It’ll Never Happen

Authors Note:

Here it is, the final chapter. What a wild ride this has been, spanning way more years than I ever thought possible. This started out as a story, loosely based off of my own life, but what I wished could have happened in some places, and evolved into so much more. It's been a blast for me, and I hope it's been a blast for you's to read as well!

This is the end of this series, but it may not be the end of James and Ally, and the rest of the Knuckleheads. As you can probably tell by now, my stories are slowly becoming linked, taking place in the same universe, so there may be more in the works, just pay attention to James' cousin's name ;)

As always, thank you for reading, and all of your support. A special thanks to JFS1212 for editing my work, without him it may not be legible, as evident by some of my earlier work I keep meaning to go back and edit.

Enjoy!

**

~~ Fort Carson, Some Time Later ~~

James had been back from Afghanistan for a few months now. All of the de-mobilization stuff done and over with. He planned on using all of his Use/Lose leave from the last year pretty much right away, but Ally couldn't get that time off from school because of finals, so he decided to take the extended vacation when she was finished and on summer break.

Ally didn't know a whole lot about what James did when he was over there. Not because he wouldn't talk about it, but because they just really hadn't had the chance since he'd been home. For what seemed like two full days after he returned they stayed home, relaxing, and doing other nefarious activities.

She did know some of the funny stories though, and she did hear about a friend he made, who was also from Michigan, even though they'd only been together for a single mission over there. She looked forward to meeting him if things ever lined up though.

Ally had her last final the next day, then they were off on a two week road trip, no itinerary, just headed wherever the road took them. Both of them were wildly excited for the trip, James especially since he had a bit of a wandering soul and a desire to see everything. Ally was just excited to spend two uninterrupted weeks with her man after not seeing him for a year.

"Where are we headed first?" Ally asked as she laid in bed, her head resting on James' chest.

"Well, there's four cardinal directions," James laughed. "Pick one and we'll go that way."

Ally was a planner. It's just who she was. The whole idea of just 'going where the wind takes you' was completely foreign to her, but she was happy to go along with it because it made James happy.

"North?" She said, sounding rather unsure of herself. "Maybe north west? Hit Washington or Oregon?"

"That's fine with me babe," he said with a smile. "You know I'll go anywhere there's mountains."

"There's mountains here dumbass," Ally said, a slight laugh taking any heat out of her words.

"You know I'll go anywhere with you," James said, "that better?"

"Very much so," she smiled, leaning up to kiss him gently.

"Are you ready for your final final?" James asked, pausing to laugh at his word choice.

"Yes," she replied, before changing her look to one of lust. "But there's something else I'm ready for."

"Oh?" James questioned, his eyebrows raising slightly at the prospect. "And what would, ohhhhh."

He groaned as her small hand closed around his member. She kissed him as her hand worked on him, quickly bringing him to full mast.

"A whole year," she purred. "I missed out on this for a whole year. That's three-hundred and sixty five times I didn't get your cock inside me. We've got to make up for that."

They didn't waste any more time talking. Ally was already dripping, and James was now fully erect. They didn't need the foreplay. For them, just being together was foreplay enough.

Ally trailed kisses down his jaw, to his neck then onto his collarbone. She worked her way down his chest, pausing briefly to look at the long scar that ran for about ten inches along his right side, where some shrapnel from a rocket round had grazed him, before gently kissing along it and resuming her trek down his abdomen towards his groin.

While it was true they didn't need the foreplay, Ally still loved to feel him in her mouth, even if it was just for a few moments before she climbed aboard, and James certainly wasn't going to object. She rapidly bobbed her head on his shaft for a few moments before impatience got the best of her. They both knew it wasn't going to be a gentle, loving roll in the hay.

**

"How much longer do you want to drive babe?" Ally asked James as they cruised up Interstate Twenty-Five in his truck.

"How long do I personally want to drive, or long much longer do we want to travel today in general?" He responded to her question with another question.

"Both?" She answered uncertainly.

