The night of the reunion, Charlie and Jaycee stood in Jaycee's room getting ready. "Are you ready for this?" Jaycee asked Charlie. "Ready to go back and see all those people we went to school with."
"As I'll ever be. I'm sure the girls will be swarming all over Phil now that he's single."
Jaycee looked at her. "You never know what will happen at these things. Just be glad you don't have to deal with all the girls your husband slept with before you were together. Some who probably still hold some resentment." She sighed. "I'm glad your mom and dad agreed to keep Ethan."
"You shouldn't worry about those bitches. You won the guy in the end. You're happily married and have a beautiful son and another baby on the way. You won."
Jaycee smiled. "Yes, I did." She replied. "I made sure there was a picture of me, John and Ethan on the school website for the reunion. I know it was probably petty but I want them to see how happy we are."
"Maybe I shouldn't go."
"You have to go, Aunt Charlie." They heard from the stairs.
"Are you packed for grandma and grandpa?" Jaycee asked him.
Ethan nodded. "Promise me you'll go and have a great time."
Charlie looked at her nephew and smiled. "Of course I will E."
"Good." He smiled. He turned to Jaycee. "Can I take my game system to Grandma and Grandpa's?"
"Yes but only a few games," Jaycee replied. He nodded and raced upstairs. He ran back upstairs and Charlie smiled at Jaycee. "What?" Jaycee asked her. "What's the smile for?"
"He's such a strange kid."
Jaycee laughed. "He gets that from me, you know." She smiled. "Guess that's why John wants a little girl this time."
"With John's luck, she'll end up like Phil."
Jaycee laughed. "I can see that." She began to pack up Ethan's snacks. "So, how about we head out and drop Ethan at your parents and then head to the reunion." Charlie nodded and they headed out.
They dropped Ethan at John and Carol's and then headed to the hotel where the reunion was. John had gone ahead with Mike. Charlie and Jaycee walked in and headed to get their name tags. Jaycee sighed when she saw the table was being manned by Nikki and Brie Bella.
"Jaycee, Charlie. How nice to see you both."
"Nikki, Brie," Jaycee said as she took her name tag.
"You're both pregnant?"
"Yes, we are," Jaycee replied. "In fact, this is mine and John's second child. Our son, Ethan is almost nine."
"You're still married to John?" Nikki asked. She looked at Charlie. "What about you? Did you ever marry that pathetic loser Phil?"
"I am still married to John," Jaycee said hoping to get the attention to her. "Since this is a reunion, what have you been up to?"
"We both married rich men of course. Well, Nikki married a few of them. So what's it like being married to one of the biggest rock stars in the world?" Brie asked.
"Married several times huh," Jaycee said to her. "Guess each one figured out what a gold, digging whore you were." She turned to Charlie. "Let's go inside. I'm sure there are better people to talk to."
Charlie looked over at her as they walked in. "Thanks. But I know people are going to keep asking me that question all night long."
"I know but this way, you have some time to think about what you want to say," Jaycee replied. "So, let's go find your brother and get something to drink. I so want a lemonade." Charlie nodded and glanced up at the stage where the band was setting up. "Relax and have fun. You never know what might happen." She nodded as they took their drinks and headed over to the table where Natalie and Lexie were sitting.
Phil looked over at the table. He hoped Charlie liked his surprise. He turned to the band and they got ready to play.
John smiled and held his hand out to Jaycee. She smiled and took his hand as they headed toward the dance floor. He put his hand on her back and pulled her close to him. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder as they danced.
All the other girls from their class looked on in envy as they danced. "You're still the prettiest girl I've ever met." He said smiling.
Jaycee smiled. "You always say the sweetest things." She leaned in and kissed him. "But you know I love to hear them." She looked around. "And as bad as it sounds, I like seeing the envy on those girls' faces."
John laughed. "What other girls?"
She smiled and kissed him. "Almost ten years of marriage and I've trained you so well."
He smiled. "Yes ma'am." She smiled and moved closer to him.
