Ivy didn't want to be woken up at 7am by having Jesus jumping on the bed, wanting to take her to take him to school. But that's the reality that she got. Ivy groaned and put the pillow over her head. Jesus laughed and shook her "You can't hide"
"Jesus. Please...go...away"
"You promised us you would drive us to school today" Jesus said, taking the pillow off of her head and clutching onto it, making it impossible for her to drag it off of him. Ivy groaned a miserable laugh and rested her head down on the mattress "When did you get so strong?" she said in a joking sob.
"Around the same time you became a lazy ass. Come on, up and at em" Jesus said, dragging the duvet off of her body as he stood up. Ivy groaned even more and covered her eyes, he left the door open so the sunlight would get in her eyes. She was now well and truly awake. Ivy lay on her back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, she took a deep breath and stretched as she sat up in the bed. Running her fingers through her hair and instantly got lost in her thoughts.
Agreeing to driving the kids to the school meant that she could see Nate. Something she didn't know she was ready for. She could have spent this morning preparing herself for when she would see him in the afternoon at Jesus wrestling match. Ivy crossed her arms on her knees that was tucked up to her chest and then rested her head on her arms as she stared at the corner of the room, thinking about a memory about the two of them.
Ivy laughed breathlessly as Nate came in through her bedroom window. She put her hand on his chest as he walked to her and laughed "You are aware my aunt's a cop and would have you hung drawn and quartered for sneaking in my room"
Nate quietly chuckled as he looked to the door, talking in just a whisper "I know. But I had to see you…" Nate tucked his hand in his back jean pocket, taking out ring that he had bought from pandora. A twisted band ring that had small diamonds all over it. Ivy took her eyes back to him and gasped when she saw it in his hand. With her jaw dropped, she looked to him as he said "Happy Birthday"
"Nathan, you didn't have to-"
"Well how often do you turn sixteen, huh? Come on you never let me treat you"
Ivy tilted her head as a smile splashed across her face, she rolled her eyes and stuck out her right hand. Nate grinned and took hold of it as he slid the ring on her finger, then giving it a light kiss.
"If it were the left hand we would have given my aunts a heart attack"
Nate laughed and cupped her face "Someday"
Ivy looked at him like she had never looked at anyone before. It was something she had never felt before. She loved him. Deeply. Ivy nodded and whispered "Yeah, someday"
"I'd marry you tomorrow if I could y'know? We're young. I'm pretty sure we're stupid" he paused as he listened to Ivy's giggle. Nate smirked and added "But we know one thing for sure and that's that we love each other"
"I know" Ivy got on her tiptoes and nuzzled her forehead against his before kissing him softly. She wrapped her arms around his neck "We could always ask" Ivy whispered to him.
"Ask what?"
"My aunts, for their blessing to let us get engaged" Ivy slid herself back down his body as she looked into his eyes, seeing how taken back he was. She smiled and added "That is if you'll have me"
Nate laughed and stared at her, feeling pretty amazed, his grip tightened around her waist "I'll definitely have you"
They smiled to each other once again before pressing their lips back together.
Looking back at it now. They were reckless teenagers, jumping into serious things. But they really did mean it. They really loved each other, she never doubted that. If she had stayed, there is not a doubt in her mind that they'd be together right now.
"Ivy! Breakfast!" Ivy snapped out of her gaze as she heard Stef's voice calling from the kitchen doors. Ivy let out another stretch and yawn, she leaned forward on her bed and called back "Yeah be right out, save some!"
Ivy got out of bed and grabbed her clothes, running into the back and jumping in the shower.
A little while after. Ivy was dressed and all ready for the day. She joined her family in the kitchen. Which she was still finding weird to get used to, she was so used to being alone in the mornings. She made herself a bacon sandwich and flicked through her phone. The only number she didn't have now was Milo and Nate. They seemed to have gotten new phones.
'You're seeing him today? X - Lottie'
Ivy suddenly felt brief butterflies, every time she even thought about it 'Yep x'
'He'll be thrilled to see you, babe, honest to god you're never far from his thoughts. Seeing you will give him the reason to dump that baggage! X -Lottie'
'Oh be nice. She can't be that bad x'
'No. She is. I think he's just dating her because he's lonely! He's 100% still in love with you. Takes a woman to see it x - Lottie'
Ivy read Lottie's words and got chills run down her spin. She went to reply but was quickly pulled away as Lena rubbed her arm to grab her attention "Remember what I said? You'll come to my office after dropping off the kids"
"Oh yeah, yeah sure. You still not telling me why?"
