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Chapter Seven: Moving On


"I can't believe how close they were able to make this house look like the old one," Tierja sighed happily, standing in the master bedroom as she placed her clothes in the dresser she was able to salvage from the rubble. It had been three months since the F4 tornado had hit the small Minnesota town just outside the Twin Cities and everything was going well for what seemed like the first time in Tierja's life. Her fractured skull had healed perfectly and she felt no pain except a slight twinge when it rained.

"That's what happens when you fork over a small load of insurance money for rebuilding," Kevin teased, carrying in one of the last boxes from the moving van they rented for the day. After the horrifying night in Minnesota, Ana and Tierja constantly teased Kevin that he'd be running out of the state faster than Lance Armstrong could bike the Le Tour de France. Only, Kevin had one important reason for staying around for three months and what he planned to be long after - Tierja.

"Mama always said to keep insurance on the house," Tierja shrugged with a sheepish grin, turning to wrap her arms around his waist after he placed the box on the floor. "You can still turn back and head for a state that doesn't have tornados."

"Is that your way of asking me to leave instead of moving in like you originally intended?"

"No, no, no. I'm only teasing you," Tierja shook her head, leaning up on her tiptoes to brush their lips together. "Of course I want you to move in."

"You sure?" Kevin teased further, hyperextending his neck so the kiss was minimal. He had learned quickly how to manipulate Tierja's behaviors.

"I'm more than sure," she grunted, trying to make herself taller to get a better kiss. "I hate being short!"

"It's such a useful weapon."

"You ain't funny at all, Mr. Richardson."

"I'm hilarious," Kevin promised, leaning down to sweep her into a passionate kiss. He allowed his tongue to gently caress hers as she shivered with delight. Yet, as soon as she went to curl her arms around his neck, he straightened. "Let's get this house put together."

"But I want to have some fun," Tierja whined with a pout, hands on her slim hips.

"Putting the house together is going to be fun."

"What are you, Suzie Homemaker?"

"You've got something against that?"

"Maybe--"

"Come on," Kevin rolled his eyes, grasping her hand and pulling her downstairs to the living room. Various pictures, paintings and posters were stacked on the furniture they had already arranged.

"Did I mention how much I'm against working? I'd rather be lazing around watching TV while you figure out where everything goes!" Tierja squawked with surprise, bumping heavily into his back when he stopped suddenly. Growing agitated with his insistance, she reached to pinch his behind, causing him to jump. "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."

"Alright," Kevin shrugged, still rubbing his behind from her pinch as he moved out of the way.

"Did I mention a large bonus if you do all this work?" Tierja sighed heavily, glancing at all the items that still needed arranged within the house. It seemed to be taking forever just to be settled.

"I'll give you a better bonus if you help me," Kevin stood next to her, placing a hand on the small of her back. "You pick out where things go and I'll put them up. How does that sound?"

"What kind of bonus?"

"You'll find out once we're done."

"Do you think you're talking to some child or something? I feel like my father's trying to give me a cookie," Tierja tormented, pushing two photographs deep into his abdomen.

"Oof! But I have something better than a cookie," Kevin managed to grin, looking at the photographs for a moment. One was of Ana and Tierja, obviously at their high school graduation. The girls were in their royal blue caps and gowns, celebrating in their own way. Ana had leaped onto Tierja's back with a whoop of victory frozen time time, throwing some 'Rock On' signs. The other was when they were toddlers, walking on the shore of what looked to be a large lake hand in hand as the sun made their innocent hair glow like angels.

"You okay?" Tierja questioned when she noticed Kevin's concentrated stare glaze over as he studied the photographs. Picking up two more, she walked over to peer over his arm, instantly smiling at what were her favorite photographs. "That's my goofball, 'rocking on' to her Meatloaf and Mac Cheese..."

"You two have been friends for a really long time," Kevin smiled softly, looking at the other ones in her hands. "It reminds me of how my cousin Brian and I once were."

"Yeah, we've got history," Tierja agreed, taking the photographs from Kevin's hands. She motioned to the hammer and nails, which he obediantly picked up. She then motioned to where she wanted to hang them, following behind. She didn't know whether to make a comment about Brian and the rest of the friends Kevin had broken up in Florida. It seemed like a still sore subject between Howie and Kevin, although they were coming to terms with rebuilding their friendship from the ashes like a glorious phoenix. Kevin had also been doing a little extra bargining on the phone with his cousin, although Tierja stayed away from that business. Both she and Kevin had mighty tempers and were fierce whenever discussing disagreeing view points over their loyalties.

