Chapter 12

Part 2

Sean's POV

When I got into town, I instinctively drove up to the apartment I shared with my brother, then later, Ellie. I could see the light shine from the inside. Shaking my head, I pulled off.

Next stop: Jimmy's.

I pulled into the driveway and gt out of the truck. "Mr. Cameron. What's up?" Jimmy greeted me at the door. ":He-ey, Brooks!" We shook hands and hugged. "Aw man, it's good to see you." "You too man."

"Come on in, let's get you settled."

We went inside and played catch-up. Jimmy showed me where I would sleep for the night. I didn't want to stay at Craig's, and risk having Emma see the truck. Before long, Spinner, Craig and Marco joined us. We got to talking, and I happened to ask Marco how Dylan was. Everyone got quiet.

"What?" I asked, puzzled.

"Marco and Dylan, aren't...together anymore." Craig explained cautiously.

"Oh, so I'm that out of touch?"

"Way out of touch cause Marco's with El..." Marco sent Spin a death glare, but I'd already caught on.

"Ellie huh? Whoa." I replied, tossing another handful of chips into my mouth. I was taken aback, but not mad. For what? It's not like we were still dating or something.

"This isn't how we wanted you to find out..."

"No, Marco. Believe me, it's cool. Ellie ans I, we've been over. I'm just shocked that you...that you..." Spinner fell over laughing. After a whole night of pizzas, a few beers, football and friends, it was soon the next day. Time to see her. Finally.

I had Spinner and Craig with me when I arrived at the Simpson house. "This is it guys." I took a deep breath as I grabbed the door latch. Before I had the chance to get out though, my ex-best friend's car swung around the truck, and halfway into the drive. The passenger door opened, and Emma climbed out. I took my first glimpse of her I'd had in a year. She was still breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair longer, her figure curvier, but it was still my Em.

"Wow. Who's truck?" I heard Jay ask.

"Dude. Get out." "Shut up Spin"

"I don't know." She replied. She came closer to the window, and he followed.

"Be careful."

I rolled the window down just as she turned to shoot him a look.

"Aw. Look who's turned all sensitive on me. Don't worry loverboy. I'm back now. She'safe."

Emma screamed. "Sean!!" She slung the truck door open, and literally jumped into my lap. I hugged her tight, as Jay watched awkwardly.

I swung my legs out, and stood, with Em still holding on.

"Whoa! I missed you too." I laughed, and the guys followed suit. Emma let go and stood up straight. She tugged the ends of my hair, which had grown below my chin. "That's what happens when you skip the barber's chair one too many times."

"It's awesome." She smiles. We stare at each other for a moment smiling, before Jay interrupts.

"Cameron. What's up?"

"Hogart." We shook hands. There was a little tension, but only because I knew that he knew whatever he and Em had while I was gone was about to be over.

"Let's go inside." We trailed behind Emma into the house. I gave hellos and hugs to Mr and Mrs Simpson. Jay, a little uncomfortable, excused himself.

"Hey, Gree...Emma, I'm gonna go ok? Call me later?" She nodded. "Hey, Sean, stop by the house man. We'll party." "Sure." I told him and he left. Craig and Spin weren't too long behind him, going down to Joey's. Em and I went down to her room to talk.

"Jay's really got it bad doesn't he?" I asked once out of earshot of her parents. Emma flipped her hair and gave me a sly grin.

"Why? Jealous?" She smirked, tossing a small pink purse onto the bed.

"Always." I found myself saying. Emma blushed. "We're friends. I never thought I'd be saying those words, but. ever since he and Alex broke up. He's different. You know."

"But hes into you. A lot."

"I know."

"And?" "What do you mean?" She sat, and patted the space on her bed beside her, beckoning me to join.

"And...What's your status? Are you...?" "Getting together? No. We've kissed if that's what you want to know. But that's it."

I felt my infamous temper start to flare, and I didn't calm down until my lips were pressed on hers. We kissed so hard that we were both out of breath by the time we broke apart.

