Jumper: Cent's Story
This next chapter should be exciting. We get to see what Zoe has been up to and also some other things as well. We also get to see Ashley, Emily, and Rachel again. In fact, this chapter is sort of like a crossover for Cent's friends. Zoe and the trio meet for the first time and we see how things work out for the time being. Oh yeah, and Cent also reveals her Jumping ability as well. I hope you like it. ;)
Cent learns some interesting developments that have been happening with Zoe. Ashley, Emily, and Rachel meet Zoe for the first time and Cent announces her engagement to them. Also, John shows David and Millie the beach house. But the biggest reveal comes at the very end when Cent tells her trio of friends everything.
Just sit back and enjoy the ride! Chapter thirty-three has arrived! ;)
Chapter Thirty-Three:
Revealed
Cent:
Cent sat at her usual spot in the Starbucks restaurant, sipping on some hot chocolate coffee, while awaiting her friend Zoe to arrive. Some part of her knew that she would arrive first. Zoe had a thing for taking her time and always somehow beating everyone first. It was like time was actually on her side or something.
Right on cue, Zoe walked right through the front doors of the Starbucks, carrying her purse on her right shoulder, and turned to walk down towards the table that Cent was at. She pushed back her hair and smiled at Cent as she came closer.
Cent just loved how Zoe smiles. No matter how she smiled, it was always full of love and happiness. She still had that innocents that a lot of people lose either before or during their teenage years. Zoe was like a light that still shined in a world where darkness was everywhere.
The very thought of darkness brought Cent back to the thought of Travis Shaw. The man who was perhaps the most evilest person on the planet. He was cruel and a murderer. He killed for the thrills and the fun. He even tried to kill the man she loved. But in the end, he got what he deserved and died for the unimaginable crimes that he committed. Some part of Cent wondered what could have made Shaw so evil and such a monster. She most likely will never know. Just like John will never know. But then again, she didn't want to know. Shaw was dead and they were safe from danger. He was never going to harm anyone ever again. That was all that mattered.
Smiling back at Zoe, Cent got up from the booth and hugged her.
Zoe hugged back.
Damn, she knows how to do a hug! Cent said to herself.
They both sat down in the booth.
"So," Zoe raised an eyebrow. "What's been happening? What's the announcement that couldn't wait?"
Cent smiled and said, "I was going to make you wait, but now I feel like I'm the bad guy if I don't tell you now."
"You got that right," Zoe smirked. "So, tell me! What's the secret? And who are these other friends of yours?"
"One thing at a time," Cent smiled again. "You will get to meet these other friends of mine later. But first, lets play a little game real quick."
"What kind of game?"
"It's the type of game that will answer your first question," Cent smiled. "Okay, do you notice anything different about me."
Zoe frowned and studied Cent over. She went from head to hands and didn't even begin to notice one thing out that caught her attention.
"Besides the fact that you are more happy than ever, I can't really tell," Zoe joked and smiled.
Cent rolled her eyes and said, "Okay, my hands. Anything out of the ordinary?"
Studying her hands, Zoe overlooked it at first but managed to notice the ring on her left hand. Her mouth dropped and her eyes widened.
"Oh my god!" she nearly yelled out.
"I'm getting married!" Cent exclaimed.
Without warning, the two girls jumped over the table and hugged each other very hard, cheering in excitement.
They didn't notice that nearly almost the entire restaurant was looking their way.
Zoe took Cent's hand and looked at the ring on her finger, completely admiring the style of the crystal rock on it.
"I am so jealous of you right now!" Zoe wiped away a few tears. "Not only do you beat me into getting such a great, loyal boyfriend who spoils you too much, but you also beat me into getting married. When is the wedding and where is it?"
Cent smiled, took back her hand, and said, "The wedding is two days from now. You know that beach house that John gave me for my birthday?"
"Yeah."
"That is where it is going to be. So grab whatever dress you can find and get ready. Also, you can help me and my mom with the wedding dress."
