There's no one in town I know
You gave us some place to go.
I never said thank you for that.
I thought I might get one more chance.
What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
So what would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.

May Angels Lead You In, Jimmy Eat World

6 Years Later…

"Erica calm down." Reid chuckled

She kept going on and on, on the phone.

"I'm not going to be here much longer." He said

Pausing as he walked down the crowded street.

"Yes, I promise." He said

Hanging up, he shoved the phone into his pocket. As he looked up he froze.

"So how'd the appointment go today?"

Reid looked around that instant. He knew that voice and the Cocktail Party theory kicked in. The theory stated that throughout a loud noisy place you hear something so familiar even though it's quiet. And he heard it. He heard Tyler. He had only talked with him on the phone it the past years being they both had been really busy.

"Oh, you know. The usual." A female voice replied "They poked at me with needles and stuck me in a machine."

Looking around, he found the source.

"Valerie…" he whispered

As he went to walk over to see them, he stopped. A little boy came running out of the coffee shop the two sat outside of.

"Mommy!" he said as he jumped on Valerie

Tyler just laughed.

"Feel better?" she asked him

"Oh loads." The little boy laughed

The strange urge to want to hit or possibly even kill Tyler came over Reid.

"So much for not loving her that way eh Baby Boy?" he said to himself as he turned and walked away

Kate came out a few seconds later and huffed. Tyler stood and wrapped his arms around her as she took a sip from her coffee.

"Kate is too slow!" the little boy complained

"Tell me about it." Valerie agreed

"Hey! The line was long." She said defensively

Tyler just laughed even more.

"We going?" Valerie asked

"Yes, definitely." As she stood she took his little hand, but he ran over to Tyler who picked him up "Oh I see how it is."

"Ah leave Ryan alone." Tyler said grinning

"You spoil him." Valerie complained

"Can you blame me?"

Valerie just shook her head smiling. Kate looped her arm with Valerie's. It was hard to believe that Tyler and Kate had been dating for nearly three years…he even told her about the whole power thing. She took it better than Valerie and Sarah combined. It was rather surprising on both Valerie and Tyler's end. He had plans to propose to her on their anniversary. It made Valerie grin when she thought about it.

"Oh shit." Valerie whispered

Ryan started laughing hysterically right then.

"Yeah I know mom said a bad word." Valerie said flatly "You guys mind taking him? I have to get to the gallery."

"You know we love to. " Kate said "Just go. We'll kidnap him."

Valerie grinned then ran off.

"Where's mommy going?" Ryan asked

"She had to go to work buddy." Tyler said

"Yay!"

Kate scoffed.

Valerie turned the next corner and ran inside. As she did she put up her hair in a ponytail as she always did anymore. She was so glad Tyler live upstairs and that he happened to be Ryan's godparent. She put her medical problems in the back of her mind.

"Nice of you to show."

"Sorry. I completely forgot." Valerie said

"Where's Ryan?"

"Where is Ryan always at?" she replied to her mother

"With Tyler."

Valerie grinned as she walked through the back offices with her mother in tow. She came to the city all on her own wanting to be closer to him. Her father on the other hand just did the one thing Valerie asked him to do and that was stay away.

"So what do we have today?" Valerie asked

"The main piece is on its way here though I had to make extra insurance deposits." She said

Valerie grinned never getting tired of the fact that her own mother worked for her. That she was the boss over the parent. Sometimes it made her giggle.

"Alright as long as it gets here." Valerie said

"It will." Her mother assured her

"Good. I'm going to have a brief look around." Valerie said

With that she hurried out to the front. The idea that was to be for the show was where the heart is. What one lets out onto a single canvas was the idea. There had to be some feeling there. Having from one to another she stopped upon hearing her name and turned.

"Reid…" she said

It wasn't really a greeting as it was acknowledgement. The two remained quiet.

"What are you doing here?" she asked breaking the strange silence that was sure to envelop then

"Was just here to look around. You work here?" he asked

"I own the gallery along with about four others around the city." She said

"Wow, it's just like you always wanted and with a family on top." He said smiling lightly

He tried to make it heartfelt but of all times his heart dropped.

"Family…Did Tyler tell you about Ryan?" she asked

"No. Not really. I saw you guys roaming around the city sometime earlier in the week." He lied "You two are happy together?"

"Yeah. Me and Ryan are doing great. He sees his father here and there when he comes up."

"Wait…Tyler's not the-"

"No!" she exclaimed "Geez, Kate would go on a murdering spree."

After a few seconds, she just started laughing. She thought it was funny, he thought to himself. Why was it funny?

"He lives in the loft above me with Kate." She said

"Really?" he asked

She shook her head yes still laughing.

