Authors' note: Thanks to all of you for reading! Saffy and Alexa prepare to say goodbye in this chapter! Enjoy!
Saffron knocked on the door of the O'Leary's house and thought about how many times she'd done that over the years. Her eyes were already welling with tears when Karen O'Leary opened the door.
"Oh, Saffy," Karen said enveloping her in a hug.
"I can't believe she's leaving!" Saffron wailed.
"Me either," Karen said patting her back. "I've been crying since last night."
"Oh not the two of you," Alexa came downstairs. "Come on, you're going to get me started again."
"Lexie," Saffron sobbed.
"Come on Saffy," Alexa said. "You know I'll be back here when you need me."
"I n-need you n-now," Saffron stammered.
Alexa put her arm around her best friend. "I know... and we'll write all the time. But you also have Andrew and he'll be there whenever you need him."
"I know," Saffron said, wiping at her eyes.
"Come on," Alexa squeezed her shoulders. "I still have a few things to pack."
Saffron nodded and followed her friend upstairs.
Alexa had gotten most of her things into boxes except for the new purchases she'd bought with Gabriel.
"What can I do?" Saffron asked.
"Can you pack all my bedding into that box?" Alexa asked.
"Sure," Saffron said reaching for the duvet cover. "Are you excited?"
"So excited," Alexa said. "And sad... but more excited."
Saffron nodded. "I'm sad, but I'm excited for you and so proud. You're so brave, Lexie."
"I'm not that brave," Alexa said. "Just pursuing a dream."
"But you're leaving your home, your family and your friends to do it," Saffron said. "It's the bravest thing anyone could do, Lexie."
"I don't know if I could do this if I were a Muggle," Alexa confessed. "Part of me knows I'm going simply because if I need to be back here, I can do it in a flash."
Saffron smiled. "You know...that's the only reason I'm actually letting you go."
Alexa grinned at her.
"I'd dropkick Gabe," Saffron said. "Don't let the belly fool you, Lex. I'd take him."
Alexa laughed. "Oh come on Saffy! You are too much!"
Saffron laughed, too. "I would!"
"Well I'll tell you this," Alexa said. "I promise to be back for Ellie's birth. Come hell or high-water."
"And my baby shower!" Saffron exclaimed.
"That too," Alexa said.
Saffron finished folding Alexa's sheets and put them in the box. "And you are Ellie's godmother."
"That I could never forget," Alexa said. "Why do you think I'm going half broke buying her clothes?"
"Did you buy her something else?" Saffron asked.
"I might have," Alexa confessed.
"Lexie!" Saffron exclaimed. "You shouldn't have---"
"I wanted to," Alexa said, grabbing a bag. "And when I saw this, I couldn't resist."
Saffron opened the bag and pulled out a small pink outfit. "Lex---it's gorgeous!"
"She'll look so cute in it," Alexa gushed.
"You're already spoiling her and she's not even here yet," Saffron said admiring it.
"I know," Alexa said. "Terrifying isn't it?"
Saffron gave her a hug. "You're the best."
"So are you," Alexa squeezed her.
"I've seen you nearly every day for eight years," Saffron said starting to cry again.
"We can still talk every day," Alexa reassured her.
"Every single day," Saffron said. "And you can tell me everything about university."
Alexa nodded. "Everything."
"And email me your writing," Saffron said. "Promise?"
"I will," Alexa promised.
Saffron wiped at her eyes. "Andrew told me this would be one big sob-fest."
"I think he was right," Alexa said, leaning her head against Saffron's.
"Some pair we are," Saffron said with a slight laugh.
"It's natural," Alexa said. "You're just like a sister to me, Saffy."
"Sisters," Saffron agreed.
"We'll always be close," Alexa swore.
"No matter what," Saffron said extending her pinky finger.
Alexa hooked it with hers.
Saffron smiled. "We did the same thing on our first night at Hogwarts, remember?"
"All too well," Alexa recalled. "Thanks to you, I felt at home right away."
"Someone had to show the Muggle-born the way," Saffron said with a grin.
"The freaked out freaky looking Muggleborn," Alexa laughed.
"You were not freaky looking," Saffron nudged her.
