By: Jennifer Garst
Started: 6/2/1999
Kimberly Ann Hart stared out across the waters of the lake, lost in through. Day after tomorrow she would be leaving for Florida to train to be a Gymnast. It had always been one of her life long dreams, and now that it was really happening she wasn't sure she wanted to go, in fact she wasn't sure it was the right thing to go. She had to leave all of her friends behind, she'd see them again, sure, that was true, but it just wasn't the same.
She was really, really, really going to miss them. Especially Tommy, she would miss him more then any of the others. She didn't know what she was going to do without him, he was part of her life, she depended on him. He was her boy friend, and had been for a long time, she could hardly remember what life had been like without Tommy around, and she wasn't sure she wanted to. Idly Kim tossed a rock into the lake. Her thoughts roam freely, from the past to the present, and even into the future.
Kimberly knew what she wanted, but the things she wanted seemed to conflict right now, and she wasn't sure what to do. She'd made up her mind to go, a few days ago, but she kept having doubts. The others and even Tommy had tried to talk to her, telling her it was for the best. She knew that she would always wonder what would have happened if she'd stayed if she went, or if she'd gone if she stayed. Kimberly sighed it was all so confusing, she wasn't sure what to think anymore.
Suddenly Kimberly realized there was someone standing next to her. She jumped, and turned around ready to yell at them for scaring her like that. Silently Tommy sat down next to her, his face was emotionless, but his eyes were filled with love, and something else saddens, that's what it was.
"Tommy,"she whispered, tears filling her eyes, as he slipped his arm around her, holding her close to him,"Tommy I don't want to go."
"Yes you do,"he replied quietly looking her right in the eye,"You know in your heart you want to go." His smile was a sad one that touched her.
"What about you?"she asked,"Will you be okay." He laughed gently.
"You know me, I'll be fine."
"I know, but..."
"Look Kim,"he gently ran a hand throw her hair,"I'll call you every night, okay. Besides I know an easy to way come for a visit, if I have to."
"Is this the right thing? I know I want to go, but you guys might need me here to, and I'd stay here in an instant if..."
"Kim, we'll be okay,"he sighed,"Besides you gave Katherine the power remember. Always been your dream to go, so go, we'll still be here when you're ready to come back. Okay?"
"Okay!!!!"
"Now come here,"he pulled her close, kissing her passionately on the lips.
~ * ~
Tommy would miss Kim more, then he cared to admit even to her. Though he suspected that she understood how he felt, but neither of them dared bring it up. Tommy knew she had to go, and he wasn't going to do anything to stop her. He loved Kimberly with all his heart, she meant more to him then anything else in the whole world.
He knew Kimberly would be happy in Florida even if she did miss her friends. She was the kind of person who would fit in anywhere and make friends with almost anyone. He'd never met a person yet who didn't like Kimberly, she seemed to carry a zest for life with her, that could light up the darkest room.
That was one of the things he loved so much about her. She was probably the only reason he was still here, still hanging on, not locked away in some institution. He studied her face, memorizing every detail of it, so that he would never forget, not that he had any fear of that. She was always on his mind, no matter what was happening, he'd find something that reminded him or her no matter where he looked or where he was.
"I love you Kim,"he whispered pulling away from her for a second. To look deep into her beautiful eyes,"I love you more then life it's self."
"I love you to Tommy,"she breathed, and he could hear the love in her voice, see it in her eyes, as she leaned forward to kiss him again.
"Uuummmm,"Tommy said about five minutes later,"I was wondering....." She watched him expectantly, he laughed,"I was wondering if you would like to have a moon light picnic with me tomorrow night,"he paused watching her face for some kind of reaction but there was none,"The moon's supposed to be almost..."
"Of course,"she cried throwing her arms around his neck,"I'd love to Tommy." Tommy smiled in wonder, consumed with love for her and her love for him...
~ * ~
Kimberly smiled as the door bell rang.
"Tommy's here. We're going out for a picnic,"called Kim, slipping out the door before anyone had a chance to disagree with her. Not that she expected anyone to, it was her last night in Angle Grove, and no one would stop her from spending it with Tommy.
"Ready Beautiful?"he asked with a smile opening the door for her?
"Course."
"Good!!!"
~ * ~
Finally Tommy stopped his jeep, on a small plateau in the desert just outside of the city limits. It was a spot they visited often, though not quiet as often as the lake. Tommy wasn't sure why he'd decided to come here instead of the lake, like he had first planned. It had just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. He glanced over at Kimberly who was staring up at the star filled sky in wonder.