"It's amazing." He said as he looked around

He had questions he wanted to ask now but he just bit his tongue to squash the effort.

"So what about you?" she asked as she casually leaned back against the wall

Reid noticed a lot that was different about her. Her hair was darker and longer if that were even possible. The only thing that hadn't changed he noticed was her hatred for shoes.

"I'm just here for a little bit. I'm actually leaving tonight."

"Oh?" she said

"Yeah…Erica needs help with the rest of the planning." He said

Her brow furrowed.

"Planning?" she asked

Don't make me say it, he thought to himself. He got a vision of telling her that he was engaged and getting married next week. She'd get a look of surprise that would break his heart.

"Yeah…I'm getting married next week." He said quietly

Why did it scare him to tell her that? Oh right, this was the girl that had actually been able to sink her claws inti him then decided to rip him to shreds. The thought made him a little angry yet again.

"Really?" she asked

She pondered it.

"That's great." She said smiling

She was happy for him.

Reid opened his mouth to say something then closed it. 'That's great'. What the hell? Get angry do something! The thoughts rolled through quickly.

"Yeah…" was all he said "Uh, it was good to see you. I've-"

"Got to go?"

He just nodded.

"Alright." she laughed

Before he left, he turned.

"Hey." he called

She turned with eyebrows raised.

"It'd be nice if you could make it." he said

Her heart froze. Did he just invite her to his wedding? This wasn't awkward, she thought sarcastically to herself

"I'll see what my schedule can do." She replied

He just nodded and left. She was too busy for me, he thought to himself. His feelings that he had left behind in Ipswich were starting to come back. He growled to himself. This was ridiculous you love Erica, he thought to himself. The sweet thoughts of her came to his mind quickly making him smile as he forgot about Valerie.

Valerie's phone rang as he left.

"Hello?" she answered

It was Tyler.

*Hey. We're back at the loft.*

"Okay. Hey did you know Reid was in the city?" she asked

*He is?*

"I'll take that as a no." she said "Look we'll talk in a bit I'm almost done. I'm going over a few paintings."

*Uh-huh.*

"Don't use that tone with me." she whined

He laughed on the other end then hung.

"I can't believe he still acts like a child." she muttered to herself

She still felt bad he dropped out of college not long after her insisting on helping her. She told him not to, but he had a problem with listening and that was that he didn't listen at all.

As she finished up she let her mom take over and headed out. She was sure that once again Tyler ordered pizza and had Ryan in the den/workroom watching a scary movie. Ryan wasn't fazed by them and did what Valerie always did which was laugh at them. Some of them were predictable and it was sad when a five year old knew that.

When she got through the door she was greeted by not one but two boys. Yes, she could call Tyler a boy because he had his moments.

"Mommy!" Ryan squeaked

"Mommy!" Tyler squeaked after him

She giggled shoving Tyler away.

"Don't you ever grow up?" she laughed

"What fun would there be in that?" he asked

She just shook her head.

"Hey why don't you go finish the movie." Tyler told Ryan

Ryan saluted and ran off.

"So Reid?" Tyler asked

She just nodded.

"How'd it go?"

"Well surprisingly enough." she answered "He's getting married-"

"Yeah…" Tyler trailed off

"Next week." She finished

He looked up surprised.

"Yeah I know." Valerie said "I was invited."

"You going to go?" he asked

"I have no idea. On one hand I don't want to be a complete bitch and on another I don't want to possibly be the one thing in his way from saying I do."

"That sounds…horrible."

Valerie nodded.

"I think you should go. You know do the whole thing like Taylor Swift's new song 'Speak Now'." Tyler said

Valerie gave him one of her 'you're a retard' looks.

"Oh don't tell me that when you saw him you weren't in the slightest bit happy. Because if you did you'd be lying. Hell, I bet you were excited." Tyler said

Valerie scowled at him.

"I don't have to answer that." she said and brushed past him

"Knew it!" Tyler said

Valerie rolled her eyes. As she walked over to sit on the stool across from a stand where a recent drawing sat, she looked down at Ryan. He was the best thing that had ever happened to her and one of the most accidental and idiotic things. She'd never forget it. It had happened at the beginning of her freshman year in college and she wasn't doing as well as she had hoped she would be. She was going under again and wanted anything to feel better. The memory was always a bit fuzzy when she tried to remember how it happened. Well, she knew how it could happen, but she wouldn't have minded being able to remember. A few months after the event though, she dropped out. A month afterwards so did Tyler. He worked with her at the gallery, but managed the money statistics. Valerie had told him he didn't have to. He just grinned and wrapped an arm around her neck pulling her into a headlock as he'd mess up her hair. He'd tell that he wasn't going anywhere.

