"Honey, I'm home!"

Jake grinned when he hears his girlfriend shout from somewhere in her apartment. "Last time I checked I'm the one paying for this place!"

As he placed the take out bags from Taco Bell on the counter of Clare's little kitchen, she came out of her bedroom wearing a form fitting, knee-length, royal blue halter top dress. He let out a low whistle of appreciation as she gave him a little spin. Half of her back was bare and so were her feet. She told him a few days ago that she bought some heels to go with the dress.

"No bra?" He raised a brow.

Clare rolled her eyes. "It's built in."

"Oh. I got you tacos like you asked."

"Thank god, I'm starving!"

As they dug in, Jake asked, "You ready for this afternoon?"

"Yep! Terry and Rose should be here in an hour or so to help with my makeup and hair. You're wearing your uniform, right?"

"Do I have to?" Jake grimaced.

"Yes, you do!" Clare grinned mischievously. "I want everyone to see how hot my boyfriend is in uniform."

"So you basically want me to be your arm candy? Is that all I am to you, woman?!" He gave a small scoff, almost breaking character when Clare started giggling under her breath. "I feel objectified."

"Puh-lease. Dean Winchester's hotter than you. I'd leave you for him in an instant."

"Same..."

There was a brief pause in the conversation, before they both erupted into laughter. Jake can't help the sappy smile he wore as he watched Clare wipe at the corner of her eyes with a huge smile of her own. "You ready to graduate?"

"Hell yeah!" She answered enthusiastically. Jake knew the past four years haven't been easy, and he didn't envy her for going to college. But he was proud of her. Only a few hours away and she would be offically college free, ready to take on the world.

His mind went to the graduation gift he got her, and couldn't help but grin just a little. Clare caught him, and immediately looked suspicious. "What's with that creepy grin on your face? You're plotting something..."

"I'm thinking of how we'll take over the world after this."

Clare rolled her eyes, but went along. "I still haven't agreed to that."

"You will." He shrugged.

Just then, there was a knock on the apartment door, and Jake got up to open it. Rose and Terry stood there with wide grins on their faces. Like Clare, Rose was also graduating, getting her bachelor's in business. Clare met the fiery redhead on campus through something that he can't remember, but apparently they "clicked," and when Rose was introduced to Terry the three were inseparable even though Terry lived five hours away.

The next thing Jake knew, he was being ushered out of his girlfriend's apartment, and was told to get ready. He didn't protest as he made his way back to his car and drove back to base.

***

"Remind me why I have to wear my uniform again?"

Lounging on the top bed of the double bunker in his shared room, his roommate and best friend Tyler chuckled, flipping another page of the gun magazine he was browsing through. "Because you're whipped."

Jake scowled at Tyler's refelction in the mirror he was standing in front of. But after thinking on the man's answer, he didn't argue. Clare was the only reason he was wearing his uniform. Plus, he couldn't really feel any anger towards Tyler. After all, he was the one who made him see how big of an SOB he was being to Clare when Pete died. The guy could pull off the disappointed-father voice really well.

He smoothed his hands down his uniform one more time, before grabbing his wallet, keys and the small gift bag for Clare. "Alright, I'm off."

"Later, man. Let me know how it goes." Tyler sent him a knowing grin. Jake grinned back and sent him a lazy salute before walking out.

In his car, he tapped his fingers mindlessly against the steering wheel to the beat of some song playing softly on the radio. He had some difficulty finding a parking spot once he arrived at the college, but since he still had some time he didn't feel the need to get frustrated. Soon, he was walking through the main building's large hallways, making his way to the auditorium where the ceremony was being held. Terry was waiting for him at the doors.

"There you are," she said as she spotted him. "Come on, I got our seats."

He followed her through the crowd of parents, relatives and kids to the rows of seats closest to where all the graduates would be sitting. He excused himself as he shuffled after Terry passing some already seated people. When they reached a seat with a bag in it and a jacket drapped over the next to it, they sat down. Terry took the jacket off the back of his seat and grinned. "I'm a genius."

He chuckled. "Yes, Terry. You are."

Her eyes did a once over of his body. "You look good, marine. You've been turning heads. You ready for later?"

"Hell yeah." He sent her his trademark grin.

She only smiled, before looking down to her phone and started typing away. Jake pulled his own phone out and sent a quick text to Clare, letting her know he arrived. She was quick to reply, telling him that Terry had just informed her. He chuckled and put his phone back in his pocket. A few minutes later the graduates started filing in, taking their seats, and he kept a lookout for Clare.

There.

Their eyes met, and she sent him an excited smile. He returned it with a grin and a quick thumbs up before she sat down. Everything went by in a blur, and when Clare's name was called, Jake clapped and whistled the loudest. Her parents weren't able to make it since her mom came down with some sort of flu. They did send Clare their graduation gift though. It was a nice boost in her bank account. Clare promised to call them after the ceremony.

Finally, it was over, and everybody was either leaving the auditorium or making their way to the newly graduates. Jake swooped Clare up in his arms as soon as he got to her. She laughed, and he loved the sound of it. She gave him a slow kiss once he set her back down on her feet, and he would've continued it if Terry hadn't clear her throat. He pulled back with a lazy smile and pecked the tip of Clare's nose before letting her celebrate with Terry. The two of them started jumping up and down, then out of nowhere Rose joined in, all three of them squealing in excitement.

