+chapter.nine+

We each took a deep breath, clutched hands tighter, and walked toward the adults. The two of us pulled up a chair at the patio set and sat down next to each other. Nicholas, Angela, Walker, and Diana looked at us and smiled. We smiled and each took a breath. “We—“ Jenn and I both started. We each breathed a laugh.

“Go ahead,” Jenn told me.

I smiled at her. “Well, Jenn and I have been talking a lot lately, mostly about the wedding, to the reception, to life afterwards. Well, we are going to have to get our own place.” I paused. After my dad nodded, I continued. “Jennifer and I were wondering if we could possibly have the old house.”

Each of the adults shared their looks. “It’s only ten minutes away. And it’s in a very good neighborhood,” Jenn added. She was always persuasive. God knows she talked me into enough.

“Are you sure you kids are ready for that responsibility?” Nicholas asked.

“It’s a lot of work keeping a house together,” Diana said.

“We realize that,” Jenn replied.

Jenn paused, looking deep in thought. “Okay, how about this,” I voiced. “You let us move into that house for a month. You can come every week to make sure we’re keeping it clean and livable. If we manage that, let us start paying the bills. You know, gradually get us into this.”

“He’s got a point,” Walker agreed with me.

“He does.” So did Angela.

“Yea,” Nick and Diana agreed.

“Okay then. That’s what we’ll do,” Walker said.

“Great!” Jenn exclaimed. We smiled at each other.

“I’m gonna go in the pool now,” I spoke.

“Me too,” Jenn voiced.

“Have fun,” Angela smiled.

We smiled back and walked to the pool, hand in hand. Jenn and I put our towels down and walked to the in-ground pool. Jenn dipped her toe in. “It feels kinda cold…” she spoke.

“No way! It’s nice once ya get in!” Zac exclaimed.

Jenn looked at him warily. “I don’t know.”

“Aw, c’mon, Jenn! It’s nice!” Taylor exclaimed.

“I’ll just watch for a bit…” Jenn trailed.

I smiled at Tay, Zac, and Jess. “Aw, Jenn, just jump right IN!” I yelled as I pushed her in. She resurfaced, looked at me, then swam as fast as she could to the edge of the pool. She got out and started chasing me around the pool. She finally caught up with me about the second or third time around. Holding my arms behind my back, Jenn pulled me over by the diving board. It had to be about nine feet down. She smiled at me as I turned back, right before pushing me in. Once I was in and resurfaced, Jenn jumped in.

“Hey, Mom, can you turn on the radio?” Jay asked.

“Sure,” Diana got up and walked to the bench where Jay’s portable CD player was. A song by Madonna was playing.

“That was the latest from Madonna. Now, here’s a flashback from September of 1998. Here’s 98 with ‘Because of You’,” the DJ said.

Jennifer and I looked at each other. We were standing in a depth both of us could stand in. We held hands and looked at each other, the song playing saying everything we wanted to. “Baby, I really know by now. Since we met that day, you showed me the way. I felt it then, you gave me love. I can’t describe how much I feel for you.”

“Jenn, I—“ I started.

“Shhh,” she hushed, putting her index finger to my lips. She took her finger from my lips as her face neared. Our lips met and I heard coos coming from our moms. We pulled apart, each blushing, to see our moms cooing “aww”’s and our dads smiling at us. Our eyes met and we grinned.

We hugged, then separated. Jenn smiled at me before ducking under the water. Less than two seconds later, I was pulled under the water. I opened my eyes under water to see Jenn, hair all around, smiling at me. We surfaced and she began laughing.

“You so didn’t expect that!”

“It’s not everyday my fiancée pulls me under by my ankles,” I replied, smiling.

She grinned back. “I think I’m gonna get out,” Jenn said.

“Okay,” I replied. “I’m gonna be getting out soon too.”

She smiled at me once again. After kissing my nose, Jenn swam to the edge and got out. I looked over to Zac and Jess. They were in the far corner of the pool. They were just like Jenn and I. Same age gap and all. It was pretty cool for them to be four years apart too. They flirt like anything. I think Jenn and I may have been worse. Meaning we flirted a lot more. Every second of every minute we were together. Still do. Always will.