Zoe clapped her hands together and said, "I just love weddings! And I cannot wait to see your beach house soon! That is going to be exciting to see!"
"There is one more thing that I need to tell you."
"Go ahead."
Cent swallowed and explained, "My other friends, Ashley, Emily, and Rachel, they don't know about me and my family. You know."
Zoe nodded.
"Right."
"And I plan on telling them," Cent smiled. "I plan on telling them right after I announce my engagement to them. I also plan on them coming to the wedding, that is if they don't freak out about what my ability to jump and never want to see me again. I just want to be honest with them."
Zoe smiled and patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry," she winked. "If they are truly your friends, they will accept you and your ability. If not, well, then they were never your friends to begin with. A true friend will always accept who you are and never betray you."
Cent smiled and said, "Thank you, Zoe. You are truly a great friend to me. I cannot wait to have you there at my wedding. And don't worry, I'm sure you will find your true love one day."
Zoe's cheeks became red.
"What?" Cent asked, noticing how embarrassed she was.
"Well..." Zoe couldn't begin right off the bat. "... lets just say that I might be heading towards your position as we speak."
"What?" Cent frowned as she tried to understand what she meant. But then she remembered that moment from their phone conversation earlier, of how Zoe was acting. She smiled and raised an eyebrow at Zoe. "You already have a boyfriend, don't you? That was him wasn't it? He was the one making you giggle on the phone."
Zoe smiled and moved her hand through her hair like a high school girl.
"Yes, it was," she finally admitted. "He was with me at my dorm room this morning."
Cent's eyes widened and she nearly jumped up and down in the booth.
"What's his name?! How did you guys meet?!" she held back the urge to ask a million more questions.
Zoe giggled and said, "His name is Jason Martinson. I met him almost two weeks ago, over at the university. It was just a little while after you and me were reunited and got to catch up." She paused, smiling as she thought of Jason. "I seriously like this guy! I mean, my feelings for him are way stronger than they were for Alex. He's so nice and such a gentleman. He makes me smile and laugh, but he also makes me feel happy when I am around him. I met him when I accidently ran into him in the hallway of the university. Literally."
Cent giggled as she pictured it in her head and also remembered a similar moment that happened between her and John when they first met.
"I felt so horrible for running into him like that, but he didn't seem angry or upset, he was actually smiling when he saw me. I couldn't help but smile back. We suddenly forgot that it ever happened and he asked me out for coffee." She paused. "I was shocked that he actually asked me out. He's one of those gorgeous, beautiful men who just capture your attention."
"I bet he's hot," Cent winked and they both laughed at her joke.
"He is!" Zoe spoke with excitement. "I couldn't believe that he was actually talking to me and actually wanting to be around me. After that day, we just were inseparable. I tried to stay away from him, just to take it nice and slow, but we end up finding one another somehow. It was just two days later that we finally started a relationship and since then, I feel so happy and safe around each other. I cannot wait to see him everyday and so does he. I don't know..." She smiled as she was at a loss of words. "... I can't understand why I feel this way around him."
Cent smiled and said, "I think I know why."
Zoe frowned and asked, "What? What is it?"
"Sorry, but that is for you to figure out," Cent winked.
Zoe's mouth dropped in shocked and said, "Why?! I want to know! Just tell me! I know you, Cent Mary Rice! You are hiding the truth from me!"
Cent laughed as she remembered a very familiar moment that she had with her mother some months back.
"Because," Cent started to explain. "I can't tell you until you see it. What you feel on the inside, it needs to be felt and understood by you and you alone. This mystery of why you feel this way, you need to find out for yourself. Besides, that is the fun part about being in a relationship with someone. The mystery of it all makes everything worth it. But always remember this, once the mystery is solved and you know what your feelings are, you must always act on what you need to do. Because once your true love comes, you either grab ahold of him and never let go or you lose him forever. And trust me, men like that come like shooting stars."
