A/N: Finally…
PART 14A TOAST TO THE REST OF THEIR LIVES
Katie finally listened to Jessie's side of the story about what happened between them back in highschool. It was silly, really, realizing how both their egos preceded their feelings and put a setback to what could have been a wonderful relationship between them back then. But they also both realized that everything happened for the best. They both knew that Jessie needed that time away from Katie to discover herself, without the pressure of a COMPLICATED first love. Besides, they were both young and being in a complicated highschool relationship would have ruined them anyway. On Katie's part, time tested her feelings for Jessie and after a decade, she proved that it was only Jessie that she needed. They have both grown into two different mature people that learned from their mistakes and past relationships. They did good on their chosen careers and they were able to find their way back to each other, in perfect timing with their lives. In the end, it was all that matters.
Tad and Grace went into a frenzy after hearing the good news from both Jessie and Katie. They even by-passed the girls and relayed the news to the Sammlers, Singers, and Mannings before the two could even dial their parent's home numbers. To the girls' amusement, they received a serious scolding from Zoe. Zoe seemed to have a problem hearing the fact that Grace and Tad were the first to know about the news. Every member of the Sammler-Manning clan raced to greet the girls. It was a really amusing reaction from Jessie's family who seems more than excited than anyone.
Grace wanted to throw a party back in Evanston for the simple reason that the two finally got in on together, but Jessie decided to have a short vacation trip and finally visit Katie's loft in London.
Since it was easier for her to move, Katie decided to do her writing in Laguna Beach with Jessie. With the advancement of technology these days, it was easy for her to send her works to her publisher in London without a fuss. She comes back there to have short stays at her loft whenever Jessie has time so they could spend quality time together.
AMAZING would be an understatement to describe their relationship. Even as days passed, their passion never wavered a bit. Their feelings for each other seem to grow every minute of everyday. And every time they look at each other's eyes, it was as if it was the first time. They longed for each other every time. The one wouldn't be complete without the other...
Jessie couldn't sleep right away that night. Despite the long day at work and after a passionate lovemaking with the woman beside her, she still couldn't force herself to sleep. She just lay there, watching the love of her life as she makes her journey to the land of dreams.
She's so beautiful... Jessie tucked the loose strand of Katie's brown hair behind her right ear. Katie's lips curled, forming into a pout. Jessie smiled at this gesture. This person right here is the person she's living for. Katie is the other half of her, and she would never trade her or this, for anything else. She felt so blessed having everything she needed. And she can never lose Katie ever again. And that moment, Jessie decided...
I want to spend the rest of my life like this, with her beside me, everytime I close my eyes and every waking moment... And finally, hey eyelids were too heavy to keep open, and Jessie drifted into sleep with a smile on her face.
Jessie stirred in bed as she felt the ray of sun hit her in the face. Without opening her eyes, she reached for Katie, but the other side of the bed was cold. She opened her eyes and searched for Katie, but she was nowhere in the room. Her eyes fell on the nightstand, and found a piece of note. She picked it up hastily and read Katie's scrambled handwriting.
She's out buying groceries? Katie never buys groceries... Jessie frowned. She was always the one who buys groceries and Katie is the one who cooks. Typical Katie, unpredictable. Recalling her train of thoughts last night, Jessie had to smile. She started getting ready to go out and find something for Katie. She doesn't have to work today anyway. After shower, Jessie wrapped her body with a white towel and went out to the kitchen for coffee. Just then, she heard the familiar sound of her BMW outside. Katie entered the kitchen with a paper sack full or groceries on both her hands. She put it down the kitchen counter.
"Hey there sexy." Katie grinned at Jessie as she walked to her and kissed her on the lips. It was supposed to be a short kiss, but when she was about to pull away, Jessie pulled her even closer. Katie of course, couldn't resist Jessie and lingered on the kiss, but between kisses, she had to ask Jessie to stop. Jessie did stop, but with her arms still around Katie's neck, their foreheads touching.
"Baby, I could do this for the rest of my life and I don't have a problem with it, but as much as i want to kiss you, I wouldn't want your mom to actually walk in on us when God knows what could happen next." Katie managed to say while catching her breath before Jessie could distract her again.
"Huh?" Jessie frowned upon hearing Katie talking about her mom walking in on them. She wasn't sure what about what Katie was talking about until Karen entered the kitchen without warning. Jessie jumped away from Katie, embarrassed to be seen by her mom with ALMOST all of her guard down.
"Mom, you're here." Jessie squeaked, looking all confused. Katie chuckled at Jessie's reaction.
