As the days passed, Ernie felt his hope fade into a resigned numbness. On one hand, he was relieved to have finally expressed his feelings. Yet, he couldn't help feeling disappointed that Marisa had still hadn't given him a reply. He had no doubt that she would give him a reply, but her answer was most likely to be no. There was no reason to wait around to say yes. Saying yes was easy, while telling him no wouldn't come easy to her when she hated hurting the feelings of those she cared about.

As days turned into weeks, Ernie became more convinced that her answer was going to be no. He put his mind off of her answer and focused his energy on adjusting to the new reality. Marisa would still be in his life, but she'd be nothing more than his sister's best friend. The thought flew in the face of the hope of the past two years that somehow despite how bleak the picture looked the future would look different than the past. He found himself grieving the perfection that could have been. Marisa had this magical way of inspiring him to be the best version of himself. The way she looked at him, the words that she said to him told him that she believed that he had places to go. Her confidence in him had spurred him on to apply for the Next Gen agents program and work for a beautiful destiny. Thinking of life by her side had given him hope and dreams of an even more beautiful future.

Now, that was all gone. He Had come close...as close as he could have. All that was left was giving it all up. They would walk through life separated by the bonds of friendship. Despite the distance, he was sure of one thing. He was never going back. He dreamed of one day forgetting her so perhaps he could find happiness with someone else, but he would never forget what she taught him. He would continue to believe that his destiny was the one she had first helped him see. He would work and see the little dreams become reality. It would be a loss to not have her at his side as he reached the milestones. Yet, he couldn't help feeling thankful-that their paths had crossed and she had left him a better man than she had found him.

"Ernie!" Marisa's bubbly voice filled the quiet house rousing him from his thoughts.

He turned around in his chair to see her standing before him with a smile on her face. "What are you doing here?" was the best he could muster in his surprise.

"I just had to see you, Ernie. I meant to come earlier, but my class schedule has been simply atrocious. Would you believe my professors actually give a grade for showing up for class? I can't let my parents down when they're so graciously paying for my college education...anyway, I'm here now, and that's all that matters."

"So you had to see me, huh? Did you...uhhh...have something to tell me?" Ernie felt the hope rising again in his heart. This was not a dream. Marisa was really standing in front of him and telling him that he mattered.

"I've been thinking about what you said. I thought that I would say no. Our relationship has only ever been one of friendship. Sure, we've had our flirty moments, but we've only ever been friends. But then you came and asked me to chose. I was kind of frustrated honestly. You were asking me to decide what was important to me. I don't like thinking about that. But you left it staring me in the face. I kept telling myself I would say no, but I can't, not with how you make me feel. You make me happy, Ernie Cooper. You know I can be a lazy, self-centered girl, but you love me anyway. When I'm with you, everything feels right. You're the last person I expected to fall in love with, but you're right, what we have is special."

She took a step towards. "So I have a question for you. Will you take me out, Ernie? Please."

"Do you really think I'd say no? He chuckled awkwardly. "After all, I'm the one who asked you first. Of course, I'll take you out." He stood up and put his arms around her.

His heart was full. The girl he loved best had just revived his hopes in the best way by telling him she loved him too, and she was in his arms. He felt like he could stand there forever.

"As I much as I like standing here, I'd really like to go somewhere." Marisa said, breaking the silence. She pulled back from his arms. "Where are we going to go?" she said seriously.

"Anywhere...everywhere...together," Ernie said with a smirk knowing that it was not what she wanted to hear. "Just kidding, I have an idea. Follow me." He beckoned to her with his hand.

She grabbed his arm, and they walked out the door hand in hand. And for the first time, everything was right in the world. They were together, and that was all mattered.

Author's Note: This is the final chapter for this story. I'm sorry that it was so long in coming. I had had a hard time knowing which way to go with this. I hope that this is a satisfying ending and was worth the wait.