"You're loyal until the end," Alexa said, taping the box shut.
"And we needed each other to survive Beth and Mimi," Saffron laughed.
"You're going to have to handle them yourself now," Alexa said. "Think you can handle it?"
"It will be difficult," Saffron said. "But, I'll muddle through."
Alexa looked thoughtfully at her wand. "I'm not going to be able to use this so much anymore... at least not for a few years."
"You are going to keep it close though?" Saffron asked. "I mean, just in case---"
"Absolutely," Alexa said. "I'll have to figure out how to hide it from my roommate."
Karen knocked on the door, carrying a tray of biscuits and juice. "I thought you might like a quick snack."
"Thanks Mum," Alexa said gratefully.
"Thanks, Mrs. O'Leary," Saffron said. "And little Ellie thanks you too."
"How have you been doing?" Mrs. O'Leary asked her.
"Good," Saffron replied. "Happy. Andrew's been a big help."
"I'm so glad," Mrs. O'Leary gave her another hug.
"How's Mr. O'Leary holding up?" Saffron asked
"He's been keeping himself busy," Mrs. O'Leary said.
"Daddy's going to be fine," Alexa said.
"Eventually," Mrs. O'Leary joked.
"My mum and dad can give you pointers in dealing with the empty nest," Saffron said.
"Perhaps I'll ring them soon and have them over for dinner," Mrs. O'Leary said.
"They would love that," Saffron said. "Especially my dad, if you promise you'll have fudge."
"I always have a bit of that around," Mrs. O'Leary laughed.
"Don't I know it," Saffron said. "You can expect to see a lot of me."
"You're always welcome here," Mrs. O'Leary told her.
Saffron smiled. "Thanks, Mrs. O'Leary."
"I think I'm all packed, except for my new computer," Alexa said, looking over at the laptop. "I'll pack that last."
Saffron nodded. "That's a nice one, Lex."
"Yeah I've been having fun with it," Alexa said.
Saffron grabbed her bag and reached inside. She handed her friend a wrapped package. "A going away present..."
Saffron watched as Alexa unwrapped the present and pulled out a photo album. Inside were photographs of their Hogwarts days up through their graduation and their holidays at Brighton.
"Saffy!" Alexa exclaimed. "These are amazing!"
Saffy smiled. "Looking at all of them brought back so many memories."
"Definitely," Alexa said. "No other friend could ever compare with this."
"That was so thoughtful," Mrs. O'Leary said peering over Alexa's shoulder.
Saffron shrugged. "I can't let her go forgetting about all our fun times here."
"I could never do that," Alexa said looking at the photographs. She giggled when she saw a photograph of the two of them, smiling broadly exposing mouths full of metal. "Look at us. The metal mouths."
"Ugh I almost didn't put that one in," Saffron made a face.
Mrs. O'Leary laughed. "Saffron, I'm glad that you did. You two were so cute."
Saffron smiled. "We always had fun together."
"Patrick and I were so afraid that Alexa would be so homesick," Mrs. O'Leary remembered. "I kept expecting to get a letter from her telling me she was ready to come home. But that first night at Hogwarts, she sent us a letter and said that she thought Hogwarts would be okay because she'd met the 'coolest girl' who knows everything there is know about everything."
Alexa laughed. "Did I really say that, Mum?"
"I'm sure I still have the letter," Mrs. O'Leary replied. "Somewhere..."
"Well, I am still the coolest girl and I do know everything there is to know about everything," Saffron grinned.
"And you're so modest about it," Alexa teased.
"You know it," Saffron laughed.
"I'll leave you two be," Mrs. O'Leary said. "Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks, Mum," Alexa said.
"So," Saffron said. "Tonight we're going out to dinner. My treat."
"Saffy, you don't have to do that---" Alexa started to protest.
"I want to," Saffron said holding up her hand.
"I can't think of anything more I'd want to do on my last night in London," Alexa said.
Saffron grinned. She hadn't mentioned the load of friends that would be waiting for them at the Leaky Cauldron that evening.
"And you, Miss Potter, are going to visit me in California," Alexa said. "You and Andrew."
"And Ellie," Saffron added. "That will probably be the next time I see you after tonight. I'll be a mum..."
