Down the road of memories

Summer things

Elle POV

A super important family tradition from my childhood was Sunday lunch with the Flynns. That's one of the things that made our two families so close. I hadn't been to one of this lunch since I left for Johns Hopkins and my father and brother moved to Chicago 3 years ago. I know my dad and brother attended it on vacation when they came to visit family in Los Angeles. Also, I hadn't been there with Noah since we broke up 6 years ago.

Yesterday with only Noah and I was awesome! We had started talking about some thorny topics like our past non-existent relationship of the last 6 years. Then there were reasons why I went into medicine and he went into law. It was bizarre to find that, consciously or not, the other was the reason that pushed us to spread our wings.

We came home late from the beach, Matthew and June were in the living room watching a movie when we arrived. Of course, we were asked about how our day had gone but without going into too much detail. June seemed over the moon to see us together. I suspect she hopes that Noah and I will come back together so that he decides to come back to Los Angeles. I know she found it very difficult to have all her children leave Los Angeles: Lee in San Francisco, Noah in Boston, Brad in Chicago and me in Baltimore. She was so happy when Lee decided to move back to Los Angeles and then me 2 years later.

Smiling, June told me that since I was back, she wanted to resurrect the traditional Flynn-Evans lunch and that we were invited to it the next day with Lee and Rachel. I was excited about it, but Noah seemed to be less enthusiastic than I was. It wasn't until we went upstairs that he told me stroking my cheek:

-Today was perfect, Shelly! I wish I could have spent every second of this week alone with you. I feel like my time is running out.

-I get it, Noah! But, you have to learn to share in life." I said with a wink.

-I've never been good at sharing you, Shelly!

-I remember! But we're here to learn from our mistakes and change. And remember all the things we did around that table when we thought no one was watching!

He burst out laughing, probably at the same memories as me. We kissed each other in the hallway before going to bed.

The next morning, sitting at the restaurant next to Noah and across from Lee and Rachel, it's like nothing has changed. June seemed to be over the moon listening to our babbling. Lee told us a hilarious story about him and Ashton during one of their guys' night. They remained very close during their studies and even afterwards since the 2 came back to Los Angeles. Rachel spoke excitedly about her bachelorette party. June offered to help me organize it, much to my relief. Lee began offering absolutely grotesque suggestions to Noah for his bachelor party like a comic-con convention, a rodeo festival ...

Noah cut the conversation off by saying that if Lee was hoping he would arrange this for him, he wouldn't make any youthful idea asking him to wear a costume. We were all laughing our heads off watching the spat between the 2 brothers. And I thought it would make me feel good to see the relationship between the two of them as it has always been.

When our meal was over, Lee suggested that the 4 of us go to the dock in Santa Monica to relive some of the memories. I really liked the idea. I was waiting outside the restaurant for Noah to come back from the bathroom since we had left together. When I quickly captured a face or rather 2 faces that took me back years. Marco's mother and sister...

Flashback LA, 4 Months After Breakup

It was the first Sunday in October. June and Matthew were away for the weekend. They didn't give my father the reason for their absence, but I had a idea why. It was the weekend of Noah's birthday and they had probably gone to Boston to see one of his games.

Since my breakup with Noah, I had let myself cry for a few days and it had brought me no comfort. So I decided to create a spring for myself, to make a new life and new goals. I had a good group of friends and I kept myself busy with medicine in order not to think too much about it. And it worked, I felt better like I had regained control of my life and if Noah's name wasn't spoken, I hardly thought about it anymore.

But friday morning, when I saw that it was his birthday, I shed a few tears (and even several...) My dad saw my puffy eyes this morning and decided to go eat out despite the Flynns' absence. My brother and my father seemed to have agreed to take my mind off things. We had a great time together and the topics of conversation were hilarious. Thanks to Brad for deciding to play the clown! I went to the bathroom when I heard a small voice say my name before feeling little arms squeeze my waist:

-Elle, was really great to see you! We really missed you!

I leaned over to recognize Rebecca, Marco's little sister.

-Hi Rebecca, it's true that it's been a long time.

Her mother quickly appeared behind her. I didn't always feel comfortable in her presence. This woman had always subtly made it clear that she wondered why I was with Noah and not with Marco. I felt that the conversation ahead would probably be difficult.

-Hi Elle, it's true, Marco told us that you didn't leave for Boston after all.

Courage, Elle!

-No, I entered USC in pre-med.

-Wow, that's right! Marco kept telling me that he felt that your relationship with the oldest of the Flynn brothers was preventing you from finding what you really wanted to be in life. I'm really happy for you, Marco said your ex wasn't involved in your passions. There are probably a few things better for you!

I know that Marco's mother wasn't doing this intentionally, but those words hit me right in the heart. She was quick to add before leaving!

-Marco tells me about you every time he calls me. He talks about you as the love of his life. You'd go so well together. Anytime you're ready, he'd want to talk to you.

-Thank you, I should go so I don't keep my dad and brother waiting. It was good to see you again.

I hadn't allowed myself to think about that discussion again until the evening. Sitting on my bed, I looked at my phone. Did I really want to know what Marco wanted to tell me? I closed my phone before slipping under the covers. I wasn't ready... And I never was.

Back to the present

-Elle ?

Noah's voice brought me back to the present. I shook my head before taking his hand and walking with him to his car.

The afternoon with Lee and Rachel at the Santa Monica dock was absolutely awesome. We walked along the beach, took a ride on the Ferris wheel, ate hot dogs and cotton candy.

It was towards the end of the day that we landed at the arcade. What was not surprised when Lee showed me... a new Dance Dance Mania machine! It was just a step back in time. We played there together all afternoon. But I was surprised when Noah came on the machine to dance with me against Lee and Rachel. I couldn't believe we managed to beat them!

At the end of that day, I came to the conclusion that the doubt that Marco's mother had put in my mind so many years ago was unfounded. Noah is able to invest in my life... He's already proven it.