Chapter 13

 

"Come on we're almost there," Jack assured Ally.

"Jack where are you taking me?" Ally asked holding tightly to his hand as he led her blindfolded down what appeared to be a cobblestone path.

"To your surprise my inquisitive one. It's just a few more steps we're almost there."

"It's a good thing I trust you," Ally smirked.

"A good thing for both of us," he said giving her cheek a quick kiss. "Alright, we're here," removing the blindfold from her eyes he breaks out in severely off key but heartfelt song.

"Only you can make all this world seem right
Only you can make the darkness bright
Only you and you alone can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you."

Ally was sincerely touched by the gesture but Jack's singing left a lot to be desired and listening to him attempting to sing the song with all the feeling she could see he had was truly cracking her up. She didn't stop him, she just stood there her hands covering her mouth to stifle the laughter as he continued to 'serenade' her.

"Only you can make all this change in me
For it's true you are my destiny
When you hold my hand I understand the magic that you do
You're my dream come true my one and only you"

Jack begins the next part of the song "On--,"

Ally cuts him off, "Thank you, I got it really, only me," she managed through her now unstoppable case of the giggles.

"Allison," he said astounded that she would laugh at his heartfelt presentation.

"Jack, that was just so…something. I'm so moved I have to laugh to keep from crying."

"That was suppose to overwhelm you with emotion but I wasn't looking for laughter," he said handing her one perfect long-stemmed red rose.

"It was overwhelming,'' she smiled. ''No really, Jack that was wonderful," inhaling the fragrance of the rose. "No one's ever serenaded me before not counting Daddy's lullabies when I was little and he was off key a bit too," Ally gave him a kiss then turned to take in her surroundings. The setting was so beautiful incoming moonlight and a light splattering of stars was being reflected off the shimmering water of the lake. The sound of chirping crickets and the scent and light from the half-dozen citronella candle torches that were placed strategically around the area added to the ambiance of the already romantic scene. There was a blanket spread out before her with a huge picnic basket sitting atop it, a small portable charcoal grill over to the right of them, and two medium size thermal coolers and a CD player off to the immediate left. "Jack this is really beautiful, thank you," giving him a hug of appreciation. "I'm glad you like it," returning the hug, "and it's all for you, only you," he smiled, "although you laughed at my singing. Happy Birthday Allison," he said ending the hug.

"How did you manage to do all this?"

"With the right inspiration I could do anything, but this was my pleasure," taking her hand he invites her to take a seat on the blanket as he joins her. "I hope you're hungry because the contents of this basket," patting the picnic basket, "is a choice array of some of your favorite foods one of which I'm going to prepare for your culinary delight."

"You're going to prepare?"

"I may not be a Grammy award winning singer, but I'm a whiz on the grill, trust me you'll love it." Opening the basket Jack begins to take out its contents. "We have 100% pure ground beef seasoned to perfection by the cook at Kelly's Diner I can cook it but mixing it up is not my forte, along with that we have all the fixings to make the perfect Allison Harmon Eighteenth Birthday Cheeseburger Deluxe. I didn't think French fries would last too long out here so I've got the second best thing," digging into the basket he pulls out a bag, " ta-da potato chips. A six pack of your must have Diet 7-UP are chilling in the cooler there," pointing to the blue cooler, and since no birthday would be complete without this," he lifts open the second cooler, "strawberry shortcake for dessert, with extra, extra strawberries because I know how much you love them. I know it's not the traditional birthday cake, but most traditions are boring anyway right," he smiles. Pulling out a Bic lighter from the basket he lights the single candle on the cake and sings a chorus of Happy Birthday. "Make a wish and blow out the candle."

"Alright." Ally closes her eyes for a few moments and then blows out the candle.

"Okay what did you wish?"

"If I tell you it won't come true," she informed him with a smile.

"Maybe if you tell me I might be able to help make it come true that much faster, that is if it's at all in my power."

"Oh it's within your power, but I think I'll keep it to myself anyway just to be on the safe side," she replied coyly.

"Hey you're the birthday girl, your wish is my command, and that would be the case even if it wasn't your birthday. Finding out what that wish is will be a fun activity for me to indulge in throughout the evening. Right now I'm going to get the grill started so here's a little music to keep you entertained," inserting a CD in the portable stereo and pressing play, "while I go get this party underway," he finished giving her a kiss on the cheek and heading to the grill.

