"Ponyboy," I mutter.

He looks over at me and smiles, "yeah, Ava?"

"How are you, Scarlet, and Sodapop affording this?" I ask as I look around at the restaurant.

"We found a way," he smirks as he grabs my hand leading me to the table where Sodapop, Steve, Liz, and Diamond are already at. I sit in the middle of Diamond and Liz with a smile on my face. 

Liz looks over at me and smiles, "pretty boy."

I nod my head at Liz, "Soda really likes you."

She smiles, "I think it might work out."

"I hope so," I wink as I look over at Sodapop.

'Thank you,' he mouths.

I nod my head as I smile, "so Ponyboy, what are you getting?"

He shrugs, "not sure yet, my love."

"I think I might get the..." I look down. "I don't know everything is super expensive."

"Which you and your friends are used to," Pony winks. "Whatever you want."

I roll my eyes, "I'm helping pay."

"How?" Pony asks.

"I don't know," I sigh.

I hear a menu slam shut followed by Diamond's voice, "uh I'll just get the steak."

"Filet Mignon," Scarlet smirks. "Make that two.

"I think I'll just get scallops with risotto," I smile as I look over at Ponyboy shutting my menu. "Happy?"

Pony nods, "very. I think I'll get the crab."

"I think I'l get steak too," Liz smiles.

"I think I'll get lobster," Soda smiles happily at Liz and I can see he's falling in love.

"Are we all ready to order?" Scarlet  asks. The whole table nods and we call down the waiter.
***
"Sodapop was such a gentleman," Liz chuckles as we sit up on our bed late that night. "I don't know where it's going, but..."

I smile as I look down knowing what she's saying is true, "Ponyboy is a lot like Sodapop, but he loves school."

"Scarlet was funny," Diamond smiles widely.

 I look at my two best friends and laugh, "we are such idiots you know."

Liz gives me the smirk where her left eyebrow goes up, it's her signature smirk, "how are we idiots?"

I shrug, "we just went on a three-way date and it's always been our dream to do everything together. What's next? A three way wedding?"

"Hopefully," Diamond chuckles.

I cross my fingers and laugh, "gosh, do I love you guys!"

"I love you guys too," Liz smiles.

"I love you guys third," Diamond laughs. It's kind of our thing. 

I love you guys.

I love you guys too.

I love you guys third.

I push Diamond jokingly before laying my head on her shoulder, "you know, I'm hurt by my parents death and all, but at the same time. They were abusive, mentally. I can remember my dad ripping me apart no matter what. If I forgot something, I was brain dead. if I wore my fake glasses, a ugly nerd. If I tried to express myself in a way he didn't like I was socially stupid. No matter what I did, I was always wrong."

Liz rubs my back, "we know."

"I wish I did," I sigh. "I've always only had you two."

"We're always be here for you kid," Liz smiles cheekily.

Diamond nods, "we got your back. We'll never gonna leave."

"Ever?" I ask them.

Diamond smiles, "ever and ever."

"I love you girls," I chuckle.

Diamond looks over to me, "I love you guys too."

Liz chuckles softly, "I love you guys third."
***
"Johnny," I look over at him as we sit at the lot watching the sunrise. 

"Yeah Ava?" He asks.

"I always watch the sunset with Ponyboy, but I've never actually see it rise. It's gorgeous," I explain carefully. "I wonder why Ponyboy doesn't like the sunrise. It shows that there's always light and happiness after darkness and sadness."

Johnny looks over to me and smiles, "you always amaze me Ava."

I blush as I look down, "you know Johnny, I'm three months pregnant and I don't  know what to do or how to care for this baby."

"You need a job," Johnny reminds me.

I shrug, "what about school?"

"You'll figure something out, you always do Ava," he smiles as Two-bit plops down.

"What's up kids," Two smiles.

I shrug, "we're just watching the sunrise. Why are you over here so early?"

"I'm going to the Curtis house and figured I'd pick up Johnny. Didn't figure I'd see Ava here too," he smiles as he looks at my stomach. "Getting big now aren't you?"

I roll my eyes, "don't be a jerk."

"No!" He shouts. "It's a compliment. How many months are you?"

"About three," I inform him.

Johnny stands in between us, "hey! Did you guys forget about me?"

I shake my head, "oh course not, you're one on my best friends." 

"Can we just have a moment?" Two asks Johnny and he nods walking away. 

I look at Two cocking my head to the side, "what's up with you?"

"Do you love Ponyboy?" He asks.

I nod my head, "of course I do. Why?"

He shakes his head, "gosh, that boy better now break your heart."

"Why would he?" I ask Two-bit.

He shrugs, "I just wonder about him sometimes."

I roll my eyes playfully, "you worry too much. I mean we're in love."

"Dallas was in love with you," Two-bit sighs. "We used to sit together and he'd look at you. He swore, he'd marry you one day. He used to make me laugh. He really loved you."

A few tears slide down my cheeks, "I was also in love with him. He was my best friend. There's not a day that goes by where I don't think about him. I wonder what would of happened if he didn't die. Like would I be with him or Ponyboy?"

Two smiles, "you two were always cute together."

"We loved each other," I say as I touch my stomach. "Physically too. We were perfect."

He nods his head as he pulls me in for a hug, "I miss him."

"Me too," I say as I cry softly. "I miss every tough thing about him. He would of been a great dad."

A few tears slide down my cheeks as I look at Sammie, "he really would of loved you."

She nods as she cries softly too, "do you still miss him?"

"Of course," I nod as tears roll down my cheeks. "In a lot of ways he was perfect for me. I mean we had our issues. We had out fights, but I did love him."

"Can I love him?" Sammie asks as she sobs.

I pull her in for a hug, "I hope you love him because, he's your dad."

My husband looks over at me, "what about me?"

"Hey, you loved Dally too," I smile at him and he nods his head.

"I did,"  he sighs. "The whole gang did."

Sammie smiles, "loved by all."

I shake my head, "hated by most, loved by few. Although, the few who loved him, truly loved him because, they knew who he really was."

"A delinquent, a jail bird, tough, cold, " my husband speaks.

I nod my head honestly, "all true, but you forget to mention one word that truly describes Dallas Winston."

"What word?" My husband asks.

"Lost," I say and he nods.

"And lost," he adds on.

Sammie snuggles up onto my lap, "mom, I love you."

"I love you too Sammie," I smile.

"I love dad too," she speaks as she looks at my husband.

"I love you too Sammie," he smiles.

She nods gratefully, "although I want to hear more about Dally."

What do you think of Sammie's reaction to her dad? I think it was cute. I can NOT wait for the next chapter. Stay gold. Do it for Johnny!
-Beth