"Does he kiss you like that?"

"Never." Em panted, and we began to make out furiously.

This time we didn't stop until we heard Spike calling us. "Emma! Sean! Dinner! Sean, are you staying?" I nodded. "Yeah!" Em replied. "I forgot all about your parents. Sorry." "Don't apologize. I don't regret a single second of it."

So she did feel it. The unmistakable feeling of fire between us.

"I couldn't wait to get here. To see you." I pushed a stray piece o hair from her left cheek. "Sean. I've been thinking about you...everyday. And I..." "Me too Em. I mean, I've seen someone too but, it's always been you." So I technically haven't seen anyone, but there was no way I could explain the Jen thing (A/N which will bite him in the ass later).

"So, you came just for me?" "Of course." We ended that conversation with another kiss, then went upstairs to join Spike and Snake for dinner.

Christmas day, I woke up in baby Jack's room, on a roll away bed. As uncomfortable as it was, I knew there was nowhere else I'd rather be. I smiled as Jack snored lightly, and I crept out the door, careful not to wake him. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I entered he family room and caught Mr Simpson, uh, Snake. He wants me to call him Snake, stacking gifts under the tree.

"Moning 'Santa'." "Sean. Hey buddy."

"Almost done?" "Yup. Even got something for you down there somewhere" "oh, Mr S-Snake, you didn't have to..." "I know we did't have to, we wanted to..." "Jack is still sound asleep." "Yeah. Don't worry about him. Spike likes to be the one to wake him. And she's still in bed herself." "Ok." I answer, then head outside to bring the gifts I'd gotten everyone out of the truck. When I came back in, Emma was up, and sitting on the floor with her back against the couch.

She smlied when she noticed me. "Merry Christmas."

"Same to you. I didn't know you were awake." I sat down next to her after placing the packages under the tree. She leaned her head on my shoulder. "Yeah, I watch the parades every year."

I looked arond for Snake before I stole a kiss. "I missed you. You never came back last night." She said, giving me another mega grin. "Jack had a mini meltdown. There's no way I could've gotten down there."

"I understand. There's always tonight." I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"You know Em, I've been thinking. Maybe I just nmight come back. To stay."

Oh, my God are you serious? Sean!"

"Dead serious."

"Well. This calls for a celebration doesn't it?..." She bet down towards my ear. "Tonight. While my Mom an Dad take Jack to Grandma Simpson's." She whispers, then kisses the side of my face softly. After that, we sit, silently holding hands until Spike brings Jack down, followed by Snake and the camera. We all opened

gifts, and Em loved the knock off pink diamond bracelet and earrings I gave her like it was the real thing. Spike and Snake got me an i-pod, clothes and cds.

The day ws going great, and right before Joey, Craig, Angela and Caitlin joined us for dinner, there was a knock at the door. "I wonder who that is, Joe never knocks." Snake says and opens the door to see my older brother.

Tracker ended up staying for dinner, and he gave me an ATM card, which was to an account he told me he'd been stashing money in just for me. He also slipped Snake a few loose bills, which was initially declined, but Tracker never took no for an answer. He hugged me goodbye, then Emma, and whispered something in her ear. He bear hugged me one more time before telling me to call anytime, and left.

Later that night, Em and I were cleaning the house when I asked her what my brother told her.

"So what did he say?"

"Who?" She answers innocently.

"You know."

"Can't tell." "What? Can't tell huh?" I cross the room, gather her in my arms, and begin a tickle assault on the couch. I tickle until she screams with laughter. "Ok! Ok! I'll tell." "Now, that's more like it." I ease off and sit back up straight. He told me to keep being a good influence on you." I didn't answer. Even Tracker could tell the difference she made on me.

"Emma,"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you, Sean."

We kiss and she takes m hand, pulling me up off the couch.

"Let's celebrate."

A/N- Ok. So that was pretty long. sorry. Hope it was ok. I'm trying to build my story.