Katie:

"Hi Mr. Heck. Mrs. Heck." I greet. "I brought drinks and dinner." I present the box of pizzas and pastas as well as the bag for Mr. Heck. "Drinks for those over 21, and sodas for those under 21."

"Thank you." Mr. Heck says taking the bag. Mrs. Heck takes the food.

"Guys, dinner!" Mrs. Heck calls into the back of the house. Sue and Brick come into the main living space.

Sue gives a squeal before hugging me around causing Axl to let go. I hug her back. "Hi Sue." I greet. "Here's the book that I had for you Brick." I pull an old leather-bound book from my bag. "I think you'll like it." Axl pulls me back into his chest wrapping his arms around me.

"I'll grab some plates." Sue says. She basically skips to the kitchen to grab plates.

"No need." I tell her, "We got some with the food." Axl holds up the other bag in his hand. "And Silverware."

"Then let's sit down and eat." Mrs. Heck says. Automatically they all head to their table in the kitchen living area. I grab one of the kitchen bar stools and pull it next to Axl's chair. "Let's try the dining room."

I put the food down on the table and put the plates down at the places before putting down the silverware. "Look at this, a fancy dinner." Axl wraps his arms around me when I finish with the last place at the table. He pulls out the chair for me and I sit down his mother and sister sit before he sits down himself. "We'll make a gentleman out of you yet." I whisper to him kissing his cheek.

The food gets passed around the table from Mrs. Heck to Mr. Heck, Sue, Brick, Axl, then myself. I take the remaining leftovers from the Hecks and put them on my plate. Axl frowns at my lack of food. I shrug, and he takes his plate and puts some of his food on my own from it.

"Wow, Axl must really love you." Mr. Heck says. "He never shares."

"Don't worry Mr. Heck, he was snacking the whole way here, that's why we're down a whole pizza." I glare playfully at Axl.

"I was hungry!" He objects. The family begins eating.

"Bless us O Lord and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen." I say quietly hearing Axl following I cross myself and Axl follows. His family staring at us awkwardly.

Conversation is slightly forced until Axl and his father start talking sports. Axl's hand reaches mine beneath the table. I finish my meal first and begin clearing the table of the empty dishes after excusing myself. Axl follows shortly after. "Keep the dishes, my parents like to keep them."

"Okay, I'll wash you dry."

"Nope, I'll wash, and we'll leave them to air dry." He says before pecking my lips with a kiss. He lifts me up and sets me on the counter next to the sink.

"Who are you and what have you done to our son?" Mrs. Heck asks I don't know whether it was me or him she was talking to.

"Axl's still the same goofy kid you raised." I assure her, just as he flings water at me from the sink. I fling some back at him and soon we're in a full-on water war. The water is soon cut off.

"We can't afford this kind of water bill." Mr. Heck says walking away picking up one of the beers. "Go dry off, we can't afford mold either." Axl chases me into the bathroom and hands me a towel.

"I'm sorry I upset your father." I tell Axl sitting on the rim of the bathtub. He sits next to me drying his hair. "I feel as if I caused a rift between you and your family. Did you notice that they were staring at us when we blessed dinner?"

"They did that because we don't usually do that." He says. "We usually just start eating."

"But you do it with me all the time." I tell him.

"Because you've gotten me used to it. Remember the first meal we had together?" He asks.

"Yeah, I was the only one to- now that you mention it I do remember that."

"Well, that's just how my family works." He says, "We head to church on Sunday, and just do it slowly."

"You're welcome to come visit our church. I'm sure you'll find it interesting." I tell him.

"We've done the visiting churches thing. It was a little too crazy."

"I'm not going to get any drier than this, do you think your sister would let me borrow some clothes?" I ask him.

"You can borrow some of mine." He stands up and walks to his room. I follow closely behind him.

"Your room is a mess." I tell him crossing my arms and giving him a look.

"Yeah," He rubs the back of his neck. "But I'm really only here during the summers so I don't use it that much anymore."

He tosses me a shirt and pair of gym shorts. "These are clean right?" I ask him.

