Chapter 14

 

Having kept his end of the bargain by being 'civil' to Jack, Matt was more than ready for Ellen to hold up her end. When they arrived back to the house Matt immediately began dropping subtle hints MJ's way after he saw him getting comfortable on the couch.

"Thanks for dinner son, it was great. Your mom and I are really happy about this promotion you got and I know you want to keep looking like a million bucks so you'd better go on home now and get your rest," Matt said giving MJ a pat that was more of a nudge on his shoulder.

"There's no rush Dad, I don't have work tomorrow," MJ said clicking on the TV with the remote and then surfing the channels. Stopping when something interesting caught his eye, "I've seen part of this movie before, it's really funny."

Never once looking at the TV, "We've seen it already," Matt remarked a bit irritably as he watched MJ become more enthralled with the movie. "You know if you hurried you could probably catch Jensyn Scorpio at the Grille. She and her parents were staying for dessert."

That caught MJ's attention as he turned his focus from the TV and to his father. "Now why would I want to do that?"

Ellen added her two cents. "Don't play that. You couldn't keep your eyes off her." MJ was about to expound on that when Ellen continued. "And don't even try that 'I was just stunned she could look human' bit, the girl is gorgeous, you know it and you find her extremely attractive."

"Extremely?" MJ repeated in a lackluster fashion not aware his interest had been so apparent

"A picture is worth a thousand words son and your face spoke volumes."

"I wasn't looking that much alright. Sure Jensyn Scorpio is pretty enough but she's not all that, and I'm not about to go to the Grille to run her down," he stated flatly. "I'm MJ Harmon, I don't run after women, they run after me."

"That they do, most recently in police squad cars," Matt offered lightly.

"Funny Dad. How did this conversation turn into Jensyn Scorpio? Look let's just watch the movie."

"We don't want to watch the movie."

"That's fine, we can watch something else."

"MJ we don't want to watch TV," Matt informed him.

"Well it's still early, what you want to catch a movie?" MJ asked reaching for the newspaper to check the movie listings. "I think there are some pretty interesting flicks out right now."

"I don't think your father was thinking of a movie," Ellen remarked taking Matt's hand and lacing his fingers with hers.

The light bulb suddenly goes off in MJ's head, "That's not very subtle Mom but in retrospect at least your hint came through Dad was a little too subtle but I get it now." Standing up from the sofa, "Boy I hope I'm as frisky as you two are when I get old, because this is ridiculous." Mumbling to himself as he made his way to the door, "I decide to spend my Friday evening with the folks and they practically throw me out the house so they can get their groove on. No wonder you didn't want any dessert at the Grille you had your own dessert for two in mind. I can't believe this. A couple of weeks from now you'll be wondering why your celebrity son doesn't come over and visit anymore and all I'm gonna say is 'Remember this night'. Aren't you going to show me to the door?" MJ asked turning to face them. "You remember where it is, lock it on your way out. Us old folk need to get to bed."

"Yeah it's what 9:15, way past our bedtime. I just hope our eyesight keeps long enough for us to make it to the room," Ellen added.

"Humor does not become you two. Goodnight," MJ said finally leaving.

"Alone at last," Matt relayed excitedly bringing Ellen to his lap and giving her a kiss that was just a taste of things to come. "Get thee to the bedroom woman, I'm going to rock your world."

"Promises, promises," Ellen smirked going toward the room.

"Just you wait baby," Matt vowed following in hot pursuit.

**********

Mac and Dara have just returned to their hotel room after dinner.

"It was good seeing Matt and Ellen again and meeting their son," Dara said removing her shoes

"Yeah it was. I don't think Jenny would agree with you on the son part," Mac laughed as he removed his coat and tie. "I think she likes him in spite of herself. Which is what's really driving her nuts," he deduced pulling out his shirttail from his slacks before unbuttoning it.

"I got that too. When we find a house and get settled in we've got to have Matt and Ellen over." Dara proclaimed walking to Mac for his assistance with the zipper of her knee length dress.

"You're not going to try and conspire to play matchmaker are you?" Mac inquired grazing her shoulder with kisses as he lowered the zipper of the dress.

"Who me?" she smirked innocently stepping out of the dress and heading to the chest of drawers where she pulled out a light blue nightgown. "Seeing as Ellen has always been a close friend to Kevin I don't think it will be long before she mentions seeing us to him," Dara remarked removing her undergarments before donning the gown.

"You're probably right," Mac agreed removing the rest of his clothing leaving only a pair of black silk boxers.