Lena smirked "Element of surprise? Trust me it's better for me to just let you see what I'm looking to do when you get there"
Ivy shrugged "Alright, you're the boss"
Lena smiled and briefly touched Ivy's cheek before sitting back in her chair and carrying on with her breakfast. Ivy looked down at her ring that Nate gave her those years ago, twisting it round her finger. Then having Mariana take her hand and stare at it "I never noticed this before"
"I usually have it around my chain" Ivy said, pointing to the silver necklace. She shrugged as she dropped her hand "But, I just felt like wearing it on my finger again"
"Because you're seeing him today?"
Once again, Ivy shrugged and nodded, sliding her hand from Mariana's grasp she folded her arms and leaned them down on the table "I guess, yeah. A way to show him that I still care I guess"
Mariana saw this as some kind of epic love story. It was so sad. They were torn apart without having the chance to see where the years could take them. It was like some kind of modern Romeo and Juliet. Without the death and all. Ivy looked to Stef and Lena "Listen guys, since I'm not doing anything in the afternoon, if you want me to go shopping for groceries I'd be happy to. Jesus was already complaining about running out of food"
"We are!" Jesus said in a muffled tone through chewing down on his cereal. Ivy shot him an amused glance and looked back to Stef and Lena as Stef said "That would be very helpful, love, thank you. I'll leave the grocery money on the counter over there before I leave"
Ivy shrugged and nodded "Okay"
Fifteen minutes later, all the kids were dressed and they all got in Ivy's car. Apart from Brandon. He still insisted that he would rather drive in his own car. Trying to hard to be an adult but not realising he was acting like a child more than ever. Jesus of course called shotgun. He practically jumped in, then getting a glare from Ivy as he did so. She was more protective over this care than she was about the kids at times.
She put on her round sunglasses and slid in the driver's seat as they all were in the car. Mariana couldn't get over how well Ivy pulled off her style. She wished she could pull off the hipster style.
The drive wasn't too bad for the school. She never had the chance to drive to school back when she attended it. The car alone caught people's attention. It isn't exactly the type you see on a daily bases, much less pulling up in a school. Then the young woman who stepped out of the car certainly grabbed the boy's attention and a handful of girls too. She ran her fingers through her hair as she shut the door. Putting her keys in her overall pockets, she looked to the kids "Have a good day"
"Where are you going?" Mariana asked as she saw Ivy heading in the front entrance whilst the others went round the back to the tables.
"Your mama wants to talk to me about something" Ivy raised her eyebrows to Mariana as she put her sunglasses on the top of her head before turning around and carrying on towards the main entrance. Lena got to work earlier than the kids by about fifteen minutes.
Ivy couldn't help but be aware of her surroundings. Looking out for Nate. She didn't want their first meeting to be crashing into each other in the middle of their former school hallway. But she didn't. She didn't see him at all. Ivy walked over to the office and knocked on the door, she stepped inside and saw that Lena wasn't alone.
"Ivy this is my colleague Timothy"
Ivy smiled to the young man and said in a nervous mutter "Hi"
"Hello"
"Timothy this is my niece Ivy" Ivy stretched her arm out and shook Timothy's hand before sitting down in front of Lena's desk. Ivy looked to Lena "So this is what you meant by knowing someone who could help"
"Yes. Timothy is the head of English here at the school and he's about to start a creative writing course"
"Your Aunt tells me that you're a writer"
Ivy's eyes flickered back and forth between Lena and Timothy "Well, yeah but I haven't been published or anything-"
"That doesn't matter" Timothy said with a light laugh and a kind smile "Just because you haven't been published does not mean that you are not a talented writer"
Ivy nodded, taking gratitude to his words but still felt like she was being brought in at the end of the story, she shrugged and looked to Lena as she said "So what's this got to do with me getting a job?"
Lena smiled "Well. I'm glad you asked. For this creative writing course, Timothy is going to need some help"
She suddenly felt butterflies going in her stomach, feeling as if she already knew where this was going. Ivy just let Lena continue "And we have agreed, myself and Timothy with the principal that we would like you to be Timothy's right hand woman on this. Now, the pay won't be the same as a teacher's you'll be an a teaching assistant salary, this is just to keep you steady-"
"I'll take it" Ivy said in a light laugh, feeling slightly overwhelmed. This would be perfect. The course was bound to last at least half a semester, plenty of time for Ivy to get out there and go job hunting for something more permanent.
