"Les, Leslie honey, wake up." Bill Burke said as he jerked the blankets off of his sleeping daughter. She groaned as she propped herself up with her elbows. "I know you've been able to sleep in at the hospital but you're home now so, UP! UP! UP!" She slid out of bed and gave her father a "Get Out" look. It took him a few minutes to register, "Oh! Sorry!" he said before turning on his heel and leaving the room. It didn't take her long as she showered and changed into her brightly colored clothes.
When she got downstairs she was surprised to see Jesse, sitting at her kitchen table. "Hey, Jess!" she said, not realizing she was smiling from ear to ear. Jesse pulled the chair out for her as she walked up. "Here you are milady." He said in his most kingly voice. Despite her best efforts to reply, she burst into of a fit of giggles. "Thanks. You know, you've gotten better at that." She said after wiping the tears from her eyes. "I've practiced." They shared a glance and went back to eating. "Leslie, I've gotta surprise for you when you get done." She finished of the rest of her pancakes and stood to leave.
"C'mon, this way." he said as he led her outside to a silver jeep that she only vaguely recognized. "I'm gonna do what I should've done three month ago." The person inside rolled down the window, "Would you like to join us Leslie?" Miss Edmunds said, hardly containing her joy at the sight of seeing Leslie again. "Miss Edmunds!" Leslie shouted with excitement. Hugs were exchanged as they entered the vehicle.
"Where are we going?" Leslie asked finally. "We're going to the museum." Miss Edmunds said. "Jess and I went there the day you--" she paused. "It's okay Miss Edmunds, I know." Miss Edmunds was quiet for a moment before changing the subject, "Well, we should get going." she started the vehicle and drove down the dirt road towards Washington D.C. "What kind of stuff is there?" Leslie asked, breaking the tension. "There's lots of nice paintings there. Maybe you can get some ideas for your stories. And there's another surprise for you there." Leslie nearly jumped out of her skin, the boy she loved since that day in the rain, had surprises for her.
When they were in the parking lot, Jess grabbed her hand and led her forward. She wasn't aware of anything but the warmth of her hand in his. She only occasionally glanced at the pieces of art, but when he stopped reality flooded back. "Leslie look who it is." She looked at the old painting and saw a young woman in a Victorian era dress holding a dog that looked just like P.T. "Wow!" she said in awe. "Do you like it?" He asked expectantly. "I love it!" She hugged him warmly for a long moment. "Thank you, Jess. You didn't have to do this." She said releasing him. "Yeah I did Les." He said holding tighter onto her hand. "I should've done it a long time ago." She leaned in, kissing him quickly on the lips before Miss Edmunds could see. "Are you guys almost ready?" Miss Edmunds asked turning around. "We are now." Leslie said with a smile.
Later that evening --- Burke residence
"So, did you like the museum?" Jess asked, sipping a soda. "I loved it, I couldn't have asked for a better place to go." She replied sleepily. "Are you tired?" He asked. She didn't answer. He heard soft snores coming from behind her golden locks. "Guess so." He said before drifting to sleep beside his queen.