"They're from my freshman year of high school. I haven't used them since, they don't fit. Mom washed them and stuck them in the drawer. Don't know why, they haven't fit for years."

"I'm glad for your mother's hording then." I tell him. "Would you excuse me a moment to change?" I ask walking out of the room the bathroom door is locked. Axl is standing in his boxers when I turn around I quickly turn back around. "I'm just going to borrow your sister's room for a moment." I close and lock Sue's door changing into Axl's clothes, they smell faintly of him I smile and walk back into the hallway, Mr. Heck and Axl are talking in the hall, I know it's about me when I hear my name mentioned.

"Hi," I greet to let them know I'm here. Axl's eyes light up as he looks over to me.

"You look nice." He says he walks around his father and hugs me. "You smell nice too." He whispers in my ear. We walk back to their living space and he sits on the chair pulling me into his lap. He nuzzles his face into my shoulder as we visit with his family.

"What did you do that finally turned Axl into an adult?"

"I don't think I really did anything, he still acts like a five-year-old half the time."

"Hey!" Axl objects. I lean back and kiss his cheek with a smile.

"I love you." I tell him softly.

"I love you too." He whispers back. Mr. Heck turns on the TV and that cuts off the talking. The doorbell rings and Sue opens the door squealing in excitement. A boy I don't recognize stands in the doorway and hugs her.

"Boyfriend?" I ask Axl.

"I agree, I think I am a pretty good boyfriend." He says, I can hear the grin in his voice. I rest my head in the crook of his neck closing my eyes with a trace of a smile at his joke. "That's Darrin, Sue's boyfriend, Sean, he, and I have been best friends for years."

"The old fall for the brother's best friend routine. Never gets old." I tease smiling as his fingers thread through my hair. "Lucky for you, I'm not into any of my brother's friends." I tip my head up and kiss his jaw. Axl smiles and wraps his arms around me.

"Hey, I'm Darrin." Sue's boyfriend walks over to us. I sit up long enough to exchange names and handshakes before Axl pulls me back toward him. The television volume continues to increase the whole time. I lay my head on his shoulder using it to cover my ear and cover my other ear with my hand as subtly as possible, which isn't that subtle.

"Dad turn it down. It's too loud." Axl says, his whole family looks at him like he's crazy.

"If you'd all stop talking we wouldn't be having this conversation right now." Mr. Heck says.

"Let's go for a walk Kate." Axl says standing up putting me on my feet. He deliberately stands right in front of the TV. He and his father exchange looks before we head out.

"Can we come too?" Sue asks. Before Axl can objects their mother okays it. Axl sighs and I rub his back. Sue squeals, she does that a lot, in excitement as she goes to grab her shoes.

"How's that pool sounding to you?" Axl asks me.

"Not good enough." I tell him, we head outside to wait for Sue and Darrin, "I want a chance to get to know the people that are in your life. If I'm going to be a part of your life I should know the other people, there." I break it to him softly, "I'm hanging around you all the time, you get jealous of every guy that bats an eye in my direction. You don't want to spend any time with your family or mine. Axl, are you ashamed of me do you not want to be with me?"

"What!" He asks his eye widening in alarm, "No." His answer is confident, but I'm still not sure. "You're this country club Princess with plastic money, top notch everything, and this prim and proper family, and I'm some guy from the middle of nowhere with nothing." He's worried he's not good enough because he's from the other-side of the tracks.

"Axl." I start, but he stops me.

"I can't give you things like puppies, or kittens, or fancy dates, or-" I kiss him my hand on the back of his neck pulling myself up to meet his lips one hand rests on his heart which beats at a mile a minute.

"I'm not with you because of your money or lack-there-of Axl. I'm with you because you make me happy. All the cheesy jokes and our five-dollar diner dates, they're what make you special to me. Brandon and Caden were both great guys. Well, Brandon was a great guy until he turned into what he is. But I don't want gifts, they won't make me happy. I get to spend every day with you, talking on the phone, or doing some crazy thing you've thought up, like climbing trees to find the biggest pine cone, getting lost in corn mazes or cotton fields, going stargazing on the roof of your house just so many things. I love you because you're you."

