Thanks for sticking with me to the end...

*************

Six months later...

"Jake's got one with ESPN," Molly supplied.

"And Molly's obviously going to get NPR," Jake said.

"I only applied," Molly hissed. "I haven't heard anything back and maybe I won't. It's not for sure!"

"Yes, it is - for you." He dug a fork into her pasta.

She pursed her lips. "If you think you can flatter me into ignoring that you're a food stealer..."

"Shh! You guys!" Juliet held up a hand, her brows drawn. "Look. This is important." She turned her phone to face them. "What do you think of her?"

Jake took it, glancing at the woman in the purple skirt-suit off one of Juliet's dating apps. "She's pretty." He handed it off to Molly.

She agreed, then sighed. "Okay, Jules, what's wrong with this one?"

Juliet frowned. "I don't know. She might be too cute for me?"

Jake and Molly exchanged a glance. They'd definitely gotten to know Juliet by now and this was rocky territory. They had to be supportive, encouraging, flattering, and convincing all at once. "Is cuter than you even a thing?" Molly tried.

"I'm kind of wondering if she's cute enough," Jake said as earnestly as he could, taking her phone back even as it kept dinging and little heads popped up and disappeared. "Jesus! If she doesn't work, you got your pick."

The numbers weren't as high as Juliet might get on Tinder, but she seemed spoiled for choice on this app. And it was much nicer to look at, from what he knew of Tinder, way fewer dick pics, which he understood were - outside Molly's phone, and only from him, and only after 10 pm, and only with hilarious captions - definitely unwelcome.

Juliet took the phone back, a wrinkle on her flawless nose. "But the skirt suit. I don't know. It's so conservative."

"But that's what makes me think she'd work," Jake said pointedly. "Very first lady."

Juliet nodded at him significantly. "You're right. Swiping right."

Molly looked between them. "First lady?"

"Jake, did you not tell her?" Juliet rolled her eyes. "He's basically forcing me to run for city council next term!"

Molly turned to him. "Forcing her?"

"I just believe in you so much," Jake said to Juliet. "I'll explain later," he whispered to Molly.

"Explain what?"

There wasn't much to it. He'd said one thing to Juliet last summer and, since then, Juliet had sent him many text messages arguing back and forth with herself about it, during which he tried and failed to get a text in edgewise.

In the end, she decided to put it in her five-year plan and promised to thank Jake in her very first victory speech.

"Juliet is considering a career in politics," he finally said.

"You know, that makes a lot of sense," Molly said. "Back in high school, you did get us that extra vending machine on the second floor."

"I know, right?" Juliet put her phone away. "Anyway, are we done? I'm stuffed and I really need to walk this off."

Molly groaned in agreement.

Jake stared at the fairly giant plates. His was empty, Juliet's was barely touched, and Molly's was only half-done because of his help. "How can either of you be stuffed?"

"This place over-serves pasta to a dangerous level," Juliet pushed her plate away. "I'll have to work on that if I get elected."

Jake gaped at her, horrified at the thought, as he called for a doggie bag, knowing full well that he would be the dog in question about four hours from now. It was hard to help. He felt like he was always hungry and, between the season and training, he felt like he always worked it off. Molly had warned him about not getting used to that.

He'd already decided that he wouldn't be playing past college. Not that he was being scouted or anything, but he wasn't broken-hearted about it. Maybe that ESPN internship would be the start of his career on the sidelines. Hell, he loved his sport, and he was grateful it put him in a fairly good college, but he was starting to get tired of being sore, scraped, and bruised at the end of a day. Hell, the season ended a week ago and he still had to make poor Molly do all the work whenever they got enough time alone, something they weren't getting at home.

Not that their parents were actively working against them, but the alone time they once got in unlimited supply seemed to be a thing of the past now that their parents knew the deal. There were lots of doors left open and heads popping in, especially Mr. Doyle's.

He'd been right about one thing - Molly's dad did show him the machete collection. He also added that he was mulling over getting a gun... solely for recreational target practice. He said it all with a smile, but Jake felt a little intimidated calling him Josh after that (he'd long since dropped the Uncle). He was definitely Mr. Doyle until further notice.