Ally smiled to herself as she wondered if everyone in the world was as happy as she was at that moment.

In the Port Charles Grille at least two people could answer that question with a resounding "absolutely not!"

"It's you?" MJ said stunned that the tough as nails cop could look so…'damn good!' his head shouted. "I didn't recognize you. You actually look like a real person out of that Super cop get up."

"Really, and your head looks even bigger outside of that sports car you drive too fast," Jensyn retorted all the while wondering how two seemingly down to earth people like Matt and Ellen could have a son with such an over-inflated ego. Sure he was handsome but did he have to make sure everyone in the world knew it.

"Ahem," MJ clears his throat, "anyway Mom and Dad our table is ready if you're done here we can go have our dinner."

"One minute son, we'd like to introduce you to some old acquaintances of ours more formally than the 'you must know who I am' intro you gave.

Dara, Mac this is our son MJ, MJ this is Mac and Dara Scorpio, it seems you've already met their lovely daughter Jensyn," Ellen said picking up the tension between the two of them that was thicker than London fog.

"Yes I've had the uh…pleasure," he replied sarcastically rolling his eyes, "of meeting Officer Scorpio earlier tonight." Turning from Jensyn to her parents, "Mac and Dara, Scorpio and Jensen as in the former law and order of Port Charles?" MJ asked.

"Yes we were that, years ago," Mac answered for him.

"Hmm, now it makes sense," shooting Jensyn a hard stare.

"What is 'that' supposed to mean?!" Jensyn snapped.

"You're a cop, maybe not a detective…yet," intimating to his obvious deduction that her parents' pull aided in her current job acquisition, "but I think you can figure it out."

"Alrighty then I'm starved," Matt said deciding to break up the little scene before it became a big scene. "Mac, Dara it was great seeing you guys again, we'll have to get together and catch up. Jensyn it was a pleasure meeting you," extending his hand to her.

"You too Dr. Harmon," Jensyn returned shaking his hand, "both of you," she said giving Ellen a cordial smile before exchanging one last glare with MJ.

"Enjoy your dinner," Ellen said as they prepared to leave.

"You too," Mac replied. Once the Harmons were gone and Jensyn was seated at the table Mac wasted no time in asking Jensyn the question both he and Dara were dying to know the answer to, "What the hell was that about?"

At the Harmon table Ellen had just submitted the same question to MJ. "So what's going on?" she reiterated.

"That guy is an egotistical wind bag," Jensyn declared.

"That chick is more holier than thou than the Pope and three nuns," MJ affirmed.

"He is a very attractive young man," Dara admitted.

"If you like the arrogant, pompous, jerk type, sure," Jensyn conceded as her eyes darted to MJ who was sitting three tables away.

"I don't know son, that Jensyn is a knockout," Matt offered.

"Sure if you like the bossy, I'm in charge and never wrong type, she's okay," he feebly disclosed his eyes focusing on Jensyn seemingly on their very own.

"What is it about that guy?" Jensyn mused to herself as she continued to look MJ's way.

"What is it about her?" MJ also wondered of Jensyn as their eyes met for a prolonged moment. Breaking the gaze, they both turned their attention back to their parents, each cognizant of the attraction and antagonism brewing between them.

"You need any help?" Ally offered.

"No I don't need any help, in fact I'm done." Jack comes over with two perfectly grilled burgers, "So what do you want on yours?" he asked sitting next to her on the blanket.

"Everything except onions," Ally told him.

"But you like onions."

"Yeah I do but I think I'll pass on them tonight."

"Whatever you want."

"I'll remember you said that."

"You do that." Jack piled the fixing on the grilled cheeseburger and after putting a few potato chips on the side he offered her the paper plate. "Bon appetit," he smiled.

A few moments of hesitation pass, "If I don't make it I want to say again for the record that I do love you," Ally said as she examined the burger before her. "You're just a barrel of laughs tonight aren't you Allison? That burger is going to melt in your mouth, take a bite. Besides I didn't season it, I just cooked it."

"Okay," she concedes picking up the burger biting down into it, chewing then moments later swallowing, her facial expression never once changing.

"Well?" Jack asked curious as to what she thought.

Taking a paper napkin and wiping the corners of her mouth, "You're smart, gorgeous, and you can grill a burger like a master chef, I'm impressed," Ally smiled.

