Something Great (Sequel to Something Borrowed)

Chapter 25: Truly, Madly, Deeply

A/N: Here's a new chapter!!!So, this chapter is very important. Time as passed since the last chapter. I hope that this doesn't throw you guys off and confuse you or make you give up on the story but I can assure you that nothing of high importance has happened. I hope you enjoy!!

9 Months Later

I rustled in bed, the bustle of morning traffic outside my window waking me up from my peaceful slumber. I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to get the crud out before slowly opening them. My vision was still blurred with sleep. I sighed and reached over on the other side of the bed to greet my handsome boyfriend with a good morning kiss or two but to my dismay the opposite side of the bed was empty. I furrowed my brows in confusion and suddenly all the sleep seemed to be gone from my system. Jacob was always there to tell me good morning.

My eye caught a glimpse of a yellow piece of paper lying on his pillow and I quickly snatched it off. I brought the paper closer to my eyes. Jake’s sloppy handwriting was scribbled across it.

Morning Beautiful. Didn’t want to wake you. Got called into work early today. May not be home until late.

Love you lots like tater tots!

- J

I smiled at the sweet, cheesiness of the note but it was quickly replaced with a deep frown at the fact that Jake had failed to mention anything about today. It wasn’t just your average Tuesday. At least not for us anyway. Today would mark one wonderful year of Jacob and I being together. I was really hoping he’d remember. I’d taken off from work so that we could spend the day with each other but I guess he wasn’t keeping track of how long we’d been together. 

He better hope he doesn’t get home until much later because he’s certainly going to hear it from me when he gets through the door. I sighed and pushed back the covers before angrily trudging to the kitchen to make some tea.

Months have gone by, seasons have changed and so has my life in the months that have passed. It’s all been very bittersweet. Jacob has long since moved in. He’s been everything to me. I was so blessed to have a guy like him. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it through this time in my life if it weren’t for Jake. He truly loved me and I loved him. Of course there were times when we argued and were at each other’s throats but we always made up at the end of the day. After lunch with Mother and my huge argument with Brooke our family’s sort of fallen out of touch. There were no more family dinners at Mom’s once a month in fear that Brooke and I wouldn’t be able to handle being around each other. I’d even spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with Jacob’s family in Jersey. I still talked to Mother every now and then but I didn’t see or talk to Brooke or her daughters. It was really heartbreaking to think that I was the one who’d tore my family apart.

In the months that had passed I hadn’t spoken to Michael. I felt like our friendship was over. There was nothing to talk about. I was angry at him. He’d told our secret and stabbed me in the back. He’d cost me my sister and family. None of this would’ve happened if we’d never slept together. If we’d had the courage to express our true feelings.

As I stirred the sugar in my tea, my eye caught a glimpse of a picture of Harry on the refrigerator. He was about five when I’d taken it. It was his first day of kindergarten and instead of giving me the pretty smile that I asked for; Harry decided to make silly faces. I smiled and wondered how he was doing. From what I heard Harry was adjusting really well to life in London. We usually talked at least twice a week but it was a bit of a struggle to keep contact with each other because of the vast differences in location. It seemed when I called he was asleep or when he called I wasn't awake. We never seemed to catch each other at a time when we were both awake. I didn’t mind at all paying the long distance fees. Just as long as I got to talk to my boy. Harry turned fifteen in February and I was so sad I couldn’t be there to celebrate with him. I still missed him so much. 

There was an awkward, eerie silence in my apartment. I hated silence. I needed to find something to occupy my time. I still could not believe that Jacob had forgotten all about our anniversary. It was really important to me and I thought it’d be important to him too. Why wouldn’t he want to celebrate a wonderful year with me? I sighed. I couldn’t let him steal my joy. If Jake won’t celebrate with me then I’ll just celebrate alone. I’ll enjoy myself and do what I want to do and make him pay for it later. 

*****

Despite my day not going as planned it still turned out pretty nice. It had been forever since I’ve had a day off and it was really a beautiful day. I’d spent most of the day window shopping, enjoying the simple pleasures of the city and thinking of a thousand and one ways to torture Jacob when I got home. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t still mad at him. 

To spite him, I took my time around the city so it was just a little after sunset by the time I arrived home. I felt tired as I got off the elevator. I just wanted to get home have a nice shower and go to bed. Maybe I’d tell Jake off in the morning. I sighed as I turned the key into my door. I softly pushed it open and was met with complete darkness. That’s odd. Is the power out? I clearly remember paying the light bill. I softly closed the door. “Jake?? I’m home!” I shouted in the darkness. Gosh, I can’t see a damn thing. I wasn’t afraid of the dark but I certainly didn’t like being in it.

“Jacob Carrington, if you’re in here you are in so much trouble!” I shouted slowly walking further into the apartment in fear of breaking my neck. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a glow of light coming from the living room. Curiosity was getting the better of me. I carefully tiptoed into the living room and I was in utter shock at what I saw.

The coffee table and rug had been moved from their usual places and there on the floor in front of me were tiny white candles that neatly spelled out “Marry Me?” I gashed in shock and I instantly felt guilty for all the evil things I’d planned for Jacob. He hadn’t forgotten after all.

As if on cue Jake suddenly appears from the darkness with a bright smile on his face. I covered my mouth in disbelief. I couldn’t have read that right. Who on earth would want to marry me of all people?

“Jake.” I simply said. My voice was cracking slightly. I could feel tears pooling in the corners of my eyes. He smiles, walks over to me, takes both of my hands in his and stares deep into my eyes. “Erin, there’s so many things I love about you.” Jacob tells me. “From your beautiful smile to your sassy attitude and your sexy body. And all the things that make you who you are. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know you and love you for a whole year now and it’s been entirely great. But I see a much longer future for the two of us. There’s so many more moments for us to share but I’d love for us to share them as husband and wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Erin and I promise that I’ll always love you and honor you no matter what may come our way.”Jacob declares passionately. By now I was crying a river. It just made me cry tears of joy to think that someone loved me so much.

Jacob slowly bends down on one knee while softly caressing my hand. “With that being said, Erin Elizabeth Shields, will you marry me?” I couldn’t believe this moment was real. I’d been dreaming of the day with the man of my dreams would make an honorable woman of me but I’d let go of that dream many years ago. It was finally coming true. The answer was yes. Without a doubt.

I grinned through my tears. “What if I say no?” I asked playfully. He smirked. “Then I won’t stop asking until you say yes.” Jake replied. A bright grin adorned my features. “Yes Jacob. Of course I’ll marry you. A thousand times yes!!!” I shouted ecstatically. Jacob smiled before reaching into his pocket and retrieving a small, velvet black box. He slowly opened it to reveal a sparking diamond ring. It was huge, much bigger than I would have asked for. “It’s too much.” I gasped as he slowly slid it on my ring finger. The ring was absolutely gorgeous. Jake grinned. “Nothing but the best for my fiancé.” He replied before rising from his spot on the floor and planting a gentle passionate kiss upon my lips.

I can’t ever recall being any happier. After all these years of disappointment and loneliness it finally looked like I was getting my happy ending.