Nick looked at her then at the paper. He smiled and got up. He looked to Annie and spoke.
"Can I come with you Annie?"
"Yeah of course! Mom we will be back. Want me to get something for dinner?" Asked Annie looking to her mom.
"Yes get eight pieces of whatever meat you want. Also get some green beans and potatoes." Said Sarah writing this all down.
"Got it. Why eight?" Asked Annie looking confused.
"Leftovers. Plus Nick will want to stay. Right Nick?" Said Sarah.
"Yes Ma'am." Said Nick.
"Ok," Said Annie and got on her shoes and got her bag.
When Annie walked out the door with Nick. She got in his car. She put her bag in the back and waited for Nick to start the car. But he didn't. He sat there and looked at her. She looked at him and looked away.
"Why are you looking at me Nick?" Asked Annie smiling now.
"I know you like a book I've read one million times. You are scared. But I get it. You are seventeen and he hasn't been here for nine years." Said Nick finally starting the car.
Annie didn't say a thing until they got to the airport. She told Nick to stay and then left. She hated going through security but she had to do it for her dad. She wondered how long he was staying. She didn't care but it was hard for her to say dad to him. She hasn't had to use that word for nine years. She remembered the sentence but she hadn't heard anybody ever use it. She had it written all over her notebook. Her best friend Jenny was in New york for a while and Mia was at home getting ready for tonight. Annie got through security and went to gate 320. She sat down and smiled. Nick did know her like a book that they've read a billion times. They have been friends since eighth grade. But she loved him because he knew how to make her happy and she was thankful for him. She took a folder out of her bag and set to finishing the last pages of homework even though it didn't have to be turned in until the next week. By the time they announced that the plane was landing she was long done with homework and had been looking at news from their hometown that week. When people were getting off she didn't know what to look for. She hadn't asked and didn't think he would look the same as before. She stood up and smiled to everybody. She wished that he would just come walking up to her. When the crowd died down she saw a man in his early forties standing there looking around. She walked over to him with her bag on her shoulder. She tapped his shoulder lightly and looked him in the face.
"Hi," She said tapping the man's shoulder.
"Oh Hi. Are you Analice?" Said the man looking startled.
"Yes I am. Are you...... Are you my.........my .....my dad?" Asked Annie looking at his face. He didn't look to different. He was still tall and looked very strong. His Billion dollar smile and blue eyes.
"I am. Annie. It's You!" Cole said lifting up Annie and swinging her around.
"Hey! Hahaha! Stoopp!" Said Annie trying to contain her laughter.
"You are so beautiful! I knew you would be. With your blonde hair and blue eyes. You are magnificent!" Said Cole letting go of her and hugging her tightly.
"Thank you. We should get going. I need to stop at the store for mom also to be some ingredients for Mrs. Young." Said Annie walking off.
They walked to the car in silence. Annie wasn't sure how her dad would feel about Nick. But Nick had a good effect of parents. He father tagged along with one giant suitcase. Annie didn't know anything it seemed liked. She smiled and opened the trunk for her dad. He heaved his suitcase into the back and shuts it. Then, Annie opened the passenger and climbed in. Cole got in the passenger and looked at Nick.
"Who are you young man?" Said Cole looking at Nick.
"I am Nicholas Dean Brooklyn. I am your daughter's boyfriend. I have heard many things about you and it is good to finally meet you sir." Said Nick keeping his eyes on Cole the whole time.
They shook hands and started blabbing. Annie wasn't getting in this conversation and she didn't want to be. She jumped out of the car and went into the store while the guys kept blabbing. She got her eight pieces of pork chops and since it was her turn to cook she got everything she needed. She got back in the car with at least six or more shopping bags. She put them next to her and had her headphones in. She didn't want to hear what they were talking about. Annie listened to music all the way until they got home. They stopped talking when Cole wouldn't answer Nick because he was looking at the house, barn and well. He then saw Sarah walk out of the front door and smile. He was amazed. She looks beautiful he thought to himself. He got out of the car and disappeared with Sarah into the barn. Annie went to the kitchen and got to work. When Nick came in he took off his shoes and sat down at the table. Annie looked at him and smiled.
"Annie?" Asked Nick.
"Yes baby?" Said Annie looking at him.
"Once we are out of college and everything..... what are we gonna do?"
"Nick. Where did that come from?" Annie said stopping everything she was doing.
"I just wanted to know if we were going to stay together or not?" Said Nick looking at his holey socks.
"Nick, I thought we were going to get married and live our lives here?" Said Annie walking toward him.
"I know but are we going to live here?" Asked Nick looking up to her.
"I thought so. Remember you were going to build us a house on this land and we would live here." Said Annie sitting on the floor.
"I know but what if I don't get into college?Annie you have straight A's. Any college would be crazy not to take you! But me I'm just a guy who doesn't have good grades and if any college wanted me they probably wouldn't be a good college then. I'm afraid i'm not going to get in." Said Nick with a sad, desperate look in his eyes.
"Nick, If you don't get in then i'm not going to college. My mom didn't and look at her! She raised me!" Said annie sitting on Nick's lap and hugging him.
"Ok I won't worry. But promise me if I don't get in that you will still love me?" Said Nick hugging Annie back.
"Of course! I won't let you down!" Said Annie.
"Thanks Annie. I love you." said Nick.
"I love you too Nick."
Annie got right back to cooking. She made her pork chops in sauce and a green bean and potatoes. They all sat down and ate. It was pretty much ate in silence. Annie got up and did the dishes in silence. Annie's dad left a week later and Annie's life returned to normal.