"I'd like to make it a little past Casper," James said. "There's a nice little campground nestled in the hills I stopped at with my family a few years back. Just gotta remember exactly where it is."

"Will they be open when we get there?"

"If I remember right, they only open the office for a few hours a day. It's just a show up and put money in the box type thing."

"Nice view?" She wondered.

"You're breathtaking," he grinned, turning his head to look at her momentarily to drive home his point.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, though I'm already yours," she giggled.

"And I love you," he said sincerely. "But no, the view there is also breathtaking. We can get there and you can decide if we want to stay there just for the night and move on in the morning or spend more time there."

James had one of the best setups for road tripping like this with his long bed truck. Back in high school he and his buddies would go overland camping every now and then so he built a platform that sits level with the bed rails, and the bottom rolled out to store all their gear under it so he technically didn't lose any bed space. On top there were inserts to add rails if he wanted to carry more gear, which he currently was. When they made camp they would take the few totes off the top and set them under the truck.

When the top of the shelf was empty he had a custom made tent that hooked into the four corners, and a tall queen sized air mattress for the bed. He really had everything they'd need for the two weeks, short of laundry and showers. Well, he did have a portable shower too, but they'd only use that if they had to.

"Sounds good to me," she agreed as she laid her head back down on his shoulder. "What's for dinner though?"

"I planned on making burgers and baked potatoes on the fire," he said. "That sound alright?"

"Sounds perfect."

They drove in a comfortable silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, though mostly their thoughts were of the other. James couldn't believe she was his. In his eyes, she was perfect in every way, and she was completely his. 'Luckiest son of a bitch out there,' he thought to himself, not knowing what he did to get so lucky.

Unbeknownst to Ally, James had called Ally's dad almost immediately after he got home from his deployment and asked for her hand. He apologized for being across the country and not being able to ask in person, but her dad just laughed and said he'd be honored to have James for a son-in-law.

James knew he was going to propose on the trip, but he just wasn't sure when, or where for that matter. He'd been to forty-three states since road trips were a big part of his childhood, and he'd been over all the ground they were going to cover on this trip, multiple times actually, so he had an idea of what place offered what, but he just couldn't bring himself to decide what setting he wanted to pop the question in.

He figured it would be somewhere on the top of a mountain, since he and Ally both absolutely loved mountains, and because it offered a great view, but he reasoned that if something else just felt right, he'd ask then. The ring had been in his pocket since he'd gotten home anyways, so he'd at least be ready.

It was too early in the year for them to stop in Cody and go to the Nite Rodeo, which was disappointing, but they're figured they get enough entertainment out of the trip without it. James didn't care if they just sat in a hotel for two weeks, if he was with her he was happy, plain and simple.

At some point Ally had dozed off, which made James smile. She always looked so peaceful when she slept. James was wide awake and in no danger of getting tired. It was still the early afternoon, and hours of long convoys overseas taught him how to stay awake while driving.

**

James pulled the truck into the campground as smoothly as possible so he wouldn't wake her up. Shifting without moving her was a little tricky, but he quickly figured out he could reach across his body to shift with his left hand while holding the wheel with his left knee, so he didn't have to move his arm from around her shoulders. It was a little trickier when he needed to come to a stop because he actually needed to use the clutch for that, but he managed, and Ally still slept peacefully next to him.

He pulled the truck into an empty site and thanked his lucky stars that it was one that faced out over the hills and valleys out on the horizon instead of back at the rest of the campground. He shut the truck off and slipped it back into gear and was about to wake Ally up but apparently the shuddering then complete stillness of the truck shutting off caused her to stir and she looked up at him with a sleepy look in her eyes.

"We here?" She murmured.

"Yes baby," James smiled. "We're here."

Ally sat up and stretched, letting out a big yawn in the process. For a moment James wondered if letting her sleep so long was a mistake but he knew she'd perk back up and they'd be able to enjoy their night.

James hopped down out of the truck and went to setting up camp for the night. The first thing he did, which was the most important, was to crack open a can of Rainier beer he'd picked up as soon as they stopped at a place that sold it. He'd turned twenty-one across the pond, so since he'd been back he was making the most of this new found freedom.