Zoe formed up a few tears and wiped them away.
"Thank you, Cent," she said tearfully. "You are indeed a true friend to me. Thanks the advice. You have no idea how your make me feel better."
"Hey, that's what friends are for," Cent winked. "Besides, we all need someone to help point us in the right direction. I really hope that Jason is the right man for you. Just from how you described him, he reminds me of John. Only without the ability to jump."
"But I like him either way," Zoe smiled. "Jason is just one of those perfect guys that you dream of. It all feels like a dream right now."
"I know. It was the same with me and John. I never thought I would meet someone like him." Cent paused as she remembered some memories. "I remember when we always dreamed of finding the right man. Don't you?"
Zoe put her hand over her heart and smiled as she remembered also.
"Yes, I do. Funny how long ago that was. Normal girls who had dreams. Now, we are living those dreams today."
They both smiled and remained silent for a while, just letting the moment sink in.
"Anyway, tell me more about this Jason," Cent held her head on her hands, with her elbows were positioned on the table, her eyes completely on Zoe.
Zoe smiled and said, "He's an actor for a small movie company. He does small time movies from time to time and even cartoons, but he's hoping to move up to the big leagues and become famous one day. He comes from a rich family, but he is such a sweetheart and a gentleman. He treats me with kindness and love. Now that I'm just talking about him, I really do think I am in love with him."
Cent giggled and asked, "How far are you guys into your relationship?"
"We have come a long way," she replied. "We started off with coffee, like I said before, and then late night dinners, and later came romantic movie nights."
Cent couldn't help but remember the exact same memories of her and John. It began off something like that. She smiled as she listened.
"Now we are literally kissing in public and just having a great time with each other. I couldn't wish for anything more. Jason is just so amazing."
"I'm so happy for you," Cent wiped away a tear. "Don't take this the wrong way, but have you guys... um... you know..."
"Did it?" Zoe finished for her and smiled.
"Yeah," Cent replied, cheeks red.
Zoe's cheeks became red as well and said, "No, we haven't. I mean, I've thought about it, but I don't think I'm ready for that part of the relationship yet. I want our first time to be perfect and at a good time when we both are ready." She paused and smiled. "You know the weirdest thing is? Jason doesn't even see me that way. He only cares for my well-being and doesn't care about that stuff. I guess that is why I like him so much. He knows how to treat a lady. Not that many guys like them anymore."
Cent chuckled and said, "True. But at least we have two guys who don't act like the rest of the world, right?"
"Right!" Zoe smiled. "You should meet him Cent! He is just amazing!"
"I hope to meet him one day too."
Suddenly, Cent she had an idea.
"Bring him along."
"What?" Zoe raised an eyebrow.
"Bring him along," Cent repeated. "I can explain everything to him and have him at the wedding. It would also test him to see how he reacts to my ability to jump."
"You would do that?" Zoe asked, stunned. "For me?"
"I would do anything for you," Cent smiled. "I want you to be able to tell your boyfriend everything and also be able to be full honest with him. I think this will help out Jason in a lot of ways."
Zoe nodded.
"I will ask him if he will come with me. This should be a great experience for us. I cannot wait for you to meet him, Cent. He is so amazing! He reminds me of how you describe John. I wouldn't be surprised if these two knew each other or something."
Cent listened as Zoe went into great detail about Jason. But the moment was interrupted as she noticed her friends, Ashley, Emily, and Rachel walking into the restaurant and looking for her.
Cent waved to them and they walked down towards where she and Zoe were sitting.
Getting up, Cent hugged them all and smiled as they suddenly attacked her with the group hug.
"We are so glad to see you Cent!" Ashley said in excitement.
"Yeah! Me too!" Emily said.
"Me three!" Rachel added.
Cent smiled and pulled away.
"I'm so happy to see you guys again!" she exclaimed. "It's been a while now. About two weeks since we last saw each other?"
"Three weeks," Emily corrected as she held up three fingers.