"So you really like it? You're not joshing me?" Biting into his burger.

"I'm not kidding, this burger is delicious," taking another bite of the burger. "Is there anything you can't do?" she inquired after swallowing her mouthful of burger.

"There is one thing," his tone becoming more serious. "I've been thinking a lot since last night and I've come to the conclusion that going to Columbia in the fall wouldn't be possible. I can't take any money from Uncle Chris. The very idea of living with him is…suffice it to say I'm looking for an apartment. I plan to work this year and then next year I'll come back to school. We'll be sophomores together. I've really thought this out Allison and it's the only way. This apartment will have to be very small and extremely inexpensive because I want to save every dime I can get my hands on. Work and sleep that's the plan for me from now until August of next year. Then I'll apply for a student loan to supplement the rest of the tuition until I graduate. This way you get to go to Columbia and eventually we'll be there together."

"Jack…" Ally began placing the paper plate on the blanket.

"Allison this is the only way."

"It doesn't have to be."

"Well this is what I came up with and it's doable."

"Almost doable. How am I supposed to do without seeing you for almost a year?"

"I know Ally, thinking about not seeing you everyday is like somebody digging a knife into my chest and twisting it, but knowing that that with every day that passes I'm that much closer to being with you will make it bearable, and I promise to come visit as often as I can." Picking up her plate and extending it to her, "Now with all the serious talk out the way let's finish eating these burgers and then dive into that shortcake."

Ally's wearing a despondent look.

"What is it?" He asked placing both the plates on the blanket.

"Your way is not going to work," she informed him.

"Yes it will, like I said I…"

"Thought about it, I know. I still don't think it will work."

"Why not?"

"Because I won't see you. That's the one fatal flaw of your plan. So now I have a plan."

"Allison you're going to Columbia, that's that," Jack informed her flatly.

"I thought I left Matt Harmon at home," Ally said just a bit annoyed by his insistence. "Would you let me talk please? Your way won't work, because it doesn't work for me."

Jack attempts to speak but Ally halts him.

"Sshhh, let me finish. I'm fortunate in that every aspect of my post-secondary education is paid for. College, med school all of it is put aside in a trust that I can access now."

"I'm not taking money from you Allison," Jack explained to her.

"Did I offer you any? Would you please let me finish?" Shaking her head as she withdrew an exasperated breath.

"Anyway I don't have to worry about having money for school, I have it. It wasn't your fault that your dad had a penchant for gambling and lost everything. And it's not your fault that life insurance policies got cancelled because of his lack of payment due to being in debt so I don't think you should have to pay for it, at least not by yourself." "I don't want anything from Uncle Chris."

"You might not want anything from him but that doesn't mean you don't need anything from him because you do. Jack you already said he's paid up your tuition for the year. It's already done, paid in full. If you're insistent on not taking anything from him pay him back, afterward. Why put this financial strain on yourself if you don't have to. You know how long it takes to be a doctor. Taking off a year is not the brightest idea in the world. That and because I really want you to be with me at Columbia."

"Taking this money from Uncle Chris would really make him happy, but being with you there won't make him jump for joy. I told you about his reaction when I told him your were Columbia bound. I already know your father hates me, he's made that perfectly clear."

"Daddy doesn't hate you, it's just maybe a strong distaste, but he'll get over it. He's making an effort already."

"Yeah," he mumbled deciding not to go there, "okay he has a strong distaste for me, a distaste that is as strong as the hatred Uncle Chris has for him and the idea of us being together. Do you ever think we're so hell bent on being together just to unnerve them?"

"Sometimes I try to convince myself of that, it would certainly make things a lot easier if that were the case, but it's pointless because I know that it's not."

"Me too. It's almost like the fates are playing a cruel trick on your father and my uncle. Our falling in love happened so fast Ally and neither they nor we could do anything to stop it. It was like a collision course with destiny or something. I wish I could express what seeing you and talking to you those first few minutes did to me and my world, but if I had a million years and every word created by man to use I'd never be able to do it. All I know is that I love you so completely nothing else makes sense." Taking her hand in his, "You know you're the first woman since my mother died that cared about me, the real me so much. I know I keep saying this but my mom would have loved you. Just seeing how happy you make me would put her right over the top and you two are a lot alike. My mother was beautiful and you are the most exquisite example of femininity I've ever seen. She had a great sense of humor like you and like you she understood me, she always knew when something both!

ered me without my having to say a word, just like you. I really miss her, especially with Uncle Chris being so disappointing right now."