"Great!" Timothy smiled, clapping his hands together "Well the course doesn't start till next monday so I suppose you should consider this week as a holiday"
"That's it? You don't need any kind of proof that I'm any good?"
"I have Lena's word. That's good enough for me" he smiled, slapping his hands on his legs as he stood up "Right well I better get myself in class. A pleasure to meet you Ivy, I'm looking forward to working with you"
"Yeah me too, thank you for...well giving me a job really"
Timothy laughed and pointed to her as he said to Lena "I see what you mean about the charisma" Lena smirked and nodded. The two women watched Timothy leave the room, Ivy spun around "I have never loved you as much as I do right now"
Lena laughed and reached over, taking Ivy by the hand "You deserve this break, honey"
Ivy then thought for a moment "Oh...I'm going to be working in the same environment as Nate"
"Would that be so bad?"
"I guess not"
Lena gave Ivy's hand a squeeze "You'll be seeing him today anyway"
Ivy licked her bottom lip and asked "Is he here now?"
"No he's got a late start today, he's going to come in about fifteen minutes before the team gathers for the wrestling match"
"Right, right" Ivy nodded. She took her phone out and looked to the time "Well, I better get going. Getting that shopping in" Ivy leaned over the table and kissed Lena's cheek "Thank you so much by the way"
"I just want to help you in anyway I can, honey"
Ivy shot Lena another grin before leaving the office, before leaving the school, she peered her head around the corner to where all the kids headed to and saw Jesus sat at a table with Emma. Ivy ran over and slapped her hands on his shoulders, peering her head over his shoulder "Hey"
"Hey" Jesus laughed "What're you-"
"Just letting you know, I'll be teaching your ass next week"
"What are you talking about?"
"Your english teacher Timothy is starting a writing course and guess who is going to be his right hand gal"
Jesus's eyes widened as he grinned "Seriously?"
Ivy nodded with a beaming smile. Jesus grabbed Ivy's hand "Ivy that's great"
"Yeah I just wanted to...well brag to someone" she giggled and patted his shoulders again "Tell the rest of them, make yourself useful"
"Okay"
"And get your ass to class soon" Ivy muttered as she stood back up straight. Looking to Emma and shooting her a smile "Hi"
Emma gave a tight smile back along with a little wave "Hi"
As soon as Ivy walked away, Emma leaned forward and whispered "Okay. She may be your best one yet, including me"
Jesus looked at her and laughed, then pulling a disgusted face "No. No Emma she's my cousin"
"You have a cousin?"
"Many people do" Jesus shrugged with a cocky smirk. Emma rolled her eyes and sat back. She hated it when he did that. Jesus crossed his arms and looked around, he was then the one who leaned forward and muttered "Yeah but guess what?"
Emma shrugged "What?"
"She's Nate's ex" Jesus said in a whisper before taking one of her grapes and putting it in his mouth with a grin written across his face. Emma's jaw dropped, she raised her eyebrows and leaned her head forward ever so slightly "Like as in the big ex that he mentioned"
"Uh huh. One he dated for three years and all"
"Wow" Emma said breathlessly, she nodded "He really loved her. The kind that doesn't fade over night"
"Or in five years"
By the time Ivy got home, the whole family was home. She had a nap before leaving the house and then ended up using the money Frank left her to give herself a little treat to clothes and a new phone case. Mariana's eyes lit up at the sight of shopping bags, as soon as they touched the kitchen counter she ran over and began to look through it all. Ivy laughed and put her hand on the top of her head as she looked to Stef "So, did Aunt Lena tell you the news?"
"I don't know…" Stef teased as she leaned down and took out something from the cabinet, then saying as she held it up with her eyebrow raised "Did she?"
Ivy's eyes lit up more than they did when she went shopping, the jamaican spiced rum that was being held right in front of her, she held her hands out like a baby wanting milk as took it out of Stef's hand, giving her a hug, Stef then said with a small laugh "Is this the right one?"
"Rumbullion Rum that looks like a pirates bottle. Yep that's the right one. It pricey though Aunt Stef you shouldn't-"
"Hey. You told me this is your favourite drink. Although I caught on to the fact that you are underage...but i figured I'd let that go. Forget the price. You deserve a treat"
Ivy grinned and looked back to the bottle, hugging onto it tight like it was a teddy bear "Better than Christmas. Well anything would be better than the last five christmases but still" Ivy unscrewed the bottle and took a swig of it. As the rum left a satisfying burn in her throat she made out a breathless "Ah" sound and then added "Just a little pick me up to settle my current nerves for today"
"Ivy these clothes are gorgeous!" Mariana exclaimed from the opposite side of the kitchen. Ivy smirked and screwed the bottle top back on as she said "Well I ain't giving you them but I was going to throw out some of my old clothes to charity, you can have them instead if you want"
"Oh my god really?!" mariana squealed. Ivy nodded "Yeah but you'll have to look through them later because we gotta go"
Stef looked down to her watch and nodded "Yes we do" she quickly walked to the bottom of the stairs and called up to Brandon, Callie and Jude "Come on you three let's go, go, go!"