"No matter how many times I see it,"she whispered turning to him with a smile,"I can't get over how beautiful the stars are out here."
"They're not as beautiful as you,"replied Tommy, as he got out. He grabbed a blanket out of the back, along with a boom box, picnic basket, and a couple of candles.
"Get some of the CD's out of the glove box." Kimberly opened the glove compartment, and began shuffling through what was there, while Tommy quietly began spreading out the picnic.
"Here we go,"cried Kimberly suddenly, jumping out of the jeep, with a happy bounce. Tommy smiled watching her, with fascination, she was so beautiful, so full of life.
"What did you put in?"
"Uumm I think it was Fun Factory." Tommy arched an eye brow but didn't say anything, as she sat down across from him. They sat there for a long time, just talking, and laughing together, about old times, and stuff like that. They ate some of the sandwiches Tommy had brought, suddenly Kimberly jumped to her feet.
"Come on,"she cried, pulling Tommy up after her,"Let's go for a walk."
"Okay,"said Tommy with a laugh, grabbing a jacket out of the jeep, he put it around her shoulders as they started to walk, slowly throw the silvery night.
~ * ~
They walked for a long time, watching the stars in awe, holding hands, and just enjoying each others company, the feel of having the one you love near. Finally Tommy turned to Kimberly, a determined yet almost frightened, nervous look on his face. He took her hands in his, he watched her as he slowly went down on one knee, and she watched him with bated breath. Tommy reached up and carefully pulled a small black box out of his jacket pocket.
"I know we're a little young,"he said a red blush creeping into his cheeks,"But will you Kimberly Ann Hart consent to being my wife, when we get older. I loved you the day we met, and I know I will always love you."
Carefully he opened the box, pulling out the slime gold band, and set in it was a small pink diamond, with two green stones on either side. He took her hand, and slowly slipped it on. Kimberly stared at the ring, a looked a shock, surprise, and intense happiness on her face.
"I will,"she whispered throwing her arms around his neck,"Do you even need to ask. Tommy stood up and gently kissed her, this was the best day or night of his life and he didn't want to let it go, he didn't want to let her go.
"But I don't have anything for you,"said Kimberly, a little while later.
"That's okay."
"Wait,"her face lite up,"I know." She undid the clasp on the delicate silver necklace she always wore, on the end hung a tinny, silvery cross. Gently she brushed back his hair, fastening it around his neck.
"There now you have something to remember me by to,"she whispered, with a heart-warming smile. She slipped another CD in the boom box, before turning back to him.
"May I have this dance?"he asked, smiling at the surprised look on her face.
"How did..."
"Of course,"she replied taking his hand, as they started to dance.
~ * ~
They all stood in the air port terminal next to Kimberly's gate, not quite sure what to say.
"Good Bye Kim,"said Aisha giving her a hug.
"Ya, we're really going to miss you,"added Kat, with a hug of her own.
"Take care,"Adam said, trying to smile.
"Remember we're always here if you need us,"muttered Rocky, he held up his wrist,"This close,"he added tapping the communicator.
"Thanks,"Kimberly whispered throwing her arms around his neck,"Thanks for everything."
"Good luck,"said Billy, offering her his hand. Kim glanced at it, they gave him a hug.
"Thank you Billy,"she said into his ear,"Take care of them for me."
"Don't worry I will,"replied Billy, pulling away from her, as he and the others left Kim, and Tommy to say they're good byes in private.
"Well I guess this is it?"said Kim finally.
~ * ~
"Ya I guess so,"Tommy glanced at the ground,"Are you going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine,"Kimberly slipped her arms around his neck, Tommy pulled her close, burning his face in her hair,"Don't worry."
"I already am."
"I love you Tommy,"said Kim, going up on tip toe to kiss him,"And I always will,"she glanced at the ring, and smiled,"Don't you ever dare forget that."
"How could I?"asked Tommy, brushing a free strand of hair away from her face,"Take care Kim, I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you to,"she whispered, then quickly turned, picked up her bag, handed the ticket lady her
ticket, before boarding the plan. The others stood there for a long time, waving, till finally the
place took off and disappeared into the clouds. With that they turned, walking slowly out of the air
port, no one saying much, each lost in they're own private thoughts...
THE END
Finished: 6/10/1999