Sighing, Valerie smiled down at Ryan then turned back to the drawing. Looking at it, it was her mother and Ryan. To anyone else it was an older woman with a young boy that could be described as complete opposites. Opposite genders, age, and thoughts. Yet connected by blood. Valerie smiled as she put the finishing touches on the drawing. Looking back at Ryan he was now asleep on the hardwood floor. She smirked at his position. He'd already left a small puddle of drool on the floor. He flinched a little when the blonde on tv nearly got stabbed by the killed, but he didn't wake.

"Of course, you could sleep through that." she said

As she ran her hand through his dark hair she picked him up.

"Let's get you to bed." she whispered

Walking back to his room, she laid him down and tucked him in. Afterwards she went to her own room which she was also happy to say was hers. It made her one happy girl knowing that she had a bathroom that Ryan couldn't destroy. She let him have at it with the main bathroom though.

After changing she replayed Reid's words over in her head. He wanted her to be there. She thought it was the worst idea in the world. At the same time she smiled at the thought of seeing him again. Shaking her head she laid down and pulled the covers over her. Right now she just wanted to sleep.

Reid looked down at the letter. He read it every once in a while. She was right he would understand. He wished he hadn't seen her again. Things came back to the surface that shouldn't have and then he just had to blurt out an invitation. It was one thing Erica wouldn't be told.

As the cab came to a halt he shoved the letter into his pocket and took a deep breath. The door opened before he even reached to open it. He was jumped by a blonde who instantly wrapped her arms around him.

"Good to see you too." he chuckled

She just smiled as she kissed him. In the back of his mind he couldn't help but think of Valerie if only for a second before the thought faded.

"So have you decided?" Kate asked

Valerie just sighed. It had been about five days and she still had no idea. She'd even wrote out a pro con list on the subject.

"You know I figured you wouldn't be able to make a decision so I made it for you…" Tyler's voice echoed as he entered the loft "And I even brought you a date."

"Tyler!" Kate hissed

Valerie couldn't help, but want to seriously hurt Tyler all of the sudden. Standing she turned with her arms crossed over her chest then immediately dropped them.

"Caleb." She said surprised

"I heard you were having more indecision issues." He said

"Daddy!" Ryan said as he came out of his room "I knew I heard you!"

Caleb chuckled as he picked Ryan up.

"How would you like to go to a big party with mommy and me?" he asked

"Really!"

Caleb grinned.

"Fine!" she exclaimed

She hated it when Ryan was used against her. It was cruel and even more it was Caleb who did it. He used their own son against her. Caleb set Ryan down who ran back to his room.

"That was mean." Valerie hissed

Tyler just laughed.

"Wow, I love this little family get togethers." Tyler said

"Shut up Tyler." Both Caleb and Valerie said at the same time

Kate burst out laughing that time as she dragged Tyler along out of the loft.

"So you going to stand there or come over here and give me a hug?" Caleb said

She smiled as she slowly walked over and let Caleb wrap his arms around her. She sighed as she hugged him back.

"You sound like you've had a long week." He said

"Yeah…" she trailed off as she pulled away and went to sit on the couch

"Hey I've offered to st-"

"No." she interjected "You have a future and I won't take it away from you."

He chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her neck.

"I am glad you do come around though." she added

"Are you kidding me? That night may have been an accident, but I'm glad he's not." Caleb said

Valerie nodded in agreement.

"I'm tired and need to make sure Ryan gets to bed." Valerie said

Caleb stood as well as if to walk back to her bedroom. She stopped him and he just grinned.

"Oh no." she said "We've been down that road. You get the couch."

He fell back onto the couch as he flipped off his shoes. The grin never came from his face even as he fell asleep. After checking on Ryan she came out and paused as she looked at Caleb. She wouldn't have believed it if someone told her that she would've been dropping out of college due to getting knocked up by Caleb Danvers.

The weekend he'd come up to visit her and Tyler he had broken up with Sarah. It was nasty and then he had wiped her memory. When he made it up to the city though Tyler was actually busy and so it was just him and Valerie. After a few too many drinks the two had awoke in her bed. It wasn't strange. Not to them. They had been through strange, now they were just to the point of ignoring it. so the two got a shower and went out for breakfast and about two and a half months later Valerie was forced to tell him not in person but over the phone that she was pregnant. He came back that night and stayed for a few weeks. After a while she said he had to go back to college. Being stubborn though he demanded that someone had to be here with her while she was going through it. That was when Tyler stepped in. Kate didn't stop him, she agreed with him.

