It took 15 years. Nick was 32 years old, and lived in California. His dream growing up was being a singer/ actor. Of course during his senior year (All of his friends had graduated the year before) he changed his mind and found a love for Marine Biology. He went to a College in California and got a master's degree in Marine Biology. Immediately he got an internship in Sea World and lived in an apartment nearby. Then he got a real job in an aquarium and moved to Santa Barbra. He had a few boyfriends during this time, but they didn't last long. He was still slightly in love with Jeff, but he knew deep down that he'd never see him again. Was he wrong.

Nick had been sent out with an intern, named Gregory (He flirted with Nick shamelessly, and he was becoming annoyed with it) to go to the beach and show him how life truly worked beneath the water. Greg flirted with him the whole trip and finally when they got to the beach, Nick decided to just ignore him. They put on their gear and went in. Nick took pictures with a camera and smiled, He truly loved this, seeing nature so close up. He surfaced and sat in the warm sand. He took the top part of his scuba suit off and rolled it down so it was just above his hips. It was a beautiful day, the sun was bright and the water was crystal clear. He waited for Greg to return so they could write data down and go back in.

He felt a tap on his shoulder, expecting a co-worker he turned and looked up. His mouth dropped suddenly. It was a tall, blond man. A few years older than him perhaps. At first he didn't know who it was, but then he stood up and faced him. "Jeff?"

Really, what were the odds of him seeing Jeff again? He was a grown man, 32 years old, professional. Jeff was supposed to be back in Chicago, in that hospital. How did he end up here?

"Nicky… Hi..." Jeff said shyly picking at his shirt. Nick lunged forward and hugged him. Jeff squeaked at the cold water seeping into his own clothes but hugged him with equal force.

"Sorry, I'm all wet. Sorry. Jeff, I missed you so much. I'm so sorry I couldn't get you, they wouldn't let me. I got arrested. I'm so sorry, I didn't keep my promise." Nick rambled and stepped back, feeling the tears begin to start in his eyes.

Jeff smiled, "It's okay, Nicky. I don't hate you. They told me everything."

Nick stood in silence, "Why are you here? Not that I'm complaining, but how did you find me?"

Jeff took his hand, "I've been looking for you for two years. They let me out and I decided to move to Santa Barbra. I heard it was nice. Then I saw your name at the Sea World and I asked and found out where you worked. I went there this morning and they told me you where here."

"Two years. Jeff," He hugged him again. "I'm so glad you did, I missed you so much."

Jeff rested his head on top of Nick's head, "I missed you too." They stood in silence, in each other's arms. "Nick, I still love you."

Nick felt his heart against his chest and smiled, "I still love you too, after all these years." Nick kissed his chest and smiled again. "Jeff, would you be my boyfriend?"

"I'd love to."

Eventually Greg came back and found Nick and Jeff still wrapped in each other's arms. They ignored his questions and they drove him back to the aquarium. Nick called the rest of the day as a sick day and they drove back to his house.

Nick and Jeff's relationship started slow, they went on a real date at some Italian restaurant. After a couple of months, Jeff moved in. Jeff was different now; he didn't act like a little kid, more like an adult. He had nightmares once in a while, but we was an average adult man. In a way, Nick missed the old him, but Jeff was happy. After a year, Jeff asked Nick to marry him. Nick said no. 6 months after Jeff asked again, Nick said yes.

He said no because he was scared, scared of making Jeff unhappy, making Jeff uncomfortable. It was a serious thing being married, different then just dating the person. He said yes though, because he was sure, Jeff would be happy, and it was.

The wedding was at the beach. There was a priest and a small alter. Nick was wearing a white suit, and Jeff was wearing a black one (Both picked out by Kurt, who had been in contact with Nick after all these years). Nick's friends from Dalton had come from far away to be there. Kurt and Blaine, Thad and his wife, Trent with his boyfriend, Wes and David with their wives, friends from the Aquarium, and Nick's mom and sister (who was married to a nice man named Austin) Jeff had a couple friends come as well, his neighbors mostly. He didn't have family and Nick felt bad and gulilty but Jeff looked happy anyway. After the ceremony they went to a nearby hotel and had the reception. Jeff was practically glowing and was dancing with Nick's sister. Nick watched him from a nearby chair.

Trent sat beside him and smiled, "Hey, lover boy."

Nick chuckled, "Hey, why aren't you dancing?"

Trent raised an eyebrow at him, "Why aren't you?" They sat in silence, watching Jeff giggle and swing Natalie around. "Hey Nick, can I ask you something?"

"Ask away."

Trent sighed, "Are you glad, that you... Um... Met Jeff?"

Nick turned to him, "Well, the way we met no. But yes I am. I just wish it was another way."

Trent patted his shoulder, "I'm glad. That's in the past now, and you have him. I'll be back, yeah?"

Nick watched him go and when he turned he saw Jeff standing in front of him. "Hey, baby."

Jeff smiled, "Dance with me?"

Nick got up and took his hands, it was a slow song. And couples were dancing closely, happy to be reunited. Nick rested his head against Jeff's chest and sighed contently. "I love you, Jeffy."

"I love you too," Jeff paused. "Remember all those years ago, when we got fake married?"

"Yeah," Nick said with a laugh.

Jeff laughed with him, "This is way better than what Imagined."

After the reception, Nick and Jeff waited for everybody to leave to their own rooms or hotels before making their way to their own room. Nick sat on the bed, sitting in disbelief.

"We're married. Jeff!" He jumped up and picked Jeff up, and swung him around. Jeff laughed and wrapped his legs around Nick's waist. Nick held him up effortlessly and smiled. "I can't believe it!"

Jeff ran his hands through his hair, "Believe it mister. We're the Duval- Sterling men."

Nick turned and sat on the bed, Jeff still in his lap. "Baby mine."

Jeff blushed, "You still remember that?"

Nick nodded, "Of course."

After this they fell asleep for an hour. Somehow they woke up around the same time. Nick held Jeff and stroked his hair; they whispered loving words to each other. They made love, the two of them were finally comfortable enough to do so, it was the final piece, a way to show how much they loved each other, trusted each other.

After a while, Jeff pestered Nick for something Nick was truly frightened of. Kids. Jeff wanted a baby, a girl. Now, Nick wanted kids as well, but he was scared because now they had to take care of another human. Nick said yes though, and he was happy that he did. They adopted a baby girl, Cassandra (they called her Cass or Cassie). She was beautiful, black hair, gray eyes, wide, innocent, happy eyes. She was a year already so she wasn't a huge hassle, but still, she was a night bird and liked to play at 2 in the morning. Jeff adored her, and Cass loved him back. Nick found himself seeing the girl have the same habits as himself and Jeff. It was cute.

Nick and Jeff sat in their backyard; Cass was playing in a small pool in front of them. Nick was playing with a toy fish and chased Cass's Barbie doll around. Cass shrieked with laughter and splashed her two dads'. Nick pulled Cass out of the water and wrapped her in a towel.

Jeff sat beside them and smiled at Cass. "Nick, promise me something."

Nick cuddled Cass to his chest and looked over at Jeff, "Anything."

"Promise me that you'll never leave me, or Cass."

"I promise, I love the two of you too much."

Cass gurgled and stared at Jeff. Nick kept his promise, all the way until his last breath.

Thanks again guys, for staying with my this whole time. It was a fun story to write, and though I'm not a very good author, I hoped you liked it.