*8 years later*

"Come on, Ian! We're going to be late," I call from the kitchen, placing the fresh cookies onto a plastic plate. I hear footsteps as he runs down the stairs, just as I finish wrapping the plate in plastic. Ian walks over to me and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead. I smile, snatching up the plate, and guide him to the door. "Can you grab my bag?"

"Got it," he says, leaning over to pick up the large beach bag leaning against the door, stuffed to the fullest. He flips off the lights and opens the door for me. I head into the garage and quickly unlock the car doors, practically flying into my seat. Ian laughs at me and takes his time, finally settling down in the drivers seat. "What are you so worried about? She won't be mad at us if we're late," he laughs, pulling out of the garage and onto the clean, familiar street.

"I know," I agree, biting my lip. "I just haven't seen her in so long, you know? I miss her, Ian." Ever since Lena and Jason got married last year, I've barely seen her. She moved a couple hours away and it's rare that she visits anymore. The last time I saw her it was . . . Fourth of July? No. That can't be right. That was months ago!

"I do, too, babe. Mel's house is only a few blocks away. We'll be there in no time." We asked Lena to stay with us for the week that they're in town, but of course Jason wanted to stay with his parents. They got in last night, but Lena refused to have us come over till today for the party. It's Melanie & Jared's 25th anniversary, and everybody's coming over to celebrate.

"Do you think she's okay? What if she doesn't like her job? Do you think they treat h-"

"Wanda, calm down," Ian laughs, placing a hand gently over mine. "You talked to her last week on the phone. She said she was fine and I'm sure she is. Stop panicking." He shakes his head at me and I can't help but smile back. I guess I am a little overprotective of her, even though she's 24.

Just a few minutes later, we're pulling into their. We aren't the first one's here - there's at least seven other cars parked on the street. Ian barely has time to turn off the car before I'm hopping out and making a mad dash for the door. I almost forget the cookies and turn back for them, but find that Ian already has the plate in hand, and my bag strung around his shoulders.

I knock relentlessly on their door. They have a small house - just big enough for the two of them - but it's one of the prettiest I've seen. It's warm and cozy, easy to think of as home. Not to mention that they have a large pool in the back, making it our favorite spot for family get-togethers.

"Wanderer!" I hear from inside, just before the stained-glass door swings open. She pulls me into a large hug, squeezing me so tight I wonder if she's been working out lately. Knowing Mel, that's probably the case.

I hug her back, the small on my face impossible to wipe off. "Happy Anniversary, Mel!" I smile. "We brought cookies. I know they're Jared's favorites." Ian hands her the tray before placing a quick kiss on her cheek. She then smiles and lets us through. We know the house so well by now; we guide ourselves to the deck outside.

I walk outside into the warm, summer air. The sun's not too bright, but it still gives the air a nice, fuzzy hue. Tons of people are crowded around the pool, scattered across the yard. "I told you we were late," I mutter to Ian, who rolls his eyes in response.

"Mom! Dad!" I twist around to find Lena rushing up onto the duck to greet us. She rams into me at full force, almost toppling me over seeing as she's much taller than me by now, and I squeeze her tightly.

"Oh, Lena! God, I've missed you so much," I say against her hair. She pulls back and gives her father a hug. Ian kisses her on the forehead before letting her go. "How are you? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's fine," she laughs, tossing her long, dark hair behind her back. It's grown all the way down to her waist by now and she refuses to cut it. Her silver eyes sparkle under the sun and I can't help think of the first time I saw those beautiful, little eyes. She's grown up so much since then. So much has changed in the world. "My job is great. The kids really like me. Well, at least I think they do," she laughs. She recently became a history teacher for middle schoolers. Ian advised that that's the worst grade to teach, but Lena seems to love it.

"That's wonderful, honey," Ian says. "Is Jason around here?"

"Yeah," Lena says, scanning the crowd. "He's down there with all the boys." She points to a cluster of boys sitting by the edge of the pool. I spot Jamie, Will, Jason and who must be Jared - though it's hard to tell with the sun blocking my view.

"I'm going to go say 'hi' to him. I'll see you later," he says, taking off without so much as a kiss on the cheek. Once Lena and Jason started dating, it was obvious Ian was happy to have a "son" he could talk with; you know, about sports, girls and such. I laugh as he runs off.