"And we know that John has been keeping you busy!" Ashley winked.
"But then again, so have our guys as well," Rachel smiled.
Cent laughed and then grabbed ahold of Zoe, who was smiling and eager to meet everyone.
"People!" Cent cleared her throat. "This is my dear friend, Zoe!"
"Hi, Zoe!" Emily shook her hand, smiling. "So happy to finally meet you! I'm Emily"
"I'm Ashley."
"And I'm Rachel, the serious one," Rachel winked.
Zoe smiled and said, "I'm happy to meet you all too! Cent has told me all about you guys!"
All three girls looked at Cent at the same time and raised an eyebrow.
"You told her about us and never once mentioned Zoe at all," Ashley playfully smiled.
"What can I say, it escaped me when I first moved here."
"Either way, what is the important news?" Emily nearly jumped up and down, all excited.
Cent held up her left hand and allowed them all to guess.
Once they saw the ring, they screamed and all jumped up and down.
"Oh my god! Congratulations Cent!" Emily gave her the biggest bear hug she ever gave.
Finally, the other two girls jumped in and completely covered Cent, nearly crushing her to death, with only her head visible.
Zoe began to laugh at the sight and nearly fell to her knees.
Cent raised an eyebrow at her and mouthed, Wait till your engagement!
Zoe stuck out her tongue and laughed again at the sight.
Suddenly, Cent noticed how the entire restaurant was looking at them, completely annoyed with how much noise they have caused. Although, some were smiling as they realized what was going on.
"Um, guys?" Cent struggled to speak and breath. "We might want to leave right now."
"Why?" asked Rachel.
"We just got here," Emily replied.
"Well, for one, we have some angry people who look like they are about to throw us out."
Everyone turned to look at the crowd and saw what Cent meant.
"Looks like our welcome has been overstayed," Zoe said as she grabbed her purse and Cent's hand. "Lets get out of here before the whole place riots up."
They all giggled as they ran out of the Starbucks and onto the sidewalk, acting like guilty teenagers. They began to walk down the street and up towards the high school, completely not caring where they go.
"You know, you're alright, Zoe!" Rachel announced. "You know how to make a moment fun. I like you a lot."
"Me too," Emily winked at her.
"I think we have finally added another member to our gang," Ashley smiled. "First Cent and now Zoe! A great prize for us this year. I cannot wait for next year. With Cent in our group and Zoe for part-time, we should be enjoying the final year with no problems!"
Cent's smile disappeared as she said, "I'm not returning next year."
"What?!" Emily's eyes widened in shock.
"Why?" Ashley nearly fell to the ground from shock.
"I'm doing homeschooling this year," Cent explained. "With me and John getting married, I want to be as close to him as possible. I'm so sorry guys, but the final year is going to have to be done without me. But I wish you guys the best luck for next year. You will be with your boyfriends, right?"
All three girls smiled but still had disappointed faces.
"We're going to miss you, Cent!" Emily ran up and hugged her. "I guess it is back to the original three, then."
"Like the three musketeers!" Ashley cheered and raised her hand in the air.
Everyone laughed.
"So, Zoe," Rachel coughed. "What do you love to do?"
"Well, I'm a huge fan of videogames and computers. And lets not forget movies! Just a huge fan of Looper by the way!" Zoe said in excitement.
Rachel's eyes lit up and shouted, "You like Looper?! Why didn't you say so?! That Joseph Gordon-Levitt is such a hot babe and a badass!"
Cent's eyes widened in shock as slapped herself on the forehead.
"Not again!" she whispered to herself.
"I know!" Zoe ran up next to Rachel, completely all excited. "I even love how Bruce Willis can still kick ass in his movies! Considering how old he is! Looper is just amazing!"
"Hey, please tell me that you love the Avengers and Thor!"
"Oh yes, I love those movies!" Zoe nearly screamed with excitement. "In fact, I've seen all of the movies that Marvel has made! I just love superheroes! But my personal favorite is the Avengers! So many funny parts!"