Caleb was there every step of the way even though he was a few states away at the time. During his breaks he wouldn't go home. He'd come to New York and sit on his ass with Valerie and Tyler and veg out with them and make sure to go to those idiotic prenatal classes. He knew that they would more than likely never get married let alone date. Their relationship was different and they were both completely alright with it even though he knew that that baby boy was his. He was rather proud of it. On the first shot he ever had and the only shot he ever had with Valerie he got her knocked up and though he'd never tell Valerie it was surprising. It was surprising because he would've figured Reid would be the one to have gotten her knocked up back at Spenser.

Valerie laid down and closed her eyes. The next few days would be interesting, she thought to herself.

"Mommy!" Ryan whined "Get up!"

Valerie groaned whereas Caleb who was standing in the doorway just laughed. Turning over she grabbed Ryan around the waist and hugged him to her.

"Mommy we have to get up." he said

"No we don't. We can go back to sleep." She groaned

"What about the party?" he asked

Valerie sighed. Yeah, what about the party, her thoughts echoed.

"C'mon give your mom a minute and go get dressed." Caleb told Ryan

Ryan jumped from the bed and ran off. Caleb on the other had taken Ryan's place and faced the messy haired Valerie.

"You really don't want to go do you?" he asked

"I don't know what I want? I figured you knew that about me." Valerie grumbled

"Well, that's why I'm here. So get up and put on an amazing dress so we can leave."

"Where is it being held?" she asked

"I'd say Ipswich, but Erica doesn't like the place." Caleb said

"Her name is Erica?" Valerie asked

"Yeah." He replied

Huffing Valerie sat up.

"I think I'm going to hurl." She muttered

The thought of showing up and seeing him again made her so nervous. What if he asked questions about Ryan?

"Are you ready to get grilled about Ryan?" she asked him as she rummaged through her closet

"Oh, I will be. Even if he tries to attack me." Caleb said as he rolled onto his back

Valerie pulled out a dark green dress that was laced up the back like shoelaces were. It sparkled.

"I think that one is a good choice." Caleb said

"If I want your opinion I'll ask for it." she said laughing a little

"You've got to be my date so it does matter." He retorted

Rolling her eyes she went into the bathroom to get ready. By the time she came out Caleb was helping Ryan.

"Are we ready?" she asked

As she asked she shivered.

"Mhm." Caleb answered

Ryan ran out of the loft so he could go ride with Kate and Tyler.

"You know it's kind of creepy…we almost look like a family." Valerie muttered to Caleb

He chuckled slightly

"Almost." He responded as he wrapped on arm around her

"Guests are arriving."

Reid just nodded, but didn't take his eyes off the mirror. Why am I doing this? This isn't me…

Standing he ignored his thoughts.

"Time for the rest of my life…" he muttered

Valerie got out of the car and smiled as she saw Ryan running around. Caleb and her walked over towards the tent where the majority of the other guests were. The song 'If I Could Be Like That' by 3 Doors Down was playing.

"Valerie!" came a bellow

Looking around she then saw Pogue. Wait was it Pogue?

"Pogue?" she asked

He gave her a wolfish grin as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I can't believe you cut your hair." She said

"Me either." Caleb agreed

Pogue gave Caleb a hug too.

"So what you two an item now?" Pogue asked

"Nope. We needed a date." Valerie said

"Should've gone stag Caleb. Could've hooked up with a bridesmaid." Pogue commented

Valerie raised her eyebrows at Pogue and bit her tongue.

"I said that out loud didn't I?" he asked

As Valerie went to answer she heard someone call her name. Looking around she heard it again. she noticed a young woman gesturing her to follow.

"I'll be back." she said "Watch Ryan."

Caleb nodded and went back to talking to Pogue.

"So you and her are closer than usual." Pogue stated

"That's what happens when you have a kid with someone." Caleb said

"It's a valid point." Pogue said just nodding "I still have trouble believing it."

Going into the building not far away the young woman turned to her.

"He wanted to talk to you." She said

Then like that she was gone.

"Yay me?" Valerie mumbled

Walking into the next room she felt someone suddenly hug her.

"Okay…can't breathe." Valerie choked

They let and she saw it was Reid. He had now taken her face into his hands.

"Reid calm down." Valerie said peeling away from him

She sat down in the comfy chair across the way.

He took a deep breath and turned to her.

"I'm happy for you." She said smiling "So what did you want?"

Anger boiled inside him now. She was happy.

"You're happy for me?" he growled

"Yes I-"

"Oh stop!" he yelled making her jump "Stop lying."

"Lying?"

"You're not happy…don't throw your fake words in my face." he snapped

In the next instant she was on her feet and in his face.

