“Wow, a week.” Lance said, watching Miley stand in the kitchen, cleaning up some dishes she had used for baking.
    “Yes, I’ve been living here for a week.” Miley said, turning to look at her friend. “I’ve even have a writing nook set up in the office upstairs.”
    “Moving in and everything! You’ve got it bad.” Lance joked.
    “Amazing, isn’t it? I mean, I honestly don’t even remember why I left in the first place. Being back here, going to sporting events, making dinner, it all just feels so right. I smiled so big when the bagger at the grocery store called me Mrs. Timberlake.” Miley said.
    “So I take it you two are going to the football game tonight? It’s the season opener.” Lance replied.
    “We should be. Justin had to go run some errands but he’ll be home soon.” Miley replied.
    “Well, I better be going.” Lance said, hugging Miley. “Let me know if you need anything, Mrs. Timberlake.” He said, watching her smile.
    “Mrs. Melinda Grace Timberlake.” Miley said. “I have to admit, I like the sound of that.”
***************************************************************************************************************
    Miley was still washing dishes when Justin returned. He softly closed the front door and snuck up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss on the back of her neck.
    “You’re sweaty again.” Miley said, giggling.
    “Hard work, babe. Hard work.” Justin replied.
    “Lance told me about the season opener football game tonight.” Miley said.
    “You want to go?” Justin asked.
    “And see Kelly and Briahna? Oh yeah!” Miley said, causing Justin to smile.
    “Am I going to have to listen to your butt commentary?” Justin asked.
    “I am appalled that you even had to ask.” Miley said, pretending to be offended. “You know that we have to teach Briahna.”
    “Maybe the guys and I will have to start a cheerleading commentary.” Justin replied.
    “You do that and you’ll never watch the game and it will kill you. Besides, my costume will never be seen at another Halloween party if you do that.” Miley threatened.
    “Damn us guys for actually loving the sport.” Justin replied.
    “You have to go get a shower. Hurry up or you’ll have to smell like sweat all night and I won’t go anywhere near you.” Miley said, swatting at him.
    “Miles, I’m glad you’re back. I know I say that almost every time I look at you, but it’s true.” Justin said, turning Miley to look at him.
    “I’m glad too.” Miley replied. “I’m glad to have my life back.”
    Justin had a smile on his face the entire time he showered. He felt like a newlywed again. That same joyfulness he had back in high school, he felt again.
    He wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped into the bedroom. He expected Miley to be in there, changing her shirt or grabbing a pair of shoes.
    Justin went downstairs and checked the living room, surprised that he hadn’t found her yet.
    He found her still standing over the sink. “You okay?” He asked, as Miley turned to him.
    “My ring! I was going to grab it and it slipped and it fell and bye-bye.’ Miley babbled.
    Justin chuckled. “It fell down the sink?” He asked, coming over. Miley nodded as Justin bent down and looked at the pipes. “No problem. I just need a wrench. We’ll be able to get it back.”
    “You sure?” Miley asked. Justin stood up and looked at her.
    “We’ll get it out tomorrow.” Justin replied.
    “Thank you so much!” Miley said, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him close.
    “Anytime babe.’ Justin replied, placing a kiss on the top of her forehead.
***************************************************************************************************************
    “I missed my calling. I should have been a sports commentator.” Miley said, holding a three year old Briahna in her lap. Kelly, Joey’s wife, sat next to her.
    “No, you just missed your calling of sitting here on the cold concrete bleachers with us.” Kelly replied.
    “I think I can agree on that.” Miley replied, as Justin walked over.
    ‘I just walked by the concession stand so I say we fill Briahna with sugar and then when Joey comes to join us, we hand her off to her daddy.” Justin suggested.
    “I’m all for that idea.” Kelly replied.
    “Mean’s girl’s night.” Miley replied.
    “Aw man.” Justin said, as Briahna climbed up to him.
    “I wanna go see Daddy.” Briahna said, as Justin picked her up.
    “Well, let’s go see him and get you some sugar.” Justin said, walking off.
    “So, how is it all going?” Kelly asked, as Miley smiled.
    “Amazing. I don’t even remember feeling like this.’ Miley said. “I mean, we haven’t done anything like that yet. But, I feel so full and complete even without that.
    “Mommy!” Briahna called, walking up while holding JC and Chris’ hands. Lance and Justin followed, carrying some snacks for Briahna.
    “Joey still not joining us yet?” Miley asked.
    “He’s talking with someone and said he’d be over in a second.” JC said, helping Briahna climb up by the girls.
    “Hey Justin, do you think you can walk with me over to Joey?” Kelly asked, standing up.
    “Do I even get to watch the game?” Justin asked.
    “No.’ Kelly and Miley replied.
    Justin sighed as he and Kelly walked off.
    “He’s really glad that you’re back.” JC replied.
    “He was rather excited when we were practicing last night. I think he’s been living on cloud nine.” Chris added.
    “He was even totally fine when I accidentally dropped my ring down the drain after washing dishes.” Miley replied.
    “I can’t believe they’re even considering that! That place is a huge part of everyone’s childhood!” Joey’s voice echoed before they could even see him.
    “What’s wrong Joey?” Lance asked, as Joey, Kelly, and Justin joined the group.
    “Apparently there is this crazy notion that Memorial Park will make a better apartment complex than a park.” Joey said.
    “That was where I had my first kiss!” Miley said.
    “And your second, third, fourth….” JC added.
    “I was seven!” Miley replied.
    “The school is trying to fight for it because the baseball team plays there, but it doesn’t seem to be working. It looks like it’ll be bulldozed next year.” Justin said.
    “We have to do something.” Lance said.
    “I want Bri to play at Memorial Park. I always loved ti there.” Kelly said.
    “Remember our big show choir thing senior year? The big concert we did at the park?” Miley asked. “What if we do something like that again?”
    “It’s getting a little too late in the year for an all day outdoor choir show.” Chris said.
    “So we do it at the spring carnival. That gives us time to do everything.” Miley replied.
    “I think one of Miley’s plans might actually be one we won’t get arrested for.” Lance said.
    “We never got arrested.” Miley shot back.
    “Now, if you start working on this, it means you’re stuck here.’ JC said.
    The group looked at Miley, watching her slowly smile. “I can handle that.” She replied.

 

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