Spaces

Chapter 9

November 6, 2021.

We were sure that nothing was going to change. What was the point of being together if we couldn't physically be together. Harry and I had an epic love story whose ending can only be described as tragic.

I was chopping up some carrots as I prepared to cook. I looked outside, the rain was lightly falling. Ryan and I had been together for almost 8 months. He was out working when I received a phone call.

"Hi my name is Janette. May I speak to Mrs. Ella Styles?" she asked in a monotone voice.

"This is she. How may I help you?" I asked.

"I'm calling from the immigration services concerning the request you and your husband had made," she continued. "I know we had told you that your husband's request was on hold indefinitely, but I wanted to tell you the good news. Everything is done. If your husband is looking to come to the US, he may do so. He will be receiving his permanent residency card in the mail a month from today. "

"Thank you," I replied. I was in shock. "Does my husband know?"

"Yes," Janette replied. "We also notified him. Congratulations!"

"That's great," I replied. "Thank you. Have a nice day."

At this point, I had no idea what to do. I hadn't talk to Harry since we decided to mutually end things. I thought about Ryan.

Ryan invited my parents over to our apartment. He really wanted them to like him. He helped me cook dinner.

My parents arrived. I hadn't told anyone about Harry. I hadn't even talked to him yet. I decided I was going to wait for his phone call.

" Ryan and Ella this is a nice place you have here," my mother said as she took off her coat.

" It was tuff to find a place to accommodate us both, but here we are," Ryan replied. I looked at him and he smiled back. He was nervous. I could tell by the way he was fidgeting with his fingers. " Please have a seat Mr. and Mrs. Hart. Ella and I will bring out the dinner."

" I hope you had a great time. I was nervous for today. I wanted to do this in front of you. Ella, you're an amazing person. I cannot believe I finally found the person who I want to spend the rest of my life with," Ryan continued as he kneeled on one knee. I was speechless. I wanted him to stand up. He couldn't propose to me. I didn't want to hurt his feelings. I was frozen still in shock. " I love you and there's no other person I would rather be with. Will you marry me?"

I stood still. I looked at my parents and they were in shock too.

"Ella?" Ryan said. I could tell he was freaking out. He wasn't expecting this response. In any other case, I would have said yes, but I couldn't because of Harry. " I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done this."

Ryan got up and walked away.

" I'm going to go talk to him," I said as I managed to shake myself to react. I walked into our room. Ryan was sitting on the bed with his head down.

" I thought you wanted this?" He said as he looked up at me.

" Ryan, you are a great guy. I would have said yes, but you know how complicated things are," I paused. "I got a phone call today from immigration services. Harry got his violation lifted and everything is ready for him to come. I know it sucks that things are playing out this way. I'm really sorry."

" You choose him," Ryan said.

" Some things are just never meant to be. I'm sorry," I said before leaving the room.

A month later.

I anxiously waited by luggage claim area. I was going to see him again.

I saw him walking towards me. He waved and gave me a slight smile. Once he was in front of me, I gave him the bouquet of flowers I had got him. He started laughing and gave me a hug. We embraced each other for five minutes without saying anything before we headed out.

" How was your flight?" I asked.

" It was good. I'm just tired," he responded as he reached out to hold my hand.

The car ride home was pretty silent. I had moved out of the apartment I was sharing with Ryan. Before coming, Harry helped me look at houses and we bought one. A new place for our new start.

I want things to work out. I'm just hoping we weren't apart for too long. We had been with other people. He started a relationship with Talia while I was with Ryan. I can tell he is nervous, too, about us. Trying to be affectionate towards each other is weird.

" Do you want to cuddle?" I asked. He nodded and we laid down on our bed. We embraced each other.

" I missed you," he said as he wrapped his arms around me. He started to kiss my neck.

I turned around to face him still wrapped in his arms.

" I missed you, too," I replied before slowly going in for a kiss.

A flush of memories came in. From the first time we met to our first date to our summer together to our marriage to all our problems. Now we were here. Even though we had been apart for so long, I had hope. I don't know if we'll live a happy ever after, but I'm happy for now. I'm happy that we can finally be together and start our lives not having to worry about stopping our relationship, missing each other, and knowing that we're not fully happy unless we're together. In his arms, I feel safe. I feel his love. The way he holds me I know he will never let me go. I know that the distance took a toll on him, too. He never wants to be apart from each other. I know that even though we were with different people, we always and forever will love each other. This is my happily ever after.