Three months later.......

    Jeff was just crawling out of bed, even though it was nearly one o' clock in the afternoon.  Ciara was still asleep in the bed in which he was sleeping.  The night before had been one of very little sleep, because they both had work to do.  He was signing some merchandise for an upcoming charity auction; she was correcting social studies assignments from her fourth grade class and, well, to make a long story short, they didn't get to bed until almost 5 AM.  Lack of sleep only made the morning more painful for the both of them to deal with.
    Jeff was the first to wake up, and he tried to put his best face forward for his girlfriend, whom he knew hated mornings.
    "Time to get up, hon.  I gotta feed the fish." Jeff said, kissing her nose, trying to be cheerful.
    "So, feed the damn fish.  I don't need to be up for you to do that. All I want to do is sleep." Ciara said,  whining as she buried her head under the covers.
    Jeff smiled at her reluctance to get out of bed.  Her cute stubbornness only made him dive under the covers, and grab her legs with his cold hands.
    "No sleep.  Time to get up, up, up!" Jeff said as he latched onto her leg. "So, you know what that means..... I will stay here with my cold hands until you get up, and out of bed."
    "Jeff, get away.. your hands are like ice." Ciara said, giggling a bit, as Jeff moved up her body, and came out so he was on top of her..
    "Ah, but you like them like that, my dear." Jeff said, as she laid her head back against the pillow.  She looked at him, and he looked at her.  Eventually, they were engaged in a huge liplock.
    "No, I like this much better." Ciara said, just holding him close to her, enjoying the moment.
    It had been three months since the incident at her house.  Soon afterward, she sold the house, and moved in with Jeff, at Jeff's insistence.  Anthony was shot dead trying to escape a maximum security federal prison, and Ciara's life had settled to a dull roar of activities, now that Anthony was no longer a concern of hers.  The only concern she had was whether Jeff was going to jump into bed with wet, freshly dyed hair and ruin her pillows, like he did last time he just Manic Panic-ed his hair.
    After about an hour of complaining and Jeff almost having to pull her out of bed, Ciara finally got up.  Jeff and Ciara sat in the kitchen, eating pancakes for brunch.  Jeff looked at her, and smiled. "So, are we going to Myrtle Beach for New Year's?" he asked.
    "Sure, I guess.  I mean, I wasn't invited or anything." Ciara said to Jeff, as she put her plate in the sink.
    "Ciara, you are my girl.  You are a member of the group now, so don't feel like you aren't ever invited.  Whatever gave you the impression that you weren't?" Jeff asked as he got up and walked over to her.
    "Amy.  I have a feeling she doesn't like me." Ciara plainly said. "Every time I am around her, I feel like the outsider.  Like she doesn't want me there."
    "Why don't you just ask her why she gives you the cold shoulder?  She has no reason to." Jeff said, standing in back of her and rubbing her arms.
    Ciara sighed, "So, you guys really want me there?" she asked Jeff.
    "I do, and I won't go if you don't." Jeff answered, while kissing her neck.

Matt's Bedroom...
    "Amy, are you going to Myrtle Beach with us for New Year's?" Matt asked her, as he was talking to Jeff on Instant Messenger.
    "Yes, why do you ask?" Amy asked him.
    "I was just wondering, that's all.  Jeff is going, as is his girlfriend." Matt said.
    "Oh." Amy replied. "Matt, I don't think Ciara likes me very much.  She always seems to give me the cold shoulder."
    "I think that she just doesn't know anybody very well yet.  That probably makes her feel very unwelcome.  But, Jeff told me that she doesn't think that you want her around." Matt said, reading what Jeff messaged to his brother over Instant Messenger.
    "I guess we are both feeling a bit of anxiety about being around each other." Amy said with a smile, as she looked over Matt's shoulder. "Is Jeff's screen name CiaraFitz317?" Amy asked.
    "No, that's Ciara's SN, why?" Matt asked.
    "Because I noticed you have been talking to CiaraFitz317, not SwantonTiger77*." Amy said.
    "Okay, Aims, you got me.  I've been talking to Ciara.  She started out asking something about Jeff, and we got talking about this weekend. Innocent conversation, I assure you." Matt said.
    "Ok, Matt, I believe you." Amy said as she flopped down on the bed in Matt's room, reading a wrestling magazine.  "So, is Jeff going to propose or what?"
    "That's what this weekend's about, in a way.  Jeff is going to ask her to marry him.  And man, is he nervous!" he said, pointing to the Instant Messenger window that was pointed to SwantonTiger77*.
    Amy got up and looked at the messenger window. "I guess he is nervous." she said.
        SwantonTiger77*: I don't know, man, I don't wanna sound like a total idiot, Matt.
        BlackVelvet923*: Just be honest.  You won't look like a total ass.  Besides, I've seen the way she looks at you.  You can't go wrong, man!
        SwantonTiger77*: Are you sure?  Put Aims on.  She could probably give me a better answer.
        BlackVelvet923: Aims is probably thinking the same thing that I am.  Hold on a sec.. got another incoming message.. Oh.. this one's from your woman, Jeff. :)
        SwantonTiger77*: Oh boy.. Forgot we have three phone lines in our house, and that she has her own computer **Smacks own head**

      And so, Matt goes about talking to his future sister-in-law....
         CiaraFitz317:  What is my boyfriend talking to you about, Matthew?
        BlackVelvet923: Nothing, why?  Just usual brother chitchat.
        CiaraFitz317: Oh.  I was hoping that he wasn't planning anything diabolical for this weekend.  It's my first weekend out with the Omegapowers.  I don't want to screw things up....
        BlackVelvet923: Nervous?
        CiaraFitz317: **Nods** Uh huh.  I only met Shane and Shannon once, and that was under not-so-good circumstances.  I am afraid of making a bad impression.. Do I worry too much?  :(
        BlackVelvet923: You don't worry too much; you're just concerned, and that's normal.  But I don't think you will have much to worry about! :) We are all friends here, and I am sure the guys will be nice to you.
        CiaraFitz317: Yeah, I hope so.  Well, I had better set about packing, so we can all leave on time tomorrow morning. :)
        BlackVelvet923: Okay, see you tomorrow! :)

Back at Casa du Jeffrey Hardy
    Ciara was packing her bag, but she didn't know what to bring.  What does one wear for a trip to Myrtle Beach in December?  She rummaged in the closet for something to wear.  Does she need a sweater or some jeans?  How about a skirt for going out?
    "Oh boy, I don't know what to bring... JEFF!" she yelled.
    Jeff came running in, "Yeah, babe? Something wrong?" he asked.
    "What do I wear in Myrtle Beach in December?" Ciara asked.
    "Jeans and a shirt will work fine, so will shorts, or a skirt." Jeff replied, simply.
    "What about swim gear?  Will I need that?" she asked.
    "Might want to bring it." Jeff said, smiling.
    "Okay." Ciara says and packs her bag.
    Jeff kissed her forehead and walked out of the room, as she was packing.  This weekend would mean so much in such a short time to the both of them, and it was hard for Jeff to contain himself as he packed the small velvet box deep in his bag.  Jeff sighed and put his suitcase outside the door, and walking to the car, where his girlfriend was waiting.  Liger was at his father's, as were her animals, and so they packed it away for a lovely weekend of fun, sun and romance.

*= These screen names aren't necessarily those of Jeff Hardy or Matt Hardy.