A/N: Hello! A lot of you ask for sequels and I always say never say never, so here we are! Cruel Summer was posted in the summer of 2021 which does not seem possible. Birthday Girl Britt asked a while back for an update on whiskey girl and Blue Moon, and I couldn't not do it. I miss these two and had a lot of fun bringing them back to life. I hope you all enjoy it!

Especially you Britt! Happy birthday!

"Is it straight?"

"I think so, but…"

"But what? It needs to be straight."

Hailey shook her head and took several steps backwards until she could get a proper view of Jay in his cap and gown. "I'm just too short to get a good look," she admitted.

He laughed softly and said, "That's fair."

Hailey smiled wide at him. "You look perfect. I'm so proud of you."

"Couldn't have done it without you," Jay replied.

Shaking her head again, Hailey walked back to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She squeezed him tightly as she closed her eyes and rested her cheek to his chest.

Just three weeks after their friends' wedding where Hailey finally found the strength to tell Jay she loved him, they were met with the new challenge of Jay returning to work. Within a month, Hailey watched Jay's drive slowly fade away. He came home at night and complained of lack of support and being sick of the same old problems that had previously been points of frustration. It was disheartening. She understood the need to vent, but it still upset her to watch the man she loved struggle at work.

After several long talks and discussions of quitting, even to join another career, Jay decided to take the challenge head-on and go back to school. It took him three years, but now he was finally able to walk across the stage at University of Illinois Chicago to accept his degree in Urban Education Leadership. He wanted to be better and set the example as to what school could and should look like.

Now, as Hailey stood hugging him tightly in the apartment they bought together the year before, she was positive all the long nights, frustrated tears, and petty fights out of exhaustion were worth it. Jay was finally achieving the dream he'd poured his heart and soul into.

Kissing the top of her head, Jay murmured, "Should we go?"

Hailey stepped back, wiped unshed tears from her eyes, and nodded.

Jay smiled softly and grabbed her hand, squeezing it softly before tugging her out the door.

Hailey sat in the crowded arena with Will and his step-son, Owen, next to her as they waited for the graduation ceremony to start. She couldn't help but bounce her leg in anticipation. It wasn't that she was nervous for Jay to cross the stage, but that she wanted the entire night to go well.

After the ceremony, they were going to head to Molly's for a few drinks with their friends. She had reserved the entire bar and put down a good amount of money for everyone's drinks. Her relationship with Jay hinged around that bar. It was important that they went there for all the big occasions in their relationship.

It was where they met.

It was where Jay decided he was going to go back to school.

It was where they sat discussing the pros and cons of all the apartments they had seen.

It was where Will and Natalie told them they were expecting a baby.

It was where Hailey planned on asking Jay to marry her.

She was well aware it was not conventional for the girl to ask the guy to marry her, but she was ready and needed to just dive in. Jay was the one who was completely head over heels for her at the beginning. He chased after her for weeks until she gave in and let herself experience another relationship. She didn't want Jay to feel like he was always the one doing the work. It seemed fair that she be the one to get down on one knee.

Figuratively.

She thought she could skip that part.

She wasn't planning on anything over the top or obnoxious. She had never been one for super "romantic" movies and didn't want her proposal, or wedding for that matter, to be gaudy. Proposals could be romantic by being intimate and quiet. They just needed to be about the couple, and that's all she planned on doing.

She hadn't bought a ring for him, and she hoped that didn't matter. Part of her actually thought Jay would say yes if she simply asked him with a folded up piece of paper that looked like a ring. It was the thought that counted. She knew Jay would agree.

"Oh, thank god," Natalie said softly while returning to her seat with her newborn baby, Lucas, in her arms, "I was worried it was going to start without us."

"I would have stopped it if that happened," Will chuckled, reaching over Owen to accept the baby in his arms.

Hailey smiled at them and said, "Thank you all for coming. I know it means a lot to him that you're here."

"Uncle Jay came to my graduation, it's only fair," Owen said.

Hailey laughed and nodded. "I guess so."

"And Mom bought Uncle Jay a cake just like we had for my party," Owen continued, "'Cept his says just congratulations instead of good job in kindergarten."

"Because Uncle Jay's graduating college," Natalie said, "We can't get him a kindergarten cake."

"True, true," Owen sighed. Swinging his feet, he looked around then gasped and pointed at the line of people in the back of the arena. "Is he in there?" he asked.

Hailey sat up and smiled just as the music began. "I think so," she said.

Natalie took her phone out and started recording while Hailey took hers out to take a few pictures. She blinked back tears when she finally spotted Jay amongst the other graduates.