Once they settled down, they all started making their way out to the parking lot. The college had set up an after-party at a hotel nearby with a formal dinner and that was where everyone was headed.

"My car?" Jake asked Clare.

She nodded up at him. "Yeah. We all came here in Terry's." Even in her heels, he was still taller than her. He can't help but to drop another kiss on her forehead, his arm drapped across her shoulders as he guided them towards his car.

He opened the door for her, and she raised a brow when she saw the simple, black gift bag that was on the passenger seat. "What is this?" She picked it up.

Jake leaned against the door, resting his chin on the top as he sent her a small smile. "A little graduation gift. Look inside."

She did, and when she pulled out a slender, rectangular blue box she gave him an exasperated look. He chuckled. "Open it, lazy."

Her eyes widened when she did. Her hands shook a little as she pulled out the sleek, silver fountain pen. He saw her read the inscription he had asked the company to put on the side in an intricate cursive font he knew Clare liked.

"To my partner in crime.
P.S. Use only to sign autographs."

"Oh my god, Jake..." Her eyes were a bit teary, but in the late afternoon's setting sun, it made her eyes shine with so much love he felt wonderfully overwhelmed. "It's beautiful."

"Indeed." He replied, his eyes never leaving hers as he brought a hand up and brushed his knuckles along her jaw.

Clare's laugh was watery, but it was the most beautiful sound he has ever heard in his life. "Sappy..."

"Always," he smiled. "Come here."

She leaned forward, her hands brushing against his as she placed them on the top of the car door next to his and met his lips half way. It was sweet and short but filled with all the love he felt for her.

***

Clare was happy, excited and buzzing with energy. They had partied the night away at the hotel restaurant, and she was tired when Jake lead her back into the hotel lobby. However, when he started making his way towards the elevators instead of the doors, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Jake sent her a cheeky grin. "Taking you to our room."

She felt the heat rise up in her cheeks. It wasn't as if she and Jake hadn't made love to each other before, but that still didn't stop her from blushing like a virgin whenever she thinks of it. As it turns out, they're both pretty adventurous in the bedroom.

As they step into the elevator, Jake says, "I have another gift for you."

When he saw her confused frown, he chuckled, then leaned down so his lips brushed her ear as he whispered. "Oh, don't worry. We'll have lots of that afterwards."

Clare was surprised she was still able to function. When they reached the second highest floor, the elevator dinged open, and Jake tugged on her hand down a door-filled corridor until he stopped in front of one. He pulled the key-card out of his pant's pocket, unlocked the door, then pulled her inside. His lips were on hers in an instant, his foot shutting the door behind them.

This kiss wasn't like the one they shared in the parking lot. This one was the kind that lead them to being both naked in bed. However, before any stripping could be done, he pulled away and spun her around so her back was to his chest. Clare opened her mouth to protest, but it died on her lips when she saw the view before her. Her mind didn't even register the fact that the room was dark, and that the only lights that illuminated it was the city lights she was now staring at through the large, sliding glass doors that lead out unto a balcony.

"Wow..." She breathed out. "You remembered."

Jake's reply was a tender kiss to her neck, his arms wrapped around her waist as he gently swayed them side to side. She had told him before about her desire to get somewhere high and just watch the city's night life until sunrise. She felt tears prickle at the corners of her eyes. Sometimes he just seemed too good to be true.

"Will you marry me?"

She froze, unsure she heard him right. "What?"

He dotted a kiss just behind her ear. "Take over the world with me, Clare. Tell me you'll say yes..."

She felt him pull back, and she turned around, watching him get down on one knee, his eyes never leaving her face as he pulled out a black box from his back pocket. He flicked it open to reveal a simple golden band with a small diamond winking up at her. The tears were running down her face now, no doubt ruining her make-up, but she didn't care.

She flung herself at Jake, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Yes, Jake. Yes!"

They both pulled back, matching grins on their face as he slipped the engagement ring unto her finger. She admired it for a second, her stomach doing back flips, before attacking her boyfriend's...fiancé's face with quick kisses. He laughed then cupped her own in his hands to stop her, before kissing her lips. This one was more similar to the one in the parking lot, slow and sweet, but definitely not short.

Suddenly, Jake hoisted her against him and stood up. Her legs automatically wrapped around his waist, and she pulled back just far enough to look into his eyes with a seductive smirk. "Do you have a gun in your pants, or are you just excited to see me?"

His eyes darkened. "Only one way to find out."

Clear squealed when they fell unto the bed, Jake landing softly on top of her, before he continued their kiss. They didn't pull away until much later, and for a second, they just stared at each other.

"I love you, Clare."

"I love you too, marine."

Then she leaned up on her arms and whispered into his ear, "Now about that gun..."

NO SMUT FOR YOU, YOU LITTLE PERVS!! HAHAHAHAHA!!

As much as I wanted to write it, I don't think it'll fit the MM atmosphere, though things were getting pretty hot...lolololol!!! Anyways, that is the end of Midnight Messages!! Thank you guys so much for all of your love and support, even though some of you threatened to kill me *cough*Nishsai_V*cough* But that's beside the point!

I hope y'all enjoyed Clare and Jake's story! I had so much fun writing it!! So yeah, as per usual, I'm awkward with A/N's, so Good Bye for now, and I can't wait to write for y'all again!!

P.S. I'm definitely writing another text-format story like this.

Peace out, crazies!!

Love,
DG❤

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Thank you.