"Monica, are the cookies almost ready?" Lucia asked eagerly.

"Yep. Everything's ready."

"Perfect," Lucia nodded. "Gosh, I'm so nervous."

"You'll do fine."

"When do you think he'll get here?"

"He said his plane would come in around three."

"It's two fifty-six," Lucia said nervously. "Which means we have ten minutes until he lands. Plus the time it will take him to get his luggage and get over here. Do you think I should have picked him up?"

"No. He said he'd take a cab and be here soon. Just go change, if you want. You're so nervous," Monica chuckled.

"Yes, I am. What should I wear?" Lucia moaned. "I don't want to be too fancy, but I don't want to look too casual either."

"Go try on something and I'll give you my opinion," Monica smiled.

Lucia went into her room and put on a white crop top and denim overall shorts with a daisy choker. She went back out to the living room where Monica was and asked, "What do you think?"

"Hm...I like the overalls. Full t-shirt?"

"It's in the wash," Lucia sighed. "What about a sweater and leggings?"

"You can try it, but I like this."

"Alright. Gosh, how much longer?"

"Oh, Lucia. He'll be here soon. You'll be fine."

"I hope so."

Monica had her friend sit and watch some TV to distract her.

Not very long after, there was a knock on the door.

"It's him!" Lucia grinned.

Denny opened the door, "Ello, ello, ello," he said with a huge smile.

"Oh, it's you," Lucia sighed.

"Ouch. Sorry I came." Denny put a hand over his chest, faking injury.

"I didn't mean that," Lucia frowned. "Come here." She wrapped her arms around him.

"She's just nervous about her pen pal," Monica chuckled.

"Oh, that's right. French Fry Guy is coming."

"It's Potato Guy," Lucia muttered.

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

"Okay. You two, go in the kitchen," Lucia sighed. "I'm going to answer the door."

"Alright," Monica chuckled, leading Denny to the other room.

Lucia took a deep breath and opened the door. "Hi."

When Potato Guy turned around, the two looked at each other for a few seconds, utterly stunned.

"Lucia?" Potato Guy asked after a moment, eyes wide.

"Sean?" Lucia gaped.

He swallowed.

"Oh my goodness," Lucia said slowly. "Potato Guy...my nickname for you in college. It makes sense now."

Sean was nervous. It ended badly the last time they were together. "I guess I should've used my real name."

"N-no. It's fine," Lucia stammered. "Please, come in."

Sean stepped in and found that couldn't speak.

"Listen," Lucia said slowly, "I, um...I always wished that I would have accepted your proposal. I wanted to tell you that I changed my mind, but then you got a new number and I had no way to contact you."

Sean brushed the back of his neck with his hand in embarrassment. "I get it why you said no...I changed my number because I was too pained and I didn't really want to hear from you."

"I'm really sorry, Sean," Lucia sighed. "Can we...start over?"

"I don't know."

"I...I really would like to start over," Lucia said earnestly. "Please...just say you'll think about it?"

Sean nodded. "I don't want to hurt like that again."

"I know, and I'm so sorry. I promise, things will be different this time. You don't know how much I regret turning you down, and- and if I could change things, somehow go back and do it differently, I would."

Sean looked at her earnest eyes with his own.

Lucia gently took his hand in hers. "It's really good to see you again," she nodded. "And...I'm so sorry to hear about your mom."

Sean nodded. "Thank you. She always liked the thought of you. Always wanted a daughter."

"I'm sure she was very happy with you," Lucia smiled.

"I really miss her."

Lucia hugged him tightly. "I know you do."

Seam hugged her back and let out a deep sigh.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not much to talk about."

Denny peeked his head out of the kitchen. "Can we come out now?"

"Yes," Lucia sighed.

Denny came out and his face clouded at the sight of Sean. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry...who are you?" Sean frowned.

"Oh, Sean, this is my friend Denny," Lucia smiled.

Denny frowned.

Sean tried to be cordial, saying, "Hello. Nice to meet you."

Denny nodded in reply.

"Monica's here too," Lucia nodded. "Sean, why don't you go put your things in the guest room?"

"You want me to stay?" Sean asked in slight surprise.

"Of course," Lucia smiled.

Sean smiled back at her and went to find the guest room.