"I wish I could have known your mother," Ally said stroking his cheek.

"Me too," moving his head slightly to place a kiss inside her open palm.

"From the pictures you've shown me I can see where you look a lot like her. That dark hair and those bluer than blue eyes you are your mother's image. I can tell she was a stunning woman."

"She was, but I don't think she was ever as happy as she could have been. I know she loved my father but it wasn't like what I see with your parents, they are just so easy with each other. My parents weren't like that. They cared about each other, but something was missing. I spent most of my time growing up in boarding school. Mom she wanted the best for me and when I got older I guess she felt keeping me away from Dad's gambling addiction would somehow protect me. When I was home Mom and I would just spend lots of time together just talking and catching up. Dad would have dinner with us on occasion and we'd have the illusion of the perfect upper middle class family but that's all it was, an illusion. Dad and I never had that bond a father and son should have. I knew he loved me in his way, but his time was just not something he had in surplus to give so he gave me money and things. He worked and then when he wasn't doing his business work he was away doing his other work, gambling. When he did well he did really well, but when he did bad it was even worse and I didn't find out any of this until it was too late. So there was Uncle Chris being dad when Dad couldn't be, when my father was too busy with other things. I would have been lost without him when Mom and Dad were gone. When all these lawyers came up to me a seventeen-year-old kid informing me my family's home belonged to them now. Everything we had every dime, every knickknack, every thing belonged to someone else, I was at a complete loss, but Uncle Chris handled it. He did everything he could to keep my life as stable as possible. He wanted things to stay consistent for me so he paid for the last year of boarding school and in all honesty saved me from being swallowed into a sea of despair and complete loneliness for my mother and regret for the relationship I would never have with my father. Now two years later I can hardly look at Uncle Chris without getting so angry I can barely see straight. Shaking his head, "Why am I doing this? This is your birthday."

"We were talking about your mother."

"No we were talking about my not going to school this year and maybe taking money from Uncle Chris. Why does it feel like taking this money is likening to selling my soul to the devil?"

"Because you're angry and upset with him, but you're going to have to try and find a way to work through this because you love him and you need his help right now. I also think that you should still live with him and not worry about an apartment. You two need to talk, avoidance is not the answer."

"I can't believe you're defending this man after all he's done to your parents. Trust me he'd never do this for you or your folks."

"Who knows maybe he'll come around, Daddy's trying."

"Yeah he's trying alright," Jack grumbled.

"Why are you being so negative? Daddy is making an effort. Jack he shook your hand and he didn't make you leave the house. That was huge. Sure he was a bit snide but all in all it was positive. When he and Mom came into my room this morning and told me about this I was so pleasantly surprised. He knows you make me happy and he's trying to accept that."

"Begrudgingly. Your father and I had a little talk at the hospital this afternoon."

"You did? Why didn't you tell me about that?"

"The right time hadn't presented itself. Seems Dr. Harmon was desperate to know what you and your mother were talking about in your room this morning and he felt like I knew what that was."

"So he came to you and asked?"

"Yes he did. When I told him I didn't have a clue he didn't believe me and he insisted that lying to him wasn't something I wanted to do."

"No?" Ally said in both an inquiring and disbelieving tone.

"Yes," Jack replied nodding his head. "Once I assured him I had no idea I thanked him for allowing us the chance to see each other and explained how much it meant to me. His reaction was that of complete indifference. He didn't care what it meant to me because he was doing this for you and your mother and the maintenance of harmony in your home. He then finished by saying he was watching me and that he was waiting for me to screw up and when I did he was going to hurt me real bad."

"He didn't say that?" Ally asked in shock.

"Okay he didn't say it quite like that."

"I didn't think so," Ally breathed in relief.

"What he said was and I'm paraphrasing just a bit is that I had one time and he expressed the one to hurt you and when I did because he knows I'm going to it was gonna be him and me. He then assured me that it wouldn't be pretty. That's what he said."

"I'm sorry Jack," she said extremely contrite.

"Don't apologize you didn't do anything wrong but he thinks I will. And if I know what's good for me I'd better not touch you, I shouldn't even think about that. I got that warning twice, well three times if you count the look."

"That's what happened at the house when I held your hand?"

"Yes."