He still preferred the Yuengling he'd bring home from Pennsylvania, but a Rainier was a great beer as well so he enjoyed more than a few when he was out west. The pair had camped together enough to have a routine, even though they worked well together anyhow, that Ally had her own set of tasks to accomplish to set up, so she climbed out of the truck, grabbed a beer, and set about her tasks as well.

James moved the heavy totes off the top shelf of his bed, then went about building the fire while Ally set up the tent and blew up the air mattress. They'd stopped and grabbed firewood not long before Ally fell asleep, so they had plenty for at least a day or two. Buying firewood felt wrong to James, but he didn't have his chainsaw, or a place to cut, so he just swallowed his pride and dropped some cash on a few bundles.

Pretty soon James had a nice fire roaring and Ally had the tent all setup and 'furnished' for the evening, so they each grabbed a new beer and pulled out lawn chairs to sit and relax after a long day of travel. Not physically touching Ally in some fashion didn't sit right with him so he shifted his beer over to his right and reached out with his left, resting it lazily on her thigh.

They were facing mostly west, and the sun was just starting to near the horizon in front of them, though it was off to the side enough where it wasn't blinding them. The way the gold rays danced across the country before them almost seemed surreal, like a scene you'd see described in an old western dime novel.

As James sat there, he had to wonder if maybe this was the time to propose? Everything seemed right. The soft country on the speaker in the background. The sunset view. Her hand drawing light circles atop his on her thigh. The cold beer. The content look on her face as she gazed out over the landscape. Hell, even the tablecloth covered picnic table off to the side that was set up with their fixings for dinner even fit the mood right.

He wanted to wait for that perfect time, that perfect moment, and he was sure there would be other moments like this, possibly even better. Even so, he wondered what the rest of the trip would be like if it was an 'engagement celebration' trip instead of just them on a road trip. He was absolutely sure he wanted to marry her, and he was absolutely sure she wanted to marry him. There was no doubt of that. None.

Why not propose now then?

He started to get nervous, just slightly though. He knew he had her father's blessing, he knew she'd say yes, and he knew he wanted to marry her. Maybe just asking the question was nerve wracking as it was?

'Fuck it,' he thought. 'I want this, she wants this, and I really want to see her wear my ring.'

James didn't leave himself any time to reconsider, no time for doubt or nerves. He gently squeezed her thigh before removing his hand and standing up. Ally figured he was just going to get another beer, so she didn't think anything of it. He did go get another beer, but instead of going right back to his chair he took a deep breath, got down on one knee and called her name.

"Ally," he said again when she didn't immediately turn to him.

He wasn't behind her, but off to her side, between her and the open air as the campsite was on the corner of the grounds so the view surrounded them on almost three sides. Upon hearing her name she turned to look at her boyfriend, and for a second she was confused as to what she was looking at.

Ally not immediately responding flooded James with a sense of worry, and he began to slightly panic. Would she say no? Why would she say no? Was he asking too soon? Too late? James' head spun with all of his thoughts. He had what he was going to say planned out, but he seemed unable to find the words for a second.

"James?" Ally asked in shock when what he was doing registered in her mind. It felt like they just stared at each other for an eternity but in reality it was all of two seconds.

"Ally, every day I'm with you is the greatest day of my life," James began once he was able to force himself to speak. "You're the greatest love I could ever imagine, and I don't want to think of a life without you in it. Will you be my wife?"

"Of course I will James," she beamed at him.

She didn't jump out of the chair and tackle him. She didn't scream or squeal. She calmly set her drink down and stood from her lawn chair. Inside she was freaking out, doing a happy dance, but on the outside she looked like a woman in heat as she made her way towards James.

She stopped in front of him and held her hand out to him so he could slip the ring on, smiling broadly the entire time, her heart pounding. Ally never imagined she could feel this good. So happy, so content, so excited all at the same time. She was going to be James' wife. She would be his, heart, body, and soul, and he would be hers in the same way.