Charlie watched as Jaycee and John and Lexie and Randy and Mike and Natalie danced to the music. They had all been married for almost ten years and looked so happy and in love. She looked up at the stage as the band played. She'd have to face the facts that that would never be her and Phil.
"How about a dance?" She heard from beside her and saw Ted there. "Just a dance." Charlie smiled and nodded and took his hand. She felt all eyes on them as they danced.
"We seem to be the center of attention."
He looked around. "That's because you're beautiful and they are envious of you." She looked at Ted. "I know you said we should just be friends and that's all I'm trying to do. It's easy for everyone to see that you love Phil. And judging by how he was looking at you, he loves you too."
"But we don't want the same things."
"Still, you both love each other. Maybe there is a way to work it out."
"I wish I could believe that."
Ted looked at her. "I think you and Phil will find your way back to each other. Just have some faith." She nodded as they continued their dance.
She looked up at the stage again. Chris came up to the mic and announced that the band was taking a break. Phil walked up to her as a song started. "If you only knew I'm hanging by a thread the web I spin for you. If you only knew I'd sacrifice my beating heart before I lose you. I still hold on to the letters you returned I swear I've lived and learned."
"Dance with me?" he asked causing Charlie and Ted to look at him.
Ted looked at him. "It's okay with me." He said as he handed Charlie over to Phil. He smiled and walked away.
Charlie looked at Phil as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Thanks for agreeing to dance with me." He said as he held her close.
"No problem." She said softly.
"So how are you and the baby doing?"
"We're both fine." She replied. "Everything is normal."
"Good. Then it will be okay for you to fly." She looked at him. "When we go on our honeymoon." She looked at him and was about to walk away. "We don't want different things. I want all of it. You, me, nice little house. A couple of kids. Together forever. With you having my last name. You name the time and the place and I'm there."
"What are you talking about? I don't understand."
He pulled the ring out of his pocket. "Marry me. I know I've been an ass and I know I don't deserve you. But I also know that no one will ever love you as much as I do. And I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much you and this baby mean to me. Say you'll marry me and name the time and place and I'm there." She looked at him. "Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?"
"Is this some kind of joke?"
"Do you love me?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe that I love you?"
"Yes."
"Then marry me. Because we both know that neither one of us will be happy with anyone else. I mean it. I want you. Forever."
She looked at him. "Tomorrow."
"What?"
"Tomorrow. You and me. City Hall."
"So you'll marry me?"
She smiled and leaned in and kissed him. "Yes."
He smiled and they walked over to the table where everyone was sitting. "Well, do you guys want to attend a wedding tomorrow?"
Jaycee smiled. "Of course." She looked over at Charlie. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks." Charlie smiled. "I just can't believe it."
"Believe it. This is your happy ending."
Charlie looked over at Phil. "Yeah, I guess I am."
"Then enjoy it and know this is how life is supposed to be."
Phil looked at Charlie. "I'm just sorry it took me so long to realize it."
"Well, the important thing is, you did and now you guys can have a happy ending." Jaycee smiled.
Phil smiled and kissed Charlie again. "So, what are the plans for tomorrow?" Lexie asked.
"We meet up at city hall at 2 and I make Charlie my wife."
Natalie looked at him. "City hall? You make her wait for years and city hall is where you want to get married?" She looked at Charlie. "Is that okay with you?"
"I just want to be his wife. I don't care how or where it happens."
"Nat, let them have the wedding they want," Mike said to his wife.
"Alright." She replied. "Then let's get you two married tomorrow."
Charlie smiled. "Wish I had my dress though."
Phil smiled. "It's waiting at the hotel for you. I wouldn't have you marry me in anything else."
"But...I sold it." He smiled.
"To me. I'm the one who bought it. I convinced our new road manager to go pick it up for me."
"I don't know what to say." She smiled.
"You don't have to say anything. Just marry me in that beautiful dress." She smiled and kissed him. She still couldn't believe it but she was finally getting what she always wanted.