Bring Me Light [Editing]

Chapter 22 - Jackson

I always believed that there's only one person out there for you, and that once you find that person, whether it works out or not, you won't get another chance. I guess my theory proved to be wrong.

After arriving at my family's vacation home in Chicago, Elena was able to meet most of my extended family - aunts, uncles, cousins, even the grandparents. And she hit it off pretty well with them.

While my aunt and Elena were in the kitchen happily chatting away while cooking dinner, the rest of the extended family was in the living room, bursting into fits of laughter about my grandfather's old jokes.

I silently excused myself to go out onto the back deck. The family dog, Bruce, followed along, and sat down at my feet.

"How are you, old buddy?" I asked him, smiling slightly to myself. "I think that I've achieved my goal. And I think I did it well."

Bruce looked up at me through those old eyes of his that seemed to say, What's that you achieved?

"Well, I think Elena's happy. I think that even though she still mourns over Joy, she's able now to move on and accept the facts."

Bruce gave out a moan and put his head back down to sleep. I rubbed his head while thinking about my long journey. I had come a long way from my goal, and that made me proud. I knew that Elena needed someone like me, I knew from the start, but I didn't know I would fall in love; much less be that person.

"Hey." I heard an all too familiar voice. It was coming from the girl standing in the doorway. It wasn't a member of my family, and it wasn't Elena for sure.

It was Maria.

Crap.

"Hi." I turned on my heels to face my ex-girlfriend.

"Hi? That's it? No, 'Hey babe, sorry I didn't call! I was too busy falling in love with a brat.'"

"Maria-"

"Don't 'Maria' me!" She sighed. Her light brown hair falling off her shoulders onto a pink dress.

"Why are you even here?" I gestured. I could not even begin to explain my frustration with her.

"Oh nothing. Just felt like visiting and meeting the girl who stole my dreams." She looked back at the slowly setting sun and the snow.

"Your dreams?"

"Yes, Jackson! She took you from me!" She strutted to me in her ridiculous 10 inch heels. She placed her hand on my arm. "And I miss you..." She leaned against my chest as I yanked my arm back and pushed her away.

"I'm not the same, Maria. And I love Elena."

"You loved me!"

"Yes! Before!" I seethed.

"Before what?! Before you moved? Before you met her?"

"Before Elena. After I discovered what I was like. What she used to be. She needs me Maria!" I shouted. She stepped back. I knew it made her upset, but I was furious. She thinks she can just saunter in here and take me back to Boston? I'm with Elena. And I will always stay by Elena.

"Jackson-"

"No." There was a awkward silent pause.

"Well then. I am going to go get us a drink." And she stepped back inside. Only to run into Elena.

"Oh! Sorry!" Elena cried.

"No. It's fine." Maria managed a fake smile.

"I don't think we met yet. I'm Elena." She said as she lifted her hand. Maria pulled her hands behind her.

"Maria." Elena's eyes widened as she put her hand down.

"Oh. And are you here for Jackson?"

"No." She looked at me and I turned my back. "Not really." Elena cringed.

"Okay."

"I'll be right back." As she excused herself, Elena appeared at my side, staring at the sunset. I looked at her. I studied her eyes, her dark brown hair, her red sweater and blue jeans.

"Hello." She said to me.

"Hi, Elena." I smiled. She giggled and I pulled her closer to me.

"Do you like the snow?" I asked.

"Oh yeah! It's beautiful!" She beamed.

"Good." I nodded. Elena shifted. What was making her uncomfortable?

"Are you alright?" I asked with evident concern.

"Sure! I mean, uh, what would I worry about?"

"Elena, tell me please. I want to help you." She hesitated.

"What did you and Maria talk about?"

"How much I love you." I answered. She laughed nervously.

"Good one!"

"No, we really did."

"And how much do you love me?" She batted her eyelashes and laughed.

"This much." I said.

I pulled her closer to me and lifted her chin. Before I knew it, my lips had already touched hers. I had kissed her, finally, and it felt good.

"Jackson, I-" Elena started but we were interrupted by a crashing sound. Maria was standing the doorway, two glasses in her hand and we had heard them drop. Glass shattered all over the floor and liquid spilled on the wood. Maria's dress was soaked and her eyes were wet.

"I hate you!" She screamed at Elena and ran from the family house. All eyes appeared to me. Suddenly, my Nana appeared and calmed everyone. My family returned to their party but not before my Nana turned to me and said,"I liked this one better anyway."

Elena looked traumatized. Her eyes were wide and she was silent. I pulled her close to me again, her back to my chest, my hand in hers.

"Jackson, I'm sorry." She whispered.

"No need to be." I mumbled into her hair as I kissed the top of her head.

"Can we redo that?"

"Can't redo a first kiss."

"Who said it was my first kiss?!" She laughed. I spun her around and lifted her chin.

And it was the best kiss ever.

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(A/N)
HOLY CRAP GUYS!!! Abrupt ending but....HOLY CRAP.

We finished our first book!!!

"I would like to thank the Academy"

Eeeeeeeeeeekkkkk!!!

A few notes and acknowledgements from the authors:
Haley
- I would like to thank my parents for enjoying my first stories! I love you guys.
- I would like to thank my friends Caitlyn and Justin for being there every step.
- I WANT to thank Amy but she won't read the book :P Love ya anyways.
- I would like to extra thank my partner Ella because she's awesome for helping me.
- I would like to thank the sunset that helped Ella and I find the name.
- And I would like to thank Seabrook for helping us to get fresh air and think.

Ella

- I'll thank Haley (you're the sweetest and my partner in crime) and all our readers for sticking with us to the end.

We'll have an epilogue ready ASAP ;)