Chapter 24: Moving

Opening my eyes slowly, I shook my head and buried my face in the pillow. This was our last day in Amity. This afternoon we would be back in Dauntless. My family would be here and Jess and Eve would be on their way to Erudite. I didn't want it to end. It was the most exciting, relaxing, romantic and satisfying week.

The day before my brother's wedding was the usual girl's night and boy's night - a tradition that I could not and was not able to keep - where all the guys were kept separate from us girls. Eric had even been chased out, which he claimed he didn't mind since we had been visited my fort the day before. Eric had said, very provocatively, that he could last one night apart after that one night together. I watched as Jonathan and Jordan dragged him away from me. We had the longest goodbye - longer than Jack and Hannah's. That night Blossom had begged to go to our fort once the others had slept but I couldn't bring myself to tell her then that Eric and I had somewhat defiled it.

I smiled thinking back to her reaction when I told her at my brother's wedding reception before turning over to face the sleeping form next to me.

Eric's eyes didn't open but his arm that was loosely wrapped around me, pulled me tighter to him.

My eyes fluttered back close, allowing his warmth, strength and comfort to surround me. I couldn't help but think that I am so in love with this man and all that he has done and will do for me.

The morning after the wedding, I woke up to an empty bed. Getting myself ready, I saw that the engagement ring was still on my finger. I looked it over and realized that it matched the charm bracelet he had given me for Christmas. I smiled and thought to myself that he had put so much thought into it. I wasn't one for a lot of jewelry but I knew that these two would always be my favorite.

As I made my way down to the kitchen, I heard laughter trickling out of it.

"Well, there is the blushing bride to be," called out Jordan with a smile on his face as I entered.

My cheeks did redden at the mention of the news and it only deepened when I felt Eric tug on my arm and pull me onto his lap. I wanted to protest that we were in a room with two of my brothers, my parents and his sister but I just couldn't at the moment - I was too happy.

"So," my mother chimed in, "when is the big day?"

I let out a small laugh and turned away from Eric. "You just married off one child yesterday and you're ready for next one," I asked as Jonathan and Jordan shared in on the laughter.

"I didn't get any say or to share in any way on your first attempt," my mother protested, "so yes, I'm excited about this."

I felt a familiar sting at the mention of Cain but Eric kept me in a lovely hold that I quickly forgot about it, especially when he began talking.

"You're in luck then Jubilee," Eric started with a smile, "Ana wants to get married here in Amity. And after..."

"Yes," Jessica cheered happily as we both turned to look at her. "This is a beautiful place, Ana. I can already picture it."

"Picture my wedding," Eric narrowed his eyes at his sister.

"Oh yes, I never thought that this day would happen," she jumped in her seat.

"We can have a summer wedding," my mom smiled at me.

"That's kind of soon," I looked at Eric who seemed just as uncertain. "I mean, I know you're in the planning mood, mom. But there are other things to consider."

"For example, I haven't told our mother yet, Jess," Eric looked at his sister who shrugged apathetically and made a weird face that I knew stood for her not caring or inviting her mother to mine and Eric's wedding.

"Right," my mother's smile disappeared.

I knew what she was thinking. Here was another woman to take over wedding plans of her daughter. I was about to say something until Eric saved the conversation yet again. "My mother is always busy. She and my Aunt run a business organization together."

"That's a way of putting it," Jess muttered as Eric threw her a look.

"I'm sure that my mother would love to help fund some expenses as a way to excuse her absence from a lot of the decision-making that is done," Eric finished.

My dad chuckled. "Another thing I know about my JoyAnna is that she isn't one for big weddings. I think her first one had, how much guests?"

I took a deep breath. "The guest list was close to eight hundred people, I believe. I didn't even know ninety-five percent of them."

"I was thinking about one hundred fifty, maybe two hundred," Eric rubbed my back. "I only have a few friends that I would really want to come, some workmates and a couple other family from my Dad's side that would like to meet you."

"Mm," Jess nodded, "Grandpa Coulter," she pointed to her brother, "he's going to ask about little Reuben."

"Little Reuben," I turned around to raise an eyebrow at Eric.