"Well forget all that, I promise I won't tell him you touched me if you won't."

"I think your dad could take one look at me and tell. What were you and your mom talking about anyway? You said they tell each other everything and if she didn't tell him about this it had to be really big or really insignificant."

"Or really personal, which it was, which is also why I asked Mom to keep it between us. That and I told her I knew about the pictures. I forgot about them last night but I did retrieve them from outside this morning and put them in a safe place. I still couldn't bring myself to look at them though."

"Are you going to give the pictures to them?"

"I don't know. I don't even want to think about those pictures anymore. What I want to do is enjoy the rest of my birthday. Listen," the opening instrumental of "Endless Love" begins to play, "I love that song," Ally sighed. "Me too. It's perfect. May I have this dance?" Jack asked rising to his feet and extending his hand to her.

"Absolutely," Ally answered standing taking his hand and walking along with him the few steps in front of the blanket as Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey began to croon the lyrics to the revised version of the timeless classic.

My love,
There's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
My first love,
You're every breath that I take
You're every step I make
And I
(I-I-I-I-I)
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do...
And your eyes
Your eyes, your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Oh yes, you will always be
My endless love
Two hearts,
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun
And Forever
(Forever)
I'll hold you close in my arms
I can't resist your charms
And love
Oh, love
I'll be a fool
For you,
I'm sure
You know I don't mind
Oh, you know I don't mind
'Cause you,
You mean the world to me
Oh
I know
I know
I've found in you
My endless love

As the instrumental refrain played on the couple continued to sway to the music. Their hearts pounding in tune with the other's as they held fast to one another. The words of the song seemed to echo the sentiments they were feeling in their hearts and souls from the practically the moment they met and these words were now almost like a blanket around them. As the lyrics began again they each found themselves singing the end of the song to each other along with the singers as their eyes met and held.

Oh, and love
I'll be that fool
For you,
I'm sure
You know I don't mind
Oh you know-
I don't mind
And, YES
You'll be the only one
'Cause NO one can deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
My love
My love, my love
My endless love

At the song's conclusion the duo beheld each other for several quiet moments before their lips met in a kiss that would mark a huge step into an uncharted zone they were both ready and willing to take together.

Back at the Grille, Matt, Ellen and MJ were finishing their dinner as they continued to discuss MJ's big break. "So this Ms. Donnelly just put you out there?" Ellen asked MJ.

"That's right Mom. She saw a good thing and wanted to run with it, and those were her words Dad," MJ explained after seeing the look on Matt's face after his last statement. "She said that having an ego in this line of work can be an asset."

"Well then you are definitely in the right line of work," Matt acknowledged.

"This is a huge opportunity for me and like Ms. Donnelly I'm going to run with it. Local news now, but before I'm done I'm going to be a well respected world renowned investigative TV reporter, just watch."

"You've done everything you set your mind to so far, I'm sure you'll make that happen as well. Now in a different kind of running with this greatness you have, exactly what happened with you and Officer Scorpio tonight?"

"I don't know. My guess is she had to harass an unsuspecting citizen to no doubt get that ticket quota for the day. She said I was speeding and ran a red light," MJ explained.

"Doesn't sound like a stretch to me," said Ellen.

"Don't take her side Mom, she was out of line. I was going five miles beyond the speed limit, no one gets stopped for that and the light was yellow. Not only did she write me a ticket, she called me a jerk too."

"What was she thinking?" Matt quipped with a light chuckle. "Look son I think you might be a little peeved about the ticket, but it didn't stop you from throwing that over abundance of charm you have her way when you approached her parents table."

"That was a momentary lapse of judgement."

"If you say so," Ellen added, "but I've seen you taking glances over in her direction."

"You misunderstood Mom. If you saw me looking in that direction it's because of the shock of seeing that the officer who pulled me over could look well…like that," his eyes darting in Jensyn's direction for a quick moment, "that's it. Trust me, I have absolutely no interest in that woman," MJ declared once again glancing in Jensyn's direction. While the Harmons were finishing their meal the Scorpio clan were also sharing enlightening dinner conversation. "Is criminal activity in Port Charles everything you expected it to be?" Dara asked her daughter.

"I've been on the force for two months and I haven't seen any of the stuff I've wanted to," Jensyn answered.

"Commissioner Taggert is being so cautious with me. Today was the first time he let me patrol by myself and it was only for the last couple of hours of my shift."