"Including when Thor said Loki was his adopted brother?!" Rachel asked.
"YES! That too!"
"Anyway," Cent started to ignore Zoe and Rachel, who were completely walking ahead of them now. "I'm terribly sorry guys. I know that I was only there for a couple of weeks, but this is something that I want to do."
Ashley smiled and patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry," she said. "We understand. Don't take it too hard, we support you for your decision. It will just be lonely without you, but I think we can manage."
"And besides," Emily winked. "We will be kind of occupied with our boyfriends for the final year. From the looks like it, James isn't letting go of me at all."
"By the way, how are you and James doing?" Cent asked.
"Doing great!" Emily cheered. "I really think that me and James are in love more than ever! I wouldn't be surprised if he proposed to me by the end of our senior year. He's the only guy I want to be with."
"Don't remind us," Ashley rolled her eyes. "James is all she ever talks about now."
"That's because it's love," Emily said back. "And I know that things between you and Michael are really warming up. I know about last Friday, by the way."
Ashley's cheeks became red from embarrassment.
Cent laughed and said, "I'm going to miss this. I really am. Thanks for being my friends during my short time at the school. I had a great time."
"We had fun too, Cent," Emily smiled. "We all had a great time."
Cent suddenly saw the usual alleyway that John and her always used after school. She knew instantly that this was the place to show them what she needed to reveal. Some part of Cent feared the worst, but she also knew that she needed to do this as well. I this was a time when was going to be revealed, then she needed to do it now.
"Um, guys," she tried to control herself as she spoke.
Both Zoe and Rachel turned around and slowed down their walking to level up with them.
"I need to show you something, but it needs to be out of public. And whatever you do, please don't freak out or run away."
Ashley frowned and said, "We will never do that Cent! We are your friends! And friends accept each other, no matter what! Whatever you have to tell us, you will listen and accept it!"
"Yeah," Emily smiled and playfully punched Cent's shoulder. "We're always here for you."
Cent smiled as she pointed towards the alleyway.
"In there," she said and took point, leading them into the alley.
"Oh, this is going to be good!" Zoe said with excitement.
Ashley, Rachel, and Emily all looked at each other, nervously, and shrugged as they followed them.
Finally, as they were out of sight, Cent turned around and faced her friends.
"Alright," Ashley clapped her hands together. "What do you need to show us? Is a problem that we can help with?"
"And why are we in a creepy alleyway that we used to spy John in?" Emily asked, failing to hide the fear in her voice.
Cent smiled and closed her eyes.
Suddenly, she jumped right in front of them.
All three girls stood frozen, their eyes as huge as bowling balls, unable to believe what happened in front of them.
Zoe smiled and giggled as she looked behind them. She pointed behind them and began to laugh a little harder.
"Behind you!" Cent whispered as they giggled.
All three girls spun around, still completely shocked.
Cent waited for them to speak, praying that they didn't go nuts or anything.
"How did you do that?" Emily asked, her eyes still huge with wonder and shock.
Cent lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry for not telling you guys before. I really wanted to but I couldn't. Not without endangering you guys. But now, I don't think that will be a problem anymore. You guys are amazing friends to me and I want to be as honest as I can with you three. Zoe here already knows, but like you all, she didn't one time in our friendship."
"Which totally sucked you never told me!" Zoe teased.
Cent rolled her eyes and continued.
"I have the ability to teleport, but me and my family like to call it "jumping" instead. We are known as Jumpers. We can go anywhere in the world, at any time. I've always had this ability since I was born. I didn't start using it until later on in my life." She paused for a breath. "I've lied to you where I come from. I never lived in New York. I used to live in Seattle before Los Angeles. Before that, it was Alaska and then somewhere in Canada. But that was all I lied to you about. That was the reason I never revealed a lot from my past. I didn't want to lie to you girls. The reason why I never told you about my gift, is because my family has enemies who want to use us and they seek us wherever we may go. However, it seems that we maybe safe now and I want us to be closer than we have ever been. I understand if all of this is too much to take in right now, but I'm still Cent. The same girl who sat right next to you at lunch and in class rooms."