Alexa smiled. "A mum."
"It's crazy, isn't it?" Saffron asked. "Part of me is so freaked out but I'm also really excited."
"You're going to be a great mum," Alexa reassured her.
"I hope so," Saffron said. "Thank Merlin I have Andrew."
"So how is it living together?" Alexa asked.
"Amazing," Saffron said. "He is so sweet and perfect and--"
Alexa grinned. "All yours?"
"Exactly," Saffron hugged herself.
"I'm so happy for you," Alexa said. "You deserve to be happy, Saffy."
"Thanks," Saffron said. "It's been a rough year."
"You're the brave one," Alexa said. "I don't know of anyone who could have faced all that you had and come back stronger than ever."
"I'm not THAT strong..." Saffron shrugged. "I just had a lot of support."
"You're the strongest person I know," Alexa said.
"Thanks," Saffron said gratefully. "You went through quite a bit too with the memory thing..."
"I had a good support system," Alexa said. "You, Gabe, RJ, my parents..."
"Gabe's been fantastic for you," Saffron replied.
"He has been," Alexa smiled, just thinking of him.
"And I'm sure he's happiest about you going over there for University," Saffron teased.
"He's the one who has had to do all of the travelling in our relationship," Alexa said. "Now, he's just a bus ride away."
"Or a blink," Saffron motioned to her wand.
Alexa laughed. "Right."
"Is that all?" Saffron asked. "All your stuff?"
Alexa nodded. "I think so."
Saffron nodded. "It's interesting to see all your things packed away. At least in my case it was packed and about ten minutes later unpacked again."
"Thanks to me, RJ and Andrew," Alexa teased.
"Oh yes, because none of you would let me lift a dust rag," Saffron rolled her eyes.
Alexa nudged her. "Saf, we didn't want you lifting anything heavy is all."
"There was hardly anything heavy to lift," Saffron said.
"As you told us time and time again," Alexa recalled. "And then you got all mad when RJ picked you up and carried you off."
"He SO deserved me taking all the extra Nan," Saffron answered.
Alexa giggled. "That was a fun night."
"It was," Saffron nodded.
Alexa sat back down on her mattress and took a biscuit from the plate. "The four musketeers."
"It was sort of like old times," Saffron said. "You know..."
"I'm just glad that RJ and I were able to be friend again after all that happened," Alexa said thoughtfully.
"I'm glad too," Saffron replied, sitting down on the bed. "He didn't have to forgive me..."
"A lot of things happened," Alexa said. "But, you guys were able to get past it. And I think it helps that he has Audrey now. He's in a good place and so are you."
Saffron nodded. "We all are. Finally."
"Finally," Alexa agreed happily. "So, where did you want to go tonight?"
"I've got a bit of a craving for Tom's stew at the Leaky Cauldron, if you don't mind," Saffron said.
"That sounds great," Alexa said.
"Good," Saffron said, checking her watch. She hoped their friends had everything set in place there.
"I'll just freshen up a little," Alexa said excusing herself to go into the bathroom.
Saffron pulled out her mobile and texted Andrew to let them know they were leaving shortly.
She picked up the photo album and thumbed through the pages. She felt tears welling up again as she looked at the photographs. There they were at 11 years old, ready to take on the world. She remembered the night, they'd all been sorted and she'd been so happy that her new friend had been sorted into Gryffindor, too.
"I think the hat got it wrong," Alexa whispered to Saffron as they followed the prefect up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. "I'm not brave at all."
"You've been saying that all day," Saffron told her. "You're plenty brave!"
"I'm just really glad that we're in the same house," Alexa said.
"Me too," Saffron grinned at her. "I can't wait to see our dormitory."
"Welcome to Hogwarts, young lady," a voice whispered to Alexa. She turned and gaped as she realised that the portraits were actually moving. "T-that portrait just spoke to me, Saffy."
Saffron nodded. "My sister and brother told me about the Fat Lady."
"Okay," the prefect announced. "This is the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. We have a password to enter into the dormitory. Do not tell anyone else the password. This is very important..."
"A password?" Alexa whispered to Saffron. "What if we forget it?"