"Of course I'm here. I'm not a ghost, Jessie. Katie, could you please get the other paper sack on your car? I think we still have two." Karen put the sacks beside the ones that Katie brought in before her. Katie went to get the other paper sacks.
"I didn't even know you're in town. You should have called. I could have picked you up from the airport." Jessie continued drinking her coffee that she put on the table.
"Katie picked me up." Karen hugged her daughter.
"You told her you're coming, and you didn't tell me? Last time I checked, I was your daughter." Jessie joked that made Karen laugh. "So, what are you doing here, mom? And what are these groceries for? Planning to feed half of America?" It was only now that Jessie realized the amount of groceries that the two brought in and there were still some left in the car.
"I'm helping Katie. She asked me to bring some new recipes."
"So you're cooking? It's neither our birthday." Jessie wondered if there's any occasion. Karen didn't answer. Jessie felt like Katie was planning something and her mother knew about it. Karen saw the look on Jessie's face. "You're not letting me in on the secret?"
"I'm sworn to secrecy." Just then, Katie came back to the kitchen with the last two paper sacks of groceries. She put it down the kitchen counter along with the others.
"Hey supergirl, what's going on?" Jessie playfully narrowed her eyes on Katie.
"Don't you have to go somewhere?" Katie started unpacking the groceries while Karen helped.
"Are you asking me to leave?" Instead of answering, Katie grabbed Jessie's hand and pulled her to their bedroom. Before Jessie could ask another question, Katie kissed her full on the lips. And when they pulled away for oxygen, "My mother's in the kitchen, Singer. I thought you're too afraid to have her walk in on us."
"I didn't bring you here for THAT, Sammler. Hold that thought for later though. Right now, you have to get dressed and leave." Katie pulled Jessie with her to the closets and tried to find clothes for her.
"You're kicking me out of my own house? Aren't you even going to tell me what's going on?" Jessie protested.
"Promise, you'll find out later. But you have to go." Katie found some underwear for Jessie and handed it to her. Jessie wore it as Katie searched for clothes in Jessie's closet. After finding a nice pair of faded jeans and Jessie's green cardigan sweater and a white blouse, she gave it to Jessie. Then she left her in the bedroom to change.
After getting dressed, Jessie went back tot he kitchen to find her mother and Katie laughing while talking about some funny guy they encountered at the grocery while buying lettuce that morning. Jessie smiled upon seeing the two most important women in the world for her were getting along. She never imagined Katie being so domesticated, but she looks cute holding that lettuce and waiving it in the air while talking to Karen. Jessie faked a cough to get noticed. Karen and Katie turned to face her.
"She's still here? She has to go now." Karen joked and threw a look of mock annoyance at her daughter. Jessie just grinned at her. Katie walked to her girlfriend.
"So, where do you plan to go?"
"Why would I tell you?" Jessie joked. Katie pasted a mock surprise on her face which truly amused Jessie. "There's something I need to buy. Do you want me to get you anything?"
"Nothing, just you." Katie wasn't able to control the urge to kiss Jessie in front of Karen. She pulled away as soon as she can, before she forgets that Jessie's mother was standing a few feet away from them, watching.
"Okay, I'm using the car." So, Katie handed the keys to Jessie.
"Oh, baby, you have to pick up Josh at the airport. He'll be arriving with Rick and Lily by 12 noon." Katie said casually before walking back to the kitchen counter. Jessie was more astounded.
"They're coming too? What, are we having a reunion or something?" Jessie frowned.
"I promised Josh on the phone that you'll be bringing him to Universal Studios, so you're going to bring him there. Make sure he rides one of those Godzilla rides or something." Katie smiled. Jessie stood there with that familiar look of consternation she uses every time her curiosity is not being satisfied. Meanwhile, Karen was entertained just by watching the girls. Ha, young love.
Karen was now arguing with Katie on whose truffle chocolate would taste better. That scene plastered a genuine smile on Jessie's face. Katie was the greatest cook she's ever met, there's no doubt about that, but her mom has her own take on making a truffle chocolate that she loves. And she wouldn't mind having to eat both chocolates made by them.
"How long are you planning to keep me out?" Jessie playfully hit Katie in the arm.
"You can come back by 7." Katie kissed Jessie again. Jessie hugged Katie before hugging her mom. Then, she left the house.
So, Jessie was practically thrown out of her own house by Katie. Katie's up to something, she just knew it, and she wouldn't tell Jessie a bit about what's going on. Jessie's mom flying down all the way from Evanston was already intriguing, much more when she bumped into Katie's mother Janice on her way out of the door.
