CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: A SINGLE ROSE
August 10th, 2020 - 2 weeks later
Gemma stepped into the cool air conditioning of her New York apartment, exhausted yet happy as walking through the door marked the end of her first day as a film agent at Silvercup Studios. Although her first day was slightly overwhelming, due to all the information she was expected to soak in at once, Gemma was excited to finally be in the first steps of her career. Her coworkers were great, and her giant office space was much more than she would have ever expected. She loved it already, despite her only being there for one day. Though everything from her summer stay in Michigan was still fresh, Gemma felt her worries slip away as she worked from nine o'clock in the morning to five o'clock in the afternoon. She pushed the thoughts of the wedding, which would have passed by now, and the fact that Rowan was probably married, out of her mind. Everything from this summer was behind her. She was only focused on the now, and what was to come with her future in New York.
Marcie was not home yet when Gemma walked in. The apartment was dark and quiet, though she expected her best friend to be home soon from her first day as a fashion consultant at Velvet Caviar. And to no surprise, Gemma was right. Just as she was taking off her business casual clothes, which consisted of a plain purple button up shirt and black dress pants, Gemma heard the front door open.
Just as Gemma was finished changing into an oversized tee shirt with a quote from American Horror Story on it, as well as a pair of black workout shorts, Marcie walked into Gemma's bedroom. She had some papers in hand, though Gemma could not tell what Marcie was holding as she sat down at Gems' cedar wood desk. Gemma noticed some dust fly off her desk as soon as Marcie sat down, that she had not noticed in her two weeks of being home. The desk clearly had not been touched since Gemma's return, or cleaned for that matter, given she was in Michigan for much longer than she intended on staying. Gemma picked up some cleaning wipes from her dresser, which was not covered in dust, and began walking towards where Marcie was sitting so she could clear her cedar wood desk of the dust that had been piling since the middle of May.
"Mail," Marcie grinned, throwing an envelope at Gemma. She could have just handed it to her, given the two were standing two feet apart as Gemma cleaned off the dust.
"It's probably just a bank statement - " Gemma rolled her eyes. As soon as she and Marcie arrived back in New York, their mailbox was nearly exploding with bank statements, despite Gemma's request for paperless mail. Though as soon as she saw the return address written on the envelope, her eyes widened.
It was from her mother.
Marcie spun around in Gemma's desk chair while sifting through the rest of the mail, which to no surprise, consisted of bank statements.
"My mom could have texted me," Gemma was confused as she opened the envelope. She had spoke to her mother once since her return, and thankfully, Gayle did not bring up what had happened between them.
"What did she send?" Marcie asked, once she was finished going through the rest of the mail. She was interested in what Gayle could have possibly sent.
Gemma was surprised to pull a card out of the envelope. The front of the card read I'm sorry.
"An apology card?" Marcie stifled a laugh, knowing this was not funny, but finding it bizarre to the point where she felt laughing was necessary.
Gemma did not respond but instead, opened the card. The entire left side was written on, while on the right displayed a generic quote written by the card company. Gemma felt her eyes water as she read what her mother had written.
My dearest Gemma,
A card felt much more fitting than a text message, I know what you're probably thinking. I wanted to write you to tell you I love you, and that I am sorry. Jax is too, but he needs more time to fully get over Marissa before he reaches out himself.
Gemma had not heard from Jax since she left. She texted him once, a week ago, to see how he was doing. As soon as she got back to New York and was able to deflect, away from her family, she had a feeling that Jax was on a downward spiral after his breakup with Marissa. Jax was always like this when he got out of relationships -- he would be sad for about a month and go on a partying spree, though not long after, he would find a new girl. This time felt different, though, since Gemma knew he was actually planning on proposing to Marissa. When this realization sunk in, Gemma texted her brother to check in, though when he did not respond, Gemma's suspicions were confirmed. She did worry about him, though figured he would be okay with the rest of the family there. Gemma sighed as she kept reading. At this point, Marcie stood next to her best friend, also reading the card.
Keeping you in the dark about everything was unfair, and I understand that now. I was trying to do what was best for Jax but in the process of doing so, I hurt you. And for that, I am sorry. You did not deserve to be hurt by all this and if I could take it back, I would.
As for your father, he managed to keep the store afloat. Jax has been working there part time until your dad can find some more help, but everything is safe, now. He isn't going to lose the store. And for me, I accepted a job as a receptionist at a nursing home. It's only part time, so it won't impact my health too much. What you said really got me thinking, Gemma. Thank you.
I hope to hear from you soon, but if you still need time, I understand. Lot's of love,
Mom.
Tears streamed down Gemma's cheeks as she finished reading the card. Marcie wrapped an arm around her best friend, smiling as she finished reading the apology from Gayle.