"Keep your damn voice down." She growled "My son is outside."

He looked away from her. shaking her head she turned to leave.

"Tell me not to do this." he said stopping her

She turned.

"What?" she asked

"Tell me…tell me this is a mistake tell me to stop being an idiot tell me…you still love me." he said

She walked over to him and caressed his cheek lightly.

"Reid… this isn't some mistake. That girl loves you and you love her. I'm not going to tell you not to do this." she said calmly "I am happy for you."

She kissed his cheek and walked out. As she did his eyes turned black and he intruded her mind.

Did I ever stop loving you?

With that single thought he sat back in a chair and buried his head in his hands.

When Valerie got back out to the crowd they were all starting to take their seats. Valerie lifted Ryan out of his seat beside Caleb and sat down. She plopped Ryan on her lap who just leaned back.

After a few minutes Reid had come out of the room and Pogue was waiting on him with Tyler as well.

"Ready to screw yourself over for the rest of your life?" Pogue joked

Reid didn't much respond to anything as he left to go take his spot.

Valerie smiled lightly as she watched him. Then looked back as everyone else did when the bride walked down the aisle. She was beautiful as Valerie had thought. Ryan whispered something and both Caleb and Valerie giggled a little trying hush him.

She watched them exchange 'I do's'. When it came time to speak now or hold your peace Reid looked directly at Valerie. In yet another short amount of time, she'd come in and barely said anything yet came back to his memories.

He looked back at Erica whose eyebrows were raised. She sighed then laughed a little to herself.

"I object." She said quietly

Everyone's eyes went wide including Reid's who did have every intention of being with this woman. He wanted to be happy with her.

"Erica…" he started

"We should talk." She said

She walked off and yet not a tear was shed even as Reid followed her back up to the main building.

"What the hell just happened?" Valerie asked

"I have no idea." Caleb answered

The two sat and actually talked. They didn't fight, they didn't cry. They talked.

"I thought that if I was amazing enough I could take the place of whatever girl you had on your mind. And for a little while I guess I did." she said "When I looked out to the crowd I didn't know how easy it would be to spot her. When I did…I knew there wasn't a chance in hell that would happen."

"Erica we can make it work." Reid said

She shook her head no.

"You are still in love with the girl in high school. There is no fixing this. Though if you won't go after her I will…after having a baby she still looks good." Erica said trying to joke

He never knew she was bisexual. It was only after he asked what asshole had dumped did he find out it was a bitch not an asshole. It didn't bother him though. It just dragged him in more.

"So this is it?" he asked

"Yeah, I think so. Though there is still a party out there and I plan on being there to get horribly drunk." She said "I think I earned a drink after this horrible disaster."

He remained motionless as she left the room to go get changed.

"Honestly I think you guys should go talk to him." Valerie said

"Good idea." Tyler said as he looped his arm through hers and brought her along as well

"Okay, when I meant guys I meant actual guys." She said

"Too late." Tyler said

Her heart pounded hard in her chest. As they made their way up the steps Erica came out. She didn't look directly at Valerie. She thinks I'm a bitch. Valerie thought to herself.

When they all piled into the room Valerie made sure to stay by the door so she could make a run for it if the time called for it.

"So what's going on now?" Tyler asked

"Not entirely sure. I have a few things I need to figure out." Reid answered as he looked at Valerie

I knew I shouldn't have come, she thought to herself.

Valerie remained quiet as Caleb joined them.

"How's the little guy?" Reid asked

"He's having fun annoying Pogue." Caleb answered

Reid looked at Caleb then at Valerie who stayed quiet.

"Is there something I'm missing?" he asked

"No." both Caleb and Valerie said at the same time

Reid stood.

"I mean you can tell me not that I don't already know. You left because of Ryan. I mean he is mine isn't he? Reid asked

Valerie's eyes went wide.

"No." Caleb answered quickly

"He's not." Valerie seconded "He's Caleb's."

For a second Reid laughed unsure if he even heard it right. Then he glared at Caleb.

"So much for bros before hoes right?" he asked sarcastically

"Don't you dare get angry at him." Valerie snapped

Tyler stood on edge.

"Oh and who should I be mad at huh? The girl who dumped my ass at an airport or the guy I thought was my best friend?" he growled

"Blame me." she said clearly "But don't you dare blame him. what happened was a long time ago and…"

"What? It was an accident?" Reid hissed "You two just happened to fall into the same bed?"

He shook his head.

"To think I wanted…" he didn't finish

Instead he hit the wall making Valerie flinch and stormed out. Tears ran down her cheeks.

