Blast From The Past

Afterglow & Unspoken Truths

The celebration was in full swing.

The rooftop was filled with laughter, hugs, and a whirlwind of champagne bubbles and happy tears. Joey had barely let go of Katee's hand since slipping the ring onto her finger, and she hadn't stopped looking down at it with a stunned, radiant smile that never quite left her face. Her three best friends—Nikki, Jess, and Sophie—had formed a tight circle around her, peppering her with excited squeals and questions.

"Oh my God, it's beautiful, Kate," Nikki gasped, grabbing her hand to study the ring under the rooftop fairy lights. "Classic and timeless. It's so... you."

Sophie was already tearing up. "I'm sorry, I'm trying not to cry but—Joey did good. Real good."

Jess added with a grin, "And did you see his face? He looked like he was going to pass out until you said yes."

Katee laughed, brushing away a happy tear. "I think I was the one holding my breath. Everything was just... perfect. The show, the rooftop, the dinner—he really planned every little detail."

"He had help," Jordan called out from across the terrace, lifting his glass. "But he gets full credit for pulling it off."

Joey looked toward his brothers, his arm still wrapped protectively around Katee's waist. "I owe you both. You kept me sane."

Jonathan grinned, sipping his drink. "Barely."

"Alright, alright," Jordan said, stepping forward. "We've hogged the bar long enough. Tonight's about you two."

As the others laughed and clinked glasses, Joey turned toward Katee and tucked a strand of hair gently behind her ear. "You okay?" he asked softly, searching her eyes.

She nodded, but there was a flicker of something behind her smile—something quieter, more tender. "I'm more than okay. I just... didn't expect to feel so seen. Tonight felt like a dream I never dared to wish for."

Joey's smile softened. "Then let's keep dreaming."

They leaned into each other, forehead to forehead, the party buzzing gently around them like a distant melody. For a moment, it was just the two of them—heartbeats syncing beneath the stars.

But as the evening wore on and the celebration carried into slower conversation and lingering hugs, the moment arrived that Katee knew would come eventually.

Donnie.

He hadn't been invited to the rooftop celebration—Joey had made that call. It wasn't out of cruelty, but out of respect. Too many raw memories, too many scars.

But still, his absence hung in the air, unspoken but present.

Joey seemed to sense it too. As the last of the guests began to drift downstairs, giving the couple a few final hugs and well-wishes, Joey leaned against the railing beside her, watching the lights of the city shimmer below them.

"You're quiet," he murmured.

Katee wrapped her arms around herself, the cool breeze brushing against her bare shoulders. "Just thinking. About how far we've come... and how complicated things used to be."

He turned toward her, the lines of his face gentle but grounded. "You can say it."

She gave him a sad smile. "Donnie."

Joey didn't flinch, but his jaw tightened slightly. "I figured."

"I know it's not exactly a fairytale having that kind of history between us," she said softly. "I just... I don't want tonight to be clouded by it."

He reached out and took her hand, thumb tracing lightly over her knuckles. "You've never been a fairytale to me, Katee. You've been real. And I'd take real with you a hundred times over."

She blinked back sudden emotion, her voice thick. "I used to think no one would want me—not really. Not after everything. I carried that guilt for so long. The baby. The silence. The way it all fell apart."

Joey stepped closer, resting his forehead gently against hers again. "You're not broken. You've carried more than anyone ever should. But that doesn't make you less—it makes you stronger. And I've wanted you, every version of you, even the pieces you thought were unlovable."

Her breath caught.

She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear those words.

"I don't know what happens next with Donnie," Joey continued. "We can't rewrite the past. But we can protect what we're building. You and me."

Katee nodded, the tears finally spilling over, though she smiled through them. "I want to build it with you."

He leaned down and kissed her gently—no audience now, no spotlight—just a private moment between two people who had survived enough to truly cherish what they'd found.

They stood like that for a while, letting the silence settle around them. The city lights glowed beneath them, a tapestry of golden windows and glowing signs. Somewhere down there, life continued—but up here, time had slowed.

Eventually, Joey spoke again, his voice low and a little playful.

"So... since we're engaged now, I guess it's safe to ask—what kind of cake person are you? Chocolate? Vanilla? Are we doing a cupcake tower? Rustic naked cake?"

Katee laughed, wiping at her face. "You're already talking wedding cakes?"

"Hey, if I waited this long to lock you down, I'm not wasting time."

She snorted. "Fine. Chocolate. With raspberry filling. Maybe even a hint of espresso."

Joey raised a brow. "Damn. That's very specific. I've created a cake snob."

"You proposed to a cake snob," she corrected.

"Worth it."

He kissed her again—longer this time—and when they broke apart, Katee leaned her head on his shoulder, her hand resting gently over his heart.

They stood in silence for a few more minutes before Jordan reappeared at the doorway, a lazy grin on his face. "Hate to interrupt the romance, but the hotel staff would very much like to clean up. You two lovebirds coming down anytime soon?"

Joey called back, "Two minutes!"

Jordan rolled his eyes but smiled. "Alright, but if you start slow dancing up here again, we're charging you for overtime."

As Jordan disappeared again, Joey turned to Katee with a grin. "Want to sneak out the back?"

She laughed. "Let's not ruin the night by getting banned from the hotel."

He chuckled, offering his hand once more. "Then come on, fiancée. Let's head downstairs before they send a search party."

She slid her hand into his and smiled. "Lead the way, future husband."