"Is Mama still at school?" Mariana asked as she grabbed her jacket. Stef nodded and waved Mariana to her to try and get her to speed up a little "Yeah, love, she's meeting us there"
Ivy slapped Mariana's behind as they headed towards the door, with the ones upstairs making their way down. Mariana turned to Ivy "Are you excited?"
"I wouldn't use that term"
"What term would you use?"
"Terrified" Ivy shrugged with a nervous laugh to go along with it "I haven't seen him in five years. Haven't spoken to him in...I don't even remember"
"Why?"
Ivy shrugged again as they stepped out of the house "It just became too hard. We tried to make it work but...even when we agreed to just be friends it was too hard"
Ivy saw Mariana frown in the corner of her eye and said with a small laugh "I didn't say that for sympathy"
"I know, it's just sad" Mariana shrugged as they grew closer to the car. Ivy didn't say much to her, she just looked to Mariana and gave her a tight smile as she said in a whisper "Yeah…"
Then left her standing by her door to the back and walked over to the passenger seat at the front. Jude got in the car with them whilst Brandon and Callie decided to drive down in his car. Stef soon joined them, as she put on her seatbelt she looked to Ivy and then her shaking hands. Stef sat back and put her hand over them "You alright?"
Ivy looked up to Stef as she turned her head and did the same. Ivy took a breath and shrugged "I'm gonna have to be"
Stef looked at her for a moment longer up until Ivy rolled her eyes and shook her head "I'll be fine, I'll be fine. Let's just get going we don't want to be late"
Stef knew that was a polite way saying just get on with it. She knew that because it's what she does all the time. So on with it she went.
The gym was getting more people in it as the team made themselves prepared. Jesus sat down on the bench and stretched his legs when he had Emma drop beside him and say "How're you feeling, Foster?"
"Pretty good" Jesus shrugged with a warm smile.
"Well that's the first time I've heard you say that without any hint of nerves"
Jesus shrugged again "Good mood I guess" as he looked around, he saw his family enter the gym. All giving him a wave as they took their seats. Ivy the main cause of his mood. The family felt even more of a family when she was around. It was once again felt whole. And he had back his best friend, he could go to her for anything and she'd support him and give him advice. So having that back gave him a reason to smile indeed.
Ivy sat beside Stef and Lena on the stands whilst the rest of the kids sat together. Callie's friend AJ joined them. Stef has said on a few occasions that she's pretty sure something was going on between the two of them but Callie just laughs and shakes her head. Which means yes, given Ivy used to do the exact same thing. Still, by the look of him, she could do a lot worse. All that was really on her mind was Nate's whereabouts. He was bound to be here. Even he wrestled himself he didn't dare to miss a match, practice or real.
Then suddenly. She saw him. As soon as her eyes set on him, she felt her breath get caught in her throat. He looked so different yet still the same. If anything he had gotten more beautiful than she last saw him. Nate was half Indian from his father's side whose family moved here in the late fifties before his father was even born. Nate's dad met his mom in college, they were together for nineteen years up until he passed away due to a severe brain hemorrhage. Nate was only fifteen and affected him terribly.
If it weren't for Ivy he would have gone down a very wrong path. Which was one of the main reasons he still has her on a pedestal. In a way, she saved his life and kept him on the straight and narrow.
Nate could always see his dad though, all he really had to do was look in a mirror. They were so much alike. Apart from his nose and mouth which he got from his mom.
Ivy noticed the bear paw print tattoo that he had on his forearm, it seems like he held up his own end of the deal. They said when they turned 18 they would get it. Clearly she was never too far away from his mind like he wasn't in hers.
Ivy gripped onto Stef's hand as an impulse to seeing him. His eyes hadn't come across her yet. She saw Stef and Lena smirking in the corner of her eye, but she was too speechless to even function. Like a deer in headlights.
Nate walked over to Jesus and Emma who were in mid conversation and joined in "Who's stunning?"