Eric chuckled. "My grandpa's name is Reuben. And when I was born, I didn't know this but my mother stopped a tradition that was in my father's family. So I told my grandpa that I would continue it and my son would be named after him."

"Aw," my mother swooned.

I smiled at Eric, who gave me a knowing smile.

"One of the two," I said.

"One of the six," he added, giving me a quick kiss.

"Your mother doesn't have to pay for everything, Eric," my father added. "I know that we just had this wedding but JoyAnna is our only daughter and we'd like to pay for things also."

"As you mentioned," Eric nodded to him, "Ana wouldn't want something big. So I know it won't be that much in cost. Not to mention, I know the best gift that you could give to her would be your presence and love. As of right now, I'm not even sure my mother would want to come."

"That's nonsense," my mother waved her hand in the air, "it's her son's wedding. Surely..."

"My mother is not the sentimental type," Eric interrupted as Jordan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "And truly Mr. and Mrs. Summers, my sister and I have never experienced a wonderful family environment such as the one you all have here," he looked around the table before turning back to my father. "It's one of the things that I think we miss the most since my father passed. My mother doesn't do holidays anymore. Ana and I had a Thanksgiving dinner with just the two of us. I spent Christmas with Ana, Dillon and their friends. Jess works so hard too," he gestured to his sister, "that I brought her a weekend getaway as a birthday - a birthday that our mother didn't even come to."

"My parents have been there for every one of my birthdays," Jordan whispered, but we still heard it.

Jonathan whacked the back of his head.

"Sorry," Jordan guiltily looked down.

Eric sighed. "It's fine, Jordan. I understand that you'll want to pay for the wedding and everything. But believe me, your involvement about decorations and seating and whether it will be in your back yard or out in Ana's fort," Eric explained, "all of that means the world to both Ana and I. Let my mom take care of the expenses."

My mother offered a kind smile. I knew deep down inside they were still going to end up paying for something - that's just how my parents were. My father cleared his throat and nodded.

"I understand your predicament Eric. But you also have to understand mine," he began. "This is our only daughter, our Wildflower," he smiled at me, "we're going to want to do more. And," he put an arm around my mother, "I believe we told you before that there was no more of that Mr. and Mrs. Summers nonsense. You're to marry our daughter, you can call us 'mom' and 'dad'. The same goes for you too Jess," he looked at her, "your daughter already calls us her grandparents."

"And she is a delight," my mother smiled brightly. "I always wanted to have a lot of girls, like the Bennett family, the March family or even Mama Joe's daughters."

I looked around the table before turning back to my mother. "I caught the first two families. You're talking about Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, right? But who is..."

"Mama Joe found Soul Food," my mom said as my eyes widened and I turned to Jonathan.

"She watched Soul Food," I questioned. "Did you tell mom that it was rated R? Mom, I can't believe you watched a rated R movie."

Eric, Jess and my father shared a small laugh.

Jonathan shook his head. "For a brief moment, she wanted me to be a girl so I could cry with her."

"It was a very dramatic movie," my mother huffed, "but it had a good story and lesson to be learned and oh," she sighed and rest her hand on her chest, "it helped me to realize how much a daughter needs her mother, even when she becomes an adult. I just, oh," she began to wipe at her eyes.

I turned my head back to Jonathan. "You let mom watch a rated R movie," I whispered accusingly at him, before we both broke out into smiles and shook our heads.

"The wedding plans, mom," Jordan suggested which made my mother cheer up again.

"You see Eric, even though a girl grows up into a beautiful young woman, they still need their mothers," she reached out a hand and took a hold of Jess. "I'm going to enjoy planning this wedding with you, Jessica. Just where should we have it?"

"Amity is beautiful country. It could be outdoors," Jess replied, "like how Jack's was but perhaps not in the same place."

"I know my JoyAnna is going to want something by the lake," my mother snapped her fingers and turned to Jess.

"Not after last night, I won't," I muttered as Eric chuckled underneath me.

"You always loved that lake, JoyAnna," Jordan looked at me with a confused expression. I lifted Eric's cup to my mouth and drank the tea in there. "Something happened at the lake," he narrowed his eyes at Eric.

"Something did, but it wasn't us," Eric shook his head with a smile. I turned around to lightly hit him. "What? Something did happen," he excused.

