Hi! Here I am with another chapter…I think there are some nice fluffy parts! Also, I wanted to let everyone know that I'm thinking of the final part of this story, because it won't last much longer…I know how it's going to end and everything and I think I'll write other three chapters or something like that. I'm not 100 sure yet, so don't take my word for granted!

Now I should be off practising piano. I'm learning some wonderful songs… I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Outsiders.

17 – A quiet evening

Life sure is funny. I never would've guessed the girl Josh was going out with was Sophie, my best friend from high school, the one who'd run off to become a hippie and eventually discovered that kind of life wasn't for her. Not to mention, I had been sure despite everything that she was still living with her abusive boyfriend Jeff…but I was happy to see I'd been wrong.

Josh told Soda and I that he met Sophie while he was in the hospital. She'd been beaten badly by Jeff and she had spent a week there, recovering. Needless to say…she and Josh had gotten along since the first moment they spoke to each other and when Sophie left the hospital, she broke up with Jeff, went back to her parents' house and then started visiting Josh while he recovered after the operation to his eye (which took a while). Now they were officially dating.

I didn't know Josh well, but Sophie looked truly happy with him. She and I had a long chat, a couple of days after Soda's birthday party.

"I know I should have listened to you, Sybil…you've been right all along about Jeff and…" she paused. "I don't know, I guess I had to learn it the hard way. He hurt me pretty bad, I thought I was going to die…" She looked down and her dark locks fell in front of her face, covering her eyes. "Then I met Josh…he was so wonderful to me, I don't even know why. I truly was a complete wreck."

"What really matters is you're happy now." I hugged her. "I missed you. We were inseparable once…where did those days go?"

"Well, you won't be missing me anymore. Josh and I plan on residing here in Tulsa…I bet you'll grow tired of me!" She smiled.

"Really? You're staying? What about your parents…are you getting along?"

"Yeah, they…they said they were hoping I'd come back home someday. We didn't exactly part in the nicest way when I went to California years ago. I'm living with them for now, until Josh and I…find some place to stay in. I'm also looking for a job."

"I'll help you in your search."

Sophie and I visited lots of places and eventually found a nice apartment. Now she only needed to find a job.

"So it looks like everyone's happy now. You and me, Joan and Adam, Sophie and Josh…" I told Soda as we were eating dinner.

"Everyone but Steve and Evie, I guess." He replied. He had Jesse James on his lap and was trying to feed him, but he just kept turning around. "Come on, Jesse. Be a good boy."

"I told you he ate too much this afternoon." I said, as I stared at them.

"Look, he's eating now. It just takes some patience…"

As I watched Sodapop and Jesse James, I realized how lucky I was. They were everything to me, I would be so lost without them…

"Hi!" Ponyboy entered the kitchen. He had a huge smile on his face. "Sorry I'm late! I met Two-Bit and I had to drive him home, because he was so drunk he'd got lost."

We all started laughing. "Good ol' Two-Bit. He'll never change." Soda exclaimed.

"Soda, I'll feed Jesse James now so you can eat." Ponyboy offered.

"Thanks, Pony, but aren't you hungry too?"

"Not much."

"Guess what?" Pony went on talking. "I spoke to Mr. Bradford today, he said the short stories have been selling quite good. Nothing exceptional, but he's asked me if I plan on writing a novel or something anytime soon, cause if I do, he'll gladly examine it and then maybe publish it, too."

"That's awesome, Pony!" Soda tried to hug him, but stopped because Jesse James was sitting on his brother's lap. "So have you started writing something new?"

"I'm thinking about it. I need to talk to Mr. Symes, though…you remember, my high school teacher?"

"Sure I remember. He was my teacher too and the only one who didn't get mad at me even if my spelling was awful." Soda replied.

"Still is." Pony joked and Soda smacked him lightly in the head. "I'm going out later, don't wait up for me, okay?"

I wanted to ask where he was going, but I didn't feel like intruding in his business. Soda could have asked something, but he didn't.

Later that evening, Sodapop, Jesse James and I were laying on our bed, just enjoying a quiet evening and talking (well, me and Soda were).

"I'm happy he got your blue eyes." Sodapop said, staring at our baby.

"I'm happy he got everything else from you." I smiled, and kissed Jesse James. "Seriously, it's not funny how much he looks like you, Soda." Even in old pictures from when Sodapop was a baby, there was a strong resemblance.

"Aw, I bet his personality will match yours, Sybil. And then he'll conquer the world."

I laughed. "I don't know about the world, but I'm sure many girls will fall in love with him. He's so beautiful."

"I know he is, but don't you think you could stop kissing him for a second and kiss me instead?" Soda grinned.

"I'll make an effort…"

After a kiss, Soda became serious and said: "I haven't been completely honest…when I told you I don't want many kids. It's just I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to look after them all properly…that we wouldn't have the money…"

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I don't know. But if I could, I'd have a dozen kids with you, Sybil."

"A dozen is a little too much!" I smiled and kissed him. "Soda, we're not doing bad, are we? I don't think we need to worry."

"You're right. I love you, Sybil."

"I love you too, Sodapop."

Soda cleared his throat. "I wanted to tell you something about Pony. You know when he said he was going out? I noticed you were looking at him like you wanted to know what he was gonna do."

"Yeah, I know, I should mind my own business."

"It ain't that. It's…Ponyboy's…I think he's dating this girl…"

"What's the matter? Do you know her?"

"I don't know her, but…" Soda paused. "I know her age. She's six years older than him."

"WHAT?" I tried to think reasonably. "Are you kidding? No way he's going out with a twenty seven year old woman!"

"I think he is indeed. I saw them, but Pony didn't notice me."

"You saw them where?"

"They were in some café together and they looked really happy."

"How do you know she's six years older than him?"

I kept asking Soda lots of questions. I couldn't believe Ponyboy was going out with someone so much older than him.