“I know.” I roll my eyes as we make our way downstairs.
“I can’t wait to hear everything.” She hugs me goodbye. I expect a quick one, but she squeezes me, lingering by the door.
She gives me one more grin before she leaves, and I drive to the high school with a big smile on my face.
What is waiting for me?
When I step out of my car, I take in the dark and empty building. The only things I can hear are cars passing by and the wind rustling leaves. I clutch my pea coat over my shoulders as I breathe in the cool air.
“Right this way, Mom.”
I turn to my side, and Jacob holds his arm out. He’s wearing suspenders over a button-up and a bow tie.
I step toward him. “What’s going on, bud?”
“You’ll see.”
I hook my arm through his and walk slowly, my heels clicking on the concrete as we walk along the sidewalk underneath the awning toward the gymnasium.
The memories.
So many memories are kept here, and walking through my old school, I’m hit with a flash reel of them.
Lunch on the picnic tables by the cafeteria during sunny days.
Cheer practice on the lawn.
Running to class to avoid being late, because Dax and I got lost in one of our many conversations.
Here I am now, almost sixteen years later, with my son walking through these memories with me. One day, he’ll be here as a student too. He’ll make his own memories.
When we round the corner, my breath hitches.
Several votive candles line the sidewalk, the small flames flickering in the breeze.
Rose petals are sprinkled along the concrete.
I follow the path to the parking lot, and once I take it all in, my knees tremble.
Dax waits with a single rose where we used to park our cars next to each other on the days we didn’t carpool.
“What the—” I choke on my next words, tears building because of the scene in front of me.
As we near, Dax stuffs one hand in his pocket, his smile illuminating the dark night.
He’s in a suit. Sharp and clean-cut with his hair styled. He’s too good-looking to be a normal guy, let alone a cardiologist with a big heart of his own.
Jacob and I stop a foot away from Dax, where rose petals form a heart around the spot where he’s standing.
“Thanks, buddy.” He winks at Jacob.
I shake my head, trying to grasp what’s going on, and once the blood stops rushing to my ears, I hear the soft melody mixed with our surroundings. It’s like the trees in the distance are singing. It’s all sweet and slow and romantic.
Dax takes my hand and glances around before landing his attention back on me. “Once upon a time, a boy kissed a girl in this very spot.”
I cover my mouth with my free hand, the vivid memory of our senior prom playing in my head.
“He was awkward and scared as hell.” His eyes bore into mine as his deep voice tells the story of treasured moments from the past. “He’d wanted to kiss the girl for years, and he was afraid of messing it up. Because you see, the girl was his best friend. She was also beautiful and extraordinary, and he didn’t deserve her.”
I shake my head as tears threaten to fall.
Jacob appears to our side and hands Dax a small velvet box, then stands next to us as Dax gets down on one knee. “It’s time to give that story—our story—a happy ending,” he rasps. His voice cracks as he opens the box to reveal a sparkling and elegant diamond. “Clara Morgan, I love you and Jacob with my whole being. Will you give me forever and marry me?”
“Say yes, Mom,” Jacob urges, his smile infectious and heartwarming.
I kneel to meet them at eye level. With a watery smile, a few stray tears falling down my cheeks, and a heart ready to burst, I nod. “Yes. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Jacob jumps with arms in the air. “Yes! She said yes!”
“Why are you yelling?” I laugh, then kiss Dax on the lips as we stand.
When I turn to the side, my mom, Andrew, Willow, and Zach rush toward us, cheering with big smiles on their faces.
“Oh my God.” I gasp, leaning into Dax’s chest, his arm wrapped firmly around me.
“They’re getting married!” Jacob continues jumping and dancing around with Andrew as my mom hugs both Dax and me.
My father appears too, along with his wife, Izzy, then Staci, Brooks, and Sienna.
Sienna holds her phone up, and I’m positive she’s live-streaming this. She animatedly talks into the screen, describing every detail in one breath. “You guys, this is the most beautiful proposal, okay?” She angles the phone to capture the setup. “Check it out. Rose petals. Candlelight. I mean, this shit is better than a fairy tale.”
I laugh and wipe more tears from my eyes as we give hugs all around.
Andrew pops a bottle of champagne, and my mom helps him pour it into plastic cups they brought.
Willow holds both our hands, her tear-streaked face making me emotional all over again. “Congratulations, you two. Mom and Dad would be so proud, big brother.” Dax leans down to squeeze her in a hug. Then, she turns to me. “Clara, you’ve always been family to us, but welcome, officially.”
We both exhale into giggles.
I reach Sienna as Staci and Brooks engulf Dax in a group hug. “You knew?” I shake my head at Sienna as she tucks her phone in her pocket.
“Oh, yes. It’s why I was at your house before you even texted me. I was watching out of my window, actually, for Dax to leave.” She laughs, then pulls me in for a hug. “You’re one lucky bitch. Dax is wearing the hell out of that suit, and he’s a doctor? Nice work.” She leans back and fans herself.
My smile is glued on my face. Permanent, thanks to Dax and Jacob.
Champagne is passed around, and before we take a