Eric wrapped his other arm around me and pulled my face to his for a light kiss. I smiled, pulling back and listened to my mother and Jess plan out the wedding. I couldn't help but notice how my father seemed relax and content at seeing not only me and Eric together but watching my mother plan things out. She had always wanted a daughter - something they told me quite often. And it was true that she never got to have any say in my wedding and neither was she part of the announcement. I couldn't help but think that I had left them in Amity and all these major decisions in life had been dictated by Cain.

"Is there a theme or color scheme that you like," asked Jess.

"Why don't we do something in blue," I asked Eric.

"That is my favorite color," he nodded, "as long as you're the one wearing white," he leaned forward.

"And as long as your're the one at the end of the aisle waiting for me," I went to kiss him.

"Nothing else you need to voice your opinion on," my father spoke up. "If you let your mother have the reins on this, she may go crazy with it."

I smiled. "I stated my only desire," I interlocked my fingers with Eric's. "Oh," I jumped slightly, causing them to look back at me. "Eve is to be my flower girl and Jimmy will be our ring-bearer, what do you think?"

Eric nodded. "I like that," he lifted our hands to his lips. "And I believe Eve would love that."

"Where is she, anyway? Is she still sleeping," I looked over at Jess.

Jess shook her head. "She and Jimmy woke up early. They're out in the tree house with Joshua and Daisy."

"Josh and Daisy are like peas in a pod, I tell you," Jonathan shook his head. "Which is odd because they are complete opposites."

"They remind me so much of JoyAnna and Blossom," my mother smiled lightly, "always getting into trouble together, yet sticking up for one another."

"Really," Jordan snorted. "I think JoyAnna and Blossom were worst."

"Hey," I interrupted as everyone laughed. "Well, Josh and Daisy are fourteen. They just entered their teenage years. And I remember Gregory saying that I had to be that way especially with three older brothers and three younger ones to match."

"Four younger ones, now," Jordan reminded me.

"Baby, Gregory said that your brothers had to act the way they did to keep up with you," Eric said with a serious expression before he slowly began to smile. Everyone started to laugh again.

We talked more at the table until I decided to take Eric for a hike. Everyone - minus my parents - decided to join us. Blossom and her boyfriend Kenny were there. Peter and his date came by but only to say goodbye. They were heading back to Dauntless. Dillon and Lauren joined us, along with a few of our friends from Amity. It was a wonderful and easy hike. Eve and Jimmy still had a lot of energy when we reached the waterfall. It was still early and we had packed some food that we had all decided to swim.

"Holy shit," Gregory said.

Jordan ended up dropping his water bottle and it made noises as it hit the rocks. Looking over, I realized that Blossom and Lauren were in their bikinis ready to swim. But the real showstopper was a certain woman I used to call 'Barbie'. I slapped Jordan's arm to wake him from his stupor. "That's Eric's sister," I whispered loudly.

"You girls may think Eric has a hot body but his sister is banging," Stephen added as I saw all three of them nod their heads in agreement. Alice and Felicity were there and just shook their heads with me.

"She had a kid and still has that figure," Gregory noted.

"Alright, moving right along," I pushed them as Benjamin and Maddi laughed at them.

Eric and I were lazily lying down next to one another on a large floating tube, drifting back and forth as the others jumped and swam around us, when he told me something that made me fall in love with him more - if that was possible.

"So, I was thinking that maybe you could finish up college at ESU," Eric mentioned as his fingers traced my side.

I sat up quickly, almost causing us to flip over but Eric stuck his leg out in the water and was able to keep us balanced. "Sorry, I just," I shook my head. "Did you just mention something about Erudite State University?"

He nodded. "I know how important it is for you to finish your degree. If we move to Erudite, I was just thinking that that would mean no more attending college for you."

"I didn't think about that," I sadly replied.

"I don't want you to give that up so I was wondering about ESU."

"I'm not sure," I said.

"Hey, I've got an idea," Eric rubbed my back causing me to look at him. "Why don't you come with me on my next trip to Erudite? We can look at the campus and see if you can transfer over your credits. I know your degree is for financing but..."