His anxiety and frustrations melt away and he visibly relaxes. "I love you Kate." He whispers to me before kissing me.

"Hey," Darrin's voice pulls both of us apart. "We're ready to go now."

"Great, let's head to..." I start before trailing off, we're not in my part of town. I turn to Axl to help me out.

"Let's head to the cow and back."

"The cow?" I ask as Sue and Darrin begin walking oblivious to our absence and obviously know where they're going. What was Axl worried about they're just walking with us to walk with each other and not get on Mr. Heck's bad side for being out late together alone.

"The Orson cow." Axl says taking my hand and we run to catch up to Sue and Darin, she has her arms around his arm and they're in their own little world. "Town mascot." He explains, "You'll see."

"Oh, we don't have a town mascot, but the family animal is a Raven."

"A raven?"

"A cow?"

"Touché." He says wrapping his arm around me.

We walk silently listening to Sue and Darrin talk about potatoes and air-conditioning, school and work, and their lives in general neither of us saying a word, not needing to we were fine walking in the quiet together. We survived our first fight even if it was dumb, but Brandon's brained washed me into thinking I'm not good enough for anyone. Especially not him. So why would I be good enough for Axl since he's amazing, better than Brandon had ever been.

Axl starts humming a familiar song and it makes me smile as I turn to look at him, he's already watching me. His voice is a gentle tenor his voice soft and calm.

Never had much faith in love or miracles
Never wanna put my heart on the line
But swimming in your world is something spiritual
I'm born again every time you spend the night

'Cause your love takes me to paradise
Yeah your love takes me to paradise
And it shows, yeah, yeah, yeah

You make me feel like, I've been locked out of heaven
For too long, for too long
You make me feel like, I've been locked out of heaven
For too long, for too long

Oh, yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah, yeah
Ooh!
Oh, yeah, yeah
Ooh!

You bring me to my knees
You make me testify
You can make a sinner change his ways
Open up the gates cause I cannot wait to see the light
And right there is where I wanna stay

'Cause your love takes me to paradise
Yeah, your love takes me to paradise
And it shows, yeah, yeah, yeah

You make me feel like, I've been locked out of heaven
For too long, for too long
You make me feel like, I've been locked out of heaven
For too long, for too long

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Ooooh!
Yeah, yeah...

"Hey, come on guys, you're falling way behind." Sue says, her silhouette is ahead of us holding Darrin's hand.

"Did you really learn that all in one day?" I whisper to him

"I'd walk a thousand miles in a day if that's what it takes for you." Axl says brushing my hair back. He starts leaning in and I can feel his warm breath on my face.

"Guys." Sue's voice shakes us both and we both jump back. She's standing right there.

"Sue!" Axl yells, "Haven't you heard of privacy?"

"Axl." I keep my voice calm, "It's not her fault."

"Yeah Kate, it is, she wanted to come out here with us and then she interrupts us on our date while she's on her own date. What gives?"

"Axl." I put my hand on his chest and his hand takes it and wraps around it. "Look at me." His eyes finally lock on mine and his whole demeanor relaxes. "Let's keep walking guys." I voice mostly to Darrin and Sue. "It's a beautiful night for magic under the stars."

Sue and Darrin start walking again, and I stay with Axl his eyes never leaving my own, he brushes my hair back behind my ear when it slips. "You bring me to my knees you make me testify. You can make a sinner change his ways." Axl's voice is soft so only I can hear it. "Open up the gates cause I cannot wait to see the light. And right there is where I wanna stay." He finally blinks and looks away his gaze dropping to the ground, "You're beautiful Kate." He takes my hand and starts walking again feeding me a few cheesy song lyrics along the way. I see a huge statue in the middle of the field.

"The cow?" I ask knowing the answer.

"Meet the Orson Cow." Axl says as we walk up to it.

"Good evening Monsieur Cow." I give a dramatic curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Axl laughs, picking me up, and spins me in a circle. "I can show you the world of Orson."

