Lea struggled with deciding on what to pack for the trip to Canada. Last time she went it was freezing, but the weather there was so unpredictable. So she called Cory to come over and help her.
"Come in," she called out from her bedroom. Lea turned around and to her surprise standing there was none other than Theo.
"Hey baby, what are you packing for?" His eyebrows furrowed together. He didn't realize she was going on some kind of trip this weekend.
"Oh I'm a little homesick so I'm gonna go see my parents in New York this weekend," she shrugged her shoulders and continued filling her suitcase with clothes.
"Can't you just wait a few more days? We're getting married and we'll be in New York soon enough." Theo walked up behind Lea and wrapped his arms around her waist; pressing gentle kisses to her shoulder.
"I'd prefer not to wait. Plus, I just really miss New York, that's all. It's no big deal. I'll be back here before you know it." Lea wiggled her way out of Theo's arms and zipped her suitcase up once she was finished packing.
"Alright well I'm going to miss you, but if it's what makes you happy." He smiled over at her and leaned down to plant a kiss to her cheek. "I'll miss you, but I'll see you soon okay? And remember when you get back, we have lots of last minute preparations to finish." He gave her one last kiss on the lips and disappeared out the door. Lea sighed in relief and sat down on the edge of the bed. She didn't even feel any love towards this guy anymore. He was like a stranger to her. She didn't recognize who he had become. It was like Theo became so consumed with jealousy over hers and Cory's friendship and that's all he focused his energy on right now. She wasn't even sure if he wanted to get married because he loved her or because it meant that Cory couldn't have her. Things just seemed so complicated. But a weekend away with Cory is just what she needed. She figured she'd make a decision based off of how well this weekend went. If things went well in Canada, which she'd assumed they would, then she'd break off the engagement with Theo and profess her love to Cory. But if somehow, someway, things went awry, then she'd keep her feelings a secret forever and marry Theo. Those were some pretty extreme decisions, but she knew those were the only options she had.
About an hour after Theo left, Cory arrived and helped Lea rearrange her suitcase. He made sure she had lots of dresses and shorts, since it was summer and the weather could get pretty hot around this time of year. They boarded the plane and in less than a few hours, they arrived at the Vancouver International Airport. As soon as they stepped outside, Lea's eyes went wide. This place was even more beautiful than Lea remembered.
"Wow!" she exclaimed; earning a grin from Cory.
"Pretty amazing isn't it?" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him.
"It's beautiful," she breathed out.
"Just like you," Cory whispered sheepishly and smiled down at her. Lea couldn't help but grin ear to ear. This was going a lot better than Lea had expected and they were only five minutes into the trip. From the airport, Cory hailed them both a taxi back to his family's house. As soon as they arrived, hugs and smiles were exchanged. For Cory, it felt like he had never left.
"So Cory, do you two have an announcement to make? Is that why you brought this lovely lady with you?" His mother asked as they had all settled down for dinner.
"No ma, she's just a friend." Both Lea's heart and smile deflated a bit, but she tried not to show it.
"Oh, well the more the merrier I always say! Though you two would make such a lovely couple. You know how much I adore Lea," Cory's mom smiled at Lea from across the table and he shook his head, blushing a bright shade of red.
"She has a boyfriend, Mom. We're just friends," he reiterated before shoveling a forkful of food down his mouth.
"Okay, but just know that you're always welcome into this family should things ever... disintegrate between you and that boyfriend of yours." She winked at Lea, who let out a small giggle to herself.
"Your family is really lovely," Lea commented to Cory as they both got ready for bed later that evening.
"You think?" He chuckled and lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "I guess. My mom's kinda embarrassing though. Sorry about that." A small blush crept upon Cory's face, which Lea found just about the cutest thing she had ever seen.
"No, no it's okay. It's nice to know that if I ever decided to become part of the family, I'd be welcomed with open arms." She laughed softly and lay down on the bed.
"Well, get some rest. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Cory patted Lea's knee before walking away.
"Where are you gonna sleep?" she asked curiously, lifting her head up to look at him.
"On the floor; there aren't any more rooms available," he shrugged nonchalantly and set up his sleeping bag on the floor in front of the bed.
"You don't have to do that. You can sleep with me; sleep in the bed with me," Lea quickly corrected her error. It was her turn to blush. "It is your family's house after all. And if anyone should be sleeping on the floor, it should be me."
"That's ridiculous. I'd never let you sleep on the floor. Are you sure about this though? It won't be awkward or anything?" Lea shook her head and Cory made his way back over to the bed, getting comfortable under the covers. As soon as Cory was situated, Lea hesitantly placed her head on his chest and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She let out a comfortable sigh. This was how things should be. Just thinking about being in a position like this with Theo made her feel uncomfortable and awkward but with Cory it felt right. Everything with Cory felt right and she knew this was what she wanted. A smile formed on Lea's face as she drifted off to sleep. Cory was like home to her; comfortable, safe, and where she belonged.