"It's always good to have a best friend like that. Now if Howie or I drive you crazy, y'all can get together and complain," Kevin teased, carefully hammering in the nails and placing the pictures where Tierja wanted them until she smiled happily. The house was really starting to feel like her old one once again and she couldn't think of anyone better to share it with than Kevin.

"Oh believe me, it'll be happening often--"

"Excuse me?" Kevin questioned, turning back with the hammer slightly raised in a defensive position, expecting Tierja to say that he would only drive her crazy in love.

"Love, Baby! Love! Just don't hit me with that hammer, I already got my head cracked once and that was enough!" Tierja yelped, falling into his trap as she covered her head.

"I doubt I'd crack you over the head with a hammer. Lord knows I'd hear you bitching if they shaved away your hair again," Kevin chuckled, tapping the next nail into place. "Besides, I know you were going to say that I drive you crazy with love and Howie just drives Ana absolutely crazy with annoyance."

"Yeah... that just about covers it," Tierja cautiously pulled her hands away as he put up the last picture. "Are we done now?"

"Is the funiture empty?"

"Uh... maybe?"

"Try again?"

"Damn. Alright, let's do my Monets and Van Gogh," Tierja sighed with slight aggravation, picking up the three paintings she had inherited from her father. She looked around the living room and smiled. "There, there, and there."

"Alright," Kevin laughed, hammering the nails where Tierja had pointed. He found her irritability in housework adorable, especially when she did her best to con away from the chores. She seemed to have a knack for pulling off a semi-innocent routine, which always ended up tainted by a smart comment. Kevin had found it just easier to laugh at her, which seemed to aggravate her further. But, for once, he did as he was told, then stretched his body for a moment, deciding that maybe now was a good time to reveal her bonus before she exploded. "There's something I want in here that's in the kitchen on the counter. Go grab it, Babe?"

"First you want me to put the house together and now I have to get something in the kitchen?" Tierja frowned. This was not a part of their deal in her mindset.

"It's just some tiny thing for right here, right now that's going to put a smile on your face."

"It is? What is it?"

"Go and get it. You'll find out."

"It better not be a stupid painting of dogs playing poker..."

"Hey, that's a good piece of art!"

"It'll be a good piece of firewood if it's in the kitchen," Tierja threatened, walking through the living room towards the kitchen.

"And I'll need to replace the glass in the windows in five...four...three...two...o--"

"OH MY GOD! KEVIN!"

Kevin grinned at the sound of the shrill scream of delight, setting the hammer and nails down on the mantel. He wiped his hands against the back of his jeans just in time to recieve Tierja's flying body. She lept hard into his arms, staring at the black velvet box as she pressed a fierce kiss to his lips. "Would you like to know what its for? Or are you just impressed that I managed to afford a ring with two diamonds?"

"I am impressed, but I want to know what it's for! Kevin, it's such a beautiful ring!" Tierja burst, crushing their lips together once more in excitement. She was so surprised when she walked into the kitchen to see the small box sitting on the table, revealing a breathtaking ring just for her.

"Yeah, I have a slightly feminine quality when it comes to you," Kevin approved, moving to ease his body down onto the lazyboy with Tierja curled in his lap. Gently, he plucked the ring from its bed of fabric, twirling it gently within his fingers. He had purchased a silver ring with two pink diamonds embedded into the silver in the shape of hearts. "But, surprise, surprise, this is a promise ring."

"A promise ring? What does it promise?" Tierja whispered in awe, watching the diamonds catch the sunlight perfectly.

"I know that we've only been together for three months, but I'd really like to make a commitment to you today, Tier. I love you so much, I think I might have loved you since I pounded on your door during the storm. You're someone that's so special in my life and I honestly know what Howie meant about dropping everything just to move to Minnesota for a chance at starting over. You're my chance to start over. And, I'd like to promise you that I'm always going to remain faithful, and someday I would love to make an everlasting commitment of engagement followed by a beautiful marriage."

"E-engagement and marriage?" Tierja squeaked, covering her mouth as her eyes misted with tears. Kevin was the perfect man her mother had always said she was going to meet if she was patient, and now she knew he truly was the one for her. "Oh, Kevin..."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes!" she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him repeatedly, each one followed by a 'yes'.

"Told you it'd make you smile," Kevin chuckled with approval, slipping the ring upon her left, fourth digit as she continued the wild kisses.