Will stood up with Owen and Lucas to wave and cheer for him. Jay noticed them and waved right back much to Owen's delight.

"He sees us!" he yelled, "Uncle Jay! Uncle Jay, good job!"

Hailey laughed through her tears and stood as well. She waved down at Jay and blew him a kiss. From the distance, she watched as he pretended to catch something in the air and then stick it in his pocket. She sniffled and wiped her eyes.

He was the kindest, smartest, and most caring guy she'd ever met in her life. He always put her first and was willing to do anything to bring a smile to her face. He deserved the world, and now he could officially have it. More doors were going to open for him than he could ever anticipate; she was sure of it. People as good as him always got good things in return.

She just hoped she was the right amount of good for him.

He deserved only the best.

The ceremony was just over an hour in length, and Hailey cried when Jay walked across the stage. Part of her felt silly and was glad her friends weren't there to witness it, but she loved Jay and knew how much this all meant to him. It seemed fine to cry over him achieving his goal.

She stood outside the building with Will, Natalie, and the boys, keeping her eyes peeled for Jay. Her heart was beginning to pound out of her chest again even though she wasn't planning on proposing just yet. She just couldn't wait to get her arms around him and officially congratulate him for what he'd done.

And then she was lifted off the ground and spun around, a soft yell of surprise escaping her lips.

Owen laughed and put his arms up. "Me next!" he yelled.

Jay laughed as well as he set Hailey down. He picked up Owen, spun him in a circle, then tugged Hailey to his side to place a kiss to the top of her head. "I did it," he whispered.

"Yes, you did," Hailey said softly. She pushed up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek and added, "I'm so proud of you."

"Congrats, man," Will said, stepping around her to hug Jay, "It's really something."

Natalie nodded and hugged Jay as well. "You're going to do great things."

"Thank you," Jay said, a smile spreading across his face, "Thank you all so much. Couldn't have done it without you."

"'Specially me, right?" Owen asked when Jay set him down, "I was a big help."

"Yeah, you were," Jay chuckled. He slipped his cap off and set it on Owen's head before turning back to Hailey. He pulled her into a proper hug and kissed her quickly.

"I love you, Blue Moon," she whispered, brushing her fingers against his cheek, "I can't wait to watch you change the world."

A blush crossed Jay's cheeks, but he still smiled and said, "Thanks, whiskey girl." Winking first, he then kissed her again and tucked her into his side. "Should we go get some dinner?" he asked.

"Yeah, on me," Will said, "Then I think we have some plans tonight, right?"

Hailey smiled and nodded. Rubbing her hand over Jay's back, she said, "There's a party at Molly's in your name. All our friends are coming, people from your work too."

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you serious?"

"Of course," Hailey said, "Everyone is proud of you and wants to congratulate you."

"And I'm looking forward to a night out, honestly," Natalie laughed.

Jay smiled at her and said, "Well, I can't deny you that then, can I?"

"Should we get some pictures first?" Will said, "Mom would have liked some."

Hailey nodded and said, "That's a good idea." Squeezing Jay's hand, she added, "It's a big day."

"Me first!" Owen said, jumping up, "I want a picture with Uncle Jay!"

Lucas cooed in Natalie's arms, and she laughed, saying, "I think your brother wants one too."

Smiling, Hailey gripped Jay's hand as he led them off to a patch of grass that wasn't packed with other graduates. They all took turns taking pictures with him, and she hoped all her nerves weren't present on her face. Her heart wouldn't stop thumping against her chest. She was going to ask the man of her dreams to marry her in a few hours. It was a big deal.

But Jay was worth it.

And maybe she was worth it too.

As they left campus and headed downtown for dinner, she kept telling herself that she deserved to be happy just as much as Jay did. Marriage wasn't just for him, but for her too. They were going to build a life together – a happy life – one filled with love and laughter and maybe little baby feet someday. It wasn't an individual thing; it was something she was a part of too.

So as they sat with their family eating steak and sharing a bottle of wine, she kept her hand on Jay's thigh under the table and reminded herself that this was her life. What had started in a bar had never ended, and it was never going to. Not if she had a say in it.

Like Jay, she also wanted good things in the world. She wanted happiness and peace and for everyone to feel safe. It's what she found in Jay and worked for every day while out in the field. Her values made her a good person who deserved love. She deserved a future where she smiled every day and laughed and had someone to hold her as she went to sleep even on the days where she felt less than herself.

Marrying Jay was going to help her achieve just that.

Molly's was filled with all their friends when they arrived. She encouraged Jay to step away to greet everyone while she headed toward the bar to get another drink to ease her nerves.

Stella spotted her the second she walked over and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. "There she is," she said, "Whiskey sour or just a glass?"