"I'm going to find Ryan." Tyler said and left quickly

"Can we go now?" she stammered

"Yeah…we can go." Caleb said quietly

Reid stood outside and saw Caleb take Ryan from Tyler and tell them goodbye. Valerie was talking to Kate as Caleb walked to the car. He wondered how many times the two had slept together. It couldn't have been just once. He didn't know how wrong he was.

Regret instantly filled the pit of his stomach. There he watched her walk off this time and wasn't stopping her. There was no doubt that he loved her. He just thought Caleb was in the way. Valerie looked his way before getting in the car and wiped her eyes.

"Shit." He muttered as he rolled his eyes

He rushed over towards Tyler.

"Where are they going?" he asked

"Home." Kate answered before Tyler could

Reid huffed knowing he wasn't going to get to her so easily.

"And home is where?" he asked

"Why?" she asked

She wasn't snarky about it, but Reid could tell she still didn't like him too much.

"I need to talk to her." he said

"Look Reid, you didn't do such a great job of that earlier." Tyler said

Not Tyler too, Reid groaned inside.

"C'mon! I'm an idiot alright? I just…didn't want it to be him." Reid said"He has a piece of her and I hate it."

Kate sighed and walked off towards the car. As she got to it she turned.

"You coming?" she asked

For the first time in…ever Reid didn't hate her so much.

"He asleep?" Caleb grumbled

"Yeah. I'll go put him down." Valerie replied

When she came back out Caleb was still standing by the door.

"Going somewhere?" she asked

"I'll be staying upstairs with Tyler tonight. I figure you need a little time to yourself." He said

She just nodded and gave him a hug before he walked into the elevator. When he closed down the doors she slipped out of her heels groaning as she rubbed her feet. After checking on Ryan she walked to the kitchen to find something to eat. She heard the elevator doors open.

"Change your mind?" she said thinking it was Caleb

"Something like that."

Valerie spun around and saw Reid standing there.

"Be quiet." She said closing the cabinet

Walking over to the couch, she plopped down and propped her feet up at the other end. Reid sat at the end a put her feet on his lap. Rubbing small circles into her heel he heard her sigh contently.

"Could you tell me?" he asked quietly

"Tell you what Reid? I have no other secrets." She lied

"Just anything. Surprise me." he said "Because I'm not going anywhere anytime soon no matter how hard you try to shove me out that door."

She closed her eyes choking back tears. Damn him, she thought. She knew this time he wasn't going anywhere. He shouldn't have wanted to stay. He should've gotten married and been happy. Then someday when he would've gotten over her he would've come to visit her in the cemetery.

That's how it was supposed to be. But no, he was sitting her asking her calmly about how her life was. It was just like him to blow something out of proportion before thinking about it then try to make it better.

"It's an all night of six years." She said

"I've got time." he said "Then you can give me an answer."

"Answer to what?" she asked confused

"Whether you'll marry me or not." He said

He read the look of shock on her face.

"Do know that even if you say no I'll be here. I'll just never marry." He added with a sly grin

Was this a joke? Valerie thought she'd start to hyperventilate. What was he on to ask her that the day he was supposed to marry someone else.

Biting her lip she just started telling him the six year long story ignoring the question.

They had fallen asleep when talking about what they had down apart. When Valerie woke up she yawned and removed her feet from his lap. Reid grumbled a little as he started to wake up.

Valerie stood and started for the kitchen quickly stopping in her tracks.

"Reid." She breathed

Reid jumped up as he heard a loud thump. Looking back he saw Valerie collapsed on the floor.

"Valerie!" he exclaimed

Reid paced back and forth as Valerie's mother rushed in.

"How is she?" she asked Tyler ignoring Reid's presence

"The doctors have her now." Caleb said as he held Ryan

Kate was sitting beside Tyler with tear streaked eyes.

"What's going on?" Reid asked

No one answered him which only got him angrier. He walked up to the nurse's station. Before he had a chance to ask one of them about anything Valerie's mother pulled him down the hall.

"No one told you…" she started

"Told me what? I haven't talked to her in six years because apparently she thought it'd be better that way!" he exclaimed

He trembled scared.

"Reid…Valerie…Valerie is very sick." She said

"Sick? She'll get better." he said

"She tried getting better for three years…then gave up last year." She replied

"She'll be fine." He insisted

"Her drug use and drinking had worn down her immune system and we didn't know till it was too late." She said

Reid tried to ignore the words. He looked down the hall as Tyler was now consoling Kate.

"You're his father!" he yelled down the hall at Caleb "You're supposed to make sure he doesn't lose her! What about her friends huh? Aren't you supposed to take care of her!"

