Catching Stars: The Conclusion

After having so much fun writing "Counting Stars" for the Speak Easy #148 writing challenge, I continued the story with "According to Stars".  Now I bring you the conclusion.  Hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it. ♥

        Katie’s breath caught as she took the envelope from Parsons School of Design out of the mailbox.  Ripping into the envelope with excitement she quickly scanned its contents.  She had been accepted into the art program in Paris!  Paris!  To study art in the city of lights a short walk away from the Louvre is more than she could have ever imagined in life!!  She was thrilled to her very core. 

       Her diamond engagement ring sparkled in the sunlight bringing her crashing back to reality.  Rob.  Oh dear God.  She was engaged to marry Rob!  She had accepted his proposal only because she never believed her dream of being an artist would become reality.    But now, her dream was coming true.  She could reach for the stars with both hands.  She could study art in Paris!  With that realization another quickly came on its heels.  She could never marry Rob.  That nagging doubt that had plagued her since she had said yes and accepted the ring seemed validated now.    She had to follow her dream.  It was her destiny.  He simply wasn’t.  This was the sign she needed.  She cared about Rob, but now she wasn’t sure if she even loved him if she could cast him aside so easily.  Breaking off the engagement was the right thing to do.  She hated to break his heart, but deep down she was sure he would understand.

       Rob and Katie had been growing apart since that night with Emily.  It seemed as if they were both going through the motions.   He had been entertaining serious doubts about going through with the marriage but had no idea how to break it off.   He didn’t want to hurt Katie, but deep down he couldn’t deny any longer how much he loved Emily, had always loved Emily.   When she had finally told him about Paris, it gave them both an easy out.    They parted as friends going their separate ways with no regrets.    He had to find Emily.  He had to tell her how he felt and see if she would have him.     He found her that evening sitting on the end of the pier dangling her feet in the water.     She had always been there for him but lately she had been avoiding him.    He missed her, really missed her and all of a sudden when he needed her most, there she was just where he knew she would be.  He walked to the end of the pier and sat down, took off his shoes, and splashed his feet in the water beside her.

   “I heard you were a free man now” she said with a small smile and a sideways glance. “Are you Okay?”

    “Yeah, guess so.   Things are as they should be.  Katie is living her dream.  She is happy.  She would have never been truly happy if she had settled for a life with me.”   He smiled back and gazed out over the water. “Remember the last time we were here Emily?”

    “Yeah, how could I possibly forget?  It was quite the memorable night.” She smiled feeling her cheeks grow warm.

     “Are you sorry?” He didn’t look at her but keep gazing out at the waves.  He waited, and when she didn’t answer immediately he looked her way.

        A lone tear made its way down her face.  She struggled with the words.  She didn’t know how she could tell him, but she knew she had too.  It was now or never.  She couldn’t keep it from him.  Oh how she loved him, had always loved him.  She dreaded telling him.  He would hate her, and she couldn’t bear it.

       “No, Rob.  I am not really sorry.  I have had days that I was, but I realize that I’m really not.  Everything happens for a reason, and I have accepted that.”  She looked at her hands and the tears flowed faster now.  She gazed into his eyes with determination.  “It was magical…I don’t regret it.  You gave me something precious that night that I don’t regret one bit and I am sorry if you choose to hate me, but I am pregnant.  I am keeping our baby whether you like it or not.  I have always loved you, and if I can’t have you I can at least have our baby.”

     “Seriously, you’re pregnant?” he looked deeply in her eyes and took her hands in his as she solemnly nodded.  He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately.  The chemistry that sparked between them was electric just as it had been that star filled night.  “What would you say to counting stars together for the rest of our lives?”

 
      Her smile could have lit up the night.  “I think I would like that very much.  Are you sure?”

       Taking her hand, he looked deeply into her eyes.  “I can’t think of anything that I am surer of.  Katie will be following her dreams in Paris, and I have my dream here with you.  I’ll love you forever Em.”

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