CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Author's Note:
Jody excused her self to go into Charlie's room. She needed to think. She couldn't believe Charlie had just proposed like that. It had been such a shock. What shocked her even more was that she hadn't automatically said no. She had a boyfriend! She was happy! Well, happy might be pushing it a little… Jody sighed. She knew she would never really be happy without Charlie.
But how could she ever take him back after what he'd done to her? Her anger had some-what sub-sided and she never thought about it much anymore… but still. Jody didn't know what to do. She still loved Charlie. She knew she'd never really get over him, no matter how much she'd grow to love the famous Cooper Neilson.
Jody slowly drifted off to sleep as she though. Her worried frown curled up into a smile as she started to dream…
~*~
"Here, I got you something for while I'm gone." Jody smiled as she picked up the small gift-bag.
Charlie smiled and looked into the bag. Pulling out the ring he smiled at Jody. "Thanks… it's great… what's it say? Dance! I love it!" Charlie said as he slipped the ring on his pinky.
Jody smiled. "I'm glad you like it… I was afraid you'd think it was tacky or something."
"No. I love it. I love you too." Charlie hugged his girlfriend. "I'm just sorry I don't have anything for you."
Jody kissed him gently. "That doesn't matter. I love you."
"I… here." Charlie pulled a box out from under his bed. "I was going to save this for when I saw you next time after you moved. But since you gave me the ring… here." Charlie opened the box and pulled out a necklace. It had a thin silver chain with a small heart charm on it. The heart was outlined in gold, but the middle was a diamond.
"Oh Charlie, it's beautiful!" Jody grinned. "I can't believe you, thank you."
Charlie smiled and latched it under her hair. "There, now you can wear that when you're gone."
Jody kissed him. "I love you, Charlie, I will always love you."
Charlie smiled. "I love you to Jody." He kissed her.
~*~
Jody shifted and woke-up. Remembering the dream, she smiled. They had broken up a few days after that, and Jody had moved to San Francisco. She had only worn that necklace one other time, the day she left.
Jody opened her dresser drawer and pulled out her Charlie shoebox. The first engagement ring was resting inside. Jody slipped it on her finger and smiled. She placed it gently on the bed next to her. She looked through the box some more until she found the still shimmering necklace. She unhooked the clasped and slid the ring down the chain next to the heart charm. She put it on gracefully and put the box away.
Charlie sat on the couch next to Anna and Maureen. They seemed to be talking far off, but he couldn't hear them. He was thinking about Jody. He loved her more than life itself and was willing to do anything to get her back.
Suddenly Jody's door opened and Charlie broke out of his thoughts to look up at her. She motioned for Charlie to come over to her. He stood up and walked coolly into his own room. Jody shrugged and followed him as their friends all watched.
Charlie shut the door and turned to face Jody. He saw the necklace and half-smiled. "Your necklace…" He spat out.
Jody smiled. "Yeah… it's my favorite one. Uh, I was thinking about what you asked earlier and-"
"Wait! Let's… I want to do this right." Charlie pulled out the ring again and kneeled down in front of Jody. "I love you, Jody… Kristen Sawyer. Will you marry me?" Charlie asked hopefully, wondering how many times he'd have to do this before they got married.
Jody looked down at Charlie and grinned. "Yes!"
Charlie slipped the new ring on her hand and stood up. He hugged Jody and never wanted to let go. "I love you." He said, stroking he soft hair. "I hate to bring this up but… what about Cooper?" Charlie asked nervously.
Jody shrugged. "He'll live. I love you." Jody kissed him. She grabbed his hand. "Come on! I wanna go show off the beautiful ring!" Jody looked down at the silver ring on her finger.
Charlie smiled as his fiancée pulled him across the room. They walked out to the main room and everyone stared at them.
"WELL??" Erik exclaimed.
Charlie laughed. "What?"
Maureen smiled. "Come on!!! Don't tease us like that!"
Jody smiled and thrust out her hand. "We're engaged!"
