After a lot of crying and kissing, Jack and I ended up just sitting on the floor of our kitchen together. Bailey was sleeping in my lap and I was leaning back against him. We were idly talking, sharing a few kisses once in awhile. He told me how rehab was, and how much better he felt now. Sometimes he tried apologizing again, but I just stopped him. I knew he was sorry, and it didn't matter anymore.

I told him how I was like when he left, he asked me to. He wanted know how bad it got. I told him about I didn't eat much until I went to Dalton's. I told him how my days went, how simple and depressing they were. Jack thought it was a little funny that I watched Home Alone so much. I told him it was really the only thing left of him that I had.

“You always had my heart.” He corrected, kissing my temple. “Even if you didn't know it.”
“Yeah..” I scratched Bailey's ears. “So, now what?”
“Hmm?”
“Jack, this place is completely empty. You have no furniture, and everything I have I share with Hayley.”
“Oh yeah, we're going shopping tomorrow.” He assured, and I looked back at him
“You're not paying for everything.” I stated.
“Yes I am.”
“No, you're not.”
“Ember,” He growled playfully, and I nudged him with my elbow.
“You've spent way too much money already. We're going halvzies and you can't stop me.”
“Fine,” He laughed, holding me tighter. “If you insist.”
“I do. But what are we going to do about the fact that we have Bailey, but different homes to go to? Where are you even staying at?”
“Well, mom and Carl were kinda pissed about my disappearing act so I've been at Alex's.” He shrugged. “And we're going there tonight.”
“Does he know I'm here?”
“They all know. There's ummm, well, a party tonight.”
“What?” I gasped.
“It's kind of a welcome back and engagement party?”
“You sly...” I trailed off, and just leaned up to kiss him. “What if none of this worked?”
“Wasn't even a possibility in my mind. I would have tried everything to get you to listen to me.”
“Everything?” I raised an eyebrow.
“There's ropes in my car.” He smirked and I smacked him. He poked my nose back and it was on.

It basically turned into us batting at each other. Bailey felt the movement, and joined in. All three of us wrestling and playing till Jack and I were out of breath. Bailey jumped on Jack's head, and started biting at his hair.

“Ember! Control your dog.” he yelled, still laughing.
“Our dog.” I corrected, got up, and lifted her off him. “So, when is this party?”
“Whenever we show up.” He said, standing up. “Wanna head over?”
“Sure.”

We got into his car, Bailey sitting in the back. Jack interlocked out hands together between our seats, running thumb over the ring. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous between all this awesome and happiness. I haven't seen our friends in so long, what if they were piss at me or something? I bit my lip and tried to calm down.

Once we got there, Jack knocked on the door. The person to answer was Alex, and I barely had a second to breathe in his presence before I was being crushed into his embrace.

“Ember! I fucking missed you so much.” He whined, still crushing me. “I can't believe you left, if you ever scare me like that again I'm calling the FBI and dragging your ass home. We were all so worried and scared and-”
“I can't breath you sap!” I yelled, partly muffled by his shirt. He let go a little, and I shook my head. “I missed you too.”
“Damn straight you did, now get in here. Everyone else is waiting.” he dragged me in and I looked back at Jack as he followed us, letting Bailey free on the floor. He only smiled at my slight annoyance.

“Guys! Look who's here!” Alex yelled, as we walked into his living room. Once again, I was being crushed into someones arms. It was Zack, and his grip hurt a hell of a lot mro then Alex's until I was pulled away by Rian, then Danny, Vinny, Grieco...

“Guy's, you're going to rip her apart.” Jack laughed when I finally freed myself from the overly affectionate males and his behind him.
“You're all nuts.” I complained.
“You've been gone for months, what do you expect?” Zack asked.
“I want another hug.” Alex whined, and Rian shoved him.
“Me first!”

They all started fighting again, and I mumbled something about hwo today was the day I die and Jack only laughed at me more.

“Everyone shut up.” Matt's authoritarian voice suddenly rang through behind us. “Jesus, I leave to go get beer and come back to.... Em?”
“Mickey!” I yelled and tackled him into a hug. He hugged me back firmly but not crushingly. “I miss you and you're normal fucking hugs.”
“I missed you more!” He cried, and I laughed. “No seriously, I've had to do financial crap alone. I needed my human calculator.”

I laughed and just hugged him tighter. Everyone complained about me loving Matt too much and I told them all to shut it and if they refrain from trying to snap me in half, they can all get more hugs. Soon the party actually started, and we were busting out the good liquor while Alex shuffled through his cd collection. Jack and I claimed a spot on the couch once he got his hands on a bottle of Jack Daniels and I had two shot glasses.

“How much you want to bet I can out-drink you tonight?” I asked, and Jack gave me an amused look.
“Babe, we both know you can never do that.”
“Come on, take the challenge.”
“You're gonna lose.” He sang, pouring out two glasses anyway.
“That's what you think.” I smirked, picking up my now full shot.
“What are we betting?”
“Winner can ask for anything.”
“Anything?” He asked, raising an eyebrow and I winked.
“Anything.”

With that, we both counted to three and took our shots. Jack started pouring out two more.

Let the fun begin.

Notes

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