to see you?"

"I didn't think of that."

"See, it'll be the same bi-coastal friendship."

"So counseling is going good?"

Sean nods, "It's been going well. I found out I have quite a bit of issues, I wish I did this earlier. Thank-you, Emma so much for supporting me through this."

Emma beams, "I love you, of course I'd support you through this and any difficult period."

"I have a great idea, Em."

"Yeah? What is it?" Emma inquired.

"We should throw Jay a going away party."

"Well you know I love parties."

"As does Jay and Alex."

"Let's do it!" Emma exclaimed excitedly.