A New Life

11. A Storybook Ending

--------FOUR YEARS LATER--------

I was about to finish my last class for my whole college experience, Biology. I finished my last final and was waiting for the clock to tick faster, but it didn't. I couldn't wait to finally be free. After it seemed like an eternity, the bell finally rung and we all ran outside. It was all over. I was done with college.

During the past four years, Ryan and Claire, my best friend from back home, had met up the summer of sophomore year. They fell in love and Ryan hasn't stop talking about her since. Sophie and Connor--well, you know about them. And Nick and I have loved each other since the very first day we saw each other.

I ran out of the classroom door and felt the warmth of the beautiful summer day. I was just taking this moment in when someone came up and hugged me from behind. I knew exactly who it was. Nick was here to pick me up for some surprise he had planned for my birthday. He had finished college last year and got an amazing job as an engineer here in Missouri. He was determined to stay in Missouri until I finally finished college.

"How does it feel to graduate college and have a birthday on the same day?" he asked me with his priceless smile.

"Amazing, but I can't believe it's all over," I told him.

"Well I've got the MOST amazing surprise I have ever planned," he stated. He planned surprises for me all the time during the four years I knew him, and they always got better and better.

"I can't wait!" I exclaimed, "What's first?"

"Well, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" he always said, teasing my curiosity.

"I'll drive you there," he suggested.

"I followed him to the car and hopped in the passenger seat. I honestly had no idea where the surprise was going to be today, but I was really excited to find out.

We drove for about 20 minutes on an uphill road I wasn't familiar with. There were many large trees, and we saw an occasional deer peek out of the woods.

Nick finally found a small break in the trees where he decided to park. The scenery was really gorgeous; it seemed like I was in a picture on a postcard.

Nick helped me out of the car and held my hand as we walked over some jagged rocks. I almost slipped a couple of times, but Nick helped me catch my balance.

We kept walking for another ten minutes down a beautiful foresty trail. This surprise was already topping his previous surprises.

Then we heard the faint sound of water falling. Nick led me down the jagged trail as the sounds got louder.

"Alright," he said as the waterfall came into view, "here's what I wanted to show you."

Before me was the most beautiful waterfall I had ever seen. The sights and sounds were so picturesque that it all felt like a dream.

Then Nick began to speak, "Lauren, these last four years of knowing you have been the best times of my life. Ever since the first day of Physics, my life has been on an amazing journey, including some great and fulfilling times that I will always remember. I could never ask for a better college experience. When I picture my future, you are in the center of it. I love you so much Lauren. I know it's your birthday and all, but I was just wondering...will you marry me?" Nick was down on one knee as he said this, and he held out a beautiful diamond ring in a small black box.

"Y-yes!!!" I exclaimed. I could not contain my excitement. I had no idea this was part of Nick's amazing surprise. After putting the ring on my finger, he stood up and engulfed me in the best hug I had ever gotten.

"I love you so much!!" I said to Nick almost crying at the amount of excitement flowing from inside of me.

Oh. My. Goodness. I was just proposed to on my twenty-third birthday. Can my life get ANY better?

Yes, it did.

As Nick and I were hugging, Ellie and Tyler came out of the woods so excited with what just happened. Apparently, Nick had been planning this for a while.

"TYLER!! ELLIE!!" I exclaimed as I engulfed them in huge hugs, too. I hadn't seen them since last Christmas, and their presence for this moment made the world to me.

Ellie was now nine; my baby sister was all grown up. Her eyes were sparkling and I could tell she was really excited, too. For the past four years, Tyler had made the state soccer team and helped the team win the championship three, soon to be four, times.

I hugged Nick again. "You planned all of this for me?" I said still feeling so surprised at the events that had just occurred. He nodded and smiled at the same time.

"This is definitely the BEST surprise you have EVER planned!!" I exclaimed. I passionately kissed my fiancé like the time at the lake. This was the best birthday present I could have ever imagined.

My life from then on was the most amazing experience you could imagine. The college chapter of my life came to a close, but a new chapter was being written. My story wasn't over, it was only the beginning.....

A/N: Thank you all sooo much for reading!! If you've got any comments, please don't hesitate to comment below. It would mean the world to me if you spread the word about my story! You all are so amazing! :) If you'd like to read more, I am writing another story called Hope is Rising that I've also posted on wattpad. Also, if you have any stories you'd like me to read, please don't hesitate to comment below, either. I can't believe how many reads this story has gotten!! Thanks again!!

xoxox elizabeth_megan