Prologue.

Prologue.

Rose watched Rick, her best friend, as he dutifully wrote out the contract that had come out of her thinking aloud - her thinking aloud of what if they were not married at twenty five, and Rick, being the Rick that always thought out solutions, had replied "then we marry each other."

So there they were, two ten year olds, writing out a contract for their future selves.

"There!" Rick exclaimed, leaning back on his heels. "All done."

Rose drew the paper to herself and read the words.

Rose Hokins and Rick Walton pledge to marry each other if at twenty five year old they are not individualy married.

"Individually is spelled with a double 'l'." She gave the contract to him.

"Oh." He made the correction. "Now we sign."

She collected the pen he handed her and signed. "Don't you think we are crazy for doing this?"

"Nah." He flashed her that sweet smile that was peculiar to him, his emerald eyes bright like an urchin's. "We are just doing what best friends do." He pinched her nose and she slapped his hand away. "Having each other's back."

She smiled. She looked at the contract then looked at him. "Shouldn't we make another copy? So that you have a copy and I hold the other?"

"Umm, yeah." He tugged her hair. "My smarty pants."

She grinned, pleased as always when he called her that.

Rick made the second contract and they both signed.

And it was done.