Outside, the snow was starting to come down. Only flurries to start, but they were due for three inches overnight. It would be even deeper in the mountains. He wondered if he could drive up there and manage to get snowed in with Molly, get some of that alone time they were missing out on.

"Well, this is my stop," Juliet said as they ended up in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows.

"We parked here, too," Molly said. "Guess we all got in before the throngs."

"Looks like the Christmas Bazaar's started," Jake nodded to the large sign they were passing, vaguely wondering if these were the same church ladies who'd hosted the Summer Bazaar at their old high school. He'd always hoped to see Patience, at least one more time. Sometimes he thought of her as an almost mystical figure, showing up and changing his life before disappearing forever.

He nudged Juliet. "Why aren't you in on this?"

"You kidding?" Juliet rolled her eyes. "My stuff is sold in retail now. I don't need this."

"I might need it." He pointed at another sign near the packed parking lot, giving Molly a pleading look. "They have funnel cake."

Molly gave him a disbelieving roll of her eyes. "We just had lunch a few minutes ago."

"Yeah, but not dessert. Seems wrong. It's almost Christmas!"

"Okay. You guys have fun in there," Juliet said, hugging each in turn. "I've got like a billion pumpkin spice and cranberry orange body washes to package. Spoiler alert: don't buy yourselves any bath products before Christmas."

"We solemnly promise not to," Molly called after her.

Jake turned to Molly after tossing their doggy bag in his truck, putting on a scowl. "Yeah. I'm going to have to have a talk with that girl. She hugged you way too long."

Molly slapped his arm. "Shut up!"

"She did. I also caught her staring at your ass like four times," he pulled Molly in by the ridiculous strings on her sock monkey hat, something he'd picked up on her last birthday, to match George, "not that I blame her."

"You're onto us," Molly gasped. "How are we ever going to get away with running off together now?"

"You won't. I'm going to tie you up. There's plenty of garland and red ribbons around."

"Ah. Kinky, yet festive."

"Well, it is Christmas."

She nodded at the church. "Speaking of that, we might as well take a look in there. One of my mom's giant reindeer broke. Santa's driving with a half-antlered Blitzen."

He laughed as they shuffled to the church. "Can anyone even tell?"

"She can and it's driving her insane."

Molly's mother's yard was always the most decorated on the street, practically in the whole town. She'd been in the paper at least three times and they always hosted a huge party on Christmas Eve, which Deb spent all of November planning. Molly always called her a party addict and Christmas was her heroin, though she would find any excuse. Deb had even tried to throw one after they officially announced their relationship status.

"Mom, that's for engagement, not dating," Molly had said through her teeth.

"But you never know," she'd said with an exaggerated wink at Jake, which made Molly turn so red, she was bordering on purple. It wasn't the last of that kind of talk, either, something that had made Molly dye her hair hot pink, then bright blue, and now green. Molly insisted she was simply getting in the Christmas spirit, but Jake knew better.

Strangely enough, it didn't scare Jake. Hell, Deb's reaction was way better than Mr. Doyle's. And his mom was actually the most embarrassing. She'd sobbed at Molly to "call her Janet," gripping her and not letting go for at least five full minutes. She'd also made casual mentions of their future together as if it was some kind of foregone conclusion. And he knew it should freak him out, but somehow it didn't. He wasn't about to pull out a ring or anything, but whenever he thought of the future, Molly was there.

Molly nudged him. "What are you brooding about?"

"Our parents," he said, deciding to settle for half of it as they moved into the crowded church basement and its rows of tables with almost everything sparkly and red and green. "It's like they never give us time to ourselves anymore, but I guess it could be worse."

Molly stuffed her hat and gloves into her pocket. "Dad hasn't even applied for a gun license yet, if that helps."

Jake tried to laugh. "Don't remind him, then."

"At least they were okay with it. Some of them a little too okay," Molly groaned, probably thinking about her mother. Maybe his.