"Jesus's cousin" Emma said straight away without even thinking. A smile crept up on Nate's face , looking down to his sleeve as he straightened it up "Yeah she is"
"Do you not think it's gonna be awkward?" Emma asked, crossing her arms. Nate looked back to her. Jesus just remained very quiet. Nate shrugged and said with a confused chuckle "What're you talking about?"
Emma's head snapped to Jesus and slapped his arm "You didn't tell him?"
"I was told not to!" Jesus shot back.
As he and Emma continued to bicker. Jesus then heard Nate whisper "Jesus Christ" the pair looked to him and saw how Nate's eyes had now locked onto the subject. Ivy was no longer looking at him, she was talking to Stef and Lena, unbeknown to him she was talking about him. His heart suddenly began to race and a lump appeared in his throat. The whistle suddenly blew, Jesus and Emma looked at him again before sitting down on the bench. There was nothing they could really do. Nate glanced to them and then looked back to Ivy, who was smiling and laughing like the last time he saw her. He couldn't wait till the match was over, a minute waiting would be too long. He'd waited five years for this.
Nate patted Jesus on the shoulder before making his way across the gym towards her.
"Is he walking over?" Ivy muttered to Stef and Lena, with all three women having their eyes locked onto him, Stef and Lena nodded and said in unison "Yeah"
Ivy took a deep breath and whispered under her breath as she slid her hand out of Stef's "Shit…" Ivy slowly stood up and walked over to the far side of the stairs to meet him at the bottom. She took her shaking hand and resting it on the railing as she took her steps down. Nate stopped at the bottom of the steps as Ivy stopped just two small steps apart. They stared at each other for a moment, as if they were both trying to gather their own thoughts before speaking.
Then, Nate let out a grin as he scanned every single part of her face, every single detail. Returning his eyes to her, shaking his head with an overwhelmed smile still on his face he said "Hey stranger"
Ivy let out a breathless laugh, looking down to the floor for a moment before taking her tearful eyes back to him, she tucked a strand behind her ear and shrugged with an innocent face "Hey"
The pair let out stiff nervous laughter. Ivy shook her head and sighed "Listen, I'm...I'm sorry that I didn't call you it's just…"
"You just?"
Ivy's breath hitched, she let out another small shrug and said in a whisper "I was scared you'd have changed...resented me for drifting away"
Nate shook his head and pulled her in close, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, he smiled softly and let out a deep breath "I'd never resent you, idiot. It was a tough time, for you more than me I'm sure"
Ivy gripped onto him tighter and whispered with a cry "You have no idea"
After a while, Nate opened his eyes and saw Stef and Lena looking at them.
"I see their spying hasn't exactly been made any more subtle"he muttered as he gave them a wave and pulled away. Ivy glanced to them and shook her head "Nope"
Nate rubbed his lips and pushed her strand of hair that had fallen again before wiping a stray tear that ran down her face "You've not changed" he said in a whisper.
"Yeah? Well you have. What happened to the long hair?"
Nate laughed and scratched the back of his neck, shaking his head he shrugged "Went a couple of years ago...what about you? Your aunts happy about that nose ring?"
Ivy let out a faint smile before tapping her nose "Yeah well they think it actually suits me"
"That makes three of us" Nate chuckled, getting lost in gazing at her once again he took a deep breath "Ivy-"
"Nate!" Coach called from the other side of the gym, Nate groaned and turned around. His superior and step-father motioned his hand to the team "You have a job!"
Ivy looked at him and watched his jaw clench and the blood boil through his expression. Ivy put her hand on his shoulder "Hey, it's okay we can talk later"
Nate turned to her "I'm sorry"
"Honestly, it's fine"
"Why don't we go grab something to eat after this? Burger Shack? We can talk about...stuff then"
Ivy nodded with a warm smile "Yeah that would be nice"
"Okay" Nate said in a breathless whisper and grin. He rubbed Ivy's hand that rested close to his on the railing, shot her another smile and then turned around, jogging back over to the team. Ivy stayed stood where she was for a moment and just looked at him, seeing how he kept shifting his eyes to her and smiling. Eventually she took her eyes away from him and walked back over to Stef and Lena, along with their eyes looking at her, she saw the kids staring at her also a few steps down. All apart from Brandon of course.
Ivy waved her hand at them saying shut up which made them all laugh and take their eyes back to the match. Ivy looked to Stef and Lena with a lingering smile on her face.
Stef knew what that face meant, she could make a prediction in her head on what was going to happen, she nodded and said as she turned her head to watching Jesus "Oh boy"
Ivy leaned forward, resting her folded arms on her knees "Yeah...oh boy"