What are the moms doing in Laguna Beach?
As Jessie reluctantly left the house to go downtown and buy something for Katie, she constantly reminded herself that she would be picking up her little brother Josh from the airport at 12. After that, she's gonna have to find something to do to spend the rest of the afternoon, for Katie wouldn't let her come back earlier than 7pm. So, it seems Katie would be throwing this one big party at the beach house that night and everybody is invited except her. Even her dad Rick and stepmother Lily would be coming. She had a hunch that her brother Eli and her stepsisters are on their way too.
And what would they all be doing in the OC? Jessie has absolutely no idea.
Instead of bugging herself of what could be, she decided to just enjoy her alone time and relax. Anyway, it's not everyday that she gets to spend time for herself, with her hectic schedule at work and now with Katie around, and all else. She really has to find something for Katie, and was more than glad now that she has the time to look without worrying about Katie suspecting.
Jessie spent a good part of the morning driving around LA. Then, she stopped by a different beach and took a short walk, thinking about the times she spent with Katie in the past few months. Those memories never fail to put a smile into her face. Living in the same house with Katie was fun and crazy at the same time, 'coz Katie was so unpredictable. But Jessie loves it, every minute of it, and she looks forward to having more of those priceless moments with the love of her life: like in the morning, she has more reason to wake up, and doesn't have to drag herself out of bed anymore (or maybe she still have to sometimes, when she couldn't help but stare at Katie when she sleeps); or when she gets home at night after a tiring shift and be able to sit at the veranda with Katie and just watch her write; or when Katie gawks or when she babbles; or when she prance around everytime something excites her; when she cooks and they eat dinner together; or when they are both too tired after work that they find it too hard to talk, they just look at each other's eyes and with that simple look, they could understand each other; or when Katie's being romantic. Katie has the looks of a movie star and the body of a supermodel but she still couldn't help acting like a kids sometimes, or rather most of the time, and yet she could still look cute and adorable despite the lameness. Jessie couldn't thank God enough for having that second chance with Katie.
Jessie was immediately pulled out of her reverie when she felt her celphone vibrate in her pocket again. She didn't have to look at the caller id to know who it was.
"Hi." Jessie answered with a wide smile on her face. She stopped walking and just stood there, kicking the fine, white sand.
"Jess, where are you?" Katie asked worriedly.
"Missed me already?" Jessie cooed.
"Well, yeah." Katie smiled.
"I missed you too." Jessie smiled.
"But aren't your forgetting something? It's already 12. You've got to go pick up Josh at the airport now. Your dad said they have been waiting for you for five minutes. I got worried. I thought something happened to you." Katie said without stopping for periods. Typical Katie.
"It's 12 already? Oh my God, I guess I lost track of time." Jessie said in disbelief.
"Where are you anyway?" Katie asked again, her worries subsiding from the sound of her voice.
"Taking a walk at the beach, just thinking about stuff, you know." Jessie hurried back to the parking of her car.
"About what?" Katie's celphone was being held to her ear by her right shoulder. Her hands were busy doing some cooking. Janice and Karen were doing the chopping and cutting.
"You." Jessie said fondly. On the other line, Katie had stopped what she was doing and smiled. Wow, Jessie never fails to make her heart jump a mile by just giving out simple words.
"Me?" Katie asked, obviously more than flattered. Janice and Karen exchanged smiles.
"Thinking about you has become my favorite past time, don't you know?" Jessie asked in mock disbelief. She could just imagine Katie's face right now. Katie could look so cute without even trying.
"With or without clothes?" Katie teased, realizing too late that her mom and Jessie's mom were actually eavesdropping on her conversation with Jessie. Her face suddenly turned bright red, and now she could feel as if smokes are actually coming out of her ears. She tried her best to avoid looking at the two older women standing not too far away from her. Meanwhile, the moms pretended as if they didn't hear what she just said, because they were as embarrassed as Katie.
"Why do I find THAT endearing, Singer?" Jessie laughed. "Hey I forgot something in the house, can I drop by to get it?" Jessie was lying, of course, she just needs a reason to be able to come back to the beach house and uncover Katie's big plan.
"And spoil my surprise? No way, Sammler."
"Since when did you start calling me Sammler?" Jessie whined.
"Since you started calling me Singer." Katie rolled her eyes.
"Baby, I got to go. I'm hopping to my car right now. Don't want to piss off the parentals. Dad hates waiting." Jessie closed her car door as she climbed into the driver's seat.
"I love it when you call me baby." Katie grinned.
"That's because YOU ARE a baby, baby." Jessie teased and laughed.