Lucia turned to Denny. "Could you be any ruder?"

"He hurt you, Lucia," Denny frowned, being the overprotective younger brother figure he had always been for her.

"I hurt him. Yes, I was upset that I turned him down and couldn't get in touch with him to tell him I changed my mind, but I'm the jerk here."

Denny sighed and crossed his arms.

"Gosh, I should have never shown you his picture. Come on. Just give him a chance," Lucia sighed. "He's a nice guy."

"You positive?"

"Very," Lucia nodded. "Just be nice, okay? He just lost his mom."

Denny nodded, and soon, Sean came back in.

"Can I get you anything, Sean?" Lucia offered. "We have drinks and Monica made like three different kinds of cookies."

"Anything sounds awesome. I'm a little peckish."

"I'd imagine. Plane food sucks," Lucia chuckled. "The kitchen's right this way."

Sean followed her in. "Nice place."

"Thanks," Lucia smiled.

Monica turned around. "Hi- wow, Sean. Um...it's good to see you."

Seam nodded.

"I made cookies," Monica smiled. "What would you like?"

"Whichever kind."

Monica put a few chocolate chip cookies on a plate and handed it to him. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Do you have some tea or coffee?" Sean asked sheepishly.

"We have coffee," Lucia nodded.

"I'll take some, please."

"Perfect," Lucia smiled, pouring a cup. "You know...I'm really glad you're here."

Sean looked sad and nervous.

"Are you alright?"

Sean nodded. "I'm just a little nervous...about being here with you."

"There's no reason to be," Lucia said softly.

Sean looked down and Lucia asked her friends to leave for a few minutes.

Monica and Denny complied and left to go pick up Jonah, since his car was getting worked on at the shop.

Lucia turned her attention back to Sean. "Hey, what's going on?"

"I'm nervous about us."

"Sean," Lucia sighed, "I've been missing you for four years. I haven't even dated anyone. I-I'm committed here."

"But how do I know that you wouldn't turn me down again? It hurt, Lucia...I know you realize that, but I couldn't look at any girl after that," Sean sighed. He continued in a whisper, "I'm not over you."

"Sean, I'm sorry. I was young and stupid and I realize now that I made a mistake," Lucia said earnestly. "Please, believe me when I say that I'm not going to turn you down again. I'm not losing you."

Sean sighed and took her hand, kissing the back of it.

"I'm really sorry that I ever hurt you."

"Could we ever be as happy?"

"I think so," Lucia smiled.

Sean's gaze rose from the floor to Lucia and kissed her hand again.

"Sean...I still love you."

"I never stopped loving you, Lucia."

"Is it too soon to kiss you right now?" Lucia chuckled.

Sean smiled and brought her closer.

Lucia gently pressed her lips into his. "God, you have no idea how long I've waited to do that."

Sean chuckled and kissed her again briefly. "It's been too long."

"Way too long," Lucia smiled.

Sean smiled a little more. "So, you promise...to try it again?"

"I promise," Lucia nodded. "It's so good to have you back."

"Same here. I know you'd love Montana."

"I think you'd love Seattle more. Besides, you hate the country. Why would you want to live there for the rest of your life?"

"We'll have to choose. If we...ever get to that point again."

"Yes, we would," Lucia nodded. "And we will."

"You sure?"

"Very sure," Lucia smiled.

Sean smiled back and kissed the top of her head.

"But...I don't want to leave my friends. I'd want to live here."

"I know. We should go visit, though. You could ride horses."

"I got thrown off a horse when I was six. Scarred me for life," Lucia chuckled. "I like them, but from a distance."

"Okay, but the vistas are amazing."

"Since when do you like the country?" Lucia laughed.

"Just when I ask the girl of my dreams to come home with me."

"Keep talking like that and I'm going to have to kiss you," Lucia smirked.

"Then I'm gonna keep talking," Sean chuckled.

"Fine. But know that you forced me to do this." Lucia pulled him in by the collar of his shirt and pressed her lips into his.

Sean smiled into it and kept her close to him.

Just then, Lucia's three friends walked in and Denny sighed.

Sean broke the kiss quickly when he realized they were being watched.

Lucia blushed slightly. "Hey, guys."

Monica smiled brightly. "Does this mean my bestie is no longer single?"

"Maybe," Lucia grinned.

