“I’ve had so many regrets about what I said that morning. I missed you by only an hour by the time you’d left home. When your parents told me you’d gone the airport…”
“Did you chase after me?” She blushed before I added, “But I didn’t tell anyone where I was going anyway. Only my parents even knew I was in France.” I stood up and offered my hand. “Come on, let’s grab a drink and then dance like we did last time we were at something like this.”
Gripping my hand tightly, I escorted her to the bar. Unsure as to what her favourite tipple was nowadays, she was happy to sip at a glass of wine while I asked for a bourbon and coke. It was something I’d sipped at when younger. They had it in France, but I received looks like I was some philistine if I didn’t enjoy a glass of wine or something local. She didn’t let go of my hand, but I had to ask, “The ring?”
“I want to keep it, John. A reminder of four wonderful years together.” She paused before adding softly, “Yes, by the way. Absolutely, categorically, one hundred percent yes.”
“I know,” I said softly, “But maybe one day in the future, I can do it properly?”
“I’ll wait for as long as you need, John. As long as you don’t disappear again.” I was going to retort with something that would have dampened the mood. She seemed to realise that straight away. “You’re my man, John. I wanted you forever then. I still want that today, tomorrow and every day until we’re both old, grey and loopy.”
We spent the rest of the night dancing. If we did stop dancing, we walked hand in hand back to the bar to buy a drink or to take a seat back at our table. Other than that, we danced, and the only people who dared cut in were our friends. When I ended up dancing with Victoria, she put her chin on my shoulder as we swayed. “Please tell her that you love her, John,” she whispered.
“Vicki, I look at her now and… Ten years… I’m not sure know how to feel…”
“She’s always loved you, John. For over ten years… You were all that mattered. You were her dream. You were the one she would wait for.”
“Are you sure?” I whispered into her ear.
“Invite her home tonight. Not for you know what. Just to be together. Trust me, in a week…”
“Would she really…” Victoria leaned back and practically glared at me. That answered my question. But I also felt like a teenager. Victoria took my hand in hers. “John, she will follow you wherever you go. Please…” I noticed tears started to trickle down her cheeks. “We’re all happy in our lives. Our best friend has waited until now. Please, John. Make her happy. Place the smile on her face we all remember from ten years ago.”
Sighing, Victoria placed her hands on my shoulders, noticing Cindy and Jane stood next to her. “Do you love her?” Victoria asked.
“She never stopped loving you,” Cindy added, “As soon as she realised…”
“She’s waited ten years, John,” Jane stated, “If that doesn’t convince you…”
The three stood in front of me while Stephanie was at the bar. I answered with a smile by the time she returned with a drink. I drank mine quickly, wrapping a hand around her waist, leaving a soft kiss on her lips. I hadn’t thought much about it, but the smile she returned, and her body language…
“Want to come home with me?” I asked.
“What about…”
I put a finger to her lips. “They’ll either be asleep and it won’t a problem. Or they’re awake and…” I paused and pulled her closer. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight, Steph.”
Her lower lip trembled. Her eyes glistened as they gazed into mine. “I don’t want to either.”
“Then you’re coming back to mine.”
I’m sure she had a million and one questions, half about my family. But in that moment, nothing else mattered. I knew we had to talk about quite a few things but I’d missed her, as much as I’d still loved her. As for Stephanie, I had a feeling she was doing her best to control her emotions. Even after ten years, I remembered certain things about her.
As the night slowly wound down and people starter to depart, nearly everyone stopping to shake my hand, amazed and surprised I was still alive at the very least, many impressed by my uniform with questions about where I’d been. By the time the music stopped and the lights were switched on, it was a reminder of times from long ago. The eight of us together, chatting, laughing, enjoying life. The other three couples had organised transport.
Turning to Stephanie, she was again nervous. So I didn’t waste the opportunity. “I’ll organise a taxi. We’ll stop at your home…”
“I still live with Mum and Dad,” she whispered.
“And then you’ll come to mine.”
She burst into tears again. Everyone left the table so I could comfort her. She was still weeping as I led her outside, knowing we had a short wait for the taxi I’d organised. Once it arrived, she took my hand, grabbing it ever so tightly, gently demanding I sit in the back seat with her. The journey from the city wasn’t short, but Stephanie took no more than five minutes to pack herself a small bag before she returned to the taxi. Arriving at my home, I paid the driver and led the way to the front door.
“Steph…”
“It’s okay, John. I know I might not receive the warmest of welcomes.”
Despite the early hour, Mum and Dad were still awake, I guess waiting for me to get home. When they saw Stephanie by my side, our hands quite clearly holding each other, it took all of five seconds before Mum hugged her tightly. “Welcome home, child,” Mum whispered. As soon as she hugged Dad and she was standing next to me, my parents met my eyes and smiled.
“Guess you have a lot to talk about?” Dad asked.
“We do,” Stephanie replied, “I was young and stupid. I never… I need to tell him why first before anyone else.”
“Well, I don’t know what anyone else thinks, but I always believe you two belonged together,” Mum said, “I’m glad you’re here.”
Mum and Dad hugged us both again before heading to bed. Leading Stephanie to my room, she placed her bag on the bed before turning to me. “I need a shower. Do you want one?” I asked.
“I could do with a quick wash before bed.”
“I’ll grab you a towel. Ladies first, of course.”
The house hadn’t changed and she remembered where everything was. Standing in the doorway as she turned on the shower, I helped unzip her dress, noticing she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath it. Holding it up, she turned back and asked, “Want to join me? It’ll save water.”