"Right, make fun of me, or you'll be staying out of the house longer than you're supposed to." Katie jokingly warned her.
"It's not like you can resist a day without me, but you can try." Jessie said confidently, making Katie's jaw dropped. Then Jessie grinned when Katie wasn't able to make a smart come back after a rather long pause. "See, Singer? You can't, you love me too much."
"Ugh! I hate it when you're right. Look, just take your time out. It's not everyday that you get to spend time with Josh. And whatever this surprise is, I promise you'll like it." Katie assured Jessie.
"I will?"
"Well, I hope." Katie sounded really hopeful. She had been spacing off in the last few days, her thoughts mostly drifting to Jessie. Her random thoughts usually put her writing on hold, but she didn't care. She could think about Jessie all day.
"Okay baby, I really have to go. I love you." Jessie started the car.
"I love you too." They hung up and Jessie madly dashed to the airport. Rick had stern face after seeing her running late to their direction. Joshua jumped into Jessie's arms.
"Jessie!" Joshua screamed excitedly.
"Hi Josh!" Jessie had the same level of excitement.
"Where have you been?" Rick asked calmly after giving his daughter a hug. He wasn't mad at Jessie, just a little annoyed for making them wait.
"Around. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." Jessie replied after hugging Lily.
"That's okay honey, you're here now. You can take Josh wherever Katie promised you'd take him and we can head to the beach house, right Rick?" Lily said, smiling at Jessie.
"You're not coming with me? How come everybody gets to stay at the beach house except me?" Jessie frowned.
"Well, we'd love to honey, but we're not really here for the amusement parks. We promised Katie we'd help her." Lily smiled at her again. Right, try to be patient with the questioning stepdaughter.
"We got to go. Have fun kids, we'll see you later." Rick kissed both Josh and Jessie on their foreheads before bolting away with Lily to avoid Jessie's questions. As they left the airport and hailed a cab to Laguna Beach, Rick couldn't help but notice the weird smile on Lily's face.
"What?" Rick frowned at her.
"Jessie isn't exactly a kid anymore, Rick." Lily turned to smile at him.
"I know, I just..." Rick sighed. "I can't believe my little girl has really grown up. I mean, it seems like yesterday when I still carried her in my arms while trying to make her crying stop in the middle of the night. And now she has Katie to do that for her." Rick smiled at Lily. Lily petted her husband's hair and kissed him on the cheek.
"Katie loves Jessie more than anything, honey." Lily reassured Rick. She sensed worry in his voice that didn't surface until lately, right after Katie's long phone call to them. She knew exactly what bugs Rick. It was the same worry that she had when Grace decided to marry Tad. But she also knew it was normal.
Rick looked meaningfully at Lily. Rick knew she was right, and he never doubted Katie's feelings for Jessie, ever. And if Jessie's happy, everyone of them will be happy.
Meanwhile, Jessie was driving again, with Josh in the front seat. She kept glancing at her adorable brother who couldn't help but admire the LA scenery.
"Hey Josh, what do you want to eat? I'm starving." Jessie asked her cute little brother.
"But Katie said you're taking me to ride Godzilla!" Joshua protested too soon. Jessie laughed.
"I am, but we're going to eat first, then we'll go ride every ride that you want to ride... Wait, did that make sense?" Jessie chuckled. She felt a little giddy that day. Jessie stopped on a red light and focused her attention to Josh.
"Fine." Joshua answered stubbornly while crossing his arms. Jessie had to chuckle at this gesture from her youngest brother.
When the light turned green, their ear was moving again.
Back at the beach house, it was total chaos. First, there were Karen and Janice. It was a relief to have these two moms help Katie cook the biggest dinner in her life so far. She expected that everybody would be coming later in the afternoon, but Grace and Tad decided to fly in the morning instead, so Katie had to endure the company of both while cooking. The two kept sneaking bites from what was cooking in the kitchen, and that didn't really help Katie. She had to keep slapping both of her friends' hands, but it seems nothing could really stop them, so Katie let it go. Janice and Karen laughed at the way Katie was fidgeting now as if she's trying to catch a deadline. When Lily and Rick arrived a few minutes past noon, Katie was finally able to breathe. Lily proved to be an extra big help in the kitchen and Rick hauled Tad and Grace out. Katie decided that Rick was the greatest dad in the world after doing that. When Katie's brothers Austin and Bailey, along with their wives and kids and their father Bryan finally arrived, they helped make sure that Tad and Grace stays away from the kitchen.