"We won't," Saffron whispered back. She watched as the prefect said the password to the Fat Lady.
"I hope not," Alexa said, gazing around as they stepped through the portrait hole. "Wow..." she breathed upon seeing the cosy common room.
"Look," RJ said nudging Andrew. "It's the babies."
Saffron made a face at him. "You're stupid, RJ."
RJ laughed. "You're stupid, RJ," he mimicked.
Saffron glared at him and stomped her foot down hard on his.
"OW!" RJ yelped.
"Serves you right," Saffron replied smugly.
"She has you there," Andrew told his best mate.
"She does not," RJ said indignantly. "She's just a first year."
"We're only two years older than them," Andrew pointed out.
"So?" RJ asked.
"So, you're an idiot," Saffron retorted.
Andrew and Alexa both laughed as RJ sputtered angrily.
"First years, come on!" the prefect called out.
Saffron laughed one more time at RJ before taking Alexa by the elbow and guiding her over by the prefect.
"The first year girls' dorm is on the right," the prefect told them. "You'll find your things have already been brought upstairs. Good evening."
"Let's go," Saffron said eagerly.
Saffron and Alexa followed Beth and Mimi into their room.
"Wow," Beth said. "This place is SO cool!"
"I want this bed!" Mimi exclaimed plopping down on the four-poster bed closest to the door.
"I'll take this one," Saffron headed to the one by the window. Her trunk moved from the centre of the room to the edge of that bed.
Alexa's jaw dropped. "Whoa..."
"I can't wait to start lessons," Saffron said.
"I bet you've already starting reading the textbooks," Beth said as she chose a bed. Her trunk moved to edge of her bed.
"A few," Saffron confessed.
Mimi laughed. "Why? Classes haven't even started yet. Are you some sort of brainiac?"
"I like to learn," Saffron said defensively.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with that," Alexa said. "I read a few chapters, too. It never hurts to be prepared."
"I guess not," Beth agreed.
Alexa looked at the bed beside Saffron's. "Do you mind if I take this one?"
"Go ahead," Saffron smiled at her.
Alexa sat down on the edge of her bed. "I didn't sleep at all last night, you know? I kept worrying that I wouldn't know anyone and that everyone would be so far ahead of me."
"You're right with the rest of us," Saffron assured her. "I promise."
"Thanks," Alexa said gratefully.
"If you need help with anything, we can always study together," Saffron told her.
"You'll get tired of hearing me ask thousands of questions," Alexa told her.
"Nah," Saffron said. "I don't mind."
"Famous last words," Alexa said. She watched as her new friend unpacked some photo frames. "Is that your family?"
"Yes," Saffron said. "That's my mum, my dad, and my sister Julie. That's my dumb brother Ethan."
"You look like your mum," Alexa commented.
"Thanks," Saffron smiled at her.
"This is my mum and dad," Alexa said pulling out her own photograph.
"You look like your mum too," Saffron said.
"She's a lot prettier than me," Alexa said.
"You don't give yourself enough credit," Saffron told her.
Alexa shrugged.
"You don't," Saffron said. "Come on... let's get all unpacked."
"Right," Alexa said setting the photo frame by her bed.
"I can't wait until the first flying lesson," Saffron said. "And the first Quidditch match."
"A brainiac and a sports nut," Beth said.
"Only because Quidditch is the most amazing sport in the WORLD," Saffron said. "Someday I'm going to play for Puddlemere United."
"Who's that?" Alexa asked. "What's that?"
All three girls laughed. "Here," Saffron said, digging through her trunk and handing her a book. "Read that."
"Quidditch through the Ages?" Alexa asked.
"It's a fantastic book," Saffron said. "It'll tell you anything and everything you need to know about Quidditch."
"It's boring," Beth told Alexa. "And every boy is completely gaga over it."
"It is NOT boring," Saffron said. "It's completely fascinating!"
Alexa had started thumbing through the book and she looked at Saffron. "You've played this, Saffron?"
"With my dad and my brother," she made a face. "And sometimes RJ."
Alexa gaped at her. "Wow..."
"It's so much fun," Saffron said.
"And you can play this here?" Alexa asked.