"How are you, anyway?" Lena asks, smiling down at me. She's always worried about me for some reason, making sure I'm fine. I guess she's just concerned that I'm still not being treated fairly by everyone. It's true that most humans have come to accept the remaining Souls on the planet over the years (considering the fact that we're the main reason any of them are alive). But many of them are still fearful of Souls, scared will take over their bodies at any moment. It's a rational fear and I understand it, but Lena's constantly scared for me.

"I'm fine, honey. You don't need to worry about me," I tell her, touching her arm gently. She looks down almost sadly at me. God, she's so mature. When did that happen? "Tell me more about school."

"Oh, well . . " she starts, obviously not wanting to talk about her. "The kids are really great. They're actually really interested in what we're learning. Most of them don't care about the American Revolution or things like that, but now that we've moved onto more current events," she explains. It's obvious from her tone that she's talking about the Souls' invasion. "they seem excited to learn."

"That's great!"

"Yeah, it's nice. I met some of their parents the other day at Open House. A few of them are Souls, you know? It was really nice to meet them."

I know I shouldn't ask that - shouldn't bring up old topics - but I can't help myself. "Are any of their kids like you?"

She opens her mouth as if to answer, then closes it. I can sense the wound reopening in her eyes. "No. None of them," she whispers. It's never really been a sore topic for her - the fact that she looks like a Soul - but after we retook the world and she discovered no one else was like her, it became one. And we've met plenty of human/Soul couples. But none of them share a similar case. Not even Jamie and Sunny, whose daughter was born just three years ago.

"You're just special, Lena. In every way," I say, though I probably sound like a cliché annoying mother. "Do you mind if I go find the others? I still haven't seen anybody but you and Melanie."

"Oh, yeah, of course!" she says, happy for my change in subject. "Jason's probably looking for me anyway." She scurries off towards the group of guys while I make my way towards the lawn. I spot Sunny laying down on a blanket beside Jodi and practically jump on top of them. "Wanda!" Sunny gasps when she sees me standing over her. She pops up and gives me a tight hug, as does Jodi. We talk for a little while about our lives - how our kids are doing, what our jobs are like, etc. - before I make my way over to everybody else.

I reunite with everyone: Fords, Lily, Kyle, Trudy, Doc, Jamie, Jared and the others. We talk for a long time, sharing stories and swapping jokes. I'm standing by the pool, recounting old times with Jamie, when someone comes crashing from behind me. I scream as I'm flung forward and flopped down in the water, immediately soaked and shivering. Just as I'm coming up for air, something large hits the surface, creating another explosion. I spit water out of my mouth and try to see clearly.

Ian. Of course.

I make out his face from under the surface; his dark black hair, his sculpted face. And his wonderfully ripped chest. He breaks the surface and takes a large breath before pulling me close, laughing with me. I should be mad at him for pushing me in - let alone, in my clothes! - but I can't help but smile when I look into those perfect, ocean eyes.

Before I know it, the pool erupts in chaos as everyone jumps in, creating splashes and waves. The cool water rolls across my skin and I bury my face in Ian's chest. Laughter and cries of joy fill the air as I watch Mel and Jared jump in the pool, hand in hand. I can't help but smile.

Ian pulls me off to the side of the pool and wraps his arms around my waist, bringing me close. "Remember our first swim together?" he asks, pushing his forehead against mine. My face flushes at the mention of it. The first time we swam together was back in the caves, right after I got inserted into Emily's body. It was much more than a casual swim, and I can't help but blush even deeper.

"Yes," I whisper, a giggle rising in my throat. "Why are you asking?"

"I don't know," he says, pulling away, obviously not sharing some sort of secret with me. "Just wondering."

"Oh, come here!" I say, clawing at him and pulling him to me. His lips are hot against mine, sparkling, tingling. My legs wrap around his underwater, the feel of the cool liquid making me even more anxious. His hands run through my dripping hair and I trail mine down his abs. He slides his tongue into my mouth and I have to hold back a moan. Heat rushes through my body despite the cold water and I deepen the kiss, oh so eager.

"Hey, it's my anniversary, Wanda! Save that for yours," Mel yells, interrupting us. I pull away, shocked and a little embarrassed. But the smile on her face relieves me as I realize she's only kidding. Before I can reply, Jared pulls her in close for their own little celebration.

Ian and I continue where we left off, lost in each other's love; human and Soul entwined together in a beautiful display of silver and blue.

THE END!

So I hope you liked it. Thank you so much for all the follows, favorites and reviews. I can't believe so many people actually liked Reinserted that they wanted a sequel! I hope this met your expectations!

I'm not going to write any more long host fics, but if you want me to write a one-shot, I will!

THANKS FOR READING 3