His Forever Flame

16. Surprise

The next two weeks crawled by for Lauren. She was at her new school and she wasn't sure about it. It was so different from her last school, and it was taking some getting used to. Jay had convinced her to go to the doctor because she'd been so sick.

Her appointment was Friday morning before Fall Break so she would be missing school, so she decided to just head on to Chicago after it. She was going to drive this time because she was going to be staying the whole week, and she'd gotten so sick on the flight home two weeks ago; she didn't want a repeat.

Jay had been swamped with a case and she hadn't talked to him a bunch. She missed him, but she would be seeing him soon. She couldn't wait. She got a whole week with her man, away from all her struggles.

The doctor told her that her bloodwork should be back by the end of the day so she would call as soon she had the results. Lauren text Jay and told him she was headed his way. She was so excited but not really looking forward to the ten plus hour drive depending on traffic and the number of times she stopped. She was hoping to keep it right at ten hours.

9 and half hours later...

Lauren was about thirty minutes from Chicago when Jay called. She had made good time, and traffic hadn't been bad. She just wanted to be there already. Jay told her they were having a party on the river at her favorite restaurant and he really wanted her to come by.

She told him she was tired and just wanted to relax with him, but he told her it would be fun, it'd be worth it. He told her they didn't have to stay long at all if she didn't want too, but everyone wanted to see her. Lauren finally agreed. It would be fun to see everyone for a short time. She suddenly got an idea for a surprise for Jay, but she was going to need help.

She called Mouse to see if he was at the party. Lucky for her, he was. She asked him for some help; she told him her idea and made him swear and promise he would not tell Jay. He told her it was a really big secret to keep, but she promised she was like ten minutes out if he could just keep quiet until then. He promised, only because he knew Jay would end up loving it.

Once she found somewhere to park, she noticed white lights had been strung all around outside and music was softly playing. As she got closer, she realized it was everybody from the fire department and the police department. So much for not staying long, she thought.

Kelly met her at the edge of the party. He pulled her in for a hug. He told her he is really glad to see her; she tells him the same. She'd talked to him every day since the funeral, just calling to check on him, make sure he was ok. She'd missed him, and planned on spending one day of fall break with just him, but for now, she decided to enjoy the party. Kelly looked like he was doing good, like he was having fun.

As they walked closer, everyone seemed to fan out into a semi-circle without her even noticing thanks to Kelly talking to her. She had her back to everyone; she asks Kelly what the party was for, and he shrugs with a big smile on his face. "Seemed like a good idea," he said. He was acting weird, like he was up to something.

Before she could ask what he was up too, he turns her around and puts his hands over her eyes before she sees anything or anybody. It was then she noticed everyone had gotten quiet. "Kel, what are you doing?" she asks. Slowly he moves his hands. It was then she noticed Jay was on one knee in front of her. She looks back at Kelly, needing conformation that this was really happening.

He nods and pushes her closer to Jay. Now, she's standing directly in front of him. He's giving her the biggest smile. She notices he's holding a ring his hand; he grabs her left hand with his free one. He looks deep into her eyes; his blue ones are shining bright. "Jay?" she whispers. He kisses her hand.