Everyone screamed and clapped (though no one was particularly surprise) and hugged. After the mini-party/explosion, everyone sat down again.
"Maureen, you knew?" Jody asked.
"Yeah… Jim told me."
"You knew too?" Jody asked Jim.
"Yeah… I helped pick out the ring!"
Jody blushed. "Oh yeah… now I get it! That's where you guys stopped before laser-"
Charlie's strong kiss stopped her words. Jody giggled and kissed him back. Everyone watched and smiled. Emily half-smiled, trying to figure out how Jody could forgive hi ms easily after what he had done.
Eva coughed loudly. "Excuse me!" She said, louder.
Jody stepped back from Charlie and laughed. "We should go call Sergei!" She whispered in his ear as she slinked back into his room.
"Uh… calling Sergei…" Charlie stuttered as he followed her.
Eva rolled her eyes. "Anyway!" She laughed. "Speaking of... everyone got invited to Sergei and Galina's wedding, right?"
Everyone nodded.
"Oh good, cuz it would be weird for me to say that and have someone not invited. I was thinking… maybe we could all fly down together, you know, it could be fun."
"That's a good idea. Is anyone in their wedding?" Maureen asked.
"Well, Jody is actually the Maid of Honor! And… Charlie's the Best Man! I'm one of the Groomsmen… that's all I know." Erik explained.
Anna nodded. "That's cool."
Charlie sat on his bed and picked up the phone, still kissing Jody. He dialed and put it on speakerphone. They waited for their friends to pick up, still kissing.
"Hello?" Sergei's familiar Russian accent answered.
Charlie pushed Jody off and smiled at her. "Hey Sergei, it's Charlie."
"Oh hey! How's it going?"
Jody curled up next to Charlie. "Pretty good." He said. "How are you and Galina?"
"Great!" Galina said, after a click- meaning that they too were on speakerphone.
"That's good…" Charlie smiled at Jody. "I've missed you guys."
"I know! We've missed you too! We can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks!" Galina said, excited.
"You are coming right?" Sergei added.
Charlie smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Great. So, what's up?" Sergei asked.
Charlie smiled at Jody again. "I was just calling to tell you some good news." Charlie said slowly.
"OH! WHAT??" Galina shrieked excitedly.
Charlie laughed. "Calm down! I'm engaged!"
"That's great… to who?" Sergei asked, confused.
"To me!!" Jody exclaimed happily.
"Jody?!?" Sergei and Galina both said.
"Yeah, it's me."
"Oh my God! I can't believe it! What about the whole cheating thing."
Jody shrugged. "That's the past… I love Charlie now… and always."
"Snap out of it Jody!" Galina said.
Charlie laughed. "Yeah… I just proposed today… it's her birthday."
"Oh… Happy Birthday! And Congratulations! That's great you guys!" Said Galina.
"I hate to say this… but we have to go…" Sergei said.
"Ok, bye." Charlie said, and hung up quickly.
Charlie smiled at Jody and kissed her. They went back out to their friends.
"Hey guys! We were just talking about us all flying to California together for Sergei and Galina's wedding." Jim said.
"That's a good idea." Jody said.
~~~~ 4 Weeks Later ~~~~
Charlie, Jody, Eva, Erik, Jim, Maureen, Anna, and Emily occupied all of the first class seats on the plane. They were flying to California for their best friends wedding.
Jody had told Cooper she was engaged to Charlie. He got really upset and went back to "drinking like a fish and screwing every girl in tights". Jody didn't really care. She was happy, in love, and engaged to the man of her dreams.
The 8 friends got off the plane and lugged their carry-on bags to baggage-claim. They got their bags and looked around for Sergei and Galina.
"GUYS!!" Sergei called from behind them.
Everyone turned around and saw Sergei and Galina smiling at them. They rushed over to their friends and dropped their bags so they could hug.
After the little reunion they all headed back to Sergei and Galina's apartment. Waiting for them when they got there were Dirk, Jake, and the most gorgeous guy Jody had ever seen.
