~•~

FOUR YEARS LATER...

Dear Mr. Dalton,

How happy I am to hear you received my previous letter and that you are doing well. If I'm honest, I had my doubts of your colleagues ability to give it to you, but it seems those doubts were incorrect!

Both my parents and I are doing perfectly fine and London is wonderful. You should visit sometime, I could show you the best places!

But you coming to London isn't exactly why I'm contacting you. I hear you still live in Vermont and thank goodness, because this makes my plan much easier. I planned to come to Vermont in search for a certain person. Originally, I was going to stay in a hotel but I felt I would be very lonely since no one would be coming along with me. My parents aren't getting any younger, much to my father's dismay.

I wanted to ask you if I could stay with you while in Vermont. Of course, I won't begin my travel plans until I get a letter of your acceptance. I wouldn't want to create an unpleasant situation for you. I can always "grow up" and stay in a hotel as a plan B. Please, PLEASE don't feel bad if you can't house me, I just thought it would be a good idea to ask, seeing how I could kill two birds with one stone and spend some time with you as well. We have much to catch up on!

You might also be able to help me find this person. I believe you used to know him in your Welton years.

I patiently await your response!

Regards,

***

Dear Miss Keating,

Ew. That sounds entirely too formal for the likes of me.

Dear Ribbon,

I'm glad both you and your parents are doing well. I laughed at the fact that your father isn't getting any younger, since it's hard to imagine Captain getting old.

But then I remember that we, at the same time, are also not as young as we used to be. A shame. At least I'm still good-looking.

In response to your question, of course you can stay with me! I would love nothing more! I agree with your statement of us needing to catch up, it's been far too long!

As for my colleague that gave me your first letter, your doubts on his "letter giving" abilities are completely valid. In fact, I would actually doubt him myself! He's not one-hundred percent reliable and tends to make stupid mistakes. But he is a pretty good friend, and I will not stand for insults towards him. I'm joking, I don't really know him that well. He's a colleague, what do you expect?

I seem to be missing the main point of this letter which is: I not so patiently await your arrival and I will have your room ready for you!

Sincerely,
Charlie Dalton

***

It was a regular Saturday afternoon for twenty-one year old Todd Anderson. He sat at the table in the dining room, sipping a cup of strong tea. He had spent the entire night marking English midterm exams and had fallen asleep, slumped over on the table, even though he wasn't even finished. He completed his marking only an hour ago and felt he could really use a nap.

But after his tea was gone.

Todd stared at the white ribbon on his wrist, the same ribbon that had once belonged to a person he loved, still loved, and dearly missed.

His students had once pointed out the ribbon and asked why a grown man would where something like that, and, in "Mr. Keating fashion" he told the story of how he fell in love with a peculiar girl who had a knack for writing poetry. The story earned a couple of questions, which earned many answers.

He remembered the day he read in the newspaper that she had just published a poetry book and his heart swelled with pride and ached with an unexplainable ache. He kept the last letter she wrote by his bedside table and read it every night before he went to sleep. He's basically memorized it by now.

It was lonely all by himself in his house. Though he had stepped out, and took risks more often, he still never grew out of his inept ability to make friends. The friends he had in his Welton years had drifted a little, minus Charlie, who still talked to him sometimes. His best friend though, was buried underneath a lovely headstone. As much as Todd talked to him, he would never answer with a voice. Todd liked to think that Neil Perry was still talking to him, with gusts of wind and birds chirping instead of regular talking.

He had also talked with Isla sometimes, saying he knew her twin very well and that he would bring her flowers in her place since she was across the sea in London.

As Todd thought and remembered, he felt his eyes flutter shut and his body start to slump over. He was willing to surrender to sleep's unwavering pull.

But then, there was the sudden ring of a doorbell that made him fall out of his chair. Thankfully, the tea had spilled all over the dining room floor, instead of on all the exams he had just marked. His doorbell rang again and he straightened himself out, smoothing out his shirt brushing off his pants. Who would be here, at his house, on a Saturday afternoon? Maybe it was Charlie with a surprise in tow, or maybe it was the tax collectors telling him his taxes are overdue. But no, that couldn't be right, he had already paid them! It could be a student of his, but what would they want? To spend time with him? He had heard all the rumours of "poor Mr. Anderson who no one comes to see".

But that just isn't true! Charlie, his parents and Jeffery come to see him all the time! So who would be here now?!

His thoughts were quieted once he reached the door and tugged it open. On the other side stood a woman in a winter coat, her brown hair fluttering in the wind, contrasting with the crisp white of the snow that had just began to fall minutes ago.

The woman looked up revealing a pair of blue eyes that looked tired. Todd didn't recognize her.

"Hello—" her face had changed completely. Gone were the tired eyes and the tight, forced smile. As if a light had exploded in her body, her eyes took on a vibrant shade of azure and her smile had turned genuine, "Todd Anderson!" She exclaimed.

Todd blinked, once, twice, three times, in attempts to stop himself from tackling her to the ground in a hug, or passing out. Instead, he supported himself with the help of the door and forced himself to make proper words.

"G-Gwen?" He breathed, "Is it—really you?" Because I could very well be dreaming, he thought.

"Yes." She nodded, "It really is me. Um...may I come in? It's sort of cold out here..."

Todd mentally slapped himself. Of course it's cold! It's winter!

"Of course, of course. Come in please." He stepped out of the way so Gwendolyn could enter. He hung up her coat and her scarf, watching as Gwendolyn inspected his house.