"They have teams for each house," Saffron explained. "Gryffindor is definitely the best, of course. My brother was on the house team when he went to school here."
"And her dad, too," Mimi said. "Her father was the youngest seeker in over a century."
"Really?" Alexa was impressed.
Saffron nodded. "He's the best. I've been flying with him since I was a baby."
"Wow," Alexa said. "I can't believe all this... it's a whole other world than the one I grew up in."
"It's your world now," Saffron told her.
Alexa nodded. "I'll have to remember that," she said sheepishly.
"The other half of my family is Muggle-born like you," Saffron told her.
"Really?" Alexa asked.
Saffron nodded. "My grandparents on my mum's side."
Alexa felt a bit better hearing that. Saffron obviously knew a lot of things about both sides.
"So you don't have to worry about a thing," Saffron said smiling at her. "We're going to be great friends, Alexa O'Leary." She extended her pinky finger. "Deal?"
"Deal," Alexa grinned back at her, linking their fingers together.
"Saffy?" Alexa asked touching her friend's shoulder breaking Saffron out of her reverie. "Are you ready to leave? What's---what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Saffron said. "Just thinking back to our first night at Hogwarts."
Alexa smiled. "We stayed up talking most of the night."
"And we were dead on our feet for the first day of classes," Saffron said ruefully.
Alexa giggled. "I just keep remembering how you stomped on RJ's foot in the common room."
"That was classic," Saffron agreed as they left the house.
"What was it he called us?" Alexa asked. "Babies?"
"Something like that," Saffron smirked. "Like he was never an ickle firstie."
Alexa linked her arms with Saffron's. "You know, someday, you'll be sending little Ellie off to Hogwarts."
"Unless she's a squib," Saffron joked.
"Not Saffron Potter's kid," Alexa said.
"You're right," Saffron said. "That will be RJ's future son or daughter."
Alexa laughed. "Saffy!'
"It's true," Saffron said with a grin.
"I say we don't tell him that," Alexa said.
"Our secret," Saffron promised.
"One of our many," Alexa said grinning at her.
"Exactly," Saffron said. "Let's hurry! Ellie's starving!"
Alexa laughed. "You're starving, you mean."
"That too," Saffron took her arm.
Alexa opened the door to the pub and was surprised to see it was completely dark inside. "Saf---I think they might be closed..."
"What?" Saffron played. "This place is never closed!"
"The door was unlocked though," Alexa said, reaching into her bag for her wand.
"SURPRISE!" the shout made Alexa jump back and knock into Saffron.
Saffron laughed. "Mission accomplished!"
"What is this?" Alexa asked.
"Your going-away party," Mimi said coming forward to give her a hug.
"Saffy!" Alexa exclaimed. "You did this?"
"I had help," Saffron said smiling up at Andrew.
"And us," Beth said.
"I-I don't know what to say," Alexa said, feeling tears welling up in her eyes.
"We'll miss you, but at least you will have one last fun night with your friends," Saffron told her.
Gabriel came forward and put his arms around her.
"Hey," Alexa said happily.
"You had no idea?" Gabriel asked her.
"None," Alexa confessed.
Alexa hugged him. "This is fantastic."
Gabriel grinned at her. "I have to share you tonight, but tomorrow you're all mine."
Alexa touched his cheek. "I love you."
Gabriel gave her a kiss. "I love you too Lexie."
Beth took Alexa's arm. "Come on. Come and see your cake. We had to physical bar RJ from it."
Alexa gasped when she saw it. "You guys! This is too much!"
"Your mum made it," Saffron told her.
"That's why she wouldn't let me in the kitchen earlier," Alexa said, tears springing to her eyes.
"She was a great help in planning this," Saffron said squeezing her friend's hand.
Alexa couldn't hold back and began to sob.
"Lexie," Saffron said putting her arm around her. "Don't...you'll have me starting again."
"I'm sorry," Alexa wiped her eyes. "I'm just going to miss you all so much."
"We're going to miss you too," Saffron said. "But, we're going to stay in touch."
Alexa nodded.
"Saf's already planning a trip to California," Andrew said.
"In the spring, once Ellie is born," Saffron said.
"I can't wait," Alexa said, wiping at her eyes.