By 3pm, her brother, father, and Jessie's father started rearranging the furniture to create space, which wasn't easy with all her nephews and niece running around. Okay, so maybe Jessie wouldn't be too thrilled with the furniture-moving, but she'll make sure she'll put everything back to normal after tonight.
By 4pm, Eli and Zoe were still not around which worried Katie a lot. She had to call both on their celphones to check. Eli was trapped in a meeting somewhere in Hollywood Hills but promised to be at the beach house on time, while Zoe's phone couldn't be reached, which might mean she's still on the plane.
By 6pm, Eli and Zoe finally arrived almost at the same time. Katie decided it's time to start the bonfire outside just a few feet walk from the beach house. At last, Tad and Grace were really helping. When they were done, Tad and Grace realized they were hungry and walked back to the beach house hand in hand, with Eli following them, shaking his head. Katie stayed behind, and Zoe stood by her, as the both watched the blazing bonfire.
"There's something I've been wanting to tell you." Zoe seriously told Katie. Katie looked up at her with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Please don't tell me you're in love with me 'coz that would be totally awkward with Jessie being your stepsister and all." Katie joked which earned her a slap on her right arm. "Aww! That hurts, you know." Katie winced in pain.
"You ass, I never thought about you that way. It's like fantasizing about my own sister... Euww gross! I'm stained for the rest of my life!" Zoe pretended to flinch. "No offense Singer, but you're not really my type." Zoe then grinned. They fell into comfortable silence for a while before Zoe spoke again.
"Remember those phone calls that I had with you, when I told you about the arguments I had with Jessie?"
"You mean about all those philandering shit that you do? She hated that." Katie said knowingly.
"She had a point, you know. Even then, I knew she was right to lecture me about what I shouldn't be doing, but I didn't listen to her." Zoe looked at Katie, waiting for her reaction.
"Why didn't you?" Katie asked, not really knowing what Zoe was trying to point out.
"Because for me, the perfect picture of true love was you and Jessie. Jessie was so confused back then and wouldn't admit having those romantic feelings for you, and you loved her and waited for her. It wasn't conventional, but I didn't have a problem with it and I thought what really mattered was the way you feel about each other. Just pure, genuine love. Unconditional, sweet and real. That time, i was so young to even realize what love is, but I felt it between you. I could feel it, just having the two of you around. Then all those bullshit happened, with Jessie's confusion and your damaged ego, and instead of discussing it with each other, you went away with your heart broken, leaving Jessie's heart in the same wounded state. You had to stay away for a really long time, making both your lives miserable. And you endured that for so long, you didn't even do anything. You both fucked up and I was disillusioned. I thought that if what you guys obviously felt wasn't true love at all, then what is? What happened completely distorted my whole perception about romance."
Katie just looked at Zoe in awe. She never realized how much Zoe looked up to them until now, that she felt guilty to have contributed to what Zoe was referring to as a "distorted perception about romance" thing. Zoe noticed the funny look on Katie's face, so she smiled at her.
"You can relax, Singer. I'm not blaming you. I just want you to know that when you guys finally decided to stop acting stupid; thanks to Tad, Grace, me and the rest of the family; you sort of helped em realize that I've been being stupid myself... What I'm trying to say is I'm glad that you didn't give up on each other, and not I'm sure that true love does exist." Zoe smiled at Katie, and Katie almost cried. She had to hug Zoe, then let the tears of joy finally fall.
"Oh Katie, you're such a wuss." Zoe joked, then they pulled apart. "Take care of my sister, okay?"
"Do you really feel the need to ask me that?" Katie asked incredulously, as if Zoe should have known the answer. Of course, Zoe does know the answer, but she had to hear it from Katie. "I will take care of Jessie, Zo, not because you want me to or everybody expects me to. I'll take care of her, because she's amazing, and lovely, and adorable, and... And because I love her."
"Now you're making me cry... I think I'm in love with you now." Zoe joked, then hugged Katie again, and walked back to the house.
Meanwhile, Jessie and Josh had just entered a jewelry story in downtown LA.
"What are we doing here? I want to go home, I want to sleep." Joshua whined while being literally pulled by his sister. Jessie stopped walking and smiled at her brother. Them she went on her knees to level her face with him.
"I'll take you home as soon as we're able to find something for Katie, okay?" Jessie petted Joshua's hair.
"It is her birthday?" Joshua's angst subsided.
"Well, no." Jessie looked at her brother adoringly.
"So, why are you buying something for her?" Joshua frowned.
"Josh, do you like Katie?"
"Yeah, just like I like you. She gave me the best Christmas present ever, and she's really cool. She's very pretty too." Joshua smiled.