"That was sweet," Marcie noted.
"Yeah," Gemma wiped her face free from tears. "She was right, the card was much more fitting."
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Gemma laid half awake on the couch in her living room watching some romantic comedy movie that Marcie had chosen. It was slightly boring, proven by Marcie who was fast asleep on the other end of the couch, and the fact that Gemma could not even remember the name of the movie.
In her sleepy state, Gemma heard what sounded like a knock on the door. She figured it was coming from the movie, which she was not even paying attention to at this point, given her eyes were closed and she was seconds away from falling asleep.
Though when the knocking was heard again, Gemma opened her eyes. She groaned, throwing her blanket off of her. While she sleepily walked to the front door, she wondered who the hell would be knocking on her apartment door, at almost nine o'clock at night. She did not remember ordering any food, and she did not believe Marcie ordered anything, either.
Without looking into the peephole, because she did not think to due to how tired she was, Gemma turned the doorknob. She opened the door and as soon as she did, she was no longer tired. Her half closed eyes shot open, as her jaw dropped when she locked eyes with who was behind the door. He was holding a single rose -- one that looked like it was just purchased at the small stand just across the street from Gemma's apartment complex.
Gemma's eyes shifted back and forth between him, the rose, and the nervous smile on his face.
"Please don't slam the door in my face," Rowan laughed a nervous laugh. "You have no idea what it took for me to get here."
"What - " Gemma was at a loss for words. Her mouth was still in the shape of an 'o', while she searched her confused brain for the right words to say. "What are you doing here?"
"Can I come in?" Rowan asked. Gemma did not verbally respond but instead, moved aside so Rowan could step through the door. "Nice place." he nervously mumbled as he walked in, immediately spotting a sleeping Marcie on the couch, while something played on the television.
He turned around to face Gemma, who still appeared to be shocked to see him. He was planning on coming to New York sooner, though due to rainy weather conditions for days on end in Michigan and already booked flights, Rowan was unable to come to New York, until now. It helped, though, prolonging his visit to Gemma. It only gave him more time to think of what he was going to say, though now that he was here, in front of her, everything he wanted to say exited his brain.
"What are you doing here?" Gemma asked again. She pinched herself, to make sure she was not dreaming. Because as she stood there, looking at Rowan with a single rose in his hand, she could not think of any reason for him to unexpectantly hop on a plane (or drive, she was not sure which option he chose) to come and see her.
"I called the wedding off."
Although Gemma was ready to put the past behind her, she could not help but feel relieved by Rowan's shocking statement. After their talk that day on his porch, and the day Gemma got the hell out of Michigan -- she never would have expected Rowan to call off his marriage to Avery.
"Why?" Was all Gemma could think to say.
"Because what you said, and what you accused Avery of got me thinking." Rowan explained.
"Okay..." Gemma waited for him to continue. Rowan immediately took the hint.
"She confessed to everything, and it made me realize that I didn't even truly know who Avery was, and I did not want to marry someone who lied to me. A part of me still had feelings for her, but after thinking everything through, I realized it wasn't love."
Gemma's heart thumped against her chest. At the sound of Rowan's confession, Gemma was ready to jump into his arms. But she wanted him to pour his heart out to her, before she did anything irrational. Because what if he was just here to apologize, and not tell her that he loves her?
Though Gemma quickly realized that wasn't the case as Rowan nervously inched closer to her.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to realize," Rowan whispered. He brought his hand up to Gemma's cheek, causing her to shiver. She quickly realized that she missed his touch.
"Realize what?" Gemma asked, parting her lips for what she expected was going to come next.
"That I love you, Gemma, and I never stopped."
Instead of responding, Gemma wrapped her arms around Rowan, feeling him drop the single rose as he pulled her closer and kissed her hard -- to make up for all the time they missed in the last two years, as well as when he was wrongfully engaged to Avery.
They stood there, in the middle of the living room making out, longing and craving one another. That is, until an awkward cough was heard from only a few feet away from them.
Gemma and Rowan broke apart from their embrace, both out of breath from essentially sucking on each other's faces. At the same time, the two turned towards Marcie who was also now wide awake. Her face showed a lot of emotions: confusion, excitement, and overall relief -- that Rowan finally came to his senses.
"Am I dreaming?" Marcie laughed as she eyed Rowan up and down. "Or is Rowan standing in the middle of my apartment, making out with my best friend?"
Gemma covered her face in embarrassment, while Rowan just looped his arm around the girl he loved, and missed so much over the years.
They both had some explaining to do.
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a/n: LAST CHAPTER AHHHHH
but do not fret, there will be an epilogue!!!!