Hosie~ One Shots

The Right Choice

The chapel in Mystic Falls was bathed in the soft glow of afternoon sunlight filtering through stained glass windows. Josie Saltzman stood at the altar in a delicate lace gown, her heart fluttering with nerves and anticipation. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, the day she would marry Penelope Park, the woman she thought she loved with all her heart.

Lizzie, Josie's twin sister and maid of honor, stood beside her with a radiant smile, while the guests murmured in anticipation. But Josie couldn't shake the unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach since morning.

But as Josie glanced at Lizzie, she noticed a flicker of concern in her eyes. Josie's thoughts drifted momentarily to Hope Mikaelson, her closest friend and confidante, who had been noticeably absent in the hectic moments leading up to the ceremony. Hope's absence tugged at Josie's heart, stirring a mix of emotions she hadn't expected on her wedding day.

Just as the officiant began the ceremony, the chapel doors swung open with a resounding creak, drawing all eyes to the entrance where Hope stood, breathless and visibly anxious. Her unexpected arrival caused a murmur among the guests, their curiosity piqued by this sudden interruption.

Hope hesitated for a moment, her gaze locked with Josie's across the expanse of the chapel. There was an urgency in her expression, a silent plea that Josie couldn't ignore.

"Hope," Josie whispered, her voice barely audible over the hushed whispers that filled the chapel.

Hope took a tentative step forward, her eyes never leaving Josie's. "Josie, I need to talk to you. Before it's too late."

Penelope, waiting patiently at the altar, furrowed her brow in confusion. "Hope, what are you doing here?"

Ignoring Penelope's question, Hope continued to advance, her focus solely on Josie. "Josie, please. There's something I have to tell you."

Josie's heart raced as Hope reached the front of the chapel, standing just a few feet away. Lizzie glanced between them, her concern deepening with each passing moment.

"What is it, Hope?" Josie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hope took a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Josie, I love you. I've loved you for so long, and I can't keep pretending anymore."

Gasps rippled through the chapel as Hope's confession hung in the air, the weight of her words settling over everyone present. Josie's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing to process this unexpected revelation.

Penelope stepped forward, her voice tinged with hurt and disbelief. "Josie, tell her she's wrong. Tell her you love me."

Josie glanced at Penelope, her heart torn between the woman she was about to marry and the friend who had just laid bare her feelings. She turned back to Hope, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Hope, this... this isn't the time," Josie whispered, her emotions in turmoil.

Hope shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "Josie, please. I couldn't let you marry Penelope without telling you the truth."

Penelope's expression darkened with realization as she took a step back, her hands shaking. "Is this true, Josie? Do you... feel the same way?"

Josie struggled to find her voice, her gaze locked with Hope's. "I... I need to think."

Hope nodded slowly, her heart breaking at the pain she had caused. "Take your time, Josie. I'll be waiting."

With a heavy heart, Josie turned and hurried out of the chapel, leaving behind the stunned silence of the guests and the echoes of Hope's confession. She fled to a quiet corner of the school, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings and grappling with the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Hours passed in a haze for Josie as she wrestled with her feelings, avoiding both Hope and Penelope as she tried to make sense of her heart. She couldn't deny the depth of her own feelings for Hope, but the implications of their relationship weighed heavily on her mind.

One the evening, as the sun set over Mystic Falls, Josie found herself standing by the lake, the tranquil waters reflecting the golden hues of twilight. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Hope approaching, her expression a mix of hope and uncertainty.

"Josie," Hope murmured, stopping a few feet away.

Josie swallowed hard, her heart racing at the sight of Hope. "Hope, I... I don't know what to do."

Hope stepped closer, her voice gentle yet filled with conviction. "Josie, I meant what I said. I love you."

Josie met Hope's gaze, feeling the weight of her own emotions. Despite everything, despite the pain and confusion, Josie knew one thing with absolute certainty—she loved Hope too.

As Hope stood with Josie by the serene lake under the starlit sky, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and a sense of calm. Josie's heart raced with a mixture of relief and apprehension, her emotions raw from the whirlwind of events that had unfolded.

"Hope," Josie began, her voice wavering slightly as she tried to find the right words. "I never expected..."

Hope reached out, gently placing a finger over Josie's lips, silencing her. "Shh. You don't have to say anything right now."

Josie looked into Hope's eyes, finding comfort and understanding in their depths. "But I do, Hope. I need you to know..."

Hope smiled softly, her thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped Josie's eye. "Josie, I've known you for so long. I've seen your kindness, your strength, and your heart. And I've loved you for all of it."

Josie's breath caught in her throat, overwhelmed by the intensity of Hope's confession. She had always valued their friendship above all else, but now she realized there was something deeper, something she had been afraid to acknowledge until now.

"I love you too, Hope," Josie whispered, her voice filled with certainty. "I just didn't know how to say it."

Hope's smile widened, relief washing over her features. "You don't have to say anything, Josie. Just knowing you feel the same way is enough for me."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared revelation easing the tension that had hung between them. The sound of crickets chirping in the distance and the gentle lapping of water against the shore filled the air, a peaceful backdrop to the tumultuous emotions swirling inside Josie's heart.

"I want to be with you, Hope," Josie finally said, her voice steady with conviction. "No more hiding, no more pretending. Just us."

Hope's eyes sparkled with joy and relief as she pulled Josie into a warm embrace. "I've waited so long to hear you say that."

With a surge of courage, Josie closed the distance between them, cupping Hope's face tenderly in her hands. Hope's breath caught as Josie leaned in, their lips meeting in a sweet, tender kiss that spoke volumes of their shared affection and the promise of their future together.

They held each other tightly, savoring the closeness and the promise of a future together. In that moment, Josie knew that she had made the right choice, following her heart and embracing the love that had been waiting for her all along.