"Yeah, she is. And you're gonna help me find something for her, okay?" Jessie messed Joshua's blond hair again.
"Okay!" Joshua replied in excitement. He was eager to help Jessie find something for Katie.
It was dark when Jessie's car stopped in its parking space in her house at Laguna Beach. Just when she and Josh got out of the car, Lily came out of the front door and pulled Josh inside, telling Jessie that Katie was waiting for her at the shore.
Jessie turned around to see Katie, with her hands on her pockets as usual, who was a few feet away, currently standing near the bonfire and facing the ocean. Jessie started walking slowly to Katie's direction. She couldn't help but notice Eli and Zoe sitting side by side on the sand nearby. Eli seemed to be holding something that resembles a guitar, but Jessie couldn't quite make out 'coz the place was dimly lit by the bonfire. Zoe turned her head and smiled upon seeing Jessie. Jessie waved at her and Zoe waved back, and her brother Eli smiled at her. To her surprise, Eli started strumming the guitar when she had gotten nearer. Katie finally turned around and saw her coming to her direction. After playing what seemed to be an introduction of a song, Zoe started singing, which surprised Jessie even more. Zoe has a good singing voice, but she rarely shows it off. Let's just say that Zoe doesn't have the passion for singing as Jessie and Grace had. And Zoe was singing 'You Make Me Feel', the song that played when she had her first dance with Katie at Tad's wedding. It had become one of her favorites, along with 'God Bless The Child'. The two were looking and smiling at her while they played the song, as if serenading her, which was weird. Then when she looked at another direction, she saw Tad, Austin and Bailey preparing something that Jessie couldn't figure out what. And upon turning her eyes back to Katie, she was still looking at her with that charming smile on her face that she loves so much. When Jessie finally reached Katie by the bonfire, she stopped in front of her.
"Hi." Jessie whispered with a smile. She could feel her heart fluttering wildly right now because of Katie. She looks so amazing tonight.
"Hi." And Katie stood there, just loving Jessie's presence in front of her. She's becoming more and more beautiful every second. Zoe continued singing while Eli continued to accompany her voice with his guitar. It looked so romantic, really, with Jessie and Katie just standing there, staring at each other. They stood in silence and their eyes seemed to have a conversation of its own, and as always, they understood each other, without having to utter any word.
"Why do they always do that?" Grace said, rolling her eyes. She, with Rick, Karen, Lily, Katie's parents Janice and Bryan, and her niece and nephews stood watching from the veranda of the beach house. Not so discreet, but they just have to watch this. They didn't fly all across America for a free dinner.
Before either Jessie or Katie could say anything, fireworks came flying up to the sky that stole Jessie's attention. Now she knew what Tad, Austin and Bailey were doing at a distance. Katie asked them to prepare that fireworks display, and it was awesome. Jessie looked agape at the sky. Katie moved behind her and wrapped her arms around Jessie's waist, and they watched the fireworks together for minutes. Jessie covered Katie's arms with hers and leaned back, resting her head on Katie's shoulder. After the fireworks, Jessie untangled herself from Katie, turned around to face her, and thinking that Katie's surprise was over.
They looked and got lost at each other's eyes again. Jessie couldn't help it, she had to kiss Katie right now and she did. Not minding if Eli, Zoe, Tad, or Katie's brothers are watching. She kissed Katie with so much passion, she almost knocked her down the sand. Katie slowed down the kiss and tried to catch some air, smiling at Jessie.
"Jess, there's something I need to ask you."
Jessie looked at Katie's mossy-green eyes. When she dropped by the jewelry store that night, she had planned on how she was going to propose. She was thinking of arranging a trip to Hawaii and ask Katie while they are on a helicopter touring the island. But she realized she couldn't wait anymore. So far, this night seemed to be their most romantic night ever. With Eli and Zoe singing on the background, and the fireworks display by Tad, Austin and Bailey, nothing could be more perfect. This seemed to be the right moment, and Jessie wasn't going to just let it go without making it more perfect for both of them.
"I love you so much, Katie." Jessie said, almost teary-eyed. Katie smiled at her and caressed her cheek with her hand.
"I know, and I love you too, Jess."
Jessie closed her eyes for a while, and then let out a deep breath, while Katie watched her with a smile.
"You're so beautiful..." Katie whispered to Jessie. Jessie opened her eyes, with a smile for Katie.
"Katherine Singer, will you marry me?" Jessie reached for the small, black box on her right pocket and pulled away a little from Katie. She opened the box and picked up the platinum ring. Katie's eyes darted from Jessie to the ring and to Jessie again, and she looked at both in astonishment. And for a moment, she stood there speechless.