"Take me away Mr. Heck." I tell him throwing my arms out around me and spinning in a circle he throws his head back and laughs before his hands wrap around my waist lifting me up and spinning me around. I see a flash and look over to where it came from. Sue's holding up a phone. Axl puts me down and rests his forehead against mine.

"Together, we'll see the stars." He promises lacing our fingers together, "We'll fly together."

"It's getting late Axl." Sue says, "We should head home."

"We'll catch up." Axl says not looking away from me. Sue objects but Darrin pulls her along anyway.

"Hey." I smile, but the lack of lighting makes it hard to see.

"Hi Kate." He answers. He pulls me over to the statue and we sit down. He sits against the leg of the cow and pulls me into his chest. His beating heart lulls me into a sense of peace. I close my eyes and just listen to his beating heart. He starts singing again and I smile.

You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you

Like everything that's green, girl, I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you're wanted too

'Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted

*.*.*.*

"Can't she just stay the night, I'll sleep on the floor." Axl's voice is quiet and slowly wakes me, but I keep my eyes closed.

"You know the rules Axl." Mr. Heck's voice is soft, but firm. I hear it wavering.

"Mike she's out cold." Mrs. Heck's voice is gentler.

"She can stay, but that door stays open tonight." Mr. Heck relents.

"Night Kate." Axl says kissing my head.

"Stay." I mumble. I blink my eyes open and he's kneeling by the bed with a blowup mattress, pillows, and sheets.

"Hey, you're awake, sorry if we woke you." He says brushing his hair out of his face. "Don't leave me." I tell him. He nods and sits on the bed running his fingers through my hair humming softly. "Get some sleep." He says kissing my forehead before laying down on the mattress. "Goodnight Kate."

"G'night Axl." I murmur rolling over on his bed and reaching down to take his hand. He reaches up and laces his fingers through mine.

*.*.*.*

"Hey, wake up sleepyhead." I shake Axl's shoulder kneeling down by his makeshift bed. "Come on." I stand up. "Okay, I guess I'll just head out for breakfast on my own." I head to the door. I hear scrambling and Axl is standing next to me fully dressed. "Someone's eager to get going this morning." I tease him letting him drag me to their door we pass his parents in their kitchen.

"I'm so sorry I fell asleep last night Mrs. and Mr. Heck." I apologize as Axl puts on his shoes. "I'm going to steal Axl for breakfast, we can bring it back for all of you if you'd like."

"There's no need for that." Mrs. Heck says while her husband gives her an incredulous look.

"It's no problem Mrs. Heck." I tell her, "We'll be back within the hour." I wave goodbye before Axl and I head out to his car.

"Can I drive?" I ask him standing on the driveway before we reach his car. "Please!" I beg, "I haven't gotten a chance to do a lot of driving since we started dating."

He sighs and holds out his keys. I leap into his arms hugging him tightly kissing his cheek. "Where are you taking us?"

"My favorite place for breakfast." I tell him.

"A little fancy for breakfast, I don't know if I can afford it." He says.

"I invited you out, breakfast is on me." I tell him. I lean over the center console and kiss him. "Please?" He sighs and nods we both get out of the car and he takes my hand putting the keys into his pocket.

"Hey Winny."

"How many times do I have to ask you to stop calling me that?" I ask I can tell Axl's bristling. "I'm here to order breakfast to go."

"Okay Katherine." He says exaggerating his sarcasm.

"Axl, this is the Marcus, he's the son of the owner of C'est La Vie." I introduce, I wrap my arm around Axl's and Axl looks a bit calmer, "Marcus, this is my wonderful boyfriend Axl. He's a college man."

"Munchkin!" The owner of C'est La Vie greets me with a welcoming hug.

"Uncle Tomas." I greet him happily. Axl's confusion is evident. "Uncle Thomas this is my boyfriend Axl Heck, we go to school together. Axl, this is my father's closest and dearest friend Tomas Barnes."

"Nice to meet you Sir." Axl shakes his hand and I skim the menu already knowing what I want, but to see what the Heck's might want.

"Can I get you two a table?" Tomas asks.

"We're actually here to order to-go." I apologize. "My usual, and four specials, Axl?" I turn to look at him and he's staring at me.

