Down the road of memories

Beach house

Elle POV

I woke up to the sound of a chime. It was dark in the room and I didn't remember sleeping in our bed. I took the time to get dressed before going downstairs to the dining room. As I went down the stairs, I was stunned to discover the first floor invaded by candles... And all of a sudden, I was transported to that evening during that famous summer. That awful evening that I dreamed of reliving for 6 years to make the right choice this time... to prevent the worst from happening!

It was with tears in my eyes that I finally made it to the terrace where I knew Noah was waiting for me.
- Noah...

I didn't have time to continue my sentence before a sob shook my throat and tears began to roll down my cheeks. Noah walked over to wipe them and then kissed me on the forehead:
- I know this might be a little too emotional, Elle. But if I can sum up the week we spent together, it's that we've both made mistakes in the past with our relationship. And that it is now possible to ask for forgiveness and to forgive ourself. I believe that this famous dinner is one of the last moments that we need to dissect in order to be able to envisage the future.

He took a deep breath before continuing:
- I know you think you're the only one to blame for missing that same dinner six years ago, but I was wrong too. I started by removing myself from the bucket list when I should have been interested in what you were doing. I should have been there for the flashmood and cheered you on... I'd rather not do it and compete with Lee and Marco for your attention rather than just share your life.

I suppressed another sob as tears continued to roll down my cheeks. Noah reached out to hold me close.
- I want to ask your forgiveness for my lack of consideration at that time and I forgive you for yours. I suggest that we go back to where we left off... I had planned this supper so that we could discuss your arrival in Boston. Today, can we discuss our future plans for my return to LA?
- Why not?" I said through my tears.

We sat down to eat our meal. Noah hoped to be able to return to LA as soon as possible, possibly in 1 month. His employer had not yet given him a deadline. A meeting was scheduled for Monday morning to validate the transfer of his files.
- Have you started looking at apartments? " He asked me in a deceptively nonchalant tone.
- In all honesty, no! I arrived in LA 3 weeks ago. I spent my first two weeks in the hospital while on call, and then I spent this week with you. I haven't even looked at the possibilities yet.
- What would you like?
- Not sure? The only thing is that I'd like to be close to the hospital if I don't want to be on guard duty by staying in the hospital.
- What, you'd rather sleep close to me?" he said, winking at me.
- As if you didn't know! " I said, rolling my eyes.
- I suspected it!" he laughed.

Then he became hesitant before saying to me:
- I thought to myself that... Since we're both going to look for apartments, what do you think we're both looking for something together?

I almost choked on my sip of wine.
- I missed a chapter! Where you ask me to move in with you when it's only been 2 days since we've been back together?
- I know... And I think most people would tell us to wait. But I've been wanting to live with you for 7 years! I want to spend my life with you, Elle. And not only the big events, but also the day-to-day life. The last 24 hours we've been here have only shown me how much I love living with you. It's so natural!
- You don't think you're going to start getting bored at some point. According to Brad, I'm not always easy going.
- Elle..." he said, looking me in the eye and taking my hand. "I mostly know what it's like not to be with you and I never want to go through that again. To be perfectly honest, I have the idea of proposing to you within a year.

Second time I almost choked this time on a bite of my gratin dauphinois. A marriage proposal? Am I in a fourth dimension again? 15 days ago, I wondered if I'd be able to see Noah again at Lee's wedding. 3 days ago, I wondered if I could indulge in trusting him as he begged me to forgive him and give him another chance. And today, he tells me that he is thinking of making a lifelong commitment with me...
- Are you sure you haven't lost your senses, Noah?
- No! " He replied, looking me in the eye. "I've been thinking about it for several years! When I found out you'd been accepted to Harvard, I told you about a couple who had known each other since elementary school and then got married at Harvard.
- Yes, I remember.
- You asked me if I was planning to marry you. I had evaded by saying that we didn't have to go as fast as they did, but I was already toying with the idea of proposing to you at Christmas that year. In the end, things didn't go as planned.
- Yes" I said, trying to think how life would have been different if I had made a different decision 6 years ago but it was useless now.
- I swore to myself that if I got another chance with you, I wouldn't beat around the bush for long. I really want to engage with you! If it doesn't go well, I want us to talk about it and find solutions. I told you again on Wednesday night that I'm ready to fight for you, even if it means having to crush on my pride and bend over backwards to fulfill your desires. I want to build my life with you!" He said, taking my hand. "In 6 years, I've never been able to forget you. To me, you are the woman of my life! I want to... align or even change my plans for yours. As long as you allow me to be a part of your life. I dream of the moment when the question will no longer arise and I will be able to wake up next to you every morning.

I stepped back to digest what I had just heard while taking a sip of wine. I felt stunned! But, deep in my heart, I too always wanted to go live with Noah. And get married... It was one of my wildest dreams!! There was, however, something in what he said to me this afternoon at the bar that he had just told me again that worried me:
- Noah... There's something I'd like to clarify before we say we're going back to exactly where we were 6 years ago. When, you tell me that you would do anything for me, even if it means bending over backwards to meet all my desires or that my desires are orders, it scares me...
- ... Elle...
- No, Noah! A couple is 2 peoples, you and me! I don't want you to forget yourself in this. You're not the one who has to make all the compromises to satisfy me. You need to feel fulfilled in our relationship and not feel like you need to continually walk on eggshells.

He looked at me for a few seconds with a surprised look as if I had 2 heads. Then, a discreet smile appeared on his face before telling me:
- You know you don't look like any other girl. All the ones, Chloe tried to made me date would have been more than happy to have a knight servant.
- No interest for me!
- That's why I love you like crazy...

That being said, we agreed to ask his mother to find us a condo or house on the outskirts of the hospital. We wish we could have moved in within a month to allow Noah to have his belongings shipped to what will become our new home.

It's crazy how in the space of a week, I went from the girl returning to her hometown after 4 years of absence with no family still present to... I have projects again with the one I never managed to completely forget...

After washing up, we set off to walk on the beach. The light wind and cold sand under my feet were welcome after this hot day. It was the perfect end to this perfect evening! I turned to Noah to realize that he was looking at me intently. I let myself go into his arms and said:
- It was a perfect evening, Noah!
- Being with you is always perfect!" He said before kissing me until...

A downpour fell on us without any warning. Luckily we weren't too far from the beach house but we were still soaking wet when we got there. Noah said to me with a laugh:
- Do you still think this evening is perfect?
- More than perfect," I said, cuddling up to him. "And now we have a good reason to take off our wet clothes"

He understood my allusion instantly as he took me in his arms to take me upstairs...