"I never really wanted to do that," I responded quickly as Eric nodded again, understandingly.

"I know. I can tell. And from what I've seen so far, especially with this visit to Amity is that you enjoy reading and literature. Something tells me that," he smiled as did I, "you want to become a teacher, a literature teacher." I bit my bottom lip to keep my smile from widening. "Ana, if that's what you want to do then I think you should go for it. ESU has a good program. I'm sure..."

"Good program," I exclaimed. "ESU has great programs, the best," my excitement was beginning to show as the floating tube moved back and forth. "I don't even know if I can get in. Oh my goodness, what if I'm not smart enough to get in? What..."

"Ana," Eric smiled and put his hand up to my mouth. "I came to Amity and saw a brilliant young woman. You're more than smart enough to get into ESU. And I'm sure you could apply for some scholarships and grants - if you're worried about how to pay for it. I'll even help out, too."

"Eric," I smiled and leaned over him.

He ran his other hand slowly up my side, making me shiver when he trailed over the opening of my bathing suit. "Did I ever tell you how much I like this on you," he smirked. And I couldn't help but blush at the memory of us being in Candor for that weekend getaway. It wasn't a two piece, like majority of the girls had on. But the cuts or opening in them made it look that way and the way his gaze was on me told me that he appreciated it. "I can't seem to take my eyes off of you."

"Or your hands," I pushed his hand away from squeezing my butt. "There are children here, Eric."

"One of which has already walked in on us," he chuckled.

"That's not funny," I lightly slapped him.

"In all seriousness though," Eric began, "I think we should do that when I have to go travel to Erudite, look into attending University there."

"Oh Eric," I threw my arms around him, "I'm so excited about moving now."

"You weren't earlier," he chuckled.

"I was but now it just," I pulled back and looked down at him. "I just can't believe that you'd be willing to..."

"I know that this move is going to take some sacrifices and adjustments. But I don't think you should sacrifice what you want in life. If I'm going to pursue an advancement in my career - something that I've always dreamed about and worked hard for - then I feel that you should do the same Ana. I'll support you in this, I always will."

"What did I ever do to deserve you," I leaned in slowly.

"I always thought it was the other way around," he slipped his fingers into my hair and pulled his face to mine. "I never felt like I deserved someone so breathtaking and brilliant as you."

Our lips never did touch because Jordan had thought it would be funny to flip us over. The two of us flew off and into the water. Eric pulled me back up and as I gasped at the surface, I saw my brother hurrying out of the water.

"Run, Jordan, run," shouted Benjamin and Maddi as I swam quickly after him.

After that, Dillon and Lauren were the next to go back home to Dauntless. Lauren said she missed working with me and we spoke a little about the move to Erudite. Apparently, Dillon asked her to move with him too. She wasn't sure about it but she didn't want to break up with Dillon either. Dillon told me that Eric is required to move immediately - well before the Fall. Whereas, Dillon doesn't need to move until everything is complete. So, for now he and Lauren haven't finalized plans. Lauren never finished college and had been a waitress since she was nineteen years old. Now she was twenty-six and she wasn't sure if she could go back to school. But if I was going to be there, she didn't mind...

"Perhaps," Lauren held up a finger, "going back to college with a friend wouldn't be so bad. I'm not sure what our plans are yet," she looked at Dillon. "But if something like that happens, you'll be one of the people I tell."

It was then that I realized I wouldn't have much friends there in Erudite. There was Jess and Eve, soon my brother Jonathan would be going back there also. But I had made friends in Dauntless - like Hec, Edward and Myra. Another small sliver of panic began to set in at the thought of being alone in a brand-new place but it quickly dissolved when I spoke to Blossom that night before she left to go back.

"A lot of people didn't think that I'd perform to the best of my abilities. I mean," she turned to look at me as Kenny and Eric took their things to the airport counter. "A girl who grew up in Amity doesn't really scream CIA, does it?" Blossom laughed lightly before reaching out one arm for me to hug her. She squeezed me tightly. "You have nothing to worry about, Ana. This is what you've wanted. You're going to accomplish something you want with a man who wants to help you get there."

"Everything is changing again," I whispered.