"After all that, it was kind of anticlimactic telling friends back at school."

"Or even old high school friends around town," Molly agreed.

They had revealed their status on all the socials at the end of last summer, then to anyone they missed coming back for winter break. Nobody had been satisfyingly surprised. "They were like 'Yeah? And?'"

"I thought we were big news," Molly sighed.

"I bet they all figured we'd been together all this time."

Molly laughed. "You think that was why neither of us got much action back then?"

"Who cares? I think we get enough now." Jake pulled her to his side as they moved among the rows of tables. "Not nearly enough since we've been home, but still..."

"What are you talking about?" She elbowed him. "We already destroyed the merchandise today, like a mere two hours ago."

"But that doesn't make up for two days when the merchandise was left all lonely and undestroyed. I miss your dorm and that awesome roommate of yours."

"Awesome how? She's never there. You met her once."

"I know. She's the best." Molly was rooming with a theater major who was basically invisible, between classes and rehearsals, bless her. He leaned down, but Molly stopped him.

"Keep distracting me from my mission and you will not get your funnel cake."

"You're not the boss of me."

She pulled him down by the collar. "Yes, I am."

"Yeah. You probably are." God, it was getting hot in here. "We should really get out of these coats. And while we're at it..."

Molly seemed to be considering it before she pulled away. "We're in a church, you reprobate!"

"But it's only the church basement, so-"

"Well, look who it is!"

The voice was familiar. He hoped it was familiar enough that he could tell them off for interrupting what was sure to be some next-level groping, possibly in the nearest bathroom. But all thoughts of naughty groping fled his mind as he turned.

"It's you," he said, finding himself smiling.

Molly said the same thing, but without the smile.

Patience gestured between the two of them. "So how long has this been going on?" She put up a hand. "Let me guess. Six months?"

"Is she psychic now, too?" Molly said under her breath.

"No, merely highly intuitive, Dear," Patience gave her a tight smile, "along with my excellent hearing."

Molly paled, but was saved from replying by her phone chirping loudly. "Gosh, I'd love to catch up, but I need to check this. Very important," she said, not even looking at it as she backed away awkwardly, leaving Jake, which he didn't actually mind.

"I kind of hoped I'd see you again," Patience said, taking the words right out of his mouth.

"Same here. I actually wanted to say-"

"No thanks necessary," she cut in.

He gawked at her. "Maybe you are psychic."

"Pfft! I had nothing to do with it, except knowing which stones to apply. Things always work out the way they should. Certain energies speed up the timeline a little, if anything. Still, I wondered if it would take more time for you, what with your thing for that other one."

He let out an awkward laugh. "Funny story. The other one actually..."

"Plays for the other team?"

"Okay." Jake leaned in. "Are you sure you're not psychic?"

"Well, I am wearing an azurite pendant today," Patience said, pulling a stone out of her frilly blouse. "So I'm definitely more on my game than usual, but I kind of wondered if you'd figure out you were chasing the wrong one, even then." She nodded to his left and he followed her gaze to Molly's green hair, standing in line at the other end of the hall. "She's a good one," Patience harrumphed, "despite her terribly closed mind."

"She's the best one," he corrected her. Molly was standing in line for funnel cake, after all. "Sometimes I wonder if I even deserve her."

"Hmmm. I might have something for that." He turned back to find Patience running a finger over her stones. "I should probably give you some pink mangano calcite for that self-esteem of yours, but I'm sure you fancy yourself too manly to wear it."

"That's... kinda true," he had to admit.

"But if you want some insurance," she plucked up a pair of earrings hanging from a small card with raw stones dangling from them, both very deep blue, "then lapis lazuli should do it."

He took them from her. "What do they do?"

"They might help you hang onto that one, provided the energy's right, maybe even forever."

"Forever, huh?" He glanced at Molly, still not the least bit scared, but a little insurance never hurt. He turned back to Patience and reached for his wallet, but Patience put up a hand.