"You've made me the happiest woman on Earth! I think we need to celebrate and break in the new bed upstairs," Tierja smiled happily, pulling out of his lap. She grasped his hands and began dragging him upstairs.

"I might need to make a permanent arrangement with the jewelers if this is the way we're always going to celebrate when I buy you jewelry!"

~*~*~*~

"Bee, this isn't fair! You know I don't like surprises," Ana protested as Howie carried her down the hallway with a blindfold hiding her blue-green eyes. They had just finished getting everything settled in the new house and Howie was insisting on giving her a surprise. She was more worried that he would harm his back or knee, but he would hear nothing of it as he entered their bedroom.

"I know, that's another reason why I'm doing it," Howie chuckled, nuzzling her neck for a moment before carefully laying her down on the soft matress. The room was dimly lit with her favorite scented candles - vanilla - all around. A vase of two dozen roses were perched on the nightstand and petals were scattered on the hand-sewn comforter and all over the carpet.

"You're just trying to make up for the fact that after only three months of dating, Kevin gave Tierj a pre-engagement ring, and we've been dating for almost four years and you haven't even let me get the kitten that I wanted," Ana contradicted, tensing slightly before realizing he had settled her onto the bed. Slowly, he pushed her down from the sitting position she attempted, cause her to furl her brows with confusion. But, nevertheless, she complied with his physical cues, leaning back against the pillows. She only fidgeted slightly with the brace that was strapped to her right leg as a reminder of her ever-progressing rehabilitation from the nasty femur fracture she suffered from the tornado. Once she was somewhat comfortable, she slowly inhaled to catch the smell of vanilla. Smiling with approval, her fingertips traced over a velvet material, wondering exactly what he was doing.

"I'm not trying to make up for anything. I had this night planned for a long time," Howie chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. He watched her lay there for a moment, still amazed that someone as beautiful as Ana could actually be his and his only. He just had to make it official. He crawled off the bed and grabbed the jar of cherries sitting in a small bowl of ice. He popped it open and pulled out a single fruit by its stem, holding it by Ana's mouth. "Open up, Babe."

"You're making me nervous," Ana was quick to answer, moving to sit up. She had played that game far too many times during the slow days at the emergency medical services station. The men were known for their barbaric tortures that they made the rookies devour without the slightest hint till it was halfway down their esophogus.

"C'mon, this is Howie you're with. Not Billy, Erik, Johnny or any of the guys. You can trust me," Howie soothed, settling her back down on the bed. "You won't be eating anything gross."

"That's what I get for letting them kick me off the team for more than six months for rehab... Start to think of everyone as the team..." Ana sighed, slowly complying with Howie's wishes. The last three months had been extremely hard for the young woman, because she had to actually learn to rely on others with her physical impairment. Not to mention the fact that she had to continue to be immobile for at least another month before the crutches could be permanently lost. It just seemed tragic at some points because she hated not being able to work, though Howie seemed to relish in it.

"Everyone needs a break and I don't think your doctor would allow you to work with that huge immobilizer on your leg," Howie replied, letting the sweet cherry drop on her tongue.

"No..." Ana mumbled, closing her mouth around the small fruit. She decided not to bother Howie any further with her worker's compensation stories. She was being paid well for not working for the time being and Howie was happy. She could bear with the torture awhile longer. So, clearing her thoughts, she then reached for the stem, tugging it free from the cherry so she could chew. She smiled with obvious approval, recognizing the food immediately. "One of my favorites, Bee."

"I know. Thought you would like it," Howie chuckled, giving her another one. As she was eating he reached over on the nightstand and grabbed a small box that laid next to her vase of roses. He pulled out the item along with a rose from the vase and tied it on there with a velvet ribbon that was around his wrist. He held the blossoming, dark red bud under Ana's nose and she inhaled deeply.

"And Rico Sauve continues the perks by giving his three year girlfriend a rose," Ana teased, recognizing the scent though she was honestly more confused than ever.

"If the girlfriend would stop being a smartass, Rico Suave would take off the blindfold," Howie retorted with a groan of annoyance.

"Sorry?" she instantly pouted with an honesty sincerity that offered her twist of rare innocence.

"Yeah, that's what I had thought," Howie cracked a smile, kissing her softly before reaching back to untie the blindfold.

"Mmm, I'd rather have more of those kisses..." Ana trailed with approval when Howie withdrew the blindfold. She attempted to lean up to bring him back against her, but stopped when she became too aware of her romantic surroundings. Their creamy white and soft blue bedroom glowed with the beauty of her vanilla scented candles dancing around every inch of the room. Red and white rose petals were scattered about the floor with a tender care that Ana hadn't been exposed to. She then glanced to the blooming roses in the vase, causing her to just rest a hand against her heart for a moment. Finally, she decided to look at her boyfriend, awed at how handsome he looked underneath the warm basking of her flickering candles. "Howie..."