"Are you going to call him first?" Dara asked heading into the bathroom.

"I should," Mac conceded joining her in the bathroom and resting against the long bathroom counter and watching Dara perform her evening facial ritual. "I haven't spoken to him since before we left. Kevin's my best friend and I don't know what I'm going to say to him."

Rinsing the remnants of her facial scrub away, "Tell him the truth," Dara suggested

Handing her a towel, "The truth huh?"

"Works for me," Dara replied taking the towel and drying her face.

"I can see it now, 'Kevin the reason you haven't heard from me in over twenty years is because well Dara and I have been having babies and raising them and just loving each other and the family we created oh and yeah that old mystical Aboriginal buddy of mine Tanganeva predicted all kinds of heartache for me and mine if we ever returned to or talked to anyone in Port Charles.' Yeah Kevin will understand that perfectly."

"They say truth is stranger than fiction right. I'm sure he'll understand. I can't stay angry with you but then again I don't think those gorgeous eyes of yours have the same effect on him as they do me."

"I hope not," Mac chuckled giving her a kiss. "I'll go see him tomorrow, but how do I explain us being back here?"

"You'll tell him the 'whole' story. Now forgive me, but I don't want to talk about Kevin anymore."

"What do you want to talk about?" He asked wrapping his arm around her waist and bringing her close to him. "For starters how great you look in those boxers you're wearing."

"Hmm, funny I was just thinking of how great you look 'out' of that nightgown," dusting kisses along the side of her neck as his right hand snaked upward and gently squeezed her right breast through the satin gown. "Being back in Port Charles makes my mind flash to the last full night we spent in this town."

"Great night as I remember," her fingers threading in his curly locks.

"A wonderful night, a magical night. The first time we made love. The beginning of our beginning," giving her lips a soft kiss

"I can't believe we kept missing what was right in front of us."

The back of his left hand gently stroking her face, "I'm just glad we did finally see it, and oh how did we see it…"

Flashback…

Reporters are swarming around Mac and Dara shouting question after question their way as they make a mad dash for the elevator. Thirty minutes before a jury brought in a guilty verdict finally bringing the Port Charles mafia scene to an end. After a short press conference the two were more than ready to escape the melee of the frenzied press. Now safe behind the closed doors of the elevator they both took a deep breath and slowly released it

"I can't believe it's over. It's really over," Dara said feeling the weight of what felt like the world being lifted from her shoulders.

"I heard the verdict, I saw the guards take them away but I can't really believe it. It is over. Moreno, Sorel, Corinthos, that blank wall of space Morgan, they have all been brought down."

"And they'll be spending the rest of their lives in a federal maximum security prison. Six years, it took six years but it's done."

"Why aren't we bouncing off the walls?" Mac wondered dejectedly.

"I don't know," Dara sighed.

The elevator doors open, "Can I drive you home?"

"Yes as a matter of fact you can. I've spent so much time in that office, at the police station and in court I just want to be away from everything."

"Let's go."

After arriving at her place Dara invites Mac in for a celebratory drink

"I wish I had champagne but wine is what's on tap," Dara said handing Mac a glass of chardonnay as she took a seat next to him on the couch.

"Why don't you make the toast Ms. ADA?" Mac invited her.

"Okay short and sweet. To justice… finally prevailing."

"To justice," Mac repeats clicking his glass with hers before bringing the chilled beverage to his lips and taking a drink.

Once taking a sip of the white wine Dara placed the glass on the coffee table, "You know as happy as I am that we've finally brought the Port Charles underworld down there's still this hollow void I'm feeling. All these years we were the problem.'' Making quotes with her index and middle fingers, '''Our inept ability to bring down these big time criminals'. The mayor, the DA who threw this case on me, the Quartermaines and those other loud mouth PC citizens that gave us all this grief are quiet now, it's over, done, and I've come to a conclusion."

"What's that?" Mac asked not taking his eyes off her as he set his glass on the coffee table next to hers

"I'm done too. I don't want this anymore; I don't need it."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going to resign, quit, give it up. The mob is gone and I'm just tired. The only other good thing I can say about all of this is I got to spend more time with you. That was my sanity throughout all of this."

