Epilogue

About a month later, August

"This isn't a bad little place you have here." Jackson said as he walked up behind me, and carefully slid his arms around my waist.

"Yea I know." I laid my head on his shoulder. "But it isn't Berkeley either."

"No, it's Houston."

I had decided to attend graduate school at the University of Houston, and I was moving into my new apartment today. Well, the monkey boys were moving me in because according to the good doctor who took care of me, I wasn't supposed to do any rigorous activity or heavy lifting which might upset the stitches I had received.

"Houston," Jackson said. "It's a lot further from L.A. than Berkeley is."

"Yea, I guess you'll just have to visit your mother more often."

"She'll love that." He kissed my cheek. I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck.

"This also means that we have new rooms to christen." I pecked him on the lips.

"Hmm, so it does." He kissed me back briefly and I giggled before his lips plunged into mine and his tongue explored my mouth.

"Oh come on you two." Benny complained as he walked in with the others; they were all carrying boxes. Well, except my Aunt Suzie of course, she was still on crutches.

"Give it a rest Benjamin. It's young love. Your father and I were the same way once; we couldn't keep our hands off each other."

"Mom." He whined.

"Well, that's the last of it." Jerad said as he set his box down and stood next to his wife.

"Thanks you guys. I feel really bad that I couldn't help, but you know doctor's orders and all." I teased.

"Yea, yea, put a sock in it." Benny said.

"Or a cock." Jackson whispered to where only I could hear him. I responded by throwing my hand against his chest. "Owe."

"My Aunt Suzie is here. Watch your mouth." I said through gritted teeth.

"What's going on over there?" My aunt asked.

"Nothing."

"You're a terrible liar Amy." Benny laughed.

"Yea, so sue me. What's wrong Kells?"

"You're moving to Houston." She pouted.

"Correction, she's moved to Houston." Ben G said exhausted.

"Kells, we've talked about this." I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. "Houston has the…"

"Best optometry school around, yes I know." She finished for me. "Berkeley has a decent program too."

"This conversation sounds very familiar." I raised my eyebrows at her.

"I know. It's just harder than I thought it would be."

"What is?"

"Saying goodbye."

"We are not saying goodbye. You can't get rid of me that easily."

"You forget, she's a fighter." Jackson grinned. I smiled back at him.

"Oh, before I forget. I have something for you." Kellie said pulling out a large envelope. "Consider it a late graduation gift."

"What?" I hesitantly took the envelope from her and pulled out a large sum of cash. "Kells, I can't accept your money."

"But that's just it. It's not my money, it's yours. It's all the money you ever put into the party box."

"Kells, this money was supposed to go to the graduation party we had."

"Yea, well it didn't so here you go. You worked hard for this money Amy; you should put it to something important like a new pair of shoes, or rent."

"Kells…"

"God Amy, would you just take the damn money."

"Alright, alright. You're so stubborn you know that."

"Thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment."

Jackson walked over and slid his arm around my waist and kissed my cheek.

"You know," my Aunt Suzie turned to Jerad and his wife. "I saw this charming little café around the corner. Care to join me there for lunch?"

"Sure, we'd love to Mrs. Johnson." Jerad responded.

"I've told you boys to call me Suzie."

"Kellie, perhaps you might like to join me for lunch?" Ben asked. I looked at Jackson curiously.

"I'd like that, very much." Kellie responded with a smile. Wait, was she blushing?

After everyone had left, I turned to Jackson. "Did he just ask her out?"

"Yes, yes he did."

"Alright Benny. They'd be good for each other, don't you think?"

"I'm not interested in talking about them." He turned me around to face him. "We're alone." He kissed me passionately for a very brief moment.

"Hmm, yes we are." I murmured against his lips. "What are you going to do about it?"

He scoped me up in his arms. "I'm going to be very gentle, just like the doctor instructed." He smiled broadly and carried me off the to the bed room.

The End