Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Jumanji or its characters!

She was over him. It was hard the first day and even the weeks following. Being friends, just friends, seemed extra cruel of the game, but then he was never meant to be hers. But after a while, it got easier. The more she got to know him over summer vacations and holidays, the more relaxed and comfortable she got around him.

As time went by, she grew accustomed to him having a family. She was there for him whenever he needed to talk. It never struck her as odd that he chose to spend his time more with her than the rest of the team, but nevertheless she enjoyed the time she had with him.

It was safe to say, that, yes, she is completely over him. She even went so far as to help him recover from his wife leaving him. She was there when everything fell apart, and there to help him put things back together again.

So, why was this so hard? The way he was looking at her made her feel something she hadn't felt since their run through Jumanji.

She was standing next to the kitchen bar at Spencer's house, filling her plate with more chips and salsa. It was a simple and wholesome party. She didn't want anything flashy, just her and her friends, her team, to celebrate her 21st birthday. And now here they were awkwardly staring at each other, and it left her confused.

"Tell me you don't think about it, Bethany." Said Alex.

"Okay," she retorted playfully smiling at him trying to break the awkwardness, "I don't think about it."

"Come on," Alex said smiling back at her, "don't make me feel like a 40 year old creep with a midlife crisis crush on a 21 year old."

Bethany laughed, "Oh my gosh," she said in a sigh. "We wouldn't want that." She found a spot at Spencer's breakfast nook and sat down smiling, but putting her head in her hands. She shook her head in disbelief.

"Bethany, please just answer the question. Do you still think about what it would have been like if I didn't have a family and we could be together?" Alex pressed.

She laughed again, "It's not that. I just," she paused and looked up at him. "I honestly thought I was over it. I thought I was over you. But, every time you look at me like that, I don't know, it does something to me."

"Like what?" He asked.

"I don't know. I feel like kissing you. So, yes, I do wonder what it would be like to be with you. But you do have a family. You are 41, and I am 21. How would that even work? What am I supposed to do? Show up at Christmas dinner and say, 'Hi everyone! I'm Alex's new squeeze.' ?" She wondered out loud.

He laughed and said, "As long as you're willing to try, I am, too. I would do anything for you, Bethany. You're not just some kid I met a long time ago in a video game, you're a beautiful, charming, talented, and exceptionally smart person."

"I wouldn't call myself exceptionally smart," she joked with him.

"You're definitely smarter than you give yourself credit for. Don't cheat yourself." Alex said as he moved closer to her and took her hands in his. "I want this, if you do. But I won't pressure you. Please, just think about it. Here's some food for thought." Alex said as he stood up. He took her by the chin and gently lifted her face to his. He gently lowered his mouth onto hers and planted a small light kiss there for her.

A million thoughts raced through her mind, but none as prevalent as the kiss. That actually happened, she had to keep reminding herself, even though her lips were still moist from his touch. She looked around the room after he had gone and noticed that Spencer's mom was standing in the corner. She had seen the whole thing. Bethany groaned and put her head back into her hands.

"Mrs. Gilpin, I can explain everything," she began but Mrs. Gilpin just held up a hand.

"You don't owe me anything. Love doesn't always look like what we expect it to. If it did, I'd still be married to Spencer's father. Life happens. And sometimes when life happens, it changes what we expect out of it." She said reassuringly.

"What do you mean? That I could have a normal life with Alex if I wanted?" Bethany asked.

"Yes, you could. It wouldn't be easy. There's always someone who won't approve. But if you love him and you want the best for him, then you want him to be happy, too. There's no reason to not at least try. Not everyone will support you, so be prepared for that, but also know that if it's real love, it will weather any storm and it won't give up." Spencer's mom quietly got up from the table and went back to hosting Bethany's 21st birthday party.

Bethany needed time, but she was willing to do anything for Alex. And she couldn't stand him unhappy. But she also knew that if he kissed her again, whether people were watching or not, she wouldn't be able to resist him.

So, she wasn't over him after all. She still wanted him. And everything that she had helped him through was proof that she loved him. She was grateful for the friendship that they had. She didn't want to lose it, but she also knew that if they were going to do this, then they would need to be friends before they could ever be lovers.

Bethany gathered her courage and went into the living room with the others.

"There you are! We were looking for you!" Martha said while grabbing Bethany's arm and leading her toward the couch. "We're going to watch a movie! You pick!"

After choosing the movie, they all settled in around the living room with popcorn. Bethany and Alex were sitting next to Martha and Spencer on the couch while Fridge and Mrs. Gilpin sat on the love seat with a female friend of Fridge's who Fridge was cuddled up with. Bethany surveyed the room while the previews played. Then, she looked up at Alex.

"Alex?" She said quietly.

"Yeah?" He said looking down at her.

"I want to try. I'm sure it won't be easy, but I do want to try."

"I'd like that, Beth." Alex said with a relieved smile.

He took her face in his hands again and kissed her. The kiss was deep and profound and full of love, but wholesome and pure. It made her feel powerful and vulnerable. It made her feel weak and strong. But overall, she felt like she finally had a place where she belonged, and that was right there in his arms.