"What?" Eli and Zoe said in unison as they stopped strumming and singing.
"What?" It was the same thing that Tad, Austin and Bailey could say as they gawked at Jessie and Katie who were still standing by the bonfire.
"What?!" Grace said too loud as she stood watching with the others in the veranda of the beach house, which didn't escape Jessie's ears. Her head snapped at Grace's direction and was really shocked to find the whole family watching them. But then, she tried not to mind them. She focused her attention back to Katie, who by the way hasn't answered her question.
Everybody was obviously surprised by the major turn of events. For months, Katie had drafted this intricate plan to propose to Jessie, only to have Jessie stealing the moment. It's not like it's bad, actually, it became more romantic 'coz the family realized both girls had actually been thinking about proposing to each other, its just that they didn't expect it coming from Jessie. Well, they knew Jessie would say yes if only she gave Katie the chance to propose, she loves Katie so much, no doubt about that, but they never really thought Jessie would have the guts to actually propose, knowing her personality and all. Meanwhile, Katie looked so perplexed to even work an answer, which was starting to scare Jessie. Man, was she in for the biggest and definitely the best surprise in her life.
It bothered Jessie.
Am I too fast? Maybe she's not ready. I'm such an idiot! Jessie mentally blamed herself.
"Katie?" Jessie's voice trembled a bit, the worry was etched in her face. Katie realized she had been too quiet too long. She stared at Jessie's fact, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Yes Jessie, I will marry you! Oh my God, yes!" Katie finally spoke, rather, screamed in delight. She threw her arms around Jessie, hugging her really tight. The two could hear the noise of what seemed to be an applause and screams of joy from the direction of the beach house. Ah, people can be really nosey.
"Really, you will?" Jessie smiled as they pulled apart. This time, tears were also running down from her eyes.
"Of course Jessie, in a heart beat!" Katie held Jessie's face and kissed her, and pulled away again when they both needed to breathe. And for a while, they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, foreheads touching, eyes still on each other. Jessie slipped the ring into Katie's left ring finger.
"It's just that this isn't how I imagined this night would be." Katie said in amusement and chuckled to herself. Jessie pulled away a little to be able to look fully at Katie's face.
"You lost me there." Jessie said in confusion.
"I was going to say..." Katie trailed off. She looked at Jessie's face and she seemed really clueless. All morning, Katie was worrying that Jessie might already have suspected something and that Jessie wouldn't be too surprised with the proposal tonight, but obviously, she was wrong. Maybe she was MORE DENSE than I am...
"Forget that, let me just show you." Katie fumbled through her pocket for something. And then she let out a deep breath. "God, this is still hard." Katie whispered, more likely to herself. Katie went down on her knees, and opened a small, red box, and lifted it to Jessie. "This is the reason why I asked our families to come tonight. I was going to ask for your hand. So, let's pretend that you didn't just propose, okay?"
This time, Jessie's jaw dropped, not believing what was actually happening. Tears were threatening to fell from her eyes again, but those were definitely tears of joy.
"Jessie Elizabeth Sammler, I want you to keep my heart forever. Will you marry me?" Katie kneeled, holding the 18-karat diamond ring on her right hand and Jessie's left hand with her left.
Jessie could feel her heart jumping in joy at that moment. This was all too much, to perfect than she had ever imagined, better than proposing in Hawaii, definitely. She was crying again.
"You were going to propose?" Jessie asked, still smiling despite the tears.
"Actually, I AM proposing now." Katie smiled back, she was still on her knees.
"Oh Katie..." Jessie trailed off. She was overwhelmed with emotions.
"So, will you, Jess?" Katie asked anxiously.
"Of course I will Katie!" Katie slipped the diamond ring into Jessie's left ring finger. Jessie looked lovingly at Katie. She lunged herself at her and they both fell on the sand, with her on top of Katie.
"I'm never letting you go again." Jessie said, looking down at Katie.
"And you're not going anywhere either." Katie grinned, as she leaned up to kiss Jessie on the lips.
"Get a room!" Tad shouted good-naturedly from where he stood at a distance. Jessie reluctantly got up and Katie followed her and threw a nasty grin at Tad's direction.
"Gladly! Let's go eat some dinner now so you could get your asses out of Laguna Beach as soon as possible!" Katie joked.
Katie and Jessie walked back to the beach house, their hand intertwined. As they entered the front door, they were met with hugs and kisses from their parents and other members of the family. Jessie and Katie couldn't be happier.