Angry as hell he felt tears streak his face. He hit the wall then hit it again not feeling his knuckles split open. He was so angry. She didn't tell him. She had no intention of telling him.

As a doctor addressed camel and Ryan, Reid walked down to hear the news as well.

"She's asleep right now. I have to ask. Is she on any treatment?" the doctor asked

"She was." Tyler answered "She stopped sometime last year."

The doctor nodded.

"There isn't much I can do. The best I can say is to make her as comfortable as you can. She-"

"If you say she doesn't have much time left I will kill you." Kate growled angrily

"I'm sorry." The doctor growled

He walked off to tend to another patient.

"Why don't you go see her?" Caleb said

"Ry-"

"Ryan is asleep." Caleb said

Reid nodded. It hadn't been twenty four hours and suddenly he was losing her again. This wouldn't happen…it couldn't.

Walking into her room, he saw her sleeping there. She had a peaceful look on her face. As he sat down in the chair by the bed, he took her hand.

She mumbled a little as she slowly opened her eyes. She breathed deeply and looked over at him. After a few seconds, she struggled to sit up.

"Be careful." He said quietly

"I'm okay." She insisted with a small laugh

"You are not okay…don't say that to me…you-you are not okay." He said as his voice cracked

"You know then." She said as she took her hand from his and ran it through his hair

He just nodded.

"You think that would've been one of the first things you told me." he said

"Why? It's not a big deal." She said

"It is a big fucking deal Valerie." He growled

She sighed.

"I want to go home." She said

He looked up at her and nodded. Getting up he left her there with unsaid words that still threatened to come out.

"She wants to go home." He told the others

Valerie's mother nodded and pulled out her cell phone.

"Alright we'll get the car." Kate said

"No." Reid said "She want's to go 'home'."

Tyler knew what her home was and nodded.

"I'll call the airport." He said

"Is Valerie in any condition to be on a plane?" Caleb asked

"I don't think it matters to her anymore." Reid said

Valerie was out within the hour thanks to one last favor from her dad. Reid just figured it was least he could do since his only daughter was dying.

Valerie was in and out during the plane ride and the car ride there. Her car had been sold the instant she found out she was pregnant. What wasn't so surprising was that Gracie was the one who bought it.

When they arrived Ryan ran into the house with Tyler chasing after him as Gracie came out lightly smiling at both Reid and Valerie.

"Let's get you some sleep." Reid said

She just nodded as she fell back onto the couch and closed her eyes. Reid just held her close and closed his eyes as well.

Caleb walked out the back door and watched as Emma was playing and laughing with Ryan. He didn't understand and wouldn't till he was older. Tyler sat around the fire pit with Kate.

"So this is where you ran off too during winter break." She said

"I was forced might I add." Tyler said

"I heard you didn't complain too much." She said smiling

When Valerie opened her eyes the next morning she woke to see Reid sleeping peacefully intertwined with her. It was hitting her hard now. She thought that she had a few extra months in her but her body decided otherwise. Caressing Reid's cheek she slowly sat up and stood leaving him to sleep.

"How are you feeling?" Gracie asked as Valerie walked into the kitchen

"Like gravity as a bit of a problem with me." she said quietly

Gracie just took a sip of coffee.

"You know I'm not going to die before I do right?" Gracie said

Valerie smirked.

"I'll be fine." Valerie said

At that moment Gracie broke her composure.

"You say you're always fine. Can't you just not be fine for once?" she stammered

"I can't. I do and I'll lose it in front of Ryan. I have to be fine." Valerie said

Gracie rounded the counter and held Valerie. Valerie hugged her back. When Valerie thought about the past few nights she thought about how fast things went. She could've sworn that it was only yesterday Reid was telling her that he wanted her to stop him. Now she was sitting here on the shore of the beach where she could hear the waves crash and smell the salty sea.

"She lives." Tyler said

"Not funny Simms." Gracie glared

He and Valerie just laughed though.

"I'm thinking I'm going for a walk." Valerie said

"Not alone." Tyler said

"Of course I need a babysitter." Valerie said sarcastically

They left out the back door.

The days continued to go on and each day the others were glad that she seemed to be able to wake up each morning though she started waking up later and later. Reid never left her side. Even when they ent to the basement to spend personal time together.

"This place brings back memories." Reid said looking around

Not much had changed throughout the room. The pool table was still there and yet the two still laid there on the couch as they had before.

When she played with Ryan he watched and smiled. He took a quick liking to Ryan and didn't care that he wasn't his directly. Ryan would watch movies with him at night when Valerie had fallen asleep.

Tyler was most often than not gone somewhere. Valerie figured he was just having a hard time but when she asked Kate, Kate would blow it off.