"For me too. I had decided long ago that when this was done I was going to turn in my badge. There used to be a gratification I got being police commissioner but that stopped with this whole mob thing. It became us against them and everyone else because the people I was supposed to be protecting were turning on me and questioning my ability and no one understood, no one but you. I had to win and I have and I don't have a damn thing to prove to any of them anymore. The war is over and…"

"And what?" Dara questioned trying to understand what he was saying as their eyes remained locked on each other

"And standing among the ruins I realize that the one constant in all of this has been you. Through all of it, hell through everything you've been right here, being strong. My marriage to and divorce from Felicia you've been a friend. When she up and disappeared with the girls and Spencer with only a letter saying 'I'll be in touch' you were there for me giving me an ear to bend and a shoulder to cry on. Why is it that I couldn't see what was right in front of me all these years?"

"Mac what are you saying?"

Pushing the hair against her cheek aside as his hand caressed it, "I'm saying the trees are clear now and I can see the forest. You are truly my best friend Dara and I love you."

"You've been a great friend to me too Mac. I feel the same way."

" I don't think you understand. I…love…you. I am in love with you. Its like glass it's so clear to me."

"You're in love with me?"

"You find that hard to believe? Dara you are an incredibly beautiful woman and I've always found you very attractive."

"A part of me always wondered when we had that flirtation all those years ago, what if? But then you married Felicia and I was involved with Justus and Marcus and I just stopped thinking about it. But now with the dust settled with the trial and everything it's like an epiphany. I'm in love with you too."

"You are?" he asked holding his breath as he waited for her to confirm it for him again

Taking his free hand in hers, "Yes I am," she admitted.

Letting the breath go, "Now I feel like bouncing off the walls. That's what was missing, the unspoken words. The trial being over meant that our spending so much time together was going to be over too and I don't want it to be over," caressing her cheek.

"Me either. Now that the words have been spoken and the happiness is settling in, what next?"

Taking her face in his hands, "Whatever feels right, and right now I feel like holding you and never letting you go."

"It's amazing how we're feeling the same thing," Dara said placing her hands on his as their lips came together in an explosive kiss.

"We made love for hours. You were so incredible and like a great wine it got even better with time," Mac purred as he gave her a passion filled kiss. "I felt like I was reborn that night."

"Reborn, something got born that night or should I say conceived."

"Tristan and Travis. I guess that explains why I raced over to the nearest justice of the peace and got us married that same night," he laughed.

"That was the most impulsive and most wonderful thing I've ever done."

"I second that emotion Mrs. Scorpio," kissing her lips while swooping her up into his arms and carrying her to the bed where he gently laid her down. "I think it only appropriate we celebrate our first night back in Port Charles the same way we did our last night here," Mac muttered as his hand inched up under her nightgown and began to caress her bare hips and backside before lowering himself atop her allowing her to feel the effect she was having on him as his lips captured hers in a torrid kiss.

They continued to share fiery kisses as their hands explored the other's body, "Let me help you," Dara offered removing her nightgown before stripping away his silk boxers. "Silk and satin have their place, but right now I just want to feel you. I love you so much."

"And I love you, and right now I'm going to show you just how much."

Skin to skin heart to heart Mac and Dara shared their love and each other and over again.

Zurich, Switzerland

Zachary Grayson was just about to leave for the airport when the phone in the luxurious apartment he had been calling home for the last several weeks rang. "Hello," Zachary answered impatiently

"Zach you're about to move again," Riley Masters informed him.

"You got that right Riley. I was just on my way to the airport I haven't seen my wife in weeks. I can't take another day in this apartment."

"They're preparing to make their move soon. I'm afraid duty calls."

"Duty has been calling me for the last month and a half. I miss my wife I need to see her and I'm going to see her."

"Look you are our best operative and you've been working this case from the beginning you can't bail out now."

"Who said anything about bailing out. I just need some time, a few days, a week at the most."

"Look maybe when you hear where we're sending you, you'll change your mind."

"I doubt it, but I'm listening."

"Those account numbers you gave us, they've been traced to a bank in Port Charles, New York."

"Port Charles?"

"That's right."

"This might not be so bad after all."

"I thought you'd see it that way. Do your catching up but keep your eyes open too. This sting is huge and if it goes down right it will be an international coup but if anything goes wrong…"

"I'm a professional I know how to watch my back."

"Still we're making provisions."

"Provisions?"

"Don't worry, you just get to Port Charles and you'll be hearing from me," Riley said before ending the call.

Zach returned the phone to the charger. Working for the WSB had been an exciting experience, but after 15 years with the bureau he was ready to hang up his spy toys. This current case was huge and it demanded his full attention, but when it was over, it would be all over. The more years that passed the more the idea of having a family appealed to him. He would start the private eye business he'd been thinking about for the past couple of years that would really make her happy. A smile crept to his face as he thought of his wife and how he had missed her. "One way to fix that Zach," he said to himself as he grabbed his luggage and headed out the door.