"Come on," Saffron said. "Let's get you something to drink and dig into the cake before RJ freaks out."
"I heard that, Saffron!" RJ called out.
"Just telling the truth," Saffron called back.
"She's so funny," RJ said sarcastically.
"I know," Saffron said smugly.
""I've got the drinks," Andrew said.
"What did you bring me?" Saffron asked her fiancé.
"Pumpkin juice," Andrew replied handing her a glass.
Saffron took it. "Thanks.... I wish it was butterbeer."
"I got myself pumpkin juice too," Andrew said grinning at her.
"You didn't have to," she told him.
Andrew shrugged. "I don't mind." He gave her a kiss. "You look beautiful, by the way."
"Flatterer," Saffron smiled at him.
"Me?" Andrew asked innocently.
"Yes you," Saffron leaned against him.
Andrew put his hand on her stomach. "How's my other girl doing today?"
"She's hungry," Saffron replied.
Andrew smiled. "And how's her mum?"
"Same," Saffron said. "Will you get me something to nibble on?"
"Of course," Andrew said. "I'll be right back."
"Thank you," Saffron said, turning back to Alexa.
"I can't believe this is my last night," Alexa said. "And I can't believe you guys pulled this off!"
"You weren't that hard to surprise," RJ said dryly.
Alexa nudged him. "Very funny, Weasley."
RJ slung an arm around her. "You're going to have fun over there, Lexie."
Alexa smiled up at him. "I think I'll miss you most of all, Scarecrow."
"Scarecrow?" RJ asked. "What?"
"It's from the 'Wizard of Oz'," Saffron rolled her eyes. "Don't you remember when Dorothy is saying goodbye to her friends before she tries to head back to Kansas? Honestly, RJ---"
"But Alexa's not going to Kansas," RJ shot back.
"How do you manage to get out of bed in the morning?" Saffron asked incredulously.
RJ shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Alexa laughed. "It's okay, RJ. I'm going to miss you and Saffy arguing."
"We promise never to stop," RJ joked.
"You couldn't if you tried," Alexa laughed.
"Saf would miss it too much," RJ threw his other arm around the brunette. "She lives to put me in my place."
"I love it," Saffron said elbowing him in the ribs.
"Of course you do," RJ said. "I bet your daughter will jump right in."
"Our daughter will be doing what?" Andrew asked setting a plate of food in front of Saffron.
"Making fun of RJ," Saffron replied, grabbing a fork.
"I'm not too late for that, am I?" Andrew asked.
"It's an ongoing thing," RJ said. "Thanks mate."
"You're welcome," Andrew said. "So, Lexie, you all packed?"
Alexa nodded. "All but my laptop."
"And she loved the photo album," Saffron told Andrew.
"I told you," Andrew replied.
RJ looked at Alexa. "And you can tell all your new friends that I am even more handsome in person."
"Why would she lie?" Saffron cracked.
"I missed the part of the invitation that said this was 'dump on RJ' day," RJ said.
"It wouldn't be a party without it," Beth jumped in.
"I thought it was part of the entertainment," Audrey chimed in.
RJ stared at her. "Not you too!"
Audrey grinned. "You're just too much fun, RJ."
"Thanks," RJ grumbled. "My own girlfriend..."
"I like her more and more everyday," Saffron said.
Audrey laughed. "Wait until Ellie learns to talk."
"She's going to be crazy about me and she'll ignore all of you and the bad things you say about me," RJ said.
"This IS my daughter you're talking about," Saffron said.
"I'll try and put a good word in for you every now and then," Andrew said.
"We blokes have to stick together," RJ agreed.
Saffron let out an evil-sounding laugh.
Alexa giggled. "Saffy!"
Saffron looked innocently at her friends. "What?"
"You're eating like my dad," RJ said.
"I'm eating for two," Saffron said defensively.
"What's your excuse?" Andrew asked RJ.
"I'm a Weasley," RJ replied. "It's what we do."
"I'm going to miss this," Alexa said wistfully.
"I'll ring you anytime the two of them have a row," Andrew promised her.
Gabriel laughed. "You'll be on the phone 24/7."
