Falling Slowly

Epilogue

My friends and family were crowded around my dad's mahogany table as they began singing to me. "Happy birthday to you!" Their voices sounded off-tune and were completely out-of-sync too, but just the fact that they were all here celebrating me made me feel special inside. 

Looking around, I caught the eyes of Jacob and smiled brightly at him like I was a little kid. He returned it with an adorable boyish grin of his own. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him do that; my boyfriend was so cute.

When they finally finished singing, I blew out the candles that were on top of the cake. Although I didn't really believe that my wish would come true, I closed my eyes and wished for nothing to change- I wished that life would always be this perfect and that if times got tough, I would lean on my friends and family for support. I was going to get through it this time, no looking for a way out. This was the new me, and I wanted to stay like this. 

As soon as I opened my eyes, Jacob was in front of me and stole a quick kiss. "Did you wish about me?" He looked at me intently, a playful gleam in his eye. 

I shook my head and stuck out my tongue at him. "Sorry, I can't tell anyone or else it won't come true!" 

Jacob raised both eyebrows suggestively and I smacked him on the arm. "No, it had nothing to do with that." Jacob laughed in response and began to lean forward to kiss me again when Damian stepped between us.

"Okay, that's enough PDA. We have kids here." Bestie commanded. I looked around and saw the amused eyes of my parents and friends. There weren't actually any kids here. 

"Fine. But for the record, no one else minds." Jacob stated before moving away from me. I gave him an apologetic smile before turning to look at Damian. 

"Thanks." I sarcastically greeted. He smiled at me and pulled me up so he could hug me. 

"I'll always be overprotective of you." He pulled away and shrugged. "Sorry, but it's a habit." 

"I accept your apology." I said teasingly. He shook his head in amusement and walked over to the table, handing me the knife.

"Time to cut the cake, birthday girl." 

[3o minutes later]

After cake, Jacob convinced me to open presents. I grabbed his gift first and shook the beautiful box. A delicate blue ribbon adorned the gift, and my name was written in beautiful cursive letters. 

"Open it!" Jacob eagerly pleaded. He watched me with cautious eyes as I slowly lifted up the lid of the box. I smiled when I saw that it was an expensive purse. It was black and made of leather, and had a cute bow, making it look very fashionable. 

"Thank you! I love it!" I enthusiastically thanked him, although I wasn't really sure why he had gotten me one.

"Look inside." He urged. 

I opened the purse and peered inside. Instead of the usual white crumpled paper that was in there, there was a small white box. I reached inside and took it out. Glancing at Jacob, I could tell that he was getting nervous. Slowly, I opened the box and looked inside. It was a beautiful heart charm that glinted in the light. 

"It's beautiful." I said as I stared at it. 

"It's for your charm bracelet." He gave me a sweet smile and walked over to me, helping me put it on my wrist. "There, now you'll always have a piece of my heart with you." 

I pulled him into a hug and whispered into his ear, "I thought I already did." 

He smiled back at me and gave me another quick kiss. "Okay, time to open more presents!" 

After I had finished opening presents, I saw that I had gotten a watch from Sam, a cute shirt from Lyla, concert tickets from my mother, gift cards from Simon, a phone case from Trevor, and pepper spray from Keith. 

"Thank you all so much!" I sincerely said as everyone was getting ready to leave. The party was over, but I knew that Jacob and Damian weren't leaving yet. 

After everyone else had left, my father walked up to me and handed me a small box. "Happy birthday sweetheart." Furrowing my eyebrows, I opened the box. Inside was a car key- the same key as before. "I think you're ready now." He gave me a short hug before nodding to both the boys and leaving. 

I stared back down at the key. Well, driving wouldn't be so bad, would it? I mean, now that I've learned to face my fears, this was just one more thing to get through. 

An argument pulled me out of my thoughts 

"No, I'll teach her how to drive. I'm her boyfriend!" Jacob argued.

"So what if you're her boyfriend? I'm her best friend. It should be me that's teaching her!" Damian reasoned.

"No, boyfriend gets priority!" Jacob yelled back.

"Oh yeah, well I've been best friends with her longer than you've been dating her!" Damian shouted. "I get like, seniority or something!" 

Jacob rolled his eyes and looked at me, silently pleading with his eyes for me to choose him over Bestie.

I smiled at the both of them and pulled them in for a group hug. These were people that cared about me, people that loved me. I was finally in a good place, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

"I love you guys." I whispered as they wrapped their arms around me and pulled me in tighter. 

Life can have its ups and downs, its hardships and joys, but the important thing is not to be let down, and to always keep fighting. If you can't do it alone, find someone else to help you. Before you know it, you might have fallen in love- and maybe that's what saves you. 

"Love isn't something you find. Love is something that finds you." 

- Loretta Young 

THE END 

(AGAIN) Thank you again to everyone who has taken the time to read this book! Congratulations you've made it to the end =) I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. =D 

I will have one more update after this, featuring fun facts about this story and me answering questions you have about Falling Slowly. So please, if you have any questions feel free to PM me or comment below. =) 

Song: Fall by Ed Sheeran <3 

Quote from BrainyQuote =) 

Now for one final time,

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