"Surprise," Howie smiled, caressing her cheek with another kiss. He placed the rose into her hand, making sure the thorns didn't prick her.

"You... You didn't have to do this..." Ana murmured, still somewhat speechless as she held the rose underneath her nose once more. Her blue-green eyes warmed with obvious delight. No man had ever cared enough to treat her so special. Mostly because they never cared about what she wanted. She may have offered a hard, tomboy exterior, but Howie saw deeper into her soul that longed for a beautiful love story.

"I did it because I wanted to. Because I love you," Howie kissed her once more, setting her hands a little farther up the rose, the ribbon brushing against her fingertips.

"Well, obviously, no one as neurotic as you are about cleanliness would dare sprinkle petals on the floor and bed if you didn't honestly love someone," Ana approved, not really understanding why Howie was moving her hands along the rose. Instead, she was more focused on him, sitting up to offer him a kiss of thanks. "I couldn't have asked for anything more."

"You may if you would stop looking at me and look down at the rose, Sweetheart," Howie replied, growing impatient and wanting to see her reaction. To feel her wrap her arms around his neck and say 'yes'.

"Only you would bitch about your girlfriend looking at you too much," Ana scowled for a moment, glancing down at the blooming bud with question. Only, her scowl immediately faded when she noticed the pure white ribbon wrapped just beneath the petals with the smallest trinket of devotion. Gently, Ana brought her fingers over the white gold ring, awed with the beautiful dark blue-purple sapphire nestled within the white gold and surrounded by the sweetest glistening diamonds. And, immediately she pushed the rose back at Howie with horror, never expecting him to do this now. "You are not!"

"I am, too," Howie chuckled, pushing the rose back at her.

"I told Tierj that I wanted a purple sapphire for my engagement ring... And you just happen to have a purple sapphire ring hanging from a rose? ... Howie, I swear to God this isn't funny! If you're just joking around or something, I'm seriously going to walk on water, grab my crutches, and beat you senseless!" Ana sniffled in surprise, still attempting to give him back the rose as her hands started to tremble.

"This isn't a joke," Howie placed the rose back in her hands and gently cupped her cheeks to make her look into his eyes. "I love you so much, and I know we're meant to be together forever and beyond that. I can't ever let you go. Anastacia, what I want to ask is... will you marry me?"

"...I just wanted a kitten..." Ana whispered after a lengthy amount of silence, unable to keep the tears from falling down her creamy peach cheeks.

"Is that a yes?"

"No, it's a cute little hairball--"

"Ana!"

"What?!"

"I'm trying to be all romantic with proposing and you're talking about a kitten!"

"Sorry..."

"I shouldn't be too hard on you, because... well..." Howie bent down and scooped up something from the floor, placing it in Ana's lap.

"Howie!" Ana cooed in surprise as a small kitten curled tightly within her lap. She was the sweetest longhair with mixture of white and gray fur, purring excitedly as Howie scratched her beneath the chin.

"I went to the animal shelter and there was a litter of kittens that had been abandoned by their mother. I saw this little cutie and knew she was the one for you," Howie smiled as the kitten looked up at Ana and mewed softly.

"She's adorable," Ana agreed with delight, gently scratching the kitten's back to elicit a strong purr. She continued to stroke the kitten, allowing her to gently lick at her fingertips before curling asleep within Ana's lap. Leaning over, she gently kissed Howie's cheek. "Thank you so much for putting up with me."

"It's all out of love," Howie merely shrugged.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"What's the question for?" Ana laughed softly, rubbing the kitten's ear as she dozed peacefully in a little furball. She glanced back to her boyfriend with the softest smile, handing him back the rose from which her engagement ring still dangled from. If anything, this had turned into a memorable wedding engagement that neither would probably be able to explain without a few laughs. "I think we should call her Mattie."

"She looks like a Mattie," Howie nodded with approval, untying the ribbon to hold her ring inbetween his thumb and forefinger. "But what about my other question? Y'know... marrying me?"

"Well, I wanted to name her Mattie for, y'know, Matrimony?"

"That's what Mattie means?"