"I'll never get any studying done," Alexa said.
"You won't anyway, visiting Gabe all the time," Saffron teased.
"In the library or in one of his labs," Alexa said. "He's going to be busy with pre-med."
"I'll always have time for my girl," Gabriel replied.
Alexa smiled. "Let's go and get something to eat. I'm starving."
"Sure," Gabriel reached for her hand
Alexa led the way over to the refreshment table and grabbed a plate. "Gabe...I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye to everyone."
"It's not like you'll be gone forever," Gabriel said.
"I know," Alexa said. "But, it's still going to be hard to say goodbye to them."
Gabriel put his arm around her. "I wish I could make it easier for you."
"It's easier because I know I'll get to see you," Alexa said leaning against him.
"I can't wait for that," he pressed his lips to the side of her head.
Alexa smiled. "I love you."
"Love you too," he answered. "I'm so glad you're coming with me."
"Me too," Alexa said. "I'm happy, excited, scared and nervous all at the same time."
Gabriel laughed. "Are you going to be able to handle it?"
"I think so," Alexa said smiling at him. "I have a really supportive boyfriend."
"What a great guy," Gabriel joked.
"He is," Alexa said.
Gabriel slid his arms around her waist as she got herself some food. "And that guy has a perfect girlfriend."
"She's far from perfect," Alexa said. "But I bet she's perfect for him."
Gabriel leaned in and gave her a kiss.
Alexa grinned. "Those always make me feel better."
"There's plenty more where that came from," Gabriel said, taking her plate.
"Thank you," Alexa said leading the way back to their table.
They rejoined the group, laughing as Saffron and RJ engaged in another round of verbal sparring.
"You have got to be kidding me," Saffron asked, shaking her head. "RJ---"
"Don't deny it Saffron," RJ said, smirking.
"I'm emphatically denying it," Saffron said throwing a bread roll at him. "You are delusional."
"I'm just saying you know your baby is going to prefer me when she gets older," RJ said, catching the roll.
"Ellie is going to be a lot smarter than that," Saffron said putting a hand to her stomach.
"I'm going to spoil her then send her back to you," RJ said with a wicked grin.
"She's going to be spoiled rotten," Alexa said. "Me, her grandparents, RJ, her aunts and uncles..."
"And us," Beth said, nudging Mimi. "We get to see her once in awhile too!"
"I have a vision of her decked out in all pink and bows," Saffron said teasing her friends. "If we let her spend a lot of time with you, Beth."
"She'll be so cute!" Beth nodded.
"I'll keep her in check," Mimi said.
"Promise?" Saffron deadpanned.
"Absolutely," Mimi said.
"Good," Saffron said. "But... tonight's not about Ellie. It's about Alexa and her last night here."
"I love talking about Ellie," Alexa reassured her.
"I know, but it's monopolising the conversation," Saffron said. "We want to hear more about what you'll be doing over in America."
"Well, classes start on Wednesday," Alexa told them. "I have freshman orientation on Monday."
"I'm so glad to be done with school," Mimi said. "No more homework, ever!"
"I always enjoyed our assignments," Saffron said. "I miss it, actually. The papers, the exams, the reading..."
Beth and Mimi looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"You enjoyed homework?" RJ asked. "Saffy--"
"I always did," Saffron said. "Except for Potions."
"Well, I might have to ring you for help on some of my assignments," Alexa said.
Saffron smiled. "I'll do what I can to help you."
"Thanks," Alexa said.
"I'll do what I can, too." Gabriel put an arm around her. "But likely you'll do just fine."
"The maths and sciences are what have me worried," Alexa said.
"Those are my specialties," Gabriel grinned at her.
Alexa grinned back at him. "I knew you were handy for some reason."
He poked her side. "That's not the only reason."
Alexa rested her head on his shoulder.
The evening passed enjoyably for everyone and Alexa finally begged off so she could go home and get some sleep.
"I'll be over tomorrow morning," Saffron promised. "First thing."
"You don't have to--" Alexa began.
"I want to," Saffron cut her off. "And I would never live with myself if I didn't get to say a final goodbye and good luck to my best friend in the whole world."
