Part 13
9: 15 a.m.
"Can you believe how many people were in there? I've never seen so many people in that coffee shop on a Saturday morning!" exclaimed Jake as she pushed through the doors of the apartment building. Hamilton followed right behind her, holding two tall cups of coffee in his hands.
They made their way to the elevator and as soon as Jake pressed the elevator call button, the door opened to reveal Will Krudski with a duffel bag on his shoulder and a large box, filled with his belongings, in his arms.
"What are you doing?" Jake questioned upon seeing him. She was completely taken aback at what was before her.
Will, without looking at either of Jake or Hamilton, moved right past them and answered, "Exactly what it looks like."
"What? Will? Why?' asked Hamilton as he and Jake scampered after him. Will walked to a red convertible parked in front of the building and placed his things in the back seat along with some boxes that were already there. After he finished, he turned to them, hands in pockets, and addressed them.
"We all know that this living arrangement isn't going to work anymore considering…" he said, pausing momentarily. "Well, considering what has happened in the last 24 hours."
Jake knew that something like this was going to happen—just not so soon. The worse part of it all, was she was responsible—in her mind at least. A feeling of guilt overcame her, along with the fear of losing one of the most important people in her life. Moving closer to him, she offered, "B-but Will, just because…Hamilton and I…"stopping, uncertain as to how to get out what she wanted to say. "It doesn't mean you have to leave."
His eyes cast on the cars passing by, he responded, "Yeah it does."
"No it doesn't. Not now at least, just…I dunno…just not now."
"Ever since this whole thing started, I haven't had one sane thought. I haven't slept right, eaten well…I have been able to write. I'm losing it here," he answered, a tinge of frustration in his voice.
Jake protested, "What do you mean? Everything you write is great."
"Great because you inspired every word," Will retorted, looking into her eyes. "I think it's time I find my inspiration elsewhere."
"I'm so sorry Will. You have every right to be mad at me but please, please don't go," Jake pleaded, on the brink of tears.
Taking a hold of her arms, "I'm not mad. I just need time—to figure things out, get back to reality. Don't worry, I won't be gone forever. You're my best friend. Nothing could ever change that."
She flung her arms around him, her tear stained face brushing against his cheek. " God, what would I do without you?"
Still in her tight embrace he quipped, "Probably star in B-rated films."
She slapped the back of his head mildly. They smiled, as did Hamilton, who stood in Will's view.
"I'm gonna miss you," Jake professed, pulling out of their lock.
"Well, I'm sure Ham can help with that," he remarked, getting Hamilton's sideway smirk in response.
He walked over to Will and thrust his hand forward. "I wish things didn't have to be this way," he said as Will clasped Hamilton's hand for a handshake.
"Me too," he rejoined simply. Eyeing the steering wheel, he said, "I guess I better get going."
"Where to?" Hamilton inquired, now standing next to Jake with his arm draped around her shoulder.
"I don't know yet. Maybe I'll take the road less traveled," returned Will, hoping over the door and plopping into the driver's seat.
Laughing at his literary reference, Jake declared, "For once, stop reminding us that you're a freaking genius!"
As he turned on the engine, he replied, "It's not my fault you took up the fine arts, Ms. Pratt, actress extraordinaire!"
"Whatever Mr. I-have-an Oscar winning screenplay!" she yelled back.
Smiling at her, he remarked, "All right, I better go." He looked up at the sky and at the same moment, a cool breeze whistled through. "I hate New York in March. It's so…"
"In between," Jake finished. "I know what you mean."
With that, Will pulled away from the curb and drove off. He put his right arm in the air and waved it left to right, just once, before he turned the corner and disappeared behind the buildings.
Hamilton and Jake stood on the sidewalk, their arms around each other's waist, watching until he could no longer be seen.
"He'll be okay. We all will," Hamilton said, kissing Jake's forehead.
She smiled at him and answered softly, "I know."
Picking up the now cold coffee from a newsstand, he tossed them in trash. He took Jake's hand and said, "Come on, let's go for a walk."
As they walked down the street, Hamilton put his hand in his pocket and felt for something—a small, velvet pouch. It was similar to the one in Jake's box not only in size and shape, but also in contents. They walked for a long while before they reached the park, where the stopped and sat in the same spot they had the night before.
Jake looked at him lovingly and whispered, "I love you."
"Yeah, that would be that part."
He got up from the bench and stood in front of her, still holding her hand in his. She gazed at him with real tenderness, her heart filled with nothing but love and hope. The man who stood before her wasn't just any man, but the one person who made her complete. They'd been apart for so long, yet in one night, they were able to overcome all the pain and heartache and start again. The words that were spoken that night were not important, rather, those that were unspoken. In his eyes—those eyes, deeper than the oceans—she found herself, the part of herself that died when he left. She loved him and he loved her—beyond anything in this world, beyond life itself.
Tears gleamed in her eyes. Hamilton saw this and a sign of worry showed in his eyes. To placate his fears, Jake smiled and uttered again, "I love you."
At this, Hamilton dropped to one knee, his eyes never leaving hers. Knowing that there was nothing else he needed to say, Hamilton held up the beautiful diamond ring and his voice—sweet, low, and infinitely tender—said, "Marry me Jake. Marry me."
Her tears of joy now trickled down her face; her voice, like sweet music, choked with tears. Nodding, she answered, "Yes."
Here I am
Looking in the mirror
An open face, the pain erased
Now the sky is clearer
I can see the sun
Now that all is, all is said and done
There you are
Always strong when I need you
You let me give
And now I live, seriously and protected
With the one I will love
After all is, all is said and done
I once believed that hearts were made to bleed
But now I'm not afraid to say
I need you, I need you so stay with me
These precious hours
Greet each dawn in open arms
And dream, into tomorrow
Where there's only love
After all is, all is said and done
I'll never be afraid to say
I need you, I need you, so
So here we are in the still of this moment
Fear is gone, hope lives on
We found our happy ending
For there's only love
And this sweet, sweet love
After all is, all is said and done
THE END
(not really! I have written a continuation of this fic called "All You Can't Leave Behind.")