"Oh, Sean, I'm so glad it's you." Monica hugged him.

"I am too," Lucia smiled.

"So, this is your ex?" Denny asked.

"Yeah," Lucia nodded.

"And you're the one who proposed?"

"Yes, I am," Sean nodded.

Denny glared a little. "You better not be a problem for her."

"I won't, I promise," Sean smiled.

"You better not. Or your butt is mine."

"Okay, you can relax now, Denny," Lucia chuckled.

Denny nodded and extended a hand. "Sorry, man, just protective. Nice to meet you."

Sean shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too."

"Oh, and Sean," Lucia smiled, "that's Jonah over there."

Jonah smiled and saluted with two fingers.

Sean smiled and took Lucia's hand in his.

"So, what do we want for dinner?" Monica smiled.

"Would you guys mind...if I take Lucia out?" Sean asked bashfully.

"Not at all," Monica shrugged.

"Take her out?" Jonah frowned. "Why?"

"To dinner. Our first date after four years."

Jonah's jaw dropped slightly. "Date?"

"We used to be together. I proposed, once upon another time."

"Oh...you're that Sean," Jonah sighed.

"The one and only."

"Well, you two should go," Monica nodded. "Have fun."

Sean nodded and they headed out. "Where do you want to go, Lucia?"

"There's this great French restaurant a few blocks away."

"Sure. I love French fries," Sean smiled.

"Which is why I called you Potato Guy in college," Lucia chuckled. "Why did you sign your letters 'Potato Guy', by the way?"

"My friend dared me to do it as a joke, but then you didn't question it so I just kept using it. But I wish I had known...or maybe I don't."

"I wish I'd have known."

"Why?"

"Because then I could have told you sooner how much I missed you."

"Why did you miss me?"

"I love you, Sean. You're a great guy. That's why I missed you. I knew that...that you're the one."

Sean squeezed her hand.

"I love you."

"I hope so."

Lucia chuckled. "So...you're really going to order French fries at a fancy restaurant?"

"Maybe. I don't know." Sean swung their hands between them.

"It's really good to have you back," Lucia smiled.
"You keep saying that, but I...I guess I am nervous about where we are."

"What do you mean?" Lucia frowned.

"Like we left each other that day of my proposal. We were so much in love. I love you still, Lucia, with all my conviction. But I wonder where we left off. I don't want to read signals wrong and propose and you leave again. Do I need to date you again? Do we start over getting to know each other again? Do I marry you this fast? I just don't know. We dated for a while, you know...and I was so sure. I was wrong, I suppose," Sean shrugged, looking at the passing scenery as he let Lucia think about  what he said.

"I said no because I was young and I didn't think I was ready, but I realized that I was wrong. As for where we are...we could date for a little while."

Sean nodded silently.

"What do you want to do?"

"I'm still a little wary, but I don't know if I can wait four years again."

"And I'm not saying we have to. We know each other this time. We can date for a few months or a year or however long you want and then we'll figure out what we want to do."

Sean nodded silently.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Good," Lucia smiled, kissing his cheek.

Sean sighed deeply and kept walking. "I don't know what to talk about tonight."

"Well...did I tell you that Denny and I made ice cream with liquid nitrogen?"

"Yes, you did."

"Did I tell you that a couple weeks ago, Denny tripped on the can of liquid nitrogen and sprained his ankle?"

"No, you didn't. But I guess it's possible."

"Only for him," Lucia chuckled. "He's so accident prone. It's a wonder he's still alive."

"I know. He must be nice since you talk about him so fondly. But um...you kissed him, right?"

"Accidentally."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. He went to kiss my cheek and I turned my head and it just sort of happened."

"You guys are really tight?"

"Yeah, we are. He's practically my little brother."

"You've never been attracted to him?"

"Never."

"You're sure? I mean, he's good looking."

"I've never liked him," Lucia assured.

"Positive?"

"Absolutely."

—————

"I can't believe they're going out," Jonah muttered.

"Jonah, what did you think when she was kissing him?" Denny asked.

"They were kissing?" Jonah frowned. "I didn't realize that."

"No? You didn't see it?"

"No."

"Well, they did."

"Great," Jonah sighed. "There go my chances."

"Your chances were gone already."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jonah frowned.

"It was obvious she wasn't interested in you."

"But I could have gotten her to like me."

"I don't think so," Monica sighed.

"Why don't the hot girls ever like me?" Jonah sighed.

Monica sighed again and offered no comment.

"So," Denny sighed, "what are we going to do for dinner?"

"I don't care."

"We could go to that French restaurant."

"Okay. But I'm getting chicken fingers," Denny nodded.

"You're so picky."

"I just don't like French food."

"We could go elsewhere."

"No, no, it's fine. I could go for some macaroons, anyway."

—————

"So...you really haven't even looked at another girl since we broke up?"

"Nope." Sean shook his head, sipping his lemonade.

"Really?" Lucia laughed. "That's so romantic."

Sean shrugged. "I suppose."

"So...have you ever thought about having kids?" Lucia asked with great interest.

Sean stirred his straw around in his drink. "I suppose. I don't have any real preference."

"I want at least one," Lucia nodded.

"Yeah? It'd be nice to have one," Sean nodded.

Lucia smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah. But not right away."

"I can understand that."

"I want time alone with my wife."

"I'm okay with that," Lucia chuckled.

Sean smiled cheekily.

"Don't do that," Lucia mumbled, putting a hand to that back of her neck.

"Why not?"

"Because you know the effect you have on me," Lucia chuckled.

"Well, maybe I like doing it," Sean smiled more, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Are you trying to make me kiss you?" Lucia smirked.

Sean chuckled and sipped his lemonade.

—————

"Oh god," Jonah muttered, looking up from his menu. "Tell me that isn't Sean and Lucia."

Monica looked over. "Yes. Looks like it."

"Great," Jonah sighed.

"You'll be fine."

"But they're over there and kissing."

"They're kissing?" Monica looked behind her and smiled. "She's happy."

"Well, I'm not," Jonah frowned. "God, it's sickening."

"You'll be in love some day."

"I doubt it."

"Why don't you think so?"

"Because nobody likes me."

Monica sighed.

"Well, it's true," Jonah insisted.

"You're wrong."

"Oh, yeah?" Jonah scoffed. "I challenge you to name one person who likes me."

"Me."

"What?" Jonah frowned, taken aback.

"I do."

"R-really?" Jonah stammered.

Monica looked at him. "All those times I rushed to your side...it was because I wanted you to notice me, Jonah."

"I- I had no idea," Jonah said, feeling rather shocked. "I...I like you to, Mon."

"Do you? Or are you just saying it because I told you? I don't want that, Jonah."

"I wouldn't do that, and you know it. I like you, Monica."

Monica looked at him and narrowed her eyes in skepticism.

"I do," Jonah said with conviction. "I never liked Lucia in that way. I only said I did and pretended to because I was hoping to make you jealous."

"Show me, then. Don't just try to make me just believe. I fell for it once and was burned."

Jonah smirked and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Oh, great," Denny thought to himself.

Jonah pulled away slowly. "Does that prove it or what?"

"I guess so," Monica giggled.

—————

Two in the morning.

Lucia woke up feeling a bit thirsty and decided to get up to get a glass of water. She left her room and turned a light on, only to find Sean sitting on the couch and looking out the window quietly.

"Hey," Lucia said softly, "why are you still up?"

"Hm? Oh, evening," Sean said quietly.

"Is something the matter?" Lucia frowned.

"Just thinking of Mom."

Lucia sat down next to him. "Do you want to talk, Babe?"

"I guess it's just the fact that she's gone."

"I know what that's like," Lucia nodded. "I'm always here for you, Hon. I hope you know that."

"I do. It's just haunting to have watched her die."

"I know. But at least she was happy."

"If you can call it that."

"She had you. She had her son to stay by her and care for her every minute," Lucia said softly. "Who wouldn't be happy to have that?"

"But she was so ill."

"You can be ill and still be happy."

"I suppose."

"And you know what? I know that she loved you very much."

"Thanks," Sean sniffled.

Lucia hugged him tightly. "Are you alright, Babe?"

Sean hugged her back silently.

"I love you," Lucia whispered softly, gently kissing his tear-dampened cheek.

Sean relaxed slightly.

"It's going to be okay. I promise, it will be."

Author's Note: The picture to follow show's Lucia's outfit.