"Change can be a good thing, Ana. You just have to open your mind to the possibility of being happy," she said as she released me. "Call me if anything now," she patted my arm, "and I'll try to find out more information on David Carmichael and Marcus Eaton," Blossom added.

I nodded and wrapped my arms around myself.

"I'll even dig up some info on Cain and send it to Eric. We'll find out why he decided to prey on you and believe me," she leaned forward to kiss my forehead, "I'm going to nail that fucker to the wall after I cut off his dick, okay?"

I began to laugh. "Thanks Bloss," I replied. "I don't know how I survived without you."

Blossom smiled lightly. "I always thought you and I would do everything together, fight crime, catch bad guys," she said as she began to tear.

"Don't do it," I pointed to her as my eyes started to water. "Damn it, Bloss! You said you wouldn't cry!"

"I know," she laughed but a tear escaped as she threw her arms around me one last time.

Eve was a little grieved to see everyone leave also. She had come to love them all. Jess had been totally surprised because Eve never took to meeting new people. My mother and father were the most delighted with her - aside from Jimmy. She had been calling them 'gramma' and 'papa' for a couple days now.

"Did Agent Blossom leave already," Eve ran towards us when we got back from the airport.

"Yes, she left," I picked her up and carried her to the den area where the others were.

"I had a case for her."

"You did," I questioned. "What was it? Maybe we can..."

I paused when we entered the den to see my family in there - including Jack and Hannah. And when I turned my head, I saw Blossom, Dillon and even Peter were here too.

"Yes," Eve shouted, "I need help solving the case on how they were able to get here so quick."

"What is going on," I asked.

"We never got to throw you an engagement party," Dillon said.

"Amity-style, of course," Jonathan added.

I turned to Eric but something told me that he had already known about this. "You helped them plan it, didn't you?"

"Can I tell you a secret," he turned to face me, taking one of my hands in mine as I shifted Eve to the side. "I called your Dad a while back and asked him for his blessing."

"Eric," I cried happily as Eve leaned on my shoulder.

That was something that Cain had not done. It may have been a small gesture to others but it meant the world to me. Eric knew how important my family was, how important I was to my family. He wanted to include them, he wanted me to share it with them. That's when it hit me.

"My dad was disappointed when I introduced you to him because I introduced you as my boyfriend and not my fiance," I concluded. "He already knew that you would propose."

Eric nodded and then lifted his other hand to touch my cheek. "It doesn't matter anymore. I think the latest proposal was the best one." His smiled widened. "You said 'yes'."

We both shared a laugh and I turned to my family. "Thanks everyone. This is really beautiful."

"Wait," Eve screamed as she jumped out of my arms. She ran towards Jimmy who handed her something as they ran back towards me. "Now, can we," she looked at Jimmy.

"Now," Jimmy shouted as they both flung confetti at us before popping poppers in front of Eric and I. "For Eric and Ana," Jimmy grabbed whatever was on the ground and threw it up in the air again. Everyone began to laugh at the two of them.

It was an amazing week to spend it back at home and especially with Eric. Now it had come to an end. And today is the day that everyone is to leave - for real this time. I felt Eric bury his nose in the crook of my neck and whisper 'good morning'.

"Good morning," I whispered in reply.

"I love it here," he admitted. "I wish we didn't have to leave."

"I know what you mean," I snuggled into him. "I was just about to fall back off to sleep," I mumbled, "don't want to leave the bed."

"Mm," Eric groaned as his hands began to roam over my body.

"I said sleep, not," I stopped and released a moan as Eric's mouth worked on my neck and shoulder.

We didn't get far because my bedroom door opened slowly.

"They're still sleeping," Eve's voice was heard as Eric paused in his movements.

"So, let's wake them up," Jimmy told her.

"But won't we get in trouble?"

"My sister loves us," Jimmy sounded confident. "And your Uncle Eric don't get mad at you. We'll be fine," he whispered.

"I don't know," her voice was right behind me. "The last time I went into their bedroom without knocking, I got in trouble."

"We're not going to get..."

Eric lifted his head. "What are you two doing," he asked.

