DISCLAIMER: I don't own the song lyrics in this chapter. Obviously.

Chapter 9

Travis ran a hand through his hair, grinning at the flatness of the world zipping past the window. He glanced across at his fiancé in the passenger seat.
"You alright, honey?"
Mary Jo smiled and nodded, reaching across to squeeze his hand. "I'm better than alright. I mean, we'll see them again soon anyway, won't we?"
"Of course. Betsy wouldn't let me steal you away for more than a few months."
She smiled again. "They took it well, didn't they? Ma seemed quite pleased, actually. The funniest thing was how unsurprised Uncle Tony was."
"He cottoned on fairly early, I think," Travis replied, "He'd always give me this knowing smile whenever he caught me looking at you."
"Awww," Mary Jo beamed.
"You know, I'm really glad that Dad helped you paint our bus," she said, gazing around the already-homely interior of their vehicle.
"I think it made him feel better about letting his precious little girl go, knowing that he'd helped you on your way. You should've seen the lengths he went to to get the kitchen area exactly right; but you deserve the best, of course."
The woman beamed again. "Well, it means I'll be able to cook you decent dinners anyway."
"I look forward to it. For future reference, I like your apple pies," Travis winked.
Mary Jo chuckled, gazing across at him as a comfortable silence fell.

"Y'know, I don't mind that Dad and Ma wanted us to wait to get married. This way, when we get back to Broken Arrow, there'll be no disputing that since we've lasted two months or so in a bus together and we're still in love, getting married is the right decision."
Travis nodded. "Besides, we already know what happens when we rush into things without thinking them out properly."
Mary Jo chuckled at the memory of that sweet summer night. "But I'm also glad that we're taking this road trip together; for a start it's a great way to spend time with each other. And this way, I'll be there for you when you give your Dad the news; about your career path, and about us."
The man smiled across at her with sincere gratitude in his eyes. "I may be needing you when it comes to that."
"Well honey, whatever and whenever you need me, I'll be right here."
"Mary Jo, turn on the radio, will you darlin'? If I'm not distracted from this sudden urge to kiss you, we might never get to my parents' house."
Giggling at his shameless sweet-talk, she leaned forward and turned on the stereo. A folk song started to come through the static.

I've got a never-ending love for you
From now on, that's all I wanna do
From the first time we met, I knew
I'd sing my never-ending song of love for you

After all this time of being alone
We can love one another, feel for each other, from now on
Feels so good I can hardly stand it

The couple didn't need to say anything. They just smiled at the road ahead. The road they were taking together.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, that's it! Except for a possible epilogue (this epilogue thing is becoming a habit). Many thanks to my readers (mostly Glitter girls), who are the main reason I grabbed this random idea and ran with it. I hope you enjoyed it.
Genevievey