Chapter 2: Catching Up

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Cole arrived at Alyssa's house and got out of his car. It was a nice apartment building; it was the right amount for a schoolteacher. He walked over and pushed a button. "Yes," Alyssa answered.

"Alyssa, its me," Cole informed.

"Hold on a second."

A loud beeping sound could be heard and Cole went inside. He was trying to get to the second floor when Mrs. Johnson started yelling at him for disturbing the peace or something like that. He rolled his eyes as he finally reached her apartment. He knocked on the door and Alyssa answered it with a smile. "Hey, Cole, come in," she invited. He came in and looked around. It was a cozy place inside. She was able to in a home. Unlike him who was out traveling a lot. "Sit down," she insisted. Cole sat down and gave her a smile.

"Have you heard from Taylor lately?" He asked.

"Yeah, it seems that she has a boyfriend now," she replied.

"Really, who?"

"A certain Quantum Ranger."

"No, Eric?"

"Yes, Eric."

"I thought those two hated each other."

"Well, they met up when she decided to join the Silver Guardians. They've been dating ever since."

"What about Max and Danny?"

"They're still up and about the world."

They were quiet for a minute, but then Cole broke the silence. "Have you heard from Merrick?" He asked.

"No, he must be traveling still too," she replied.

"He's had it rough ever since Princess Shayla left."

"Yeah."

It was quiet again, and then Alyssa broke the silence this time. "What about you?" She asked.

"I'm still traveling around helping every animal that I can," he replied.

"That's great."

"What about you?"

"Well, you see that I'm a kindergarten teacher."

"No boyfriend?"

"Nope. Any girlfriends?"

"No, I've had a few dates, but they always went down the drain."

"Oh."

They became very uncomfortable, but then the phone rang. "I'll be back," she assured him. She got up and answered the phone. "Hello, hey Taylor, what's going on?" She asked. Cole could only hear her side of the conversation, so he decided to listen closely. "No, did he? When? Where and how? I know, but I'm so happy for you. This is huge. When's the wedding? Well, when you get the date set, make sure you send me an invitation. I'd love to keep talking, but I have company. It's Cole, don't worry. Yes, he's back. I'll make sure to tell him. I'll talk to you later, by," she stated. She hung up and looked at Cole with a huge smile on her face.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Taylor's engaged."

"No."

"Yes, he proposed last night."
"Did she say where?"

"She told me it was personal."

Cole rolled his eyes, knowing what the former Yellow Ranger was meaning. "She's making sure to send us an invitation once the wedding date is set," she informed. She sat next to him again with a smile. "I'm so happy for Taylor," she told him.

"Yeah, she deserves to be happy. So, what happened with her being in the Air Force?" He asked.

"Oh, she didn't tell me why. She just said that she wanted to try something different. So, she retired."

"Well, now she's a Silver Guardian that's engaged to the leader."

"Yep."

"Any word about Wes and Jen?"

"Oh, you didn't hear?"

"No, what?"

"Well, Wes and Jen are married, remember we were at the wedding. Well, now she's expecting their first."

"Well, the thing with the future is a little weird."

"Tell me about it. If this is going the way it should, that means that Jen is Alex's very great-grandmother."

Cole shuddered at the thought. "Well, now she's with Wes, the way it should be," he commented.

"Yep, and they are as happy as could be," she agreed.

"How have you been doing?" He asked.

"I'm doing great."

"Good, that's good."

Alyssa smiled and looked into her lap. "You're still very beautiful, you know," he commented.

"Thanks, Cole," she answered.

She then looked at him. "I've missed you," she murmured. Cole reached over and took her hand in his.

"I've missed you too," he told her.

Then they both were caught up in the memory of the day they said goodbye.

(Flashback)

Cole stood by his new motorcycle and Alyssa stood in front of him. "This is it, huh?" He asked.

"I guess it is," she answered.

He walked over and hugged her. She hugged him back and closed her eyes. "I promise we'll meet again soon," he assured her.

"Not soon enough," she sighed sadly.

He pulled away and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Goodbye, Alyssa," he murmured. He got onto his motorcycle and road off, leaving Alyssa standing there with tears running down her face.

"Goodbye, Cole," she whispered.

(End Flashback)

"So, here we are," Cole stated. Alyssa nodded and watched as he stood up. "Listen, I've got to get going," he told her.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"I have to get back to my motel before it gets too late."

"Okay. Uh, when do you think we can meet again?"

Cole stopped at the door and looked at her. "Meet me at the park at three tomorrow," he replied.

"I'll be there," she assured him.

"Great, I'll see you then."

Alyssa nodded and watched as he left. "Hopefully you're here to stay, Cole. I wouldn't be able to say goodbye again," she whispered to the door.

Cole walked to his car and stopped. He looked over at the apartment to find Alyssa getting up from the couch and taking her hair down from it's bun. His heart skipped a beat and just stared at the beautiful woman walking from his view. The woman he loved since she the day he met her. He got into his car and left.

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