"Oh, stop it. You never did let me give you the last one. My email's on that card if you want to pass it along. That would be enough for me. And, for God's sake, don't lose this one like the other two!"

"How did you know about the other one?"

She tapped her pendant. "I know everything. Or maybe I noticed my bracelet was nowhere on either of you. Now go find that girl of yours. Looks like she has some big news."

He pointed at her. "Okay. How do you know that?"

She nodded past him. "Because no one smiles that big over funnel cake."

"I don't know. I do." He turned to find Molly standing near the door, and definitely smiling widely as she waved him over. He gave Patience's hand a hasty squeeze. "Thanks again. I'll let you know..."

"Yes, fine. Stop crowding my table, you freeloader." She smiled and waved him off.

He moved to Molly, curious. "What's going on?"

"Not in here. Too noisy." She gripped his hand and pulled him outside and all the way to a stone bench, already coated with a thin layer of snow. Both of their asses would be wet, but he barely cared when she seemed this happy.

She handed him the paper plate with a ceremonial air. "So this is officially a celebration funnel cake."

"Did you find a Blitzen?" he asked, even though he was sure that wasn't it.

"I found something better." She dug in her pocket and handed him her phone.

He pushed it back. "I don't even need to look."

"Yes, you do. I..."

"You got the internship."

She slapped his arm so hard, he nearly dropped the funnel cake. "Surprise ruiner! Well, I bet you can't guess which..."

"It's the WNYC location."

Molly scoffed loudly. "You suck!"

"Maybe I just know you," Jake said. "It's not like you'd be this happy if we weren't going to be together for the summer."

"Maybe I don't want to spend the summer with you now," Molly said, pouting adorably. "What did Patience do? Give you her psychic powers?"

"She did give me something. I was gonna save it for your stocking," he put the plate down, dug in his pocket, and pulled out the little card, "but I guess these can be official celebration earrings."

"Oooh! I actually like these." She gave him a suspicious look. "Unless she suckered you out of some giant wad of cash."

"They were a gift."

"Oh, sure. I still don't believe you about the other ones. I bet you gave her more money."

"Believe what you want. Patience is practically the official sponsor of our epic love."

She blinked at him. "Epic love?"

He hadn't meant to say it, but he wasn't backing down, either. "That's right. I said it. Said it first, too."

She stared at him endlessly. Dear God, what if she didn't say it back? He gave Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows - her statue, at least - a desperate glance, wondering if she would help out a practically heathen crystal-believer like him.

"Good. You should say it first." She lifted her chin. "I was the one who loved you first, so I still win."

He leaned in. "But I was the one who did something about it first."

She leaned in, too. "Only because you thought you had a magic crystal."

"I don't know if magic was the word, but I'm still pretty damned sure there was something there." He brushed her lips. "But I'm gonna let you win because you got me funnel cake."

She giggled and kissed him back. "Which we are crushing right now," she said into his mouth.

"I almost don't care." He detached himself and pulled the squashed plate from between them. "But only almost."

She brushed some powdered sugar off her coat. "Yes, please stop mauling me in front of Our Lady, you beast!"

He gave her an exaggerated growl and took a giant bite. "Mmmm."

"That good?"

"I don't want to say it's better than sex or anything," he said around a mouthful, "but you might have your work cut out for you tonight."

She took a big chunk for herself. "Mmmm. I can't even be mad right now because so do you." She pulled away with a laugh and took her earrings out. "Okay, so what do these supposedly do?" she asked as she exchanged her hoops for the lapis whatevers. He couldn't remember the name, just the word "forever."

"I'll let you know if they work."

She nudged him. "No, tell me."

"I will tell you." He kissed the powdered sugar off her lips as the snow fell harder and the wind blew colder. He barely felt it. "One of these days."

He couldn't help but think they had plenty of days ahead of them.

Maybe enough to fill forever.

THE END

************

I hope you guys enjoyed this short. I know I liked writing/sharing it.

Now back to the 1800s. LOL.

Also don't be a stranger. Besides my writing here, you can find me on twitter @AWheelerRomance