Finally

Chapter 8

"And that's why I'm here." After Jamie had recounted the last few days in their entirety to her parents, she collapsed into her father's arms and just started crying. Jamie had driven through the night to their home in Jacksonville, FL. Her parents, as always, welcomed their oldest daughter with open arms.
Sam and Carrie Hughes were ecstatic when their daughter had pulled into their driveway, even if it was 6 o'clock in the morning, "I'm so sorry Jamie," her mother began, stroking her daughter's arm, "why don't you get some sleep, and we can talk more about this later today."
"Thanks mom," Jamie said, wiping the tears out of her eyes, "I've missed you guys so much." Jamie slowly made her way up the stairs, into her old bedroom and plopped down on her bed. She had been so exhausted that she hadn't realized her younger sister, Erin, walking down the opposite way. Erin stood perplexed for a moment, trying to decide if she'd really just seem her sister or if she was hallucinating in the early morning hours. She made her way downstairs to join her parents.
Jamie was the oldest of the three Hughes children. Her younger brother, Simon was twenty-two and married. He and his wife, Ellie, and met in elementary school, dated in high school, attended the same college and were married as soon as they were done. Jamie had always hoped they'd get married, and when they did, it was the perfect fairy tale wedding. Simon and Ellie lived a few hours west of Jacksonville, in Gainesville.
Erin, the rebel child, was the youngest and most spontaneous. She was the spitting image of her older sister: blond wavy hair, small frame and the bright blue eyes Growing up she had been a handful and always kept the Hughes family on their toes. Her college had gotten out early this year, letting them out in the beginning of May, and the twenty-year-old firecracker couldn't be happier.
"Hey dad," Erin said groggily, trying to cover a yawn, "was that Jamie?" Erin rubbed at her eyes and let out another yawn. "Yeah it's Jamie. What are you doing awake so early? I've never known you to be a morning person." Sam Hughes raised his eyebrow at his youngest daughter, who only smiled.
"I heard someone come in a while ago and wanted to know who in their right mind would ever come here at 6AM. I knew Simon and Ellie were coming over today, but I knew it wasn't like him to arrive early. Then I saw Jamie and got really confused."
Erin searched her parents for an answer as to why her older sister would be here so unexpected. Her parents looked at each other, then at Erin, back at each other and finally Carrie said, "She's having... issues... and she needed a break. That's why she's here." Erin looked unconvinced. "What kind of issues?"
She continued to look suspiciously at her parents, who didn't seem entirely pleased with her perseverance. "Just issues." Her father finally answers. "Why don't you go back to bed for a while?" Erin, for once, gave up on the battle and trudged back up the stairs. Whatever the reason for her coming, I'm glad she's here, and within seconds Erin was fast asleep.
~~~~~
"Last one down to the pier has to buy dinner!!" The four friends in their twenties raced down the beach. Seconds into the race, Timothy tripped himself, sending a spray of sand into Edward's eyes. Recovering quickly, the sped off toward the women in front of them and onto the pier. "I win!!" Jamie shouted triumphantly, pumping her first into the air.
"That's not fair!" Hazel shouted, "you always win!" Jamie had made it first, then Edward, then Hazel and following her, Timothy. "Guess who's buying dinner?" Edward winked and nudged Timothy who was obviously unamused. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get pizza tonight." The four friends headed back up towards the beachhouse they were renting from Timothy's parents for the summer.
It was the summer after their senior year of college, and they were living it up. Though they had all spread out for college, with the exception of Jamie and Edward, they made a vow to spend the entire summer after senior year together. When they found out Timothy's parents owned a beach house on Key West, it sealed the deal.
It was already the middle of July, and the group had had their fair share of sunburns. Most nights were spent at big bonfires, Jamie's personal favorite aspect of their trip. Often times they four stayed up talking late into the night, talking about plans for the future and more.
"Pssst" Hazel whistled at Jamie. When Jamie hooked over, Hazel mad a hand motion signaling for Jamie to follow her. The two made their way back towards the water. "Sooooo how are things with Edward?" Hazel nudged her friend in the arm. "Well...." Jamie blushed and looked away. Hazel's eyes lit up, "SPILL!"
"So last night after the bonfire, he pulled me aside and we talked. He told me he was completely in love with me." Jamie paused, blushing, and covered her face. "He said he couldn't picture his life without me in it. Aaaaand he asked me to be his girlfriend. I mean, I didn't want today yes because I knew it wouldn't last long but it all happened so fast and the setting was so romantic so I HAD to say yes. I'm not single anymore!"
Jamie looked across at her now beaming friend, the excitement on her face being silhouetted by the slowly setting sun. "AHHHH!!!" They both screamed together, jumping up and down in the waves. They didn't care what people thought, they were just excited. The crashing in the waves caught the attention of the now embarrassed men, who slowly made their way over to where Jamie and Hazel were jumping.
"Girls, what in the world are you doing?" Timothy shouted. "Yeah, you look like children!" Edward added. "Oh hush, we were just having a best friend moment." Hazel leaned in and tenderly kissed her husband, looking up at him with an innocent twinkle of her own. "We can have our own moment if you'd like." Timothy said winking down at his wife.
"Um gross." Jamie said, laughing at her friends openness. Deciding to change the subject, Jamie suggested a walk down the beach, which was met with unison agreement. The sun was starting to set and the sea gulls were flying swiftly above, soaring high in the air. The waves were lapping gently against the shore and the beach was practically empty, so the friends enjoyed the beach all to themselves.
Jamie once in a while stooped down to pick up some shells; when she found good ones, she would proudly show everyone. Timothy and Hazel stopped to look at a jellyfish that had washed ashore and Jamie and Edward walked ahead of them. As the were walking, Edward slipped his hand into hers. Jamie turned and smiled at Edward. Pressing his forehead down into hers, he slowly moved his lips down until they met with hers. Hazel looked up and smiled to see her friends now happily together, enjoying a kiss in the sunset.
"You know", Jamie said after it had ended, "my idea of the perfect date occurs on the beach, with the sun setting and a handsome man with me." with this she winked at Edward before continuing. "Of course, I also pictured food at this date." Edward tilted his head back and laughed. "Hey Timothy!" Edward called down the beach. "How about some dinner?"
Everyone agreed and the two couples began to walk hand in hand back towards the beach house. They had nearly reached the porch when Edward shouted, "Don't forget, Timothy's paying!" Timothy grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at Edward, and soon they were involved in a sand-war. Jamie and Hazel stood on the porch laughing and smiling at their crazy, but equally adorable, men.
The sand war continued until the stars came out and the men finally gave up. Standing on the porch, Edward wrapped his arms around Jamie's waist. "You see those stars Jamie-bug?" Jamie smiled and nodded her head. "All of the stars combined could not surpass your beauty to me. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met." Jamie turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. She rested her head on his chest and Edward leaned down and rested his head on hers, whispering, "I love you, Jamie-bug." into the night air.