Cherry and Soda started over in their relationship, just like they had agreed to. As they dated, he managed to earn her trust back within a six month period. The two continued to date through the rest of her senior year of high school, as well as throughout his future two year long draft to fight in Vietnam and her college years. Yes, it was difficult at times, but they somehow managed to make it work. The two eventually got engaged and married in the year 1974.
Cherry and Marcia made up not long after everything had been cleared up. The two remained friends, but were no longer as close as friends as they had been at some point. The two eventually and unconsciously began to drift apart in their senior year and leading all the way up to when they went to college and went to different schools. They never had an official falling out, but rather just drifted apart as they got older.
However, Cherry did grow closer in her friendship with Evie, Lily, Kathy, as well as the rest of that group of friends.
Evie and Steve lasted throughout the long haul in their marriage. They were truly proud of themselves on how they matured and developed, both as individuals and as a married couple, and then especially as parents. They continued to live in her childhood home, where they stayed throughout the rest of their married life until they were old and gray, where they raised their children.
Evie somehow managed to make time for school. She went back to community college a few months after Layla was born, as well as a part time job. She became an American History and Creative Writing teacher at the town high school, as well as becoming one of the guidance counsellors at the school. On the weekends, she volunteered at a center for girls who were and would become teenage or single mothers.
Steve and Soda eventually became business partners. They opened up their own garage, which eventually became a known garage chain throughout the United States. The two were extremely successful and profited greatly from their chain, and were able to create better lives for their children.
Cherry became one of the top executives for Soda and Steve's garage chain. She worked practically twenty-four hours, seven days a week. She'd only take time off for time with her husband, the occasional pregnancy, her children's events, as well as major events and get-togethers' that involved her friends and their children.
-/-/-
1974, Cherry and Soda's Wedding Day.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," the priest said happily, "You may kiss the bride."
Both Soda and Cherry smiled at each before they both leaned toward each other. Once their lips connected, they felt into the kiss as their arms wrapped around each other to keep each other as close as physically possible. Those in attendance at the small wedding all applauded and cheered, a few people snapping pictures of the sight to eventually give to the new married couple. After a moment or two, the two pulled away from each other and smiled at their guests as they ran to the back of the sanctuary down the aisle and out of the building.
A bit later, at the reception at a nearby restaurant, all of the guests applauded as the newly married couple entered the rented party room. They all greeted one another, as well as congratulated the couple on their marriage.
"Thank you for being my maid of honor, Evie," Cherry smiled gratefully at her friend, "I know it probably wasn't the easiest thing at this point in your pregnancy."
Evie nodded and let out a light chuckle. "I won't correct you on that," she teased, "But trust me, I'm real happy that you chose me- and havin' Layla as the flower girl."
"Well, she is Soda's and my goddaughter, so… speaking of that, where is Layla and Bella, anyway?"
"Last I saw, with Steve and Soda runnin' around like the man children they are."
"Gee, thanks, Evie," Soda said sarcastically as the two men approached the two women, the two little girls trailing along right with them.
"Nice to know what ya think of us," Steve teased.
Layla and Bella ran over to Cherry and Evie. "Mommy, Daddy made a funny sound with his tongue," Bella informed with a smile.
"So did Uncle Soda," Layla added, looking up at the redhead in white.
Cherry let out a chuckle and looked at Soda. "Did you now?" she wondered aloud.
Soda shrugged innocently. "Layla and Bella liked it," he tried to defend.
Cherry chuckled again. "At least it lets me know that you still got a sense of humor."
"That'll never change, trust me."
-/-/-
One year later, Cherry became pregnant with her and Soda's first child: a little girl, who they named Jacqueline Rose Curtis, born in the beginning of the summer of 1976. They eventually had another child: a little boy born in the winter of 1979, who they named David John Curtis.
Steve and Evie had their second child- who was in attendance at their best friend's wedding- in the winter of 1969, one year after Layla was born; a little girl who they named Bella Daisy Randle. In the fall of 1974, they had their third child: a little boy named Steven James Randle Junior. In the spring of 1980, they had their fourth and final child: a little girl they named Violet Emily Randle.
In the middle of September of 1999, Jacqueline "Jackie" Rose Curtis and Steven James Randle Jr. got married, making the two families become one.
Look out for the possible spinoff of this story ( "Loyalty" ) about Layla Estelle Randle, which, if it happens, will be titled "Layla", loosely based off of the Eric Clapton song released in 1971, "Layla".