I turned my head to see Jimmy with a small snake in his hand. And it wasn't no plastic snake either. My eyes widened a bit before I realized that this was one of my brothers. Of course, he'd go outside and grab whatever creature he could think of. Eve had a phone with her - which I could only assume was her mother's - and it was ready to take a picture. I couldn't help but think that those two had really thought this out. Jimmy quickly threw the snake out the window and put his hands behind his back.

"Nothing," he shook his head, trying to play it off innocently.

"Was that a real snake that you were going to put in my bed, Jimmy bean?"

"No," Jimmy furrowed his eyebrows as if he was confused. "Eve doesn't like snakes."

"That was a pretty one, though," Eve looked at him.

Jimmy's head shot to hers.

"Oh, yeah," she smiled and nodded. "That's right. I don't like snakes."

Glancing at Eric, I smiled when he nodded at me. We both launched out our arms at Eve and Jimmy, catching them by surprise and yanking them down onto the bed with us. They were both laughing and giggling as we tickled them and demanded that they tell us their big plan for domination. It slowly turned into a pillow fight with me, Eve and Jimmy against Eric - who eventually lost. We all settled back down on my bed, which appeared to shrink with the two of us and the two of them.

"See, two is a good number," I told Eric.

He looked down at my brother and Eve who laid between us and were whispering about their next big plan.

"Two is, but I think four is better," he smiled at me and reached over to hold my face in his hand. "Two children and two parents," he concluded.

Breakfast was a lively affair as was lunch. I spent the remainder of the day with my mom who talked me into coming to Amity in a couple months to meet my brand new brother. Jess and Eve were also invited to come by and I wasn't sure who was more excited about it. I also realized that Jess started to dress differently. She didn't use as much make-up as she usually did. She had stopped wearing a whole lot of jewelry. She also wore pants and capris instead of skirts and dresses. But a lot of that didn't matter - she was still gorgeous. I also noticed how Jonathan's eyes seemed to follow her wherever she walked or how his smile seemed to change when she walked in the room. I wanted to remind him that Jess came as a package deal with another little girl. However, there was never no need to. Jonathan had been spending a lot of time with Eve and Jimmy this past week. He had changed a lot also and I couldn't help but think that it had to do with the fact that the Banners were no longer in his life either. I had got my older brother back.

"Penny for your thoughts," my father nudged my shoulder.

"This was a good trip," I answered. "I'm surprised at how deeply Eric cares about me, how I care about him. Perhaps I had always known but this trip just... It's so much better than when I used to come home before, you know," I shrugged.

"I do know, Wildflower," he put his arm around me and pulled me close to kiss my forehead. "Nothing is better than coming back home, isn't it? You could travel the entire world to search for something and realize that home is the only thing you need," he moved to look down at me. "Wildflower, you can be a bird and fly away, experience and do it all. But know that the nest is always here, always ready, always open, always loving." He kissed my forehead again. "You're going to be fine, JoyAnna. I know it. And this visit, helped not only you but also me to realize that."

"Thank you, dad."

"Now you go and take Erudite by storm, you hear," he chuckled.

"I will," I nodded.

"Don't let your brother have all the glory," my dad added.

Eve was the hardest one to pry away from everyone. My family ended up seeing us off at the airport. Eve and Jimmy were stuck to one another, whispering about how they could keep her here. Jess shed a few tears before I did. What did it for me wasn't when my mother or father hugged me - for the billionth time. It wasn't even when Jonathan, Jack, Jordan or Jensen hugged me. No, it came from Josh - which was a huge surprise because he was always the prankster.

"I've always admired you, JoyAnna."

I pushed back a little to make sure that it was Joshua that I was hugging. He smiled at my reaction and took a step back.

"You went to Dauntless, away from everyone. You were brave enough to go on that adventure. When things didn't work out, you did your best to show that you could make it on your own. And now," he put his hands in his pockets, "now you're taking that risk all over again. My sister," he smiled, "she's not a quitter."

"Josh, that's the most amazing thing I've ever heard you say," I placed a hand over my chest.

"Yeah, well, that's me," he shrugged before looking around to see if anyone heard him.

I threw my arms around him and started to cry. "Look at you, growing up and all. My Joshee isn't a little boy anymore."

"Oh my God, JoyAnna," he huffed, trying to wiggle out of the hug, "really?"