"Uh, just a glass," Hailey answered softly, settling into the seat next to Kevin.

He nodded at her and said, "It's a nice turn out."

"Thanks," she said as she ran a hand through her hair. She glanced back at Jay talking to a few teachers and smiled. "I'm proud of him."

"Props to him," Kevin said, "I don't know if I could do it."

Stella laughed and passed Hailey her glass of whiskey. "Honestly, same. Lieutenant's exam was hard enough. Your boyfriend's doing something great."

"Boyfriend…or fiancé?" Kevin asked.

Hailey choked on her whiskey and tried coughing to catch her breath. "Shut up," she hissed.

Stella's eyes widened and she repeated, "Fiancé?"

Hailey blushed and nodded slightly. Sending Kevin a glare, she said, "I…I'm going to bring it up tonight."

"Not exactly what it's called when you ask someone to marry them," Kevin said, "Pretty sure it's called proposing."

"Oh, I love this," Stella said, leaning against the bar, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I was trying to keep it a secret," Hailey said quietly, "It would have worked had someone not been snooping in the locker room."

"You were looking at rings, what was I supposed to do?" Kevin asked.

Hailey waved her hand and said, "I got rid of that idea. That doesn't feel right. I'm not getting on one knee to do it. I'm just going to tell him I love him and that I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

"That's it?" Stella asked.

"Just because your husband proposed to you in a burning building doesn't mean everyone else has to do that too," Hailey said.

Stella shrugged and stepped back from the bar.

"It's been a big day for him anyways," Hailey continued, "We don't need anything crazy. Who knows, maybe we'll elope anyways."

There was a soft gasp and suddenly Kim was at her side asking, "Are you engaged?"

Hailey closed her eyes and said, "No."

"Good, Jay didn't ask for my permission," Adam joked as he sat on Kevin's other side.

"Shut up," Hailey said.

Adam winked at her before asking for another beer.

"Do you think he's going to ask you?" Kim asked.

Hailey bit her lip and shook her head.

Kim raised an eyebrow and said, "Then why are you eloping?"

"I'm not," Hailey sighed, "I just mentioned it. I don't know what we'll decide to do."

"But you are getting engaged?" Adam asked, leaning around Kevin.

"Ideally," Hailey huffed, "Can we stop talking about it? I don't want Jay to hear."

"Hear what?"

She froze at Jay's voice.

"Blue Moon," he then said, setting a hand on Hailey's back and leaning over her to talk to Stella, "Thanks."

"Yup," she answered quickly, rushing away to grab a glass.

There was a beat of awkward silence before Kevin turned to shake Jay's hand. "Congratulations on the degree, man, that's awesome."

Adam nodded and reached over to lightly punch Jay's arm. "Don't know how you did it. Congrats."

Kim stood to hug him then said, "Congratulations. We're all proud of you."

"Thank you," Jay replied with a smile. He accepted his beer from Stella as she returned and glanced down at Hailey. "What were you talking about?" he asked.

She shook her head and finished her drink in one sip.

Jay tried laughing and said, "You okay?"

She breathed in slowly then asked, "Take a walk with me?"

"Always," he replied softly, stepping back for her.

Without being prompted, Stella slid over another glass of whiskey and nodded at Hailey. She weakly laughed and accepted the alcohol before grabbing Jay's free hand and walking outside with him.

No one else had taken advantage of the fire pit and hanging lights, so the back patio was all theirs. Despite the soft breeze, the air felt rather warm for the beginning of May, and Hailey thought it made everything rather cozy.

The second the back door was swinging shut behind them, all the talking faded away, and all she could hear were Jay's quiet breaths right next to her. She glanced up at him and smiled slightly before taking a slow sip of her drink.

Jay smiled back and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "Not surprised you're drinking whiskey, but I thought you would have cut it slightly by getting a whiskey sour."

Hailey shrugged and lowered her glass. "Just…wanting to celebrate you."

Jay laughed slightly as he walked over to sit next to the fire. "Been hearing that a lot today," he said quietly, "Everyone wants to celebrate me."

"Because you did something amazing," Hailey said, going to sit next to him, "You went back to school. Not many people do that."

Jay shrugged and ran his finger over the top of his glass. Taking another sip, he said, "I probably could have done it quicker than I did. It was a bit harder than I expected."

"And that's fine," Hailey said, "You didn't give up."

"I just wish things didn't have to be fixed," Jay said, "I wish we could just do what was right and not have so many people complain about it."

"You know we can't make everyone happy all the time," Hailey said softly, "It sucks, but it's life."

Jay nodded and took a deep breath.