The ring fit perfectly on her finger. James wasn't an idiot, he was smart enough to swipe a ring that she had that she wore on her right ring finger and get the size from it. Ally rarely, if ever, wore any jewelry, but that didn't mean she didn't have any for special occasions.

Once the ring was on her finger Ally held her hand out in front of her, palm out, to admire the look of it on her hand. The slight glint of light that reflected off the diamond from the last of the setting sun made a smile cross her face.

"I love you James," she said sincerely, her voice heavy with emotion.

"I love you too Ally," he said, getting up from his knee to wrap her in a tight embrace.

"I," Ally began, her voice suddenly sultry, dripping with desire, "think we need to consummate."

"Isn't that for after the wedding?" James asked with a slight chuckle.

"Are you really going to start off this engagement by questioning me?" She smiled.

"Nope. Not at all," he grinned, leaning in to give her a deep kiss.

"Then take me to bed Fiancé."

"As you wish Fiancée," James said, leading her by the hand towards the tent.

As they say, when the trucks a rockin', don't come knocking'.

**

"I know you don't like jewelry on a woman," Ally said out of the blue, "but I have to say I like the look of this."

"Always found it a turn off when someone wears any jewelry," James laughed, "but seeing that ring on your finger is the exact opposite. Guess I didn't take engagement rings into consideration when I made my 'no jewelry' rule."

They were driving west on Interstate Ninety, which in reality was north on Ninety because as it leaves Wyoming and goes into Montana it's heading north. They had stayed at the first campsite the next day because they wanted to enjoy relaxing in their newfound engagement instead of traveling. While James could have rigged up his portable shower, they decided they would just stop the next day and shower on their way to their next spot instead.

"I'm starting to feel gross," Ally complained lightheartedly.

"Babe you'll never be gross. Covered in mud head to toe and you'd still shine like a diamond," James countered.

"Like the diamond on my hand," Ally smiled, looking down at the ring on her finger.

She felt like she was looking at it constantly, and in reality she probably was. She just couldn't help it. She was engaged to the love of her life, what girl wouldn't keep staring at the ring? As she looked over to the man she was going to marry, a sense of pride, love, comfort, and a desire to care for him swept over her. Seeing as she was rather traditional in her views, she vowed then and there that she would do everything she could to care for him and keep him satisfied for the rest of her life, be that sexually, by cooking, cleaning, mothering his children, or anything else he might need. She knew without a doubt that he would protect her, provide for her, and love her with everything he had for the rest of his life so it only seemed fair.

"I take it you want a shower sooner than later though?" James guessed after noticing Ally was lost in thought.

"Yes please," she answered.

"If I remember right," he began, "there's a Love's up the road a ways in Hardin right off the big road. Dad stopped there for fuel I think."

"That sounds good," she smiled. "I love Love's showers. I've stopped at a few with my parents when we were camping when I was younger."

"Jack is a platinum member there and told me to use his rewards for showers whenever I need them if I'm out and about so we won't have to pay anything either," James said, referring to his cousin who was a truck driver who owned his own rig, so he spent enough money on fuel at Love's to qualify for unlimited showers.

"Perfect," Ally smiled, feeling the warm water and smelling the soap already.

**

"Two showers," James told the cashier at the fuel counter.

They made good time to Hardin, and just like he remembered there was a nice Love's there. At that time of day it was rather deserted too so all the showers were available, meaning they could go at the same time instead of waiting.

"Rewards?" The cashier asked.

"I lost my card but I've got the phone number," James lied. Jack had told him that the number worked just as well and they wouldn't question him not having the card.

"If you could just type that in on the screen you'll be all set," the cashier said.

James quickly typed in the memorized phone number and soon both Ally and himself had little slips in their hand that had a shower number and a door combination on them. James grabbed his shower bag off the counter and led Ally back towards the hallway that led to the showers and laundry.

They stopped outside of Ally's shower and he waited for her to get the door open to make sure she didn't have any issues. Once the lock clicked and she popped open the door he went to head to his shower, but before he could move he felt her grab his arm and pull him in with her.