After being dismissed from his parents' home MJ decided to go to Kelly's Diner for the dessert he didn't get at the Grille. He walked into the restaurant and immediately became aware of the chatter that began to take place when he entered.

Taking a seat at the counter the early forty-ish looking waitress came over to take his order somehow managing to find her voice as she became flustered at the sight of him being right there. "Mr. Harmon I saw you on the news today you were so great, and I seldom watch WLPC, but now I'll never stop watching because I just love watching you. You have such a presence and you're so nice looking and it's even more amazing because you frequent here and I know you, well I don't know you but I've seen you so many times in here and…"

Holding up his hand to halt her rambling, "Take a breath," he advised her with a smile now taking her hand in his to calm her.

"I'm going on and on, I'm sorry. That smile is so incredible, and your eyes are so beautiful my god you are such a nice looking young man."

"Thank you ma'am, can I have some pie?" he asked now letting her hand go.

"I'm sorry?" she asked her heart still fluttering.

"Pie, apple, a la mode and a cup of coffee."

"Oh pie."

"Yes ma'am," he said nodding his head.

"Sure I can do that."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome and it's on the house," she said pouring his coffee

"Thanks," he smiled.

"Oh that smile, I'll be right back with your pie, don't go anywhere."

"I won't," he assured her.

As the waitress slowly backed her way into the kitchen a group of female patrons made their way up to MJ

"MJ Harmon. I have got to tell you Channel 4 news has never been or looked so good," said one woman

"Tell me you'll be doing the news all the time," said another.

"Yes I'll be doing the noon and six news every weekday," he informed them.

"So you won't be on tomorrow?" Another female inquired disappointedly.

"Afraid not, but watch anyway okay, it's good for the station."

"Whatever you say," the group said in unison. "Can we have your autograph?"

"Sure," MJ agreed signing his autograph on paper napkins to the individual ladies.

After bestowing more praise and compliments on MJ the women finally went back to their respective tables. The jingling sound alerting the arrival of another Kelly's customer caused MJ's already overly stoked ego to become even more aroused. "Yet another fan," he thought with a smile.

The patron took the empty seat next to him.

Jumping ahead of himself as he pulled another napkin from the dispenser and never looking up began to sign his name as he spoke, "You don't have to ask, yes I'm MJ Harmon and sure you can have my autograph."

"I know who you are and I don't want your autograph," the now familiar Australian accent of Jensyn Scorpio replied "Are you following me now?" MJ asked crumbling the now unneeded napkin.

"Don't flatter yourself. Running into you every time I turn around is no doozey. I happen to live upstairs, don't confuse me with one of your groupies," she said nonchalantly.

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."

"You know Shakespeare. I guess I'm supposed to be impressed now," she said less than wowed

"What is your problem?"

"Men who have tickets on themselves."

"Will you please speak plain English!" MJ exclaimed. "If you're going to insult me at least you can do it in my native tongue and not that outback slang of yours."

"Okay how's this?" Getting to within a couple of inches of his face and willing herself not to get lost in his hypnotic eyes, "You are the most arrogant, self-absorbed man I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. Did you get that?"

Becoming slightly intoxicated by her perfume or was it her beauty, "Loud and clear. You want me," he smirked "In your dreams," Jensyn replied removing herself from his space wondering if her determined will somehow faltered leaving her transparent.

"Don't be embarrassed, you're a woman, a very beautiful one when you keep your mouth shut for more than a minute, it's only natural that you'd want me. "

"You're amazing," she said stunned at his ability to uplift himself and give a left-handed compliment at the same time.

"I know," he smiled taking a gander at himself in the shiny end of the napkin dispenser as Jensyn looked on shaking her head in disgust; at him for being so shallow and herself for being attracted to him

The waitress came up with his pie, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," she said sitting the pie with a healthy serving of ice cream before him.

"No not at all, Officer Scorpio has been keeping me entertained by regaling me with Australian catch phrases. Haven't you Officer?"

"I didn't know you knew MJ Harmon Jensyn," the waitress said impressed that Kelly's newest resident was acquainted with the town's hottest new celebrity.

"I don't really. I ran into him earlier today and it's been a thrill a minute ever since," she added sarcastically. "I stopped for a large coffee before going upstairs to work on a few things."

"I'll go get it for you."

"Thanks Dee," Jensyn said before turning her attention back to MJ and his pie. "You're actually going to eat that?" she asked.

