Chapter 29: Better

A couple of months after Kira's return, the Conner everyone once knew had finally come back. He just needed that one piece of his heart and soul to come back into his life. Now, the ring in Conner's pocket was just another reminder of what Conner had to do next.

One afternoon, Conner and Kira were walking around the park. "So, did you get a letter from Julliard yet?" He asked. Kira sighed.

"Not yet," she replied.

He kissed the top of her head. "You'll get in," he assured her. She smiled and placed her head on his shoulder.

"I hope so," she answered.

Conner kissed the top of her head again and pulled her a little closer to him. "Anything from LAU?" She asked.

"Nothing yet," he replied.

"They'd have to be crazy if they don't accept you."

Conner laughed slightly. "So what now?" She asked. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't know," he replied.

He bit his tongue once those words left his mouth. "Actually…" he started. He stopped and held onto her hand.

"What?" She asked.

Conner cleared his throat and let out a sigh. "Remember, quite a few months back, I took you out on that picnic?" He asked.

"Uh huh," she replied.

Conner cleared his throat again. "Well, besides your boyfriend being sweet, there was something else," he added. Kira noticed his hand was starting to shake.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm just trying to get this to come out right," he replied.

Kira gave him a quizzical look. Conner took a deep breath and dropped down onto one knee in front of her. "Kira Nora Ford…" he started. He pulled the ring from his pocket. "Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Conner McKnight?" He asked. Kira smiled.

"Of course I will," she replied.

Conner slipped the ring onto her finger and he hugged her once he stood up. Kira hugged him back and let out a sigh. "I love you," he murmured. She smiled.

"I love you too," she answered.

(Cyber Café: Three Days Later)

Conner was sitting out in the audience. "Hey, glad to see you back here," Hayley commented. Conner chuckled.

"I have a reason to come back," he answered.

He watched as Kira got ready for her performance. "Think she's going to spring another surprise on you?" Hayley asked.

"Better not," he replied.

"Conner," Tommy called.

Conner looked over and smiled when he saw Tommy and Kimberly walking over. "Hey you guys," he greeted. He shook Tommy's hand and he gently hugged Kimberly. "How are you doing?" He asked.

"We're doing fine," Kimberly replied.

"Haven't seen you guys since Kira came back," Conner commented.

"Had to go to Angel Grove," Tommy answered.

"Why's that?" Conner asked.

"Visit some friends," Kimberly replied.

Conner nodded and smiled when five-month-old baby Kira gurgled and held her arms out to him. "She's always attached to you," Kimberly commented. Conner chuckled and took the infant into his arms.

"Always have a thing for the girls," Tommy teased.

Kimberly nudged Tommy. "Man she's getting so big," Conner commented.

Kira watched from the stage as Conner held Tommy and Kimberly's daughter. A small smile came across her face. "I wrote this song about a year ago. So I thought with this being a special occasion I thought it'd be nice to sing it again," she commented. Kira started playing her guitar and started to sing.

(Patiently)

Conner sat down on one of the stools and listened to her. Baby Kira pulled on Conner's over shirt and gurgled. Conner chuckled. Once the song was over, Kira jumped down from the stage. "You sounded great as usual," he commented. He kissed her cheek.

"Why thank you," she answered.

"You know we should think of a nickname for your daughter, be sort of confusing when she's older," Conner commented.

Kimberly laughed. "Well, Aisha's daughter started calling her Kiera," she commented. Tommy wrapped his arm around Kimberly's shoulders.

"Key era?" Conner asked.

"Yeah," Kimberly replied.

"I'd think that'd work," Kira agreed.

Conner handed the infant back over to Kimberly. "We'll see you guys later," he commented. Tommy nodded and watched them go.

"Things have finally fallen into place," Tommy commented.

"You've got that right," Kimberly agreed.

Tommy kissed the top of Kimberly's head and held her and Kiera close.