Hailey rubbed a hand over his back then rested her head on his shoulder. She debated her words for a moment before saying, "You deserve to be congratulated not for wanting the world to be better, but because you're doing something to make it better. Everyone's congratulating you because you're determined and you worked hard for this. Everyone is genuinely proud of you. We can't wait to see what you do. I can't wait to see what you do."

Jay turned his head to kiss her forehead and whispered, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Blue Moon."

It earned her a soft laugh from Jay as he lifted his glass up to his lips.

She sat up as well and lightly traced his ear with her finger. Staring at him, she knew now was the time. They were alone in a private space at the bar that was the center of their relationship. Everything had been leading up to this moment, so, taking one last sip of her whiskey, she set her glass down and turned on the bench to properly face him.

"Jay," she said softly, grabbing his free hand and squeezing his fingers.

He hummed and took another sip of beer before turning toward her as well.

"I love you," she said, "And I am proud of you. I know I've said it a lot today, but it's true. You are this really great guy who has these big dreams, and you're not afraid to chase them. Every single day, you are everything I wish I could be and everything I love about this world."

Jay smiled and set a hand on the side of her face. "Thank you," he said, "I love you too. You're this badass, firecracker who makes not just Chicago a better place, but my life better too."

Blushing, Hailey let out a soft laugh and ran her hand through her hair. "Thank you," she repeated, "Um, I…oh gosh."

The nerves flooded her stomach making her feel like butterflies were filling her. Suddenly, she felt silly to be the one asking him to marry her. She didn't want him to think she was just doing it because he'd gotten his masters degree. Maybe this was all wrong, and maybe this was why guys usually did the proposal thing. Spilling out all her feelings and hopes and dreams to Jay was much scarier than she thought it would be.

She looked down at their intertwined hands and began playing with his fingers. "Sorry," she whispered, "I…" Taking a deep breath, she glanced up to meet his amused eyes and simply shrugged.

"I love you, Jay, and I want to be with you forever," she said, "I want to marry you. I know we haven't exactly talked about it, but I want to talk about it now. You came into my life when I wasn't expecting it and showed me that love isn't scary. You showed me that I am capable of a real relationship, and maybe even that I'm good at it. Three years ago, I would have never imagined living with a guy and being the one who initiated marriage, but here I am. I want to marry you, Jay. Please."

Jay chuckled and bit his lip over a smile. He held her eye contact for a moment, his thumb rubbing over the back of her hand before nodding to himself and scooting backwards on the bench. He cleared his throat and stuck his hand in his pocket.

"Funny," he said softly, "Because I want to marry you too."

Before she could blink, he pulled out a small black box from his pocket and flipped it open in front of her to show off a rather simple diamond ring.

"I'll say yes if you say yes," he continued with a laugh teasing at his voice.

Tears came to Hailey's eyes and she nodded while laughing herself. "I'll say yes," she repeated.

Jay laughed and slipped the ring from the cushion. Sliding it onto her finger, he said, "Then I'll say yes too."

"Holy crap, Jay," Hailey laughed, lunging herself at him. Holding him tightly in a hug, she said, "Are you serious? You were going to propose too?"

"Yeah," Jay chuckled, rubbing a hand over her back, "I was kind of planning on taking the long way home and finding a park to do it in, but this is much better." He turned his head to kiss her temple and whispered, "I love you, whiskey girl."

Hailey smiled and pressed her face in his throat. "I love you too, Blue Moon. Forever."

She could feel his pulse against her forehead and wondered if her heart was pounding so hard that he was able to feel it too. When she relaxed enough, she noticed that they'd managed to sync up together and laughed softly. They were breathing together, hearts beating at the same time, and it somehow proved to her that this decision to get married was the right one.

They were meant to be together forever, just like they were meant to meet here in this bar three years before.

She held up her left hand to examine her ring and let out a soft laugh of disbelief. The lights reflected in the single diamond on the gold band. It was simple and beautiful and reminded her of Jay. Her gut told her she couldn't wear it at work, but she knew she'd be wearing it any chance she got at home and while out and about. She was going to be tied to Jay forever, and there was nothing more that she could want. She could scream it from the rooftops if she could.

So when they walked back in the bar, Jay's hand holding hers tightly just to thrust it up in the air for all their friends to see, she didn't think she could possibly get any happier.

Everyone hurried over to look at the ring and congratulate her, but all she could think of was Jay and the life they were stepping into. The life they deserved to live together.

It wasn't exactly a fairytale like her mother had wanted her to have, there wasn't a fairy godmother or mice who turned into horses, but she'd found her Prince Charming, and he'd chased after her when she'd disappeared at midnight.

There wasn't anything cruel about that.