Forever | THG one shot entry

Forever

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It was autumn in New York and the leaves were falling. Couples held hands and walked around the park together while teenagers drank pumpkin spiced lattes from Starbucks. It seemed like the perfect weather with a soft breeze blowing gently and the cloudless sky. Red, yellow, and orange leaves slowly fell to the ground and everything about the scenery seemed perfect. Except that it was missing one person.

He was late again.

I tapped my foot impatiently and looked around to see if I could find Mason anywhere. He said he would be here on time this time. Why is he always-

"Guess who?" I heard a familiar voice ask. The person's hands wrapped around my eyes in a playful manner to stop me from looking.

I pretended to think. "Is it an asshole with a big ego and terrible hair?"

"Nope, not even close." He lifted his hands and turned me around to face him. "And for the record," he ran his hand through his curly honey blonde hair, "I have amazing hair."

"Sure you do, and Asher and Wren aren't meant to be."

He pretended to be hurt by my statement, "Why did I ever get a girlfriend that insults me instead complimenting me?"

I grinned. "I just don't want to make your ego any bigger."

"Now to address the real issue, you're late." I pointed out obviously as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I won't ever be late again."

Raising my eyebrow, I said, "First of all, did you just make a pun out of my name?"

He smiled a boyish grin. "Maybe."

I tried to not smile at his perfect dimples. Even at 23 years old, he still managed to win my heart over and over again with that stupid grin of his.

"-and secondly, that's what you said last time."

"I know. I know. I know. I had something to do and lost track of time but I'm here now."

"This better be the best damn date ever," I muttered as I linked arms with Mason.

He smiled a weird, as if knowing smile and winked. "It will be. Asher helped me plan it."

I snorted. "Asher is as good as you are at planning dates."

"And yet he got a ring on Wren's finger and now has a son."

"Yes, but he has Wren to keep his mind in check, and you know that Robin was an accident."

Three years after college ended, Asher and Wren did the deed, if you know what I mean, and Wren ended up preggers. Wren fainted when she found out, but Asher seemed ecstatic to be having a kid with his wife (Did I mention that they got married right after college?) Of course, Aunt Claire freaked out and scolded Asher multiple times for getting her daughter pregnant, but in the end, all was well. They gave birth to a healthy, little boy and named him Robin, after the bird.

Mason chuckled. "Maybe, but they seem like one happy couple and I want that for us too."

He led me to a small pond that had a small dock there. The area was deserted and closed off from the rest of the park. A picnic was set up on the dock with my favorite foods, including Skittles (I hated and loved Wren for introducing me to Skittles at a young age because after that, I became obsessed with them). There was also lasagna and a Caesar salad bowl. It started getting darker but Mason lit a lantern to keep the light. The lake shimmered from the lantern candle and made everything seem even more perfect. I stood still in awe and looked up at Mason who looked very pleased with himself.

"It's perfect." I whispered.

"And it's all for you," he murmured into my ear and wrapped his arms around my waist.

Raising my eyebrow, I commented, " You know I'm not gonna eat that salad, right?"

He chuckled. "I know, that's for me. Coach says I need to get fit and stay healthy for the next race."

"For a guy who's only on the swimming team, you sure are eating like a rabbit." I wrinkled my nose at the thought of eating salad only for dinner. I mean, what kind of lunatic would?

We sat down and enjoyed the picnic. Everything seemed so unreal and perfect. I smiled at Mason and stared into his beautiful forest green eyes, thinking about our relationship over the last few years. I had been the girl who had cooties, the first signature on his cast when he first broke his arm, the one that cheered him on at his swimming competitions, his best friend in the entire world, the heartbroken soul, and the girl that gets to love him last.

"I love you." I whispered.

He tilted my head up and whispered "I love you, too."

No words could describe the kiss that we shared. It was filled with such love and compassion, as if promising the world to me and I loved the way he kissed. His lips were soft and warm, so inviting, as if welcoming me into his world. I tangled my hands through his curly hair, slightly tugging at it. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him until there was no space between us. We ended the kiss and breath heavily while grinning like complete idiots.

Since it was getting late, we decided to clean up the picnic. I felt sad that it was over but knew that there would be more spectacular dates to come. We both stood up at the same time and looked at each other. Mason cleared his throat and murmured something that I couldn't quite hear.

"Ever." He got on one knee. Oh, sweet baby Jesus. "You have been there for me through thick and thin. You brought a smile to my face when no one else could. You were my best friend and knew my every secret. I know I was stupid in the past but I now realize how much I love you. You were patient for me, waiting for me even if I didn't show you the slightest interest but hoped that one day we would end up together. And we did." I started to tear up. "We had a lot of bumps along the way, but I'll be damn if I ever let you go. So, Ever?" He pulled out a diamond ring that shimmered in the moonlight. "Will you make us forever and marry me?"

Overwhelmed with emotions, tears started streaming down my face. Scratch that, a waterfall was pouring down my face and I couldn't stop it.

"Yes." I whispered "I'll marry you."

His face lit up and tears were at the corner of his eyes. He lifted me up and hugged me tightly in happiness. Giggling, I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep from falling even if I knew that he would never let me go.

All the heartbreak payed off because I got my happy ending. Forever.

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A/N Okay, so this is my one shot. It's not the best but I hope you liked it at least a little. I really don't want the prize, just the bonus chapter XD  Of course the pictures above aren't what they really look like because that's all up to the author of THG but that's from my perspective to help the readers imagine the characters better...anyway I hoped you enjoyed this :)

To the author of THG: Thank you for breaking my heart and making it at 2 AM in the morning.