Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The day of the reunion had finally arrived, and Laura stood frozen in front of her bed, eyeing the sleek black dress that Mikaela had dropped off just the day before. It hung there, delicate and elegant, but it felt out of place in her mind.

"I already have plenty of dresses. Why did she send me this one? It's way too fancy for a reunion," she mumbled, picking it up and running her fingers along the fabric. "And it's black... It's just so... dramatic."

She sighed, tossing the dress back onto the bed. There's no way I'm wearing that, she thought, shaking her head. But just as she turned to rummage through her closet for something more casual, her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Glancing down, she saw a message from Mikaela.

"I hope you're trying on the dress! I'm so excited to see you in it! It'll be perfect for the reunion!"

Laura's heart sank a little. The pressure was on now. She bit her lip, contemplating the situation. Mikaela is counting on me to wear the dress, she thought, slapping a palm on her forehead.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up the dress again and held it up to her reflection in the mirror. The fabric draped beautifully, accentuating her figure in a way that was undeniably flattering.

"Fine, I'll try it on," she said to herself, feeling both reluctant and excited. After all, what's the harm in dressing up a little? And so she slipped into the dress, adjusting it until it fit just right.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but smile. Maybe Mikaela was right. Maybe tonight was the perfect opportunity to embrace the moment. After all, it had been far too long since she'd felt truly confident about herself.

With renewed resolve, Laura picked up her phone and texted Mikaela.

"Alright, you win. I'll wear the dress."