That night as Eric and I arrived back in Dauntless, I stared out the window of his car as drove back to his father's house. Eric was on the phone, planning our trip to Erudite, with Jane. She was excited that I would be joining him. I could hear her putting in reservations for restaurants and hotels - exclaiming every now and then how much I was going to love it and how Eric better take me there so that I can experience all of it. She even emailed over a list of classes at ESU and said that she would call the community college and Dauntless University to see what credits I could transfer over.

"It seems that she's taken care of all of that," Eric chuckled and shook his head.

"Now all that's left to do is go to Erudite," I smiled at him.

"I was thinking about getting married," he smiled back.

"My mother and your sister have that all taken care of," I responded as we both shared a laugh. "All you and I have to do is show up," I finished as he reached for my hand. Eric lifted our joined hands to his mouth and kissed the back of mine. "I'm truly excited to be moving with you, Eric."

"I'm excited that you're coming with me, too," he agreed, "even more excited that we're getting married."

"I can't wait to tell Myra," I smiled.

Myra was not the first person I told, however. I asked Eric to go to my apartment first before we headed to his father's house. Hec was there with his friends. Lauren's brother, Scott, opened the door first and smiled at seeing that it was me.

"Sorry, I forgot my key," I told him. He nodded and let me in. I was just about to ask where Hec was, when he came crashing into me. "Dear Lord, there's no need to tackle me?"

"You missy, better spill," Hec pushed me back.

"Spill what," I smiled at him.

"Lauren told me that you got engaged," Scott responded.

"And I'm assuming that you told him," I gestured to Hec.

"And moving to Erudite," Hec smiled.

"I know," I squealed. "Eric and I had a little disagreement when we first got to Amity. My parents dropped a secret that I hadn't told him..."

"That you were engaged before," Hec questioned knowingly and shook his head, moving back inside the apartment. "I remember telling you that you should let him know that little detail. I'm kind of glad that your family made you say it."

"More like my family told him for me," I replied before waving at Hec's two other friends, Noah and Emmett. "I have some stuff," I put one of my bags down and started to unpack it. "Desserts that my mom and my godmother made," I listed, "and some bacon and..."

Hec hurried to take that from my hand. "This is good bacon right here," he held it up as the guys all nodded. I rolled my eyes and went to put some of the desserts in the fridge. "So," Hec followed me with the meats, "you just going to leave me hanging?"

I sighed and turned to face him. "Eric is waiting for me downstairs, but all I'm going to say is that it was a beautiful week. My brother's wedding was perfect for him and his wife. My family was welcoming towards Eric. Eric loved them all," I continued to smile. "We talked a lot, shared way more about my previous relationship than I thought I would. Every time I told him a story about my childhood, he responded with one of his own. I don't know how to explain it but it was like we were getting to know each other on a different level."

"That's good," Hec smiled encouragingly.

"And the proposal," I closed my eyes, picturing myself back in Amity with Eric on bended knee.

"Okay, I'm excited for you and all but don't go all girly, right now," Hec stopped me.

"Did you know that he called my dad a month ago asking for his blessing," I shook my head, still happy that Eric had been thoughtful about that. "He wants me to go with him on his next trip to Erudite so I can look at ESU to transfer there."

"No fucking way," Hec nudged me happily. "Ana, if you can get in, that would be brilliant!"

"I know! I just can't stop smiling about it, you know!"

We both laughed at my excitement. Hec had his own news to share with me and said that he would tell me when it was just the two of us. "We'll catch a movie and then you can fill me in on everything else," he playfully tapped my chin with his fist. "I'm happy for you, Ana. You deserve to be happy."

"Thanks Hec," I nodded.

After leaving the bag of goodies there, I headed back downstairs to Eric. He got out of the car to open the door for me. Just before I sat inside, I leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Eric smiled down at me before pulling me closer and pressing our lips together. I couldn't contain my excitement and happiness over this next step of my life. Eric had planned it so that I could get to know the place before we moved. I was going to see places in Erudite, meet people, visit the campus and so much more - just so that I could be comfortable with it. It made me realize that yes I was moving again - moving to a place that I didn't know. But most importantly, I was moving on.