"Yes, it's called apple pie a la mode. That's apple pie with ice cream usually vanilla on top. Apple pie is an American treat," he replied sardonically.

"Cute," she retorted. "I didn't think someone as stuck on themselves as you would eat dessert, the fat and calories would wreak havoc on that sculpted frame of yours. Not to mention what the sugar would do to that great complexion. I mean where would you be without that face?"

"I'm glad to see you're so well versed on my physical attributes. I take very good care of myself both mentally and physically and I'll have you know I'm a summa cum laude graduate of NYU. That's New York University with a major in mass communications and a minor in journalism so I'm not just a pretty face, that's just an added bonus." Dee arrived with Jensyn's large coffee. "Here you go. Need anything else?"

"Nothing going to my room won't give me," she sniped in MJ's direction before placing a dollar on the counter and going up the stairs with her coffee. If the fact that MJ's love of himself wasn't bad enough the fact that he was so smart yet so stupid at the same time irked her even more.

Watching as she disappeared up the stairs MJ wondered to himself why such a beautiful face and body had to be attached to the attitude and name of Jensyn Scorpio. What the hell was this weird effect she had on him, and why did he like it so much?

*****

Their bodies entwined Matt and Ellen were breaths away from reaching the threshold of pure ecstasy. With one final synchronized stroke they reached the epitome of orgasmic pleasure shouting declarations of love as they achieved their mutual release.

After several minutes had passed Matt was finally able to roll off of Ellen and on to his side of the bed being sure to lie on his stomach. "I'm going to have to get you declawed babe geez," referring to her animalistic scratching of his back during their lovemaking.

Shifting to her side, "I'm sorry," Ellen apologized as she gently touched the numerous red marks on his back. "You only have yourself to blame," giving his boo-boos a kiss. "There's only so much world rocking I can stand."

"Looks like we're going to have to work on your tolerance level," Matt replied with a lustful smile draping his arm around her and dusting her neck with kisses.

Running her hands through his thick head of hair as he continues to shower her neck with kisses, "You always knock the ball out of the park but you would think I've been neglecting you with that performance."

Giving her a curious look, "You have been neglecting me. Where do you think all that pent up passion came from? You wearing that black teddy last night then keeping me at arm's length. You've been neglecting me," turning his attention back to her neck.

"Well then I think it's safe to say we've both learned our lesson. I'll stop 'neglecting' you and you'll continue to try and be nice to Jack."

Turning over onto his back and propping his head on his pillows, "Why do you want to ruin this wonderful afterglow by mentioning that kid?"

"Because that kid is a reality in Allison's life and you need to get used to it."

"Speaking of Ally she's not home yet."

"How do you know? We've been occupied for a while, she might have come in."

"I didn't hear a car pull up."

Her hand rubbing against his chest, "There were other sounds reverberating in this room like moans of pleasure and cries of passion. We might not have heard her but she might have heard us," Ellen smiled.

Not amused, "She's not here Ellen. Where is she?"

Settling back against her pillows, "She's out with Jack."

"I know who she's with, I want to know where she's at with him. It's 10:30 it's starting to get late. Where are they? Better yet what are they doing?"

"Celebrating her birthday and it's not that late. Allison is responsible she knows what she's doing," Ellen replied not too convincingly.

Leaning on his elbow, "You don't sound too sure of that, and what does 'responsible' mean? Where did that come from?"

"Nowhere it's just a statement. I believe you've overexerted yourself. We should get some sleep," bringing the covers up around them.

"I'm not tired, and I'm not going to sleep until Allison gets home. What did you mean by responsible?"

"Nothing. I was just saying Ally's responsible and she is that."

"Why did you choose the word 'responsible'? What were you two talking about this morning?"

Breathing an exasperated breath, "You're back to that?"

Sitting up, "Ellen I never left it. You two were behind that door in deep conversation for a while and you never told me about what. Please tell me it's not what I'm thinking."

"I'm not telling you anything. I was speaking with Ally in confidence and I'm not going to break it."

"You don't have to say anything just nod your head. Did Ally tell you she was going to sleep with that boy?"

Ellen's head didn't move.

"Is that a no?"

"I'm not answering the question Matt."

"Then I'll take your silence as acknowledgement to what I'm thinking. You came out of her room this morning and you told me with your own lips I didn't want to know what you were talking about with her and you know I wouldn't want to know that. That's it isn't it? Allison told you she wanted to sleep with that boy. Damn! I can't believe this! She's only known this kid a couple of weeks. How could you let her go out with him knowing this was in her mind?"