So, the night went on. They had dinner, had a few drinks, drafter the wedding plan, which by the way, Karen, Lily, and Janice were more than eager to do. When finally, everybody got tired, they decided to leave. Katie had reserved and paid rooms for everyone at the Marriott downtown. They said their goodbyes, boarded the cabs, and called it a night.
Meanwhile, Tad and Grace stayed behind as their waited for the last cab to arrive. Tad and Katie took a walk to the bonfire to have a short talk. They both had their eyes n the fire, and after a moment of silence, Tad finally spoke his mind.
"Finally." Tad smiled at looked up at Katie.
"Huh?"
"You and Jessie." He grinned.
"Yeah, me and Jessie... I love the way that it sounds." Katie smiled dreamily.
"Me too." He said in utmost sincerity.
"Tad, thank you." Katie turned serious as she looked at her bestfriend.
"You're welcome, I love fireworks." Tad chuckled.
"Not for the fireworks display. I want to thank you for this. For making me come back. I wouldn't have this chance with Jessie if you didn't ask me to come back."
"Oh, you mean THREATEN you to come back?" Tad joked.
"Yeah, that too." Katie laughed. "You're the best." She hugged Tad, and Tad opened his arms for her.
"Just don't make her cry, okay? 'Coz technically, I'm about to be your brother-in-law, and I wouldn't want to see myself kicking your ass if you hurt Jessie. 'Coz honestly, that's what Grace will make me do if you---"
"Never gonna happen Tad." Katie said, and Tad smiled again. They both stared at the direction of the ocean, with contentment in their hearts.
Meanwhile, at the stairs of the beach house, Grace and Jessie sat side by side, watching Katie and Tad.
"You know, I almost wondered why they didn't end up with each other." Grace joked, and Jessie laughed. The thought of Katie and Tad together was really funny. Grace studied her stepsister's face. For the first time in her life, she looked peaceful and happy.
"So Jess, how many kids are you planning to have?" Grace joked, and Jessie turned her head to look at Grace.
"I don't know. Two, maybe. Katie and I still have to talk about it." Jessie answered casually which surprised Grace.
"Wow, you've given this a lot of thought." Grace said in disbelief. Jessie proposing was one thing, having kids this soon was another.
"Yeah, I have." Jessie smiled, throwing another look at Katie's direction. "I'm really serious about marrying Katie, Grace."
"Yeah, I know."
"And I really want to start a family with her."
"That's great Jess, really. And I'm so happy for you." Grace smiled.
"Thanks, but... You know, I've never really mentioned this kid-thing to Katie yet, so, please don't tell her anything. Besides, I'm still not sure if she wants to have kids."
"Hey, are you kidding yourself? Katie loves kids." Grace smiled at Jessie. Jessie threw a look at Katie's direction again.
"Can you imagine a little version of Katie running around the house? That would be really adorable." Jessie chuckled at the thought.
"Little Katie running around the house? That spells trouble. And since you wanted to have two kids, I assume that there would be a little version of YOU running around the house too. So, I guess that's far from being adorable, that would be total chaos." Grace laughed. Jessie hit her playfully in the arm.
"Thank you... For everything." Jessie said sincerely.
"Can I send you the bill now?" Grace joked again, and she received another hitting from Jessie. "Aww!"
"You deserved that." Jessie laughed.
"Hey Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't ever hurt Katie again, okay?" Grace looked into Jessie's eyes.
"Never again, I promise." Jessie smiled, and they gave each other a big hug. And Grace was actually crying. "Come on Grace, don't cry, you're making me cry." Jessie smiled.
"I can't believe I agreed that Zoe's going to be your maid of honor! I want to be your maid of honor!" Grace whined, Jessie laughed again.
Their heads turned when they heard the sound of the cab approaching. Grace and Jessie got up from the staircase and walked down. They gave each other one big hug again.
"I swear they were going to kill each other in highschool." Katie said upon seeing Grace and Jessie hug. Tad merely laughed. After saying their goodbyes, the couple finally left, leaving Jessie and Katie finally alone.
Their eyes met again, and just like before, had a conversation of its own. Jessie leaned up and captured Katie's lips with her own, and Katie kissed her back, all too willingly.
"I love you much, Katie Singer." Jessie whispered, and Katie smiled.
"I love you more, Jessie Sammler." Katie held Jessie's hand, and led her back to the beach house.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: To those who kept reading, thanks a lot. Let met know what you think after finishing the story, okay? It would mean a lot to me. Thanks! And please don't get tired of waiting for my updates on The Coffee Park. I'm working hard on it!