"I was hoping," Ana confirmed, watching Mattie struggle to hop down from the bed. She smiled at the precious bundle as Mattie hurried out from the bedroom, obviously in search of the kitten food Howie had already placed in the kitchen. She then turned back to Howie, biting down on her bottom lip with a shyness that seemed so unlikely. "Ask me again?"

"Ana, I love you so very much. I want to spend the rest of our lives together," Howie smiled softly, taking her left hand into his. "Will you marry me?"

"Of course. You're my angel," Ana agreed, smiling softly as a blush rose to her cheeks. She couldn't have asked God for a better man to love and protect her. She had felt a connection with Howie since the very beginning when Tierja forced her to come to the bar for a drink. And three years of dating was well worth the effort.

"And you're mine," Howie smiled as he slipped the delicate ring onto her fourth digit, which sparkled and shined like her beautiful eyes.

"You knew exactly what I wanted," she breathed, staring down at the dark blue-purple sapphire with appreciation. She leaned over to press her hands gently against either of his cheeks, smiling at the feeling of the cool white gold mixing against her skin and his. Her entire body tingled with excitement, realizing that she was finally taking steps forward in her life instead of backtracking. Howie was giving her the opportunity to claim a future of happiness.

"Of course I did... but I had to confirm it with Tier. She knows all the girly stuff about you that you keep from me at times," he smiled, brushing their lips together.

"But you like surprises," Ana laughed, bringing him closer for a deeper kiss of delight. It just seemed surreal that he finally proposed. She had always harrassed Josh into bullying Howie into popping the question, but things always had a way of working.

"Now that we're going to be married... our life is always going to be full of surprises," Howie gave a wink, kissing her once more.

"There's one thing that'll never be a mystery, though," Ana commented with a soft purr, gently easing her arms around his neck.

"Oh, really? And what's that?"

"Well... I could say two things..."

"Stop stalling and spill it, Baby."

"First, that there's no way in Hell you'll ever have to question if I love you or not."

"Duly noted, and the same goes for you," Howie kissed the tip of her nose. "What's the second thing?"

"That I'm always going to know how to turn you on," she laughed with her radiantly impish smile.

"Amen to that!"

Ana laughed at his reaction, "I love you way too much."

"I love you even more."

"It only took you three years."

"I wanted to make it special?"

"It was very special, just don't tell me the night is over."

"Oh no, it's definitely not over," Howie pulled her into his arms, laying them back against the soft pillows. "We've got to celebrate the engagement."

"The brace--"

"I found the sheet your doctor had given you. Those sex positions that won't bother your brace?"

"You mean you raided all my things until you located it!"

"I wouldn't call it raiding. It was strategically searching!"

"Told you that in three months we'd be a pitiful couple."

"We're not pitiful--"

"Just in desperate need," Ana teased, leaning forward to capture his lips against hers. Gently, she eased herself into a more comfortable position within his arms, gently biting against his bottom lip to entice him further.

"Not desperate, persay..." Howie trailed off, connecting their lips again. He brought his hands up to tangle in her curls, deepening the kiss.

"Then, persay, what is it?" Ana humored, gently tracing her hands against his chest in attempts to unbutton his camp shirt.

"Very, very, very... needed? A needed need?" Howie rambled, his body shaking with anticipation as she began unbuttoning his shirt.

"A burning need?" Ana continued to tease, slipping her hands against his bare skin to slide away the material for her kisses. She had to admit it had been a long while since they had made love. Her pain tolerance had been minimal, but three months of healing made it somewhat easier. Besides, she continued to remind herself that Howie was a gentle lover.

"Ay, yi, yi... mi amor," Howie breathed, moaning softly at her gentle touch and kisses. She always got him speaking Spanish when they were showing this kind of affection and while making love. He knew it drove chills down her spine.

"It's been that long, huh?" Ana rasped with approval, knowing it usually took a few more minutes to revv Howie into Spanish.

"Si. Te quiero..." Howie's eyes fluttered as he brought their lips together once again and when they let go he found his shirt ripped off. "żY tu?"

"Me too what?" she laughed, leaning back against the bed to adjust a pillow underneath the brace.

"It must be the same for you, because you managed to take my shirt off while we were kissing," he rolled his eyes, carefully covering her body with his and began showering her neck with kisses. "Stop being a smartass, I'm trying to woo you!"

"Mmm, that'll do it," Ana shivered with instant delight, gently raking her fingernails against his back.

"Good," Howie shivered as well, feeling her nails run down his skin. "I love you, Baby. So much and always."

"Y tu," Ana simply replied, allowing them to fall into unbridled passion that not only christened their new house, but their new future as well.