Valerie sighed one even as she sat around the fire that was just starting up. Everyone had come out to sit around it. It was one of those nights. Everyone forgot about their worries. After it got dark Caleb took Ryan inside to go to bed.

"Love you mommy." Ryan said as he hugged her feebly

"Love you too sweetie." She replied

"Love you Garwin." Ryan said as he moved onto the next person

He went around the whole circle giving out hugs. Not long after Gracie and Valerie's mother went inside as well.

"You need sleep." Valerie said to Reid as he leaned on her shoulder

"I'm fine." He mumbled

Valerie looked at Kate who just nodded.

"C'mon prince of dumbasses." Kate said helping him to his feet

Valerie laughed a little as she told Kate to shut up. The two headed inside and Valerie was sure she wouldn't be far behind. Tyler stared at her from across the pit.

"It's soon isn't it." he said as his voice cracked

She nodded.

"I can feel it…and I don't know…I don't think I can." She said "You'll take care of him right?"

That was it, she finally broke down and was crying. She could feel heart literally drop and she didn't know what to do. It all felt heavy and weak. Standing up, she slowly walked down to the water as tears streaked her eyes. She wanted them to stop. She didn't want to cry. She knew that starting would mean that it would probably never end. There were still things she had to do yet, things she had to see. She wanted to see Ryan be sixteen. She wanted to see him ride the same waves she had, spend summers with Gracie like she had. Watch him be everything she wasn't…that she didn't screw up for once.

"Tyler I'm scared!" she cried as she hit her knees in the sand

He ran to where she was and wrapped his arms around her holding her tightly as his own tears streaked down his cheeks. His eyes turned black and everything he'd been reading in the past six months when he found out her illness was getting worse had come into play. Concentrating, he clenched his eyes shut and heard her whimper and cry even harder.

Stay with me, he prayed to himself. Then he felt something trickling past his lips yet didn't stop. Damn it, fight!

He felt her heart weaken in his very arms, but still he didn't stop as he could feel it fading and obliterating in her body.

Then all of the sudden, he let go and watched her limp body collapse to the sand. Tyler wiped his nose as he tried to breathe. Valerie didn't move or even look as if she was breathing.

"Valerie…" he breathed as he moved closer to her

He put his ear to his chest.

"No…"

She had no heartbeat.

"Valerie." He said a little louder as he started to perform CPR on her

His eyes hadn't changed and as he pumped her chest shots of lightning came from his fingertips. He listened once more then pumped her heart again. Pulling away from her after so many times he ran his hand through his hair breathing heavily. He looked at her lifeless form struggling. As he went to lay his head on his knees crying no less he heard coughing. His head jolted up as he saw Valerie struggling to breathe.

"Valerie." He exclaimed rushing to her and holding her to his chest

"What happened?" she gasped as she held him

"You're alive that's what happened." He said

"Are you crying?" she asked as she pulled away from him

He just sniffed in response.

"Tyler what did you do?" she asked

"Emergency medical work." He said

"You can't do that." she said

"It's a little late." He said

Valerie hit him in the chest then. She kept hitting him as he fell back laughing a little as he did.

"You can't do that!" she complained "You'll age that way!"

"I'm fine…I can spare it." he said in between hits

She stopped and looked down at the man standing below her. He smiled up at her.

"How do you feel?" he asked

"Alive." She answered

"Good." he said letting out a deep breath then

He stood and now she had to look up at him. Wrapping her arms around him she hugged him deeply. When she let go she looked back at the ocean.

"You know what scares me now?" she said

"What?" he said looking down at her

"The day Ryan turns thirteen. I wasn't so scared of it knowing by that time I'd be six feet under and you would be taking care of him, but now…" she trailed off

"You still got us." he said

"I have a feeling you should propose soon." Valerie said then

He looked down at her with raised eyebrows.

"Just trust me on this." she said

With that she walked into the house.

A month later Tyler did exactly that and six months after that when Valerie had been completely cured miraculously Reid had asked her the same question and she still hesitated. In the end she had said yes. Granted Reid had issues with Caleb being Ryan's father being it meant he had a connection to Valerie. Soon enough that changed though…

"So, did you get that fairytale ending?" he asked her one day as he held out the letter in front of her

"You still have that?" she asked

"I'd read it when I wanted to hear your voice." He said

Valerie thought about the question then looked down at her stomach which seemed to be large and in charge.

"I'll let you know." she said smiling

And that signifies the ending…I'm glad there are readers out there who enjoyed this. thank you for the reviews! I'm thinking about starting another one soon but basing it off of one or all of them in a public school(IDEAS?)

Do leave a review if you could unless your fingers are broken of course.