Cent waited for a respond, fully prepared for the worst.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, all three girls yelled in excitement, making both Cent and Zoe blink and even jump a little. They ran up to Cent, giving her one big group hug.
Zoe started to laugh as she watched it all happen right in front of her.
Cent returned an angry stare at her, even from all the arms that were squeezing her to death.
"Tell us everything!" Emily yelled.
"How does it work?!" Rachel asked.
"And please let us use you to go shopping in Paris!" Ashley clapped her hands together and smiled.
Cent tried to tell them everything that could.
She explained a lot of her past and also a little bit of her interactions with Zoe too. She told them where she really came from and why her family were on the run. She also explained that her parents were the same as well. She kept Travis Shaw and a few other details under wraps, but she did explain the situation about Syndicate and those who kidnapped her father in the past. So far, she tried to explain as much as she could, but even she couldn't keep up with it.
Once she got to the part about John's past and that he is also a Jumper, all three girls went silent.
"Really? John too?" Rachel asked, surprised.
"Well, if you think about it, it does make sense," Emily nodded and smiled.
"At least that explains why he was so mysterious and always disappearing," Ashley rubbed her chin.
Cent laughed and said, "You guys got everything you need to know about me and my life?"
They all nodded.
"I guess," Emily winked. "But that is so awesome that you can do this! By the way, I say that we go shopping in Paris, like Ashley said."
"And maybe even caught a movies!" Ashley's eyes widened with excitement.
"I want to see that romance film that has Keira Knightley in it!" Rachel announced.
"Me too!" said Zoe. "I've been waiting to see it for a while!"
Cent smiled and said, "Then, what are we waiting for?! Lets go to Paris! We can look for dresses for you guys! The wedding is in two days. And trust me, you will love the beach house that John got me."
"Say what?!" Rachel was now freaking out.
"John got you a beach house?!" Emily and Ashley said at the same time.
"I'm so jealous of you right now!" Rachel teased.
Zoe continued to laugh as she wanted all of it happen.
Cent laughed along with Zoe and said, "I'll tell you all about it while in Paris. We still on for going?"
"Hell yes!" all three girls yelled at the same time.
They all gathered in one big group, holding hands, Cent smiled and made the jump to Paris, completely ready for the long search and shopping of dresses that the girls were differently going to put her through.
John:
John couldn't remember having this much fun since he was a kid... and when his parents were alive as well.
After bringing Millie and David to the beach house in the Caribbean, he spent hours showing them around. He enjoyed how they smiled and how impressed they looked whenever they saw something that they just loved. David was for sure loving the sauna and Millie was just admiring the hot tub, which she looked tempted to jump in right at that point.
He even went over what the wedding was supposed to be like. It was to happen on the sand, where David would play pastor and marry him and Cent. There would be food after and some cake as well. The honeymoon was a different story. John had that under wraps and was saving it as a secret for Cent only.
He showed them the small island and the beach, including the porch and deck that rested at the edge of the beautiful ocean.
Just by showing them what he built over the years, John himself was actually loving the creation that he had created out of this place. He was really starting to enjoy things again, which was new familiar and yet new to him. He was always enjoying his love for Cent that it opened the door for him to actually start enjoying other things as well.
If John didn't know any better, he was also starting to see David and Millie as his own parents. He even felt like that he loved them as his own parents and maybe he did. Some part of him knew that they couldn't replace his mother or his father, but another part of him also knew that they can be his new family. And he actually liked that.
John wished more than anything that his parents could be here for his wedding. He wanted them to see it. But... some part of him felt that they were watching him, proud of the man he has become today. After nearly six to seven years of a life that seemed like hell, he was now living heaven on Earth, all thanks to one girl. Cent!
