6 Years Later (a Tuck Everlasting Fanfic)

Chapter 1: 17th birthday

A/N: Just like I said in the description, this is my first fic so please please PLEASE take it easy on me. I've also posted this fic on my Tumblr @blessthisbroadwaymess ! Constructive criticism is very welcome! Hope you enjoy!!!

Today is the day, she's been waiting forever. It was officially Winnie Foster's 17th birthday.

It had been nearly six years since the events of the Tucks and the Man in the Yellow Suit. Sometimes she still wonders if it all really happened, but the way she knew it did was the friendships that she had built with them (not the Man in the Yellow Suit of course).

There were many times after she went back home that she had missed them or even worried that they had forgotten about her, after all they've lived over a hundred years, people probably came and went like a flash to them. But nevertheless she was sure that Jesse would be there waiting for her by the spring

That morning when she came downstairs, as usual her grandmother was in her rocking chair knitting and her mother in the chair opposite of her drinking her morning tea. "Good morning" Winnie said with the biggest smile. Her mother turned to face her "oh hello Winnie dear. Why don't you go get some breakfast" she said while turning back to her tea. Winnie's smile faded, had they really forgotten her birthday? She thought. Of course not...right? Winnie walked quietly back upstairs to pack her things.

Once she was done the ever so imaginative Winnie Foster decided to climb out her window. She slowly opened the window careful not to make a noise. She grabbed her suitcase and climbed out onto the tree outside her window, carefully she climbed down thanks to the advice Jesse had given her on how to climb trees.

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Once Winnie Foster was halfway to the spring her mind started to drift, started to wonder, and started to...worry? Why was she so worried? She pushed these thoughts out of her mind as she got closer to the spring, the spring that would change her life. As she arrived at the spring next to the tree with the "T" engraved by Jesse. she looked around carefully, making sure no one who didn't know the secret of this magical spring but more importantly she was looking for Jesse...she couldn't find him, until...she heard a faint chuckle up in the tree. It was indeed her closest friend Jesse "Jesse Tuck, you get down here right now!" Winnie yelled up trying to hold back tears of joy "Why don't you come up here, it'll be just like old times!" He yelled back down. Winnie laughed and shook her head "fine, I'm coming!" She yelled in response.

She started climbing excitedly, climbing was almost second nature now and she was certain her and Jesse would be climbing a lot more trees in the future. Once near the top, Jesse held out his hand, he had the biggest smile on his face, Winnie grabbed his hand happily and he pulled her up.

At the top, they finally reunited after six long years. She hugged Jesse so tightly she was afraid she would choke him but then she remembered that he couldn't die so she let it all out. She never imagined herself crying after being reunited but thanks to teenage hormones, she couldn't hold the tears back. "Are you okay?" Jesse asked still smiling but it had started fading when he noticed Winnie was crying, "Yeah, I'm fine. Could we climb down now?" "Of course".

At the bottom, Winnie could barely wait a moment longer to drink from the spring. "Are you absolutely sure about this Winnie? I-I don't want you to be like you're being forced to do this. Cause this is for sure going to be the biggest choice you will ever make." Said Jesse, suddenly second guessing "I'm sure Jesse. I've had plenty of time to think about it over the last six years" Winnie said giving Jesse a comforting smile. Jesse found a sudden interest in the ground, Winnie placed her hand on his arm just to assure him.

Winnie pulled out the vile Jesse gave her six years ago that used to have the magical water of eternity in it, but she had given it to the toad as a way of thanking him (or her). She dipped it into the spring, her mind racing at a million miles an hour. She lifted her hand slowly from the water, her mind flooding with memories of her mother and grandmother. She froze. "Winnie? What's wrong?" Jesse asked looking concerned "look, you don't have to do this" he continued "no no no it's just, I think I'll...can I possibly wait a few days?" Winnie asked

"Of course you can, it's your choice. OH, I totally forgot! I have a Birthday present for you!" Jesse said as he started rummaging through his bag "You really didn't have to do that, seeing you after six long years is one of the best gifts I could ever receive!" "Yeah, well even if that were true I still wanted to get you something." Jesse handed her a small box, Winnie opened it slowly she gasped. It was a brass locket with a toad charm hanging next to it. "Jesse, I-It's beautiful! Thank you" she thanked him as she jumped into his arms "Help me put it on?" "Of course!" Jesse took the locket out of the box and hung it around her neck, after he had secured it Winnie looked down at it "I love it Jesse!" "Well I'm glad you like it but now that I think of it, it's starting to get late. Ma and Pa will start to get worried" Jesse said noticing how dark it had become "Wait, Angus and Mae are here!?" A smile growing on Winnie's face "of course! Did you really think they left?" "I honestly don't know what I was thinking. But your right it is getting late, we better go."

By the time they had reached the Tuck's cottage it was pitch black outside, Winnie saw Angus 'fishing' on the porch. Angus looked over and when he saw Winnie she could tell he was shocked, "Mae! Come outside!" Angus ran to us, Mae came running in confusion "Winnie Foster? Is that really you?"