Prologue

Woody's POV

 There's a part of me that feels guilty for having left my friends behind when I promised myself that I'd always be with them no matter what. Ever since Bonnie took ownership of us from Andy, I've felt lost. Bonnie is a sweet girl but she wasn't Andy. I was trying so hard to move on and accept that things change... but I just couldn't. I also missed Bo Peep a lot. I don't know how I survived nine years without my girl. Boy let me tell you, she sure has changed a lot since the nine years we were apart. Everything from her appearance to her personality has shifted. She's her own boss, doesn't take flack from anyone, and is admired by her new circle of friends. I've happened to grow fond of her friends in a short amount of time myself. They're good company. I think they would have gotten along well with my tribe of toys. 

     I don't know why I just referred to them as "my tribe." I was never declared a leader in the household. I'm just a toy, we all are. Yet everyone always looked to me for the answers to solve every problem that came up. When I wasn't there, Buzz was the second in command. Buzz, I feel the most guilty about leaving him. We had a rough start but we really did become best friends, brothers even. I miss him dearly. This may be selfish for me to say but why did I have to choose? Why did I have to choose between my best friend and my girl? It wasn't fair but then again life isn't always fair. We simply roll the dice and hope for the best. 

      Bo Peep and I are sitting on top of a ferris wheel long after the carnival in town as shut down for the night. It's being disassembled early in the morning, only to be put back together in the next destination. We might head there ourselves or go elsewhere. I'm leaving that up to Bo because my mind is a little foggy right now. Bo leans her head on my shoulder. "Woody, I know the choice you made was an extremely difficult one but I really do feel as though it was the right one. The thought you leaving me again was enough to destroy me inside and out. Having to go nine years without you in my life was terrible." 

      I take a hold of her hand and stroke it gently in mine. "Everything is going to be okay Bo. I'm here and I'm not leaving you ever again. Though I've got to be honest, I wish the gang would come around to joining us. Maybe we'll run into them at some rest area somewhere in this vast world. Buzz, Jessie, and Bullseye are the ones I miss most." Bo smiles. "Buzz and Jessie have a thing going on between them too. Don't they?" I smirk. "They sure do. Buzz has the hots for her intensely but he often downplays it because he doesn't want to come across as a fool. It's kind of sweet actually. When he first asked Jessie out, he came to constantly for dating advice." She giggles adorably. "That totally sounds like Buzz. I think we'll see them again one day."  I look at her in astonishment. "You do?" She nods. "I do. What's that saying that Buzz always says? His catchphrase... the slightly funny yet serious one." 

       I wrap an arm around my sweet girl and kiss her gently on the forehead. "That saying my dear is this... to infinity and beyond." She smiles. "To infinity and beyond." 

Hoped that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary