Chapter 15

Since Allison returned she didn't leave Joey's side for a moment; Joey made sure of that. He lost her once, he wasn't about to lose her again.

And she wasn't about to leave again. Living with the Tanner's made her feel more at home than she had ever felt before. She didn't want to leave that. Hitchhiking out of town made her feel lonelier than she had ever been. She didn't even know where she was going. She started wondering why she left in the first place. Then she made her mind up to turn around and go back to the people who really cared for her; the person who cared for her.

Joey had been the first person to care about her after she had been thrown out. He was worried that she was living on the streets. He took her in. He gave her a place to stay. He cared for her. He loved her. It was the least she could do to love him back and care for him as much as he did.

It had been three days since he was released from the hospital and she had taken it upon herself to care for him at home and nurse him back to health. She fed him, bathed him, and entertained him when he was bored. He had moved back up to his room in the alcove with Allison because he couldn't maneuver down the stairs very well.

She had set a date in the future to testify against her step-father, who was still in the hospital with a head injury. She was scared about it, but knew her family was there for her when she needed it. She could do it with them supporting and protecting her.

She also decided to go back to high school and finish her last semester so she could get a better job than waitressing.

Being back in the Tanner household made Allison feel happier than she had been in a long time.

After three days, she was just starting to adjust to being back home. That night, the rest of the family was throwing a "welcome back" party for both of them. Allison didn't know about it, but Joey did. It was his idea because he was so happy she was back. He wanted it to be a surprise, to show how many people cared for her and how much she was worth.

He was also thinking about giving Allison his own surprise.

Even though it had been three days, Joey felt like it had been longer. He was scared to death he had almost lost her forever.

forever…

He couldn't let her get away again.

Later that night, the Danny, DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle gathered around in the kitchen while Joey asked her to get him something to drink. She walked in from the living room and they all yelled, "Surprise" to her. She was astonished. Joey walked in behind her the best he could and put his arms around her.

"Welcome home," he whispered in her ear.

She turned her head to look up at his face. She smiled as the tears started flowing down her face.

She had a home. She had a family. Finally, she had a family. People to love her, to care for her, to worry about her. A family.

"We thought we'd throw you and Joey a welcome back party," Danny said. "We're so glad you decided to come back to us." He walked over to hug her.

Stephanie and DJ ran over to her and hugged her too. They grabbed her hands and led her out into the backyard. Allison was astonished when she saw it. The fence and trees were lit up with white Christmas lights. A picnic table was covered with candles, food and snacks. Chairs were set up around the border of the backyard. They were having a dinner picnic for her. Just what she loved: picnics.

In the corner of the yard, Jesse was set up with his band, Jesse and the Rippers. He counted off and started playing "Good Golly Miss Molly."

She started dancing with Steph and DJ as the music swirled around them. This was the perfect atmosphere for a party. The perfect people, the perfect place.

The song ended leaving everyone laughing and in good spirits. Allison's heart was bursting with love that she felt for her family right then.

Jesse introduced the next song. "This one goes out to all those lovers tonight." He looked straight at them and winked. "You know who you are."

Allison looked back at Joey who was standing on the porch watching her. This was somewhat strange since there were only five people at the party anyway, but she wouldn't pass up a dance with Joey anyday.

Jesse started playing the song "Forever" which he wrote after reading Joey's poem for Allison.

She turned back towards Joey. He motioned for her to dance with him. They swayed to the music. Joey then began to talk to her.

"Oh, this song is so beautiful," Allison told Joey.

"I have something to confess," he told her. She looked up from resting her head on his shoulder. "I actually wrote this song with Jesse."

She looked at him quizzically. "You don't seem like a song writer."

"I didn't know I could do it either until you left." He looked down forlornly. "Then I kept writing poems and drawing you. I had never really done anything like that ever. But this is one of my poems. Jesse saw it and liked it and he turned it into a song."

She was astonished. Joey the comedian writing poems? Strange, but she could see where it came from.

With the music still playing, Joey stopped dancing. She looked at him confused. He led her off into the corner of the yard under a tree lit up by lights. He bent down on one knee. Allison couldn't believe this was happening.

"Allison," Joey said softly. "When you went away, I realized I couldn't live without you. And I want to make sure you won't leave me ever again." He looked at the box in his hand. "Don't expect anything big to come out of this box. I've only been out of the hospital three days and I haven't had time to go shopping for a ring." He opened the box sheepishly. "But, will you marry me?" The box had his Might Morphin' Power Rangers club ring.

Allison wasn't expecting anything more than that. She threw her arms around him. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I will marry you." He put the ring on her finger. "How could anyone say 'no' to this?" she laughed.

Joey laughed too and kissed her gently on the lips.

Danny, Jesse, Stephanie, and DJ saw this and they all ran forward and congratulated them. They knew that he was going to do this and gave him space to do it.

After that, the real party started. They danced and ate all night long. Allison got a turn to dance with everyone, even Michelle.

When the band stopped to take a break, she realized she hadn't talked to Jesse the whole party. She left Joey at the table eating everything he could get his hands on and walked over to the band.

"Hey, Jesse," she said.

He looked behind him, saw her, put his guitar down, and walked over to talk to her.

"Hey," he said cheerfully. "How do you like the party?"

"It's great," she said happily. "It really is."

Then her tone changed to more serious. "Listen, I just want to thank you for doing all this for me. Not just the party; Danny told me how you went and looked for me when I ran away. I just wanted to thank you for trying so hard for Joey's sake and I wanted to apologize for putting you through all that. I know you probably hate me now and it really means something to me that after all that you'd still come here and play at this party."

Jesse smiled. "I don't hate you now," he said laughing. "And I didn't just go look for you for Joey. You're part of the family now. We all worry about you."

Allison smiled and hugged Jesse. They all cared about her. Now she was sure of it. Now she would be sure never to leave again.

"But thanks for apologizing," Jesse added. "You put me through so much grief those two days."

They both laughed at his attempt at feeling sorry for himself. She was very grateful to have a good friend like Jesse.

Near midnight, Danny went to put DJ and Stephanie to sleep and also went to sleep himself. The band packed up and left and Jesse left the two in the backyard alone.

Joey and Allison lay in the backyard gazing at the stars as an engaged couple.

They lay in silence for a while, until Joey spoke.

"You know, I wasn't sure if you would accept," Joey confessed.

"Really?" she asked confused. "Why not?"

"Because I thought I would scare you off. I thought it might make you run away again."

Allison looked at him horrified and startled. "I didn't leave because of you," she told him. "I left because of myself. I had to make sure I had a purpose here and realized that I do. I thought I could throw it all away, but now I know I can't. I couldn't just throw away your friendship and this family. You were the first to take me in when I needed help. You made me realize I needed help in the first place. I have so much to be grateful for and it all starts here; it all starts with you."

Joey squeezed her hand and smiled at her. Then they both looked back up at the stars. There was so much for them to do as a family. The sky is the limit. They have forever to explore it together.

A/N: Awww!! It's the end! Finally, huh? It only took me a year almost. Gosh, I'm so slow at updating. So anyway, I know Jesse didn't write "Forever" until like the 6th season, but I thought this would be cuter and cheesier and more Full House-like, if I can turn that into a verb. So yeah, I'm done! Hopefully I'll be writing more fics soon and I'll try to update better. I need to watch more Full House to get inspiration for a new fic.