Down the road of memories

Dont give up

Noah POV

It's Thanksgiving weekend and my last trip from Boston to LA. Yesterday I collected all my personal belongings from my Boston office and left a note on the desk for Master Downley : Good luck!

Then, I went to dinner with my colleagues from the Boston office. Several of them went to law school with me. We reminisced about memories from our studies. I was slightly nostalgic but absolutely not sad. Proof that during all these years, I survived instead of living. And today I want to live and my life is on the other side of the country, I said to myself as I boarded this transcontinental flight for the last time for at least a few months.

Arriving at LAX the next day, I found the sun and air to be so good! Los Angeles was my home again in every sense of the word. The Boston bracket of my life was closed!

Lee came to pick me up from the airport since Elle was still on call until 6 :00 tonight. It seems that Thanksgiving evening is very busy in the emergency room. She had arranged to extend her hours while still being able to be there for Thanksgiving dinner tonight. We haven't been to a Thanksgiving dinner together in 6 years since during the first years after our breakup I had football games that weekend and then later Elle would go to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with her father.

This year, my mother invited Rachel's family to celebrate with us. I had already met Rachel's parents but not her extended family. These family gatherings have never been my thing and I was really looking forward to having my fiancée with me.

Lee, with his natural volubility, told me about the ups and downs of preparing for the wedding. I had a smirk when he told me about Rachel's expensive tastes in terms of decoration and menu. When Elle and I talked about it last week, she told me that she wanted to keep the decoration as simple as possible and instead have a venue with a nice view!
- Why are you smiling like an idiot?" Lee asked me.
- For nothing !" I told him nonchalantly.
- I hope you're not planning to run away with Elle to Vegas to avoid Mom's ideas of grandeur?
- That would be something to consider!" I told him with a smirk.
- No way, bastard! You're not going to run away with my best friend in order to avoid mom! I feel like laughing at your discomfort too!

I laughed softly at Lee's frustration before he said :
- Are you really thinking about marrying her, Noah?

I sighed before telling him :
- I've been thinking about this for several years, Lee. Before I broke up with Elle 6 years ago, I was planning to propose to her at Christmas. I had already asked to Mike and I had already bought the ring.
- Wow! You never told me that!
- It wasn't an easy topic of conversation Lee. I...I had a hard time accepting that maybe it would never happen.
- And now what are you waiting for?
- That you marry Rachel!

Lee started laughing, which had the effect of turning the conversation back to Rachel and his upcoming wedding.

Arriving at my parents' house for Thanksgiving, Mom was so happy that I was back for good. Lee introduced me to Rachel's grandmother and her aunts and uncles when suddenly I heard :
- Gosh, how we meet again Flynn!

That voice took me straight back to Harvard during my third year...

Flashback Boston, 15 months after the breakup

- Happy birthday, Flynn!

It's my 21st birthday party! I can't believe I'm now an adult in every sense of the word. Chloe and my roommates had a party at a bar with almost all of the Harvard sports students. As a starting quarterback for 2 seasons, I am known to almost everyone on campus. The evening passed through rounds of drinking and I was slightly tipsy when a girl approached me.
- Happy birthday, Flynn! " she said to me, pressing herself against me more than necessary.
- Thank you," I said, trying to create some space between her and me.
- I could give you a birthday present if you want!
- No thanks. I already have a girlfriend!" I answered her.
- Do you know who I am, Flynn?
- No
- I am Rachel Williams' cousin. So, I know you broke up with your LA girlfriend at the same time Rachel broke up with your brother. And I also know that you haven't seen your ex since the breakup.