Thankful for You

Ivory and Jack walked hand in hand through the airport. He started to swing their hands and looked over at her. She was glowing. He’d never seen her smile so bright or her eyes so piercingly blue. It sent a shiver down his back.

“What the hell you staring at?” Ivory arched an eyebrow as she kept her eyes forward. She could feel his gaze, and it’d never been so comforting.

“Just my gorgeous girlfriend,” Jack replied smugly and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Ivory blushed and pressed her lips together firmly. Then her eyes focused on a familiar dark haired boy. His brown hair was disheveled, as usual, and he was diligently scanning the crowd until his eyes locked with hers.

“IIIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVYYYYYYYY!” Alex yelled at the top of his lungs as he waved both hands above his head. Ivory threw her head back and laughed.

“Someone missed you, eh?” Jack chuckled and squeezed her hand. He was so glad that his best friends loved and accepted Ivory. She was different and a bit odd at times, but then so were his friends.

“Looks like someone missed me a lot,” Ivory shook her head as they approached the boy and he threw himself at her. “Hello Alexander!” She still called him by his full name and he still didn’t care that much when it came from her.

“You smell good,” Alex informed her as he pulled away and smiled, slightly off center. “So, how’s the whole ‘official’ relationship going?” Ivory’s mouth dropped open as she turned her shocked gaze to Jack’s ecstatic one. “Yeah, Jacky boy texted me like five hours ago with the news.” Alex shrugged it off as he turned to walk toward the exit.

“I should have known.” Ivory rolled her eyes as they followed Alex. “You two are practically joined at the hip.”

“Are not!” Alex shouted over his shoulder. Jack chuckled as he swung his arm around her.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve got someone I want you to meet Alex.” Ivory mentioned with a smirk on her face as she followed Jack into the back seat of Alex’s car.

“Aw, come on!” Alex threw his hands in the air before he pulled out of his parking spot. “I don’t want to be set up with one of your odd ball friends.”

“My friends are not oddballs,” Ivory defended as she rested her head on Jack’s shoulder and he pulled her closer to him. There was a smirk that slyly slipped its way onto her face. “Besides, you’re going to love her.” Ivory giggled and closed her eyes, loving the warmth of Jack’s side against hers. She encased herself in his consoling embrace and let her mind wander.

Jack conversed casually with his best friend as the girl of his dreams slept peacefully in his arms. He hated to wake her up, but argued with himself that she’d be comfier in her own bed. “Beautiful, it’s time to wake up,” he whispered lightly and squeezed her.

“But I’m so tired,” she complained, opening her eyes unwillingly. Ivory gave a huge sigh as she slide out of Alex’s warm Expedition and into the freezing cold air. She shuddered and attached herself to Jack almost immediately, making him chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her. “Sweet baby Jesus.” Ivory muttered before she entered the familiar, warm apartment building. She noticed Alex dragging behind them and turned to give him a look over her shoulder.

“Sweet baby Jesus?” Alex raised both eyebrows as he repeated her. Everyone knew Ivory didn’t curse much, but this wasn’t one of her usual comments either.

“I watched 17 Again,” Ivory shrugged and turned back forward, ignoring the snort that came from behind her. “Recently,” she added and started up the stairs.

Three minutes later they were at her door and Ivory was trying to find her keys. “Fuck! Why can’t your building have a fucking elevator?” Alex groaned as he reached the two and slumped against the wall.

“Stop whining.” Ivory told him without looking up. She heard Andrea on the other side of the door, talking rather loudly, just as her fingers felt the smooth metal.

“You know, that sounds familiar,” Alex muttered as he pressed his ear against the wall. Ivory quickly pulled her keys out and unlocked the door. All three stood rooted to the ground as their eyes widened at the scene in front of them.

”So tell me what your best friend knows! Tell me why you talk me down wherever you go! You’re a saint! You’re a queen! And I’m just another,” The words cut off as Andrea spun around. Ivory started to giggle uncontrollably as she placed her hand over Jack’s eyes.

“Go put some pants on before you steal my boyfriend from me,” Ivory winked at Andrea as she blushed furiously and darted down the hallway. Jack chuckled as he brought his hands up to the one covering his eyes. He softly pulled it away from his face as his brown eyes connected with her blue ones.

“You don’t have to worry about that dear,” Jack told her before he sweetly kissed her knuckles. Her knees buckled as she smiled at him and leaned into him. Ivory stood on tip toes and brushed her own lips against his in a small, yet so perfect, kiss.

Neither one of them remembered Alex until he exhaled loudly. “I think I’m in love,” he muttered with a bizarre look of fear in his eyes.

“Told you so,” Ivory sang as she laced her fingers with Jack and pulled him into the apartment. “I’m going to sleep Andie!” She yelled before she smirked over her shoulder at the lone boy standing awkwardly by her door. “Entertain Alexander!”

“I thought we agreed no more match making after the last fiasco.” Jack wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and kicked the door to her bedroom close.

“But they’re so perfect,” Ivory closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip as he kissed her neck. She leaned her head back on his shoulder and soaked in the moment. A smile graced her lips as she thought back to the first time they met. She couldn’t help but say the words out loud. “Who would’ve known we’d end up like this?”

Jack grinned and placed one more tender kiss on the soft skin of her neck. “I did.”