"You are such an amazing man!" Millie hugged John as they came inside the house again. "Thank you so much for giving all of this to Cent! And thank you for loving her for who she is! You have no idea how much you make me happy for what you have done!"
John smiled and hugged back.
"On the contrary," he replied. "Thank you for having such an amazing daughter. You raised her right and I thank you two for that. You helped her turn into the woman she is today. The same woman that I fell in love with. It is you who should be thanked not me."
Millie blushed and said, "You're too kind."
David smiled and walked to John, patting him on the shoulder.
"You will be a great husband to my daughter, John," he said. "If you were willing to put your life on the line when Shaw kidnapped her, then you are Cent's true love and always will be. You care for her well-being and have always put her first before anything else. If you could do that as a boyfriend, then you will be a committed, loving husband, and someday, a father as well."
John lowered his head and said, "Yeah, I have doubts about being a father. It's one thing to marry your true love and all of that, but I also fear about me being a father. I haven't exactly had a great of history of being fully raised. I mostly raised myself when my parents died and a lot of that wasn't even legal."
David nodded.
"I once thought the same thing," he said. "I grew up with an abusive father and also a life without one as well. I feared becoming a father, just like you. I had anger, anger that scared me." He looked at Millie and smiled, taking her hand into his and pulling her towards him, where he planted a kiss on her lips. "Then Millie helped me realize how much of a good father I could be. It took me ten years to see it and also a kidnapping from some powerful enemies to finally get me to finally have a child..."
"Yeah! Kept me waiting for ten years!" Millie playfully elbowed David in the ribs.
John chuckled as he watched.
"I kept asking him for ten years for at least one child and just when I discovered that I was a Jumper and David was kidnapped, he finally agreed to have Cent," she smiled. "After all of those attempts of lingeries, half naked, and sexy bikinis, it took a kidnapping and a beautiful discover of my ability to finally break him."
"Well, sex can't always win at everything," David winked at her.
Millie raised an eyebrow back at him.
John laughed at how they were acting and said, "Cent was right. You guys do like teenagers. But hey, that isn't such a bad thing. At least your marriage is strong."
David and Millie smiled.
"True, it is," Millie replied and kissed David on the lips.
The sight of David and Millie kissing brought back a memory of when John last saw parents, who shared their last kiss before their murder at the hands of Travis Shaw. He remembered how he loved seeing them kiss and express their love for one another. Just seeing Millie and David do the same thing make him smile and shred a tear or two as he was reminded of his own parents.
After they pulled away, David looked at John and said, "Remember this, John, no matter how much your past may seem to have on your future, there is always a choice to either make a better future or let your past consume your future. Always love those who love you..."
"And never let go," Millie finished and winked at him. "When you love someone very much, you don't let them go at all. You always hold on."
John smiled and said, "Thank you."
Millie frowned and asked, "For what?"
"For helping me realize just how lucky I am and that with Cent I still have a future ahead of me. Cent is my life now and she is the reason I still live today. Without her, I most likely will be lost and suicidal, looking for a way to end the pain."
David nodded and said, "But that's the thing. The only way to end the pain is with love and someone you can put your trust into. With men like us, that is hard to come by. We have trouble trusting and we find ourselves alone. But at least we have the love our life to take care of that."
Millie giggled and kissed David on the cheek.
"You're the best," she whispered.
"No, you're the best," David playfully argued.
Finally, they kissed again and started to moan.
John rolled his eyes, smiled, and said, "Master bedroom is down the hall. Feel free to enjoy the king-size bed."
David and Millie laughed and turned to look at him.
"As much as we want to enjoy our little us time here, we'll pass," Millie smiled. "We know better than to do that here. Besides, you and Cent have already done it in that same bedroom, as she told me." She raised an eyebrow.
John's cheeks became red and said, "Yeah, that would be a little awkward now that you mention it."