"Thanks Saffy," Alexa hugged her tightly. "I'll see you in the morning then. Thank you so much for the party."
Alexa moved over to RJ who smiled down at her. "Take care of yourself, O'Leary."
"You too," Alexa poked him. "Be nice to Saffy."
"I'll try," RJ said giving her a hug. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Alexa said. "Write to me once in awhile."
"I will," RJ promised. He looked at Gabriel. "Have a save trip home, mate."
"Thanks," Gabriel extended his hand.
RJ shook it. "Take care of her."
"Always do," Gabriel grinned.
Beth and Mimi gave their former roommate a group hug. "Guys," Alexa laughed. "I can't breathe!"
"This is the last time we're going to see you for awhile!" Mimi said tearfully.
"I'll be back," Alexa promised. "And you guys can write me!"
"All the time," Beth nodded.
"And we have Saffy's shower," Alexa said. "I'll be back for that."
"Promise you won't go forgetting us?" Beth asked.
"There's no way I could ever forget you guys," Alexa said wiping at her eyes.
"Because we're so fabulous," Mimi said.
"You are," Alexa said softly.
"Have fun out there," Beth told her.
"Good luck, Lexie," Mimi said.
"Thanks Meems," Alexa said. "Be good with Jake."
"I always am," Mimi said leaning against her boyfriend.
"And me too," Beth squeezed Peter's hand.
Alexa nodded before taking Gabriel's hand. "Let's go."
Gabriel put an arm around her when they left. "Cold?"
Alexa shook her head. "No---just sad."
"It'll be okay," he assured her.
"I know," Alexa said softly.
"I promise I'll be there when you need me," he looked over at her. "You may have to pull me out of the books once in awhile..."
Alexa laughed. "I'll do my best."
"You'll do great," Gabriel said. "Everyone over there will love you."
"As long as one particular person loves me over there that's all that matters," Alexa grinned.
"I'll always love you," Gabriel looked over at her. "Sometimes I still can't believe we're together."
"Me either," Alexa admitted. "But, I'm so glad we found each other."
"Me too," he kissed the side of her head. "We're going to have a blast over there together."
"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," Alexa said.
"It's a big step," he nodded. "I know all about those."
"Yes, you do," Alexa said softly. "You took a big one when you decided to seek out your father."
"That was one of the scariest things I've done." Gabriel admitted.
"Did you think he wouldn't believe you?" Alexa asked.
"Yeah," Gabriel said. "Or I thought he'd hate me."
"Oh, Gabe," Alexa said squeezing his hand. "You really thought he would?"
He shrugged. "I wasn't sure. My mother didn't have time to tell me anything, and Grandpa wouldn't talk about him at all."
"Well, you look just like him," Alexa said. "There's no way he would have doubted you."
"There was still that fear," Gabriel said. "I think anyone feels that way when they're doing something they've never done before."
"I can certainly relate to that," Alexa said. "I, for one, am glad that you did seek him out because it eventually brought you to me."
Gabriel squeezed her hand then leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"I love you," Alexa said when they broke apart.
"I love you too," he said softly. "I'm taking you out to celebrate once you're settled in. And we're going to have a night to ourselves."
"Before everything gets too crazy with our schedules," Alexa said.
"That will happen fast," he predicted.
"Says the voice of experience," Alexa said smiling at him.
"You better believe it," Gabriel laughed. "Been there done that."
"So, I'll see you tomorrow morning?" Alexa asked. "Bright and early."
"I'll be there," Gabriel said. "With a box of tissues for Saffron."
Alexa gave him one last kiss. "And a box for me, too."
Gabriel smiled. "You'll be too excited because it means you're going to see me all the time."
"You think so?" Alexa asked nudging him.
"Told you," Gabriel said. "Voice of experience. You said it yourself."
"With a high opinion of himself," Alexa teased.
"Only because I have a great girlfriend who keeps telling me so," Gabriel nudged her.
Alexa laughed. "I guess this is good night."
Gabriel leaned in and gave her a long, thorough kiss. "That'll have to last you until tomorrow... and until we can be alone again."
Alexa smiled at him. "Good night."
"Night Lexie," he said softly.
"Night," Alexa whispered before stepping inside her house.