And so Laura slipped into the dress as its smooth fabric fit her perfectly, making her feel refined yet daring. Adding a pair of silver earrings and a delicate bracelet, she styled her hair into soft waves, letting it frame her face. When sighed and finally looked in the mirror. Her reflection somehow made her giggle as she could hardly recognize herself.

~~~~~

"Bye, Mom!" Laura waved, chuckling at the enthusiasm practically radiating from her mother.

"Bye, Laurie!" her mother called back with an excited grin.

As Laura slipped into the driver's seat, something struck her as odd. Her mom was dressed up too, a little more than usual.

"Mom... where are you off to?" Laura asked, eyeing her with mild suspicion as she adjusted her dress and checked her reflection.

Mrs. Levine's smile wavered a bit, a hint of awkwardness creeping in. "Oh, your dad and I... well, we have a little date planned," she replied, avoiding her daughter's gaze as she fiddled with her purse. "We're going out too."

Laura raised an eyebrow, amused. "A date, huh? Well, enjoy yourselves!" She chose not to press, though a part of her wondered if her parents had something up their sleeves.

"Thanks, sweetheart. You have a wonderful time too," her mother said, stepping back with a bright smile.

Laura took a deep breath and waved to her mother one last time, pulling out of the driveway and into the soft evening twilight. Her mother's excited wave in the rearview mirror made her smile—though, if she was being honest, Laura was a little nervous. The reunion was a chance to catch up, but after these months of uncertainty with Jonathan, she wasn't sure how she'd feel.

The drive started smoothly enough. She flipped on the radio, hoping the music would keep her from overthinking. But as she approached an intersection, she noticed an unexpected detour sign blocking her usual route. "Great," she muttered, following the sign's direction to the open road on the left. But soon enough, she hit another intersection with another roadblock and another detour sign.

"This can't be right," she mumbled, squinting at her GPS, which was struggling to keep up with all the sudden turns. By the third detour, Laura felt her patience wearing thin, her fingers tapping the steering wheel in frustration. Every open road seemed to lead her further away from the route, and now the clock read 7:10 PM.

Without another moment's hesitation, she grabbed her phone and called Mikaela.

"Mikaela, I have no idea what's going on, but there's construction or something, and I keep getting rerouted. I'm going to be so late!"

Laura sighed in exasperation, gripping the steering wheel when she suddenly spotted Mikaela waving her down by the side of the road near the nature park. With a quick glance around to make sure she wasn't dreaming, she pulled over, parking her car hastily before stepping out and rushing over—her high heels clicking against the pavement as she went.

"Ela! Why on earth are you out here?" she asked with relief but also of concern in her voice. "I thought you were at the reunion venue!"

Mikaela just flashed a mischievous smile, linking her arm through Laura's and tugging her gently toward the park entrance. "Oh, I am at the venue, technically. Now, come on, you'll thank me for this."

Confused but curious, Laura followed, her brows knitting in suspicion. She hadn't expected this turn of events, and Mikaela's cryptic smile only added to her apprehension. Just as Laura was about to ask what was going on, Mikaela stopped, turning to her with a playful grin.

"Stay right here," Mikaela instructed, backing away with a wink.

"What? Wait! Mikaela!" Laura called, watching in shock as her friend dashed off into the trees, leaving her alone in the quiet clearing. She bit her lip, feeling an odd nervousness as she looked around. She was about to take a step forward when, suddenly, a warm glow illuminated the space around her. One by one, delicate strands of fairy lights flickered to life, gracefully draped along the branches above her. The soft illumination cast a magical light that danced in the air, wrapping around her like a gentle embrace.

Laura gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the breathtaking spectacle—it was as if she had stepped into a fairytale. The tiny lights twinkled like a thousand stars, suspended in the twilight, transforming the park into a dreamlike wonderland. Each flicker seemed to pulse with a heartbeat of its own, creating an enchanting atmosphere that pulled her deeper into its charm.

"Hello, Laura," a familiar voice drifted through the enchanting atmosphere.

Startled, she turned, her breath catching in her throat as she beheld Jonathan standing just a few steps away. The soft glow of the fairy lights illuminated his face, revealing a man transformed—more composed and confident than she remembered.

"Jonathan?" she whispered, disbelief mingling with a rush of emotions she had tried to suppress for months. "What... what is all this?"

He stepped closer, his gaze steady, intense. "I know it's been a long time, Laura. Longer than I ever wanted. But I needed to come back ready... ready to give you what you truly deserve." His voice was earnest, filled with a sincerity that tugged at her heartstrings. "I missed you, Laura. More than I can say."

Her heart raced at his words, but she remained silent, entranced, allowing him to continue.

"It's not an accident that you're here... I planned all of this, alongside your friends..." Jonathan gestured toward a direction. Laura turned and gasped, her eyes widening as she saw her old college friends standing nearby, elegantly dressed, smiling and waving with infectious joy.

"...and your parents." He pointed in the opposite direction, and Laura's breath hitched as she quickly turned to see her parents standing proudly beside Jonathan's parents, her mother already dabbing at her eyes, tears of joy spilling down her cheeks.

Overwhelmed, Laura struggled to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. This moment was beautiful yet utterly unexpected. She returned her gaze to Jonathan, who held her hand gently but firmly, grounding her in the midst of the chaos.

"At first, your friends were hesitant about this plan," he admitted, his tone growing serious. "They knew exactly who I was—a womanizer without direction. A lost cause. I didn't realize you had this incredible support system who loved you fiercely, yet you chose to remain by my side all those years."

His voice softened as he continued, vulnerability etched in every word. "I was blind to not see... you. And I'm deeply sorry for every tear you shed because of me, for every moment I hurt you. I regret not being there for you on your 18th birthday. I was supposed to be your last dance."

Tears shimmered in her eyes as he spoke, and he squeezed her hand with hope shining in his gaze. "So... can I make up for all of it? All my life?"

Laura glanced at her parents, seeking their silent approval. When her father nodded encouragingly, her heart swelled with warmth and certainty. Turning back to Jonathan, a smile blossomed across her face.

"I don't think that's quite the question I wanted to hear."

Jonathan blinked, caught off guard by her playful challenge, laughter spilling from his lips. Then, with a flourish of sincerity, he knelt before her, his expression earnest and full of love.

"Laura Levine... with our family's blessing and your friends'... which I painfully needed to secure..." he teased, glancing at the gathered group, who ended up laughing along.

Then, Jonathan paused, retrieving a stunning ring from his pocket, its sparkle matching the fairy lights around them. He looked into her eyes with unwavering sincerity as he asked, "Will you be... my wife?"