"This place is very nice. You live here by yourself?" Todd noticed how much more she had a British accent. He found it calming.

"Yes. My brother gave me the house so he could move into a bigger one with his wife. They've got their second child on the way and a two bedroom house would be too small for them...at least that's what Jeffery said." He moved over to the dining room table, almost slipping in the, now cold tea on the floor.

Gwendolyn laughed, "Oh no! Did you have a bit of an accident?"

Todd flushed, "Uh...yeah." He felt like a sixteen year old again. He rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a dish towel and cleaned up the spill as Gwendolyn stared at the ribbon.

"You wear it?"

Todd paused. Standing up, towel in hand, he softly smiled at the ribbon, "Yep. I haven't taken it off." He exhaled before continuing, "Would you like something to drink? I've got tea and coffee...I've even got some wine if you—"

"I've been craving coffee lately. It's just really good!"

Why did she cut me off when I began to mention having wine? Oh god...is she pregnant?! Todd gulped, It's been four years...a lot of stuff can happen in that time! She could have a boyfriend, or she could be married! I didn't even look at her hands for any sign of a ring!

"Todd?" She waved her hand in front of his face, "Is that okay?"

"Of course it is...I just thought—you know people usually go for the alcohol first—" he laughed awkwardly, "I just didn't expect—" he gulped again, "Um...are-are you—?" He glanced down at her stomach.

Gwendolyn followed his gaze and gasped, "Oh!" Then, she began to laugh, a sweet sound filling the room. She laughed so much, there were tears in her eyes after, "No! No, no, no, no! I'm not pregnant. Not at all. Oh, Todd is that why you looked so pale?"

Todd's eyes widened, "I-I did?!"

"Yes. Alright then, I'll have some wine if it makes you feel any better. I do enjoy a good glass every now and then." She smiled brightly.

***

The pair had talked and talked for hours, sitting on the floor of the kitchen, wine glasses in hand, the bottle on the floor. Gwendolyn was excitedly telling Todd the story she and her parents went to a classical music concert and how one of the strings on a young man's violin broke and how nervous he looked while he pretended to keep playing.

Looking at her sightly flushed cheeks and her bright eyes, Todd felt little bursts in his chest. He watched as her lips moved, all wine-stained and deep red. He felt himself moving closer to her, almost as if she had a pull, like gravity didn't behave itself when he was around her.

Gwendolyn noticed how close Todd was and stopped talking. Instead, she faced him with slightly parted lips, as if she were about to speak again.

Ever so gently, Todd brushed her lips with his own, but jerked away once he realized something shiny on her hand.

"I—I'm so—" the word "sorry" was on the tip of his tongue but it wouldn't come out.

"Todd..." Gwendolyn whispered.

"Gwen—y-your ring—I didn't know—" Todd struggled to breath. He just kissed a woman who is probably planning to get married or, even worse, already is. How could he have done that?!

Gwendolyn glanced at the ring and broke into a laughing fit for the second time today, "You assume too much Todd," she grabbed his face and brought it close, whispering, "that ring is yours, the one you gave me on the night—"

Todd stopped her from finishing with his lips. She could've completed the sentence in so many ways, "—of the play, —Neil died, —you told me you loved me, —I told you I loved you" but he couldn't have cared less.

Todd Anderson and Gwendolyn Keating were finally reunited, and they wouldn't let go of each other for a very long time.

***

ONE YEAR LATER...

"So how far along are you Chris?" Gwendolyn asked excitedly, staring curiously at the other woman, who seemed to be glowing.

Chris patted her bulging stomach with tender affection, "About five months. Knox and I are very excited. We picked out some names we both liked...would you like to hear them Gwen?"

Gwendolyn nearly jumped out of her sight in anticipation, "Do I! Tell me, tell me!" Chris laughed a bright laugh and began to tell her all the name options.

Meanwhile, Todd, Knox and Charlie were in the kitchen discussing both important and non-important things.

"So you're going to be a father Knoxious. Never thought I'd see the day." Charlie wiped an imaginary tear as he sipped the glass of whiskey in his hand, exclusively from Todd's "stash".

"It seems I am." Knox held a soft smile, but prideful nonetheless, "What about you Dalton? Find a woman yet?" He teased, knocking at the other's shoulder.

Charlie waved a dismissive hand, "Nah. None that could match my gleaming personality."

"He means put up with it." Knox and Todd said simultaneously, pulling some light-hearted chuckles from the trio.

"Okay, okay, enough of the verbal abuse." Charlie laughed, "What we should be talking about is why Todd hasn't put a legitimate ring on Ribbon's finger!"

Todd took a gulp of whiskey and swished the rest around in his glass before speaking, "Soon." Todd nodded, "Soon."

Charlie and Knox perked up at the man's bold statement. They had never heard Todd so firm before.

"Well, I better be invited to the wedding." Charlie pointed a finger at Todd, "and your children are gonna call me Uncle Charlie. I'm gonna be the best uncle in the world!" He bragged, raising his whiskey glass. Knox chuckled at his friends dramatics.

Todd, however, never heard Charlie's words. He stood, staring at the beautiful woman with the ethereal smile as she placed her hands gently on the blond's stomach. The happiness in her eyes shot right through Todd's chest and he felt a smile tugging at his lips.

"Is tomorrow too soon?" Todd asked, not even giving himself a definite answer.

***

A/N: The last chapter is up next *cries*
Hope you liked this chapter!!