"Huh, what?" He asks. I grin and kiss him.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Whatever you're getting's fine."

"My usual, with bacon instead of sausage, syrup on the side." I tell them.

"It'll all be ready shortly." Tomas assures me as I swipe the community card.

"Perks of an expensive HOA." I shrug with a smile as Axl wraps me into his arms.

We stay out of the way talking and when Tomas brings the order to us personally. I smile. "Thanks for coming by Munchkin." He says, "Tell your father I said hello."

"Will do Uncle Tomas." I tell him as Axl takes the food and I give him a hug.

"By kiddo, come back and see us soon." He ruffles my hair making me glare at him, but I break into a grin and hug him before Axl and I walk out back to his car.

"What's the deal with Marcus?" Axl asks me.

"He likes me." I sigh, "He's had a crush on me for ten years? I think." I answer, "I never liked him personally, he tends to come on a bit too strong. But don't worry, I only have eyes for you."

Axl puts the food in the back of his car before opening my door for me. "I don't like the way he looks at you."

"Are you jealous?" I ask him with a teasing grin. "You don't have to be." I assure him. He nods driving back to his house.

"Breakfast!" Axl yells putting all the food on the dining room table.

"Axl." I grin pulling him into myself and pressing a kiss to his lips. "I'm going shopping after breakfast, I need to buy a few clothes since things have happened to my old clothes. I couldn't persuade you to go with me, could I?" I ask him looping my arms around his neck. His arms snake around my waist.

"I'm listening." He says.

"What's for breakfast?" Mrs. Heck asks. I pull back embarrassed from being caught. The Hecks and I sit for breakfast. "What are your plans today Katie?" She asks me.

"I have a few things that need to be replaced by fall for when I go back to school. I give my clothes to the shelter after the year ends. Start fresh with a new wardrobe every year."

"Axl, will you finally be out looking for a job." Mr. Heck asks.

"He's got one." I tell Mr. Heck looking over at Axl I whisper to him, "Why haven't you told your family about your job."

"It's embarrassing." Axl whispers back.

"It's a well-paying job Axl, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." My phone rings and I excuse myself to answer it. "Katherine Winthrop." I answer.

"Katie-Kate." That voice still rattles me after all these years why call now?

"What is it?" I ask him, "What do I have to do to make you stop calling me? After everything you've put me through."

"Katie-Kate. I didn't want to do any of it." He says. "None of it."

"I was at the funeral." I tell him angrily. I wipe a few angry tears. "You can't just waltz back into my life like this." I step out of the house and pace the front porch. "Don't you think I'd like to know you weren't dead? I was heartbroken for months and years after your supposed death. Alpha didn't eat for weeks, we almost had to put him down. I was a wreck. What made you do that?" I demand, "Who did you bury if it wasn't you!"

"My label." He says. "They thought it would be best. They thought it best that I just start over."

"And why now, if your label told you to start over are you coming back unti your old life?" I ask him.

"You'd changed your phone numbers, all of you." I begin pacing furiously, as he talks. "It took me so long to find you." He avoids the question, I didn't miss that move, Mister."

"Part of me wants to believe you Caden. A huge part of me." I tell him. "But this one part of me can't believe you. You always knew exactly what to say, but this seems so rehearsed. I can't believe it. I don't believe it. I'm sorry. Goodbye Caden William Michaels." I hang up the phone and just stand there too stunned to do anything. I take a deep breath and sit on their front porch tears streaming down my face. I drop the phone and put my hands over my mouth to stifle my crying. I head to the corner hoping to just walk far enough away from the Heck's house to think. I keep walking even after hearing Axl calling after me. I start running to the corner, to the car dealership and buy a car. I take the keys and start the engine. Axl jumps in front of the car. I can't go anywhere since it's parked in the middle of the lot.

"Kate, what's going on?" Axl asks yelling through the glass and over the engine.

"Axl, please." I tell him, but he can't hear me since all the windows are up and the engine is on. He walks to the passenger window and knocks. I roll it down. "Axl please." I repeat.

He opens the passenger door and sits down. "What just happened?" He asks.

The million-dollar question.