"Wake up sleepyheads, it's time for…" Cory's mother said as she opened up the door to the guest bedroom that Lea and Cory were staying in. A wide smile appeared on her face as she saw them both cuddled up together in the bed. She called Cory's dad and a few other family members over as well and they all 'awwed" at the sight before them. A few minutes later, Cory woke up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before stretching his arms. He smiled to himself as he looked down at Lea sleeping peacefully. He reached his hand out to caress her cheek and dipped his head down to press a light kiss to her neck.
"I love you…" He whispered quietly before slipping out of the bed. A smile widened on Lea's face. She had heard every word and knew right in that moment that she'd tell him how she felt as soon as they got back to LA.
Later on that day, Lea sat at the kitchen table with a bunch of Cory's female relatives as he bonded with the guys outside; playing football. Lea was helping Cory's mother cook for the reunion when an unfamiliar face walked in.
"Emily, honey, it's been such a long time! How have you been?" Cory's mom ran over to the blonde and enveloped her in a tight hug. The blonde just smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I've been really good, thanks Kate. How about you? I haven't seen you guys in like two years." The blonde took off her coat and took a seat across from Lea. Lea smiled warmly over at the blonde in greeting.
"It's been far too long! I know Cory will be just ecstatic to see you. He actually asked if you'd be here today." Emily just smiled as Mrs. Monteith talked.
"I don't mean to be rude or anything, but are you Cory's cousin?" The rest of the room bursted out into giggles.
"Um, no, I'm Cory's ex." Lea's smile instantly faded at those words.
"Cory was so in love with Emily. We thought for sure they would get married someday!" Cory's cousin chimed in. Emily blushed slightly.
"Maybe it's not too late." A hopeful smile formed on her face.
"What do you mean dear?" Asked Mrs. Monteith as she stirred some ingredients together in a bowl.
"Well I'm here to see if he'll take me back. I know I've made some mistakes in the past and I know that I've hurt him, but I'm here to make things right again." The girls in the room squealed as Lea just sat there. She couldn't believe this. Just when things were finally starting to go right and work out with them, something always had to come in between them. But she stayed calmed; because she knew that Cory loved her. He just said it this morning and she knew that no other girl, no matter how pretty or how much history they had, was going to compare to what she had with Cory.
"Hi you!" Lea grinned as she skipped over to Cory, who was standing outside with a drink in his hand.
"Hey, what are you so happy about?" He chuckled and took a sip of his drink.
"Nothing, it's just… really nice to be here with you, that's all," She shrugged. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a sideways hug. Just as he was about to take another sip, he noticed a wave of blonde hair coming towards him. That smile. He knew that smile anywhere.
"Hi Cory," Emily smiled and rested her hand on Cory's upper arm in greeting. Cory just stood there in silence for a moment before finally opening up his mouth and speaking.
"Emily?" He asked; not sure if the girl he saw standing in front of him was real or if he was just dreaming.
"It's so good to see you, it's been so long," Emily replied as she wrapped her arms around Cory and pulled him into a hug. Lea didn't like the look on Cory's face. He looked like he was amazed. And most of all he looked like he still loved her. She couldn't stand there and watch them. It broke her heart.
"I'm gonna go see if your mom needs any help in the kitchen," Lea said before quickly walking off without another word. Cory looked back at her for a moment before turning back towards Emily.
"What are you doing here?" He asked as Emily took his hands.
"I came to see you. I've missed you Cory." She leaned in to press her lips against Cory's cheek; letting her lips linger for a minute before pulling away.
Lea made a beeline straight for the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door and leaned against the sink, taking a few deep breaths. She turned on the faucet and splashed some cold water on her face. She couldn't believe this. Just this morning Cory was telling her that he loved her. But that look on his face when he saw Emily; he never looked at anyone else like that except for her. Just then, Lea was startled with a knock on the door.
"Um, someone's in here," Lea called out. She took one final deep breath and opened up the bathroom door, politely smiling at the lady who was waiting to get inside before heading back outside. She had to find Cory. She couldn't wait until they got back to LA to tell him how she felt about him. It needed to be here; it needed to be now, otherwise Emily would get him and judging by the look on Cory's face when he saw her; keep him. Lea looked all around the backyard, but couldn't seem to find Cory.
"Hey Anna, have you seen Cory around?" Lea asked one of Cory's cousins she had grown to like in the past few hours.
"I saw him go up to the bedroom with Emily. They've been in there for a while. Lord only knows what they're doing up there. They really must've missed each other." Anna winked at Lea and walked off to greet some of her relatives. Lea's heart sank to her chest. He had just said he loved her this morning and now he was off sleeping with another girl; a girl he apparently never got over? She wished she hadn't of heard what he said that morning. This was too much for Lea to take. She needed to get out of there as fast as she could.