"And you have a problem with that?" Mac questioned.

"Yes. I may be a rookie on the PC force but I've been in law enforcement for over a year and a half. I left Australia because I wanted the grit of American crime, but what do I get? The thrill of ticketing obnoxious jerks."

"Attractive obnoxious jerks," Dara added with MJ in mind.

"Yeah well still, that wasn't the plan. I know I said I didn't want to ride the coattails of you and Dad or Uncle Robert and the greatness you had in this city, but I can't make the name I want for myself being a glorified meter maid."

"Jenny don't rush things," Mac advised. "I'm sure Marcus knows what he is doing."

"You sure he's not doing what you told him to do Dad? You and Mum have moved back here when you always said you would never come back after you finally got the mob scene here cleaned up, but now here you are."

"I couldn't tell Taggert anything when I was commissioner, how am I going to tell him anything now with him as commissioner?"

"We didn't want you to be lonely Jen. Your brothers have each other, so we decided you would have us," Dara explained.

"I know there's more to it than just that, but I am glad you're here. I did miss you."

"And we missed you." Now jumping to a totally different topic of conversation, "So, what about MJ Harmon?" "What about him, he's a self-absorbed jerk."

"That you've gazed in the direction of during dinner on more than one occasion. The cop in me notices these things," Mac said.

"Chock it up to the amazement I find in watching his head expand with every passing minute, nothing more."

"If you say so," Dara said with a smirk.

"Yes I say so. I would never have any interest in someone like MJ Harmon," Jensyn asserted as she cast another glance at MJ.

Ally and Jack were now lying on the blanket sharing torrid white-hot kisses. Their passion was threatening to reach the boiling point when Jack brought a halt to their intensity.

"Jack what's wrong?" Ally asked breathlessly as she joined him in an upright position while her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

"Wrong? Nothing," Jack answered, his heart also pounding and his eyes boring into hers as his right thumb caressed her cheek.

"Then why did you stop?"

"Because if I didn't stop I wouldn't be able to."

"And that's a problem?" she asked brushing her lips softly against his.

"Allison are you sure about this?"

"Am I sure about this? I'm sure that I've never felt this way before in my life. I'm sure that if a month ago someone had told me that I would be madly in love with the nephew of my father's worst enemy, a guy I had never even met I would say he or she was crazy. I'm sure that these feelings I feel for you are never going away and that I want to show you just how much you mean to me."

"Allison I know how you feel about me, you don't have to prove anything. I can see when I look in your eyes how much you care about me. I don't need anything else, and I don't want you to feel like you have to make love to me to prove something."

"I don't want to do this to prove anything Jack. I want to make love to you, don't you want me?"

"Do I want you?" He repeated cupping the side of her face and stroking her dimpled cheek. "Ally do you really have to ask. You're already my dream come true to make love to you would be another dream realized. I just want this to be absolutely perfect for you."

"It will be. I mean I don't have anything to compare it to, but I can't imagine it not being perfect."

"Nothing to compare it to?" You're a virgin?"

"You sound surprised."

"No not surprised; pleased I guess is a word. You're so beautiful Allison I just figured that…"

"I've dated a couple of guys, but I've never been in love before now. Making love is not just sex to me, it's making love, and it's sharing everything you are with someone who means the world to you. Opportunities were plentiful for mindless sex but I didn't want that; so yes, I am a virgin. You are the only man I've wanted to share my all with. The first time is a very special event in itself and sharing this with you will make it even more so. I don't have any doubts, I love you and I want to be with you."

"That you would choose to share this gift of yourself with me means more than I could say. You might find this hard to believe but your views on physical intimacy are totally in sync with mine. I've had lots of opportunities too, and peer pressure like you wouldn't believe, it's really tough on guys, but it had to be right for me and those opportunities weren't right. This," bringing her left hand to his lips and gently kissing it, "this feels right. I don't have anything to compare it to either and this revelation would shock the hell out of Uncle Chris but I'm a virgin too. Having my first time with you, the woman I love more than anyone or anything in this world would be more incredible than anything I can think of."

"Then we're in agreement," Ally smiled.

"Looks like it."

"I love you Jack, and I trust you completely."

"And I you, and I want you to trust in my promise that I'm going to make this experience perfect for you in every way I can."

Song Credit:  ''Only You'' The Platters