"So what are you guys doing later?" Race shouts from behind us. The next few minutes are a blur as I catch jumping out of the tree. I open my eyes, and then blink for a few minutes taking in the setting Manhattan sun. I try to not do anything but breathe as Jasper groans beneath me, or maybe beside as I try to stand, and then think of all the insults and comebacks to yell at Race. Now standing under the shade, I try to find Race; surely he didn't run off before one final catcall. I was right as his voice behind me causing me to jump out of my boots.

"You tipsy walruses." He smirks, standing in front of me crossing his arms.

"What?" I ask dumbly, my head hurts a lot as I think I hit a branch on the way down. He motions to Jasper, rubbing his ankle, wincing at the pain.

"Race I hate you sometimes," I mutter, kneeling at Jasper's feet. "Are you okay?"

"Actually I think I-" he starts.

"Race you're a jerk," I shout as he shoves his cigar in his mouth.

"I was just wondering what you were doing later." He objects.

"None of your business, leave now." I scowl.

"You're a lady, where are your manners?" he smirks.

"Race!" I shout attracting as much attention as possible. He slowly looks around then flicks ashes to the tree before running off.

"Well what happened here?" Davey asks making me jump higher than Race ever could. "Calm down Ella, or else we'd have to send for a doctor." I do nothing but motion to Jasper as Sketch makes a quick glance, ignoring everything I've said to Davey when she picks up 'fell out of the tree,' making me furious.

"Looks like someone's a little sleepy, what did he fall asleep then fall?" Sketch comments as Davey hits her. She frowns at him as I make a tiny comeback.

"Sarcastic twit," I mutter, rocking on my feet.

Well isn't someone being a bit negative today?" Sketch asks pushing the envelope.

"Yes, because my blood type is definitely negative," I whisper, feeling anger boil inside of me.

"Sketch, just stop," Davey cuts in as I take a few steps back.

"Someone's being stubborn," Sketch smart mouths.

"If you stand for nothing, then you'll fall for anything." I mutter

"Oh really because I'm ready too…" Sketch screams as Davey cuts her off, lifting her by her waist and dragging her off.

"Davey! Davey let me go!" she screams her loudest, pretty funny to watch if you know she's seventeen. You'd never expect a little girl to be the mature one.

"Jasper, are you okay?" I ask, sitting beside him.

"Best part of my day," he mutters. "Ella, I think I sprained my ankle. It hurts a lot and I don't think I can walk."

"You can," I smile, kissing his cheek as I help him up. I support him as he wraps his arm around me and limps where I step. Slowly we walk to the apartment; I have no idea how he's going to make it up the steps as I ask him his weight. I sigh, letting him rest on the stair rails as I knock on the door, maybe Dad has something. Defiantly stronger than me and able to lift Jasper; I knock on the door hastily screaming his name.

"I was coming as fast as I could," he gripes, greeting with a sassy smirk as he hugs me.

"I know and I'm sorry, but Jasper he can't walk and I don't know what to do so I brought him here and-"

"Quit mumbling Ella, its bothering me."

"Right, anyways."

"Your mumbling when you speak, separate your lips."

"Fine, Jasper hurt his ankle and I-"

"If you speak like that we're going to take all day."

"Just do as I say please."

"Just done mumble, please," Dad smirks. When he looks away I give him a smug-stuck up look. Europe's been in the headline a lot lately. "Okay, so just pick up Jasper and bring him to my bed, and watch his left ankle."

"Your bed," Dad lightly laughs. "No."

"Dad," I snap.

"Okay then, and don't be so harsh."

"Dad." I yell as he accidently swings Jasper's feet, Dad holds him bridal style, into the doorway. Jasper winces as Dad shrugs his shoulder. I let out a sigh as Dad sets him on my bed and I kindly dismiss him as he smiles at me telling me not to lock the door. "Quit being a Race" I exaggerate.

"Who?"

"Goodbye."

"Ella can I get some ice or something cause I technically can't and-"

"Sure." I say quickly as I dart for the kitchen and piling ice in some towels, returning to the bedroom as Elsie comes in. "When you go in the bedroom, don't get really excited."

"Okay?" asks uncertainty, skipping to the back of the hall and turning. "What happened to-"

"Here," I say moving past Elsie, untying his boots and removing his socks; dropping the bag of ice near the swelling. Jasper gives me a slight smile as I fluff a pillow for him, my only pillow really, there's more in the closet. Elsie sits on a chair facing Jasper as I brush out her curls and put in a new bright, green, matching her eyes and ribbon around her dress.

"Will you be okay, you think you can make it back to the lodging house?" Elsie pipes with her little accent. Picked it up on the streets she says wanting to try something new.

"I'll need help, I can't exactly limp there, and it's an almost twenty minute walk, with my ankle probably longer." Jasper sighs, starring at the ceiling.

"You can stay here." I blurt out feeling my face go red as Elsie stares at me. "You'd be in the main room but we have extra bedding and we never have visitors. Good time to practice hospitality." I take the brush and run it through my own hair while taking off the tiny bow I somewhat stole from Elsie. We sit in awkward silence for a few minutes as I adjust the ice, hoping the swelling will go down. In a few hours we can talk about the next few weeks and pretend today never happened. We'll start fresh and never look back. Squealing at the clock as it chimes from Dad's room it's almost bedtime.

"Daddy, I need you to move Jasper to the main room on the couch." I yell as he comes in smiling broadly. I roll my eyes as he gives me a smug but cheeky look as if I did something guilty. No way, not yet at least; just as I know it I'm sitting in a candle filled room on the floor as Jasper lies on the couch. I don't know what to say and I know sympathy won't help.

"So," Jasper starts, "when are we, you know, ready?"

"I don't, I don't really know, I was hoping sometime soon," I whisper, holding his hand as I move to kiss his cheek. "Sorry about today."

"I'll get over it; I was hoping we could leave this week though."

"Yea, I just, I have no words, and it's a really big move for us. If we go soon will you be alright?

"I'll always be okay with you next to me."

"Hey, so why does Race always cat call us?"

"Because he likes our reactions, and I can't help but not smile when you get frustrated, something about it just makes me smile because I know I'm protected. We're both strong and good when it comes to shaking it off but we both have had a hard day."

Yea, I woke up with a bloody nose," I gush. Jasper came a little late to be selling the morning edition. It started raining too so the apple tree was wet and the sidewalk was really slippery. "I'm okay now, I just lost a lot. Then we get cat called a lot then when I was trying to sell I think a guy tried to hit on me. Then you sprained your ankle…" I trail off. "You know why is it always us? I mean you gave your reasons but I want to know if he even cares cause he just gets us at the worst of times and I…"

"Sounds like you're ready." Jasper whispers.

"I guess I am," I gush, my face illuminating by the candle light.

"Well, come on," he gestures.

"But your ankle…"

"Faking," he smiles cheerily, "it stopped hurting when Elsie came home, I still wouldn't walk on it but it isn't bothering me anymore. I just get so much attention from you."

"Jasper," I whisper excitedly. "I can't believe you!"

"Well then Mrs. Richards, are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Well, let's go get married."