Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter 32: Emily's Reaction

Back in Seattle, Emily had just finished a grueling day at Seattle Grace when she plopped down on her couch, exhausted but satisfied. Finals had taken their toll, and she was ready for a break. As she scrolled through her phone, her thumb paused over her Instagram feed when she spotted a familiar couple beaming at her from the screen.

Her heart raced as she read the caption beneath Ally’s photo. “Last night, under the stars and the Eiffel Tower, I said ‘yes’ to my best friend and the love of my life. Here’s to a lifetime of adventures together!”

“No way!” Emily exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. She immediately tapped the photo to enlarge it, taking in every detail — the golden glow of the Eiffel Tower behind them, the way Ally's eyes sparkled, and the unmistakable ring shining on her finger.

She quickly scrolled through Austin’s post, where he shared a similar photo with a caption that mirrored Ally’s, filled with love and joy. The rush of emotions hit her all at once — happiness for her brother and his fiancée, pride in their journey, and a twinge of excitement that came from being part of their lives.

“This is amazing!” she said aloud, unable to contain her enthusiasm. She instantly felt a swell of warmth knowing that she had played a small part in helping Austin find the courage to propose. The thought of them building a life together filled her with joy.

Eager to share her happiness, Emily snapped a quick selfie with her phone, her face beaming with excitement, and wrote a comment on both of their posts.

“OMG!!! Congratulations, you two! I’m so happy for you! Paris is the perfect place for a proposal! Can’t wait to celebrate when you’re back!”

As soon as she hit send, her phone buzzed with notifications. Other friends and fans were also commenting, showering the couple with love and support. Emily felt a sense of pride, realizing how many people cared for them.

She decided to FaceTime Austin, anxious to hear his voice and share in the excitement directly. After a few rings, his face appeared on the screen, and she couldn’t help but smile at the glow of happiness radiating from him.

“Hey, Em!” Austin greeted her, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Did you see?”

“Of course, I saw! I’m freaking out! You did it!” Emily exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. “I can’t believe you’re engaged!”

“Yeah, it still feels surreal,” Austin said, his grin growing even wider. “I’m so glad you’re excited! I wish you were here to celebrate with us.”

“I wish I could be there too! But I’m celebrating from here! Tell me everything! How did you do it?” she asked, leaning closer to the screen, eager to hear all the details.

Austin launched into a recount of the proposal, his eyes sparkling as he described the night — the breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, the romantic atmosphere, and the moment he had knelt down to ask Ally to be his forever.

“I can’t believe it’s real,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “Ally was completely surprised. I planned the whole thing with the scavenger hunt, and she loved it. It was perfect.”

Emily grinned, her heart swelling with pride for her brother. “I knew you could do it! You were always meant to be together. You’re going to make an incredible husband.”

“Thanks, Em,” Austin replied, sincerity etched on his face. “And thank you for all the encouragement. Your advice really helped me figure out what I wanted.”

“Of course! I’m your sister; it’s my job to make sure you don’t overthink everything,” she teased. “But I’m serious — you both deserve this happiness.”

After a few more minutes of chatting, Emily reluctantly hung up, feeling a mixture of excitement and a little envy. She couldn’t help but wish she could experience the joy of love like Austin and Ally had. Still, she was genuinely happy for them. Their love was genuine, and witnessing their journey brought her hope.

With a newfound determination, she decided to celebrate their engagement in her own way. Emily started brainstorming ideas for a surprise party to throw for them when they returned home. It would be a chance for family and friends to come together and celebrate this new chapter in their lives.

As she began to jot down ideas, she felt inspired by the love that Austin and Ally shared. Perhaps one day she would find a love of her own — one as beautiful and genuine as theirs. For now, she would focus on celebrating her brother's happiness and supporting him every step of the way.