This Chapter Is Dedicated To:

NazgulQueen

ALSO: Charmed Angel, Kyrani Firefalcon, RedFirehead411, and Princess Amberly

Sorry this chapter is a little late. Slight Writer's block :(

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Kate slowly woke up from a restless sleep. She hadn't got much of it, and the little rest she had gotten was useless.

The few people who lay around her were still asleep. It couldn't be later than 6. She stretched and sat up.

The thought hit her that she would have to go home now. She was so used to staying there all day, occasionally over night if it was late, but she had never been scared to go home. Now, she was scared.

Very scared.

Jon would be there, and he would have told her father probably, and now everyone knew she was gone, and her dad had sent out a search party because that was just how he was, and everyone would come storming in here any minute, and everyone would get to yelling and… and… She should probably just go home.

Henry slept on a couch nearby, and she shook him awake. He rolled over a mumbled something before waking up.

"Henry. I gotta go. Thanks for letting me stay." He propped himself up on his elbows and looked at her.

"Okay. I'll tell everyone. But you have to promise to visit us after." She nodded and smiled.

"I'll bring Jon with me next time." He smiled back at her and she left.

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It was dark in the house when Kate opened the door. She sighed in relief. Maybe she could make it to her room without anyone hearing.

She was three stairs to the top, so close…

"Not so fast." She winced. Will stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at her. He didn't seem angry though.

Heading back down the stairs solemnly, she saw he had his coat on. He had been out looking for her.

"Where were you?"

"I went… out." He raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Do continue." She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I was with my friends."

"Are you all right?" She nodded. There was a pause.

"Did he tell you?"

"Who tell me what?" Oh, now he was just playing with her. She could tell from his voice.

"Jonathan tell you…"

"He didn't tell me anything, but Jack did." Ah. So that's what the look was for. There was a pause. "Come here Katie." He hugged her tightly and held her there.

The door creaked open suddenly, and Jon stood in the doorway.

"Has she- Oh." He looked at her surprised, and his cheeks went ever-so-slightly red. Kate wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand furiously, and could feel her own cheeks going hot.

Will backed out of the room, leaving them standing awkwardly across from each other.

"Kate, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sprung it on you like that…" She didn't reply. Not because she didn't want to. She desperately wanted to tell him that she accepted, but couldn't do it. Her mouth was stuck.

"I completely understand if you don't want to, I mean, it was a stupid idea…"

"No! No it wasn't." She looked down at her feet. "It was actually really… I don't know." She took a deep breath. "And… I accept." She glanced up at him to see his reaction.

Jon looked up at her; searching her face for any clue as to if this was real.

"You do?"

"Yeah." She took the ring out of her pocket and slipped it on her finger before hugging him. Tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes.

She never thought that she would be able to love someone after what had happened, or that anyone would really love her back. She was vulnerable and she knew it. But he loved her none the less.

"I love you." He said as if to confirm every suspicion she had.

"I love you too." She sighed in relief. He loved her! He actually loved her!

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Jack stood in the open doorway watching them with a smile. It turned out just as he thought it would. Minus the whole running and hiding out for the night thing. That was unexpected.

Kate's eyes fluttered open and saw him. She smiled and buried her face in Jon's neck. He nodded and ducked out of the house. No doubt to call off the search and tell everyone.

Kate didn't care though. She wanted everyone to know that they were getting married.

"Oh!" she pulled away slowly and somewhat reluctantly. "I want you to come meet some people later. They're looking forward to seeing you." He raised an eyebrow.

"People I don't know are looking forward to seeing me? That doesn't sound good…"

"Come on; let's go before everyone gets here." She pulled him out of the house and back the way she had come.

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There we go, end of the chapter.

Happy Holidays!

Chicaga