"First of all, I never said you were right, and secondly how could I stop her?"

"Are you saying I'm wrong?"

"I'm not saying anything except Allison is an adult and she has to make her own choices."

"I don't like the way that sounds Ellen. And she's a very, very young adult."

"But an adult nonetheless and we had better get used to it." A car pulls up outside. "That's probably Allison now."

"She's home before midnight, maybe she's finally come to her senses and gave that kid the heave-ho."

"Do you actually believe Ally would have fought this hard to see Jack just to stop seeing him the second you start showing some semblance of civility to him? Please, there's no way," Ellen explained to him.

"It's possible," Matt returned.

"Yes, it's also possible for MJ to go a whole day without looking at himself in the mirror at least fifty times but what are the chances?"

"Well there's only one way to find out," Matt said reaching for and getting into his discarded slacks before transferring to his chair.

"I'm coming with you," Ellen told him making her way out of bed and into her robe.

"Please do, maybe I can pick up on some of those mother/daughter looks you two share."

"Don't count on it," Ellen advised as they left the room.

"Tonight was wonderful," Ally beamed her arms wrapped around Jack's neck.

"It was that," Jack agreed his arms around her waist, "and it's just the beginning."

Jack was leaning forward to give her a kiss just as Matt and Ellen entered the room.

Matt seeing what was about to happen readily cleared his throat.

Jack immediately pulls back and takes a couple of steps away from Ally.

"You're back early," Matt said shooting daggers at Jack.

"Daddy you were the one who told us to come back early. Now you question us when we do?" Ally replied

"Your mother and I was just wondering if something was wrong."

"What could be wrong?" Ally said taking the steps that separated her from Jack. "It's my birthday and I'm in love r with a wonderful guy," her hand now enclosed in Jack's. "Everything's perfect."

"So you two had a good time?" Ellen asked a bit uneasily.

"Incredible," Ally and Jack answered their shining eyes locked.

Matt's head screaming, "What the hell does that mean?!"

Pulling his eyes away from Ally, "I hope we weren't too loud and woke you up?" Jack asked noticing their lack of full attire.

"No we weren't…we weren't asleep," Ellen answered. "We were talking," glancing at Matt as she also tried to grasp what that 'incredible' meant.

"Oh."

"You want to sit down for a few minutes?" Ally asked Jack.

Feeling Matt's daggers still stinging him therefore refusing to look in his direction, "I'd better not. I think I should work on what I'll say to Uncle Chris about Columbia and you could probably use some time alone with your parents so I'm going to leave." Lowering his voice a little more, "You have to know I don't want to go."

"I know, but I understand. Let me walk you out."

"Okay." Now turning to Matt and Ellen, "Goodnight Dr. Harmon, Mrs. Harmon."

"Goodnight Jack," Ellen returned.

"Yeah," Matt grumbled as Ally and Jack walked out the door.

"The temperature took a sudden drop in there," Jack remarked as they headed to his car.

"So Daddy's gonna need a little more time, he is coming around."

"If you say so. I'd better go before he comes out here for you."

"Allow me to tell you once again how special tonight was for me. I'll never forget it."

"I hope not, but even if you do I'll help you remember because I'll never forget it either."

They share a very long kiss and after saying 'I love you' and 'goodnight' went their separate ways.

Ally went back inside the house humming happily and walking on air.

"I see you had a really good night," Matt stated interrupting her carefree reverie.

"Yes I really did," Ally agreed with a huge smile.

"What was Jack's surprise?" Ellen asked her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Mom it was wonderful. It was a moonlight picnic by the lake. He had music, a little grill where he prepared me the most delicious cheeseburger, strawberry shortcake, and he serenaded me. The singing was pretty bad but it was really sweet."

"That sounds like it was very romantic."

"Oh it was. The whole night was like a dream."

"Uhm-hmm," Ellen murmured as Matt worked overtime to prevent himself from thinking the worst as he listened to the words of his baby girl.

"I'm beat, so I'm going to go on to bed. Goodnight," Ally said walking toward her room

Ellen quickly walked up to her, "Honey are you alright?" she whispered.

"Mom I'm fine," Ally assured her. "Everything is just fine, don't worry," giving Ellen's hand a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek. "Maybe now you and Daddy can get back to that talking you were doing," she smirked before disappearing down the hall and into her room.

Reading Ellen's expression, "You think she did it? You think she slept with that kid don't you?"

"Honestly Matt, I don't know what to think. Something happened I just wish I knew what."