I couldn’t believe that he was doing this. Breathing heavily, I shook my head and asked, “What if you regret this later on? What if twelve years from now you look back at this as the dumbest choice you ever made?”
Letting out a chuckle, Gabe said, “Impossible. Sarah, I have never been able to make really, any choices in my life. They were always just given to me. But you?” Pausing to put emphasis on it, Gabe continued. “Sarah, I chose you. You will forever be the most beautiful choice I have ever made. Plain and simple.”
“But—”
“But nothing, Sarah Thompson. But nothing. I will never regret choosing you. Making you mine. Me being yours.” Looking deep into my eyes, he said, “I love you, Sarah.”
With tears falling from my eyes, my bottom lip quivered as I whispered, “I love you, Gabe.”
Giving me a smile, Gabe said, “I’m not really sure of anything in my life. Fuck, I can’t tell you where I’ll be in twelve years.” With so much certainty Gabe looked at me. “The only thing I’m certain of in twelve years?” Answering his own question, he smiled. “I’ll be with you.”
I stared at him for a few seconds. Gulping down the spit stuck in my throat, I whispered, “You’re the most beautiful choice I ever made,” and I knew for the rest of my life, he was.
Epilogue
Sarah - 12 years later
“Mom, are we almost there yet?” Noah asked from the back of the car.
Smiling, I turned around and said, “Almost, honey. Just keep playing your game.”
Letting out a huff, he said, “Oh my God, okay.”
Looking in the rearview mirror, Gabe asked, “What, Noah? You excited to see Idea?”
I was still staring at Noah and noticed his cheeks get bright red. Yelling, he said, “Be quiet, Dad!”
Giggling, I stared at Noah, whose attention was back on his game. I couldn’t believe how fast he was growing up. It seemed like just yesterday I was giving birth to him. Facing forwards, I looked over at the GPS and saw we were only 15 minutes away.
I was so excited. While I wished we could all see each other more throughout the year, we were all living in different states, so it was a little difficult.
Grabbing my hand, Gabe asked, “You excited to see everyone?”
“Yes,” I answered automatically. “I know we all talk all of the time and Skype, but I can’t wait to hang out with everyone for the next week. What about you?”
Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t want to see any of those people.” Turning to me, the biggest smile appeared on his face. “What do you think, Sarah? Of course I am.” He chuckled.
I couldn’t believe how fast life was going by. It seemed like just yesterday I was meeting Gabe and then college was starting.
Before I knew it, Gabe was slowly coming to a stop and yelling, “We’re here, you two.”
“Finally!” Noah screamed from the back. Just as the car came to a full stop, Noah jumped out of the back and bolted towards the lake house.
Rolling down his window, Gabe yelled, “Say hi to your girlfriend for me!”
Stopping dead in his tracks, Noah turned around and said, “Dad!”
I smacked Gabe on his leg. He turned to me and asked, “What was that for?”
Raising my eyebrows, I said, “Oh, I don’t know, you smartass!”
“You love this smartass,” Gabe said as he smirked at me.
“Yeah, I do.” Leaning in, I kissed him on the cheek.
Looking at me, he smiled, and still to this day it’s that smile that I’ve always loved. The smile that says, ‘He can’t believe I’m his.’ I’m positive I have the same smile on my face because I don’t think I’ll ever believe that Gabe is mine and I’m his.
Turning towards my door, I opened it. Stepping out, I turned back to Gabe and sweetly said, “Thanks for getting all of these bags.” I smiled at him.
“Will you at least ask Ryder to help me out?” Gabe huffed.
“Sure I will, hon,” and turned towards the lake house. Walking up, I couldn’t believe we were here. I seriously looked forward to this every summer when we all reconnected. Reaching the front door, I walked in and yelled, “I’m here!”
Hearing squealing, I knew just exactly who it was before she came around the corner. “Oh my God, Sarah, you got so big!” Jade yelled as she ran towards me.
Placing my hands on my stomach, I said, “Hey! I think I look pretty good for eight months.”
Jade nodded her head. “Well, you look amazing for eight months. But the last time we Skyped, you barely had a bump.”
“Oh, I know. It seemed like overnight this little monster because a big monster.”
Wrapping her arms around me as best as she could, Jade said, “I’ve missed you so much, Sarah.”