Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 58: "Echoes of Love"

"All words are already worn out, what's left between you and me is not enough for the heart, and from my chest, your memory sounds. All that was of the two of us are echoes of love."

Echoes of Love from Lauren Jauregui's Album "Just Me".

3/6 OF THE MARATHON

A very uncomfortable silence settled in the car as they drove along the deserted roads towards downtown Vancouver. Dianna was driving while Ryan kept his eyes glued to the window, watching the scenery that was disappearing before his eyes. It was the landscape he had driven through so many times with Lauren and they had talked and laughed. They had sung. And now only memories remained echoes of voices in the void. There was none of that left because his Lauren, his beautiful Lauren had been unfaithful to him and with another woman.

A random song was playing on the radio and suddenly he heard it, loud and clear. It was one of Lauren's songs. Dianna realizing it quickly went to change the station but Ryan prevented it was a good reminder of what she had lost.

FLASHBACK:

ONE YEAR AGO

"Do you realize that?" Ryan took the hand of the woman next to him and brought it to his lips as he drove. His fingers touched the engagement ring on Lauren's finger and he smiled. They were about to get married and Ryan couldn't be more excited.

"What?" Lauren smiled as Ryan looked at her briefly.

"The next time we visit Vancouver it will be as husband and wife," said Ryan with excitement in his voice.

"That's true" Lauren started laughing at that statement. "You're a very lucky man, Ryan Green."

"I am," he smiled. "The most beautiful, successful, gorgeous woman in the world agreed to be this poor lawyer's wife. It's my dream come true. I must confess that ever since we were in high school I had a slight crush on you."

"Now it turns out you had a crush on me?" Lauren started laughing. "The captain of the basketball team with the Brainiac who was only popular because her father was a famous singer."

"Well," Ryan smiled. "You were a cute little brainiac."

Lauren started laughing along with Ryan and in a few minutes Lauren heard one of his songs on the radio. Her heart began to race, as it always did when she heard one of her songs on the radio. Despite the years there was always the excitement of the first song and finally being able to see her dream come true.

"When we get to the house I have a surprise for you" Lauren was surprised and saw Ryan tilting his head to the side and smiling at her.

"What kind of surprise?" She smiled, "Your surprises usually end with me lying in bed."

"Us in bed is not a surprise," he said smugly. "You know I'm a tiger in bed and you can't get enough of me."

"Of course," Lauren laughed mockingly. "I think you're the one who can't get enough of me."

"You're right about that," he watched her for a moment, "I'm never going to get tired of you, Lauren. I love you and I hope I can make you happy for the rest of our lives."

Lauren smiled at him for a moment and then watched the landscape spread out above her in her heart wishing him the same. Ryan was a good man and maybe if she had made the right decision even if she didn't feel in love.

"I hope we can be happy and that I can be the wife you deserve."

"I know you will," he sighed. "As long as there is love between us there is nothing we can't overcome. Nothing."