Chapter Thirty-Seven
**@** TWO YEARS LATER **@**
Jody sat on the couch making out with Aaron. Her phone rang and she moved to answer it. Aaron pulled her closer and kissed her softly.
"Let the machine get it." He mumbled.
Jody smiled and kissed him again.
"Hi, this is Jody Sawyer. I'm out, so leave a message and I'll call you back soon-"
"Unless I stop her!" Aaron's voice interrupted Jody's message.
"I'll call you back, bye!"
Jody giggled listening to the machine.
"Hi Jody. It's Eva. I'm here with Erik at our apartment. Please call us back! We were talking to Sergei and Galina and Charlie and were thinking about having a 10-year reunion thing. Wouldn't that be fun? Call us, bye."
"Do you still love Alyssa?" Jody asked suddenly, pulling away from her boyfriend.
"Are you crazy? Of course not! I