David laughed and said, "That is why we are going to one of our secret locations somewhere else. We'll leave you alone. Besides, me and Millie need to talk about the wedding."
"Not that there will be much talking," Millie joked and kissed David again.
Without warning, they jumped for their unknown destination.
John laughed and looked outside, where the sun was beginning to set.
Feeling tired, he allowed himself to fall right on the couch and fell right to sleep.
Cent:
Despite being a little tires, Cent was having a blast with her friends in Paris.
After shopping at almost fifty different stores, the girls finally found their dresses that they wanted to wear for the wedding. Emily got a blue silk dress, while Ashley got a red dress, and Rachel a green dress. Zoe decided to have fun with her money and bought a yellow silk dress that made her look like an angel from Heaven.
As much as Cent wanted to buy a dress for herself, she wanted to spend that moment with her mother and also Zoe. So she just sat by and judged for the girls on their dresses. She had fun doing it too.
After the shopping, they jumped back to Los Angeles, where they went to go see the romance movie with Keira Knightley, which they all enjoyed and even exited the movie theater in tears from how the movie ended. It reminded them of how Titantic was, only more sad.
After dropping the girls off their houses, Cent saved Zoe's place for last.
As they appeared on the sidewalk, outside the University, they couldn't help but laugh at how emotional Ashley, Emily, and Rachel were.
"Okay, Cent, you have such amazing friends!" Zoe said. "Now I wish I ran away with you when you first came here."
They laughed at her joke.
"Me too!" Cent replied, calming down. "That was a good movie wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was," Zoe agreed. "Only the ending had a little remembrance to how Titanic ended. Without the icy water and sudden death and all of that."
"Yeah, but that Keira Knightley sure does know how to give us such an amazing romance story."
"So, what time should I come over tomorrow?" Zoe asked. "Since me and your mother will be helping you with the wedding dress and all of that."
"Come over to my parent's house sometime in the morning," Cent winked. "And have a nice night with Jason."
"Oh, don't worry," Zoe winked back. "I will."
Cent smiled as she jumped away.
Appearing on the back porch of the beach house, Cent slipped off her shoes and carried them inside the house. She looked around and smiled at her home.
This was one of the greatest presents that John had ever given her. She loved how big it was and how beautiful the porch and deck were. The hot tub and sauna were just a great addition to everything. And the best part, they didn't have to pay any bills. Well, with the exception of the electric generators that have to be replaced every ten years, but those were no problem to what was right in front of her.
But the one gift that beat it all, was having John himself in her life.
Cent saw John on the couch, having fallen asleep from nearly a whole day of showing Millie and David the house.
Smiling, Cent sat her shoes down and tiptoed right to him, crawling right next to his warm body and wrapping her arms around him. She felt his arms going around her as well. She even felt his lips against her forehead.
"How did it go?" he asked.
Cent smiled again and said, "Very good in fact. My friends took it well. Even Zoe had a blast at watching them get all excited for our engagement and about my secret ability. By the way, Zoe is bringing her boyfriend to the wedding."
John chuckled.
"Looks like he will be in for a big surprise when he learns what we can do," he said. "And Zoe has a boyfriend?"
Cent giggled at his surprised voice.
"Yes, his name is Jason," she replied. "Apparently, they have been dating for the past two weeks now. You should have heard her talk about him. It was exactly how it was with you." She giggled. "I was surprised that she hadn't told me before today."
"Perhaps she was waiting for the right time," John kissed her neck. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Cent returned his kiss on the lips and rested her head on his shoulder.
They both fell asleep in their embrace, completely lost in their own dreams.
Okay, maybe this was a little rushed, but I think we got a lot of it covered now. And wow! This chapter was long and hard to write. I think it might be my biggest chapter yet. I hope you guys liked it. :)
The next chapter should focus on the wedding and the one after that will be the final chapter for the story. ;)
I would like to thank Marie King and Rose for their amazing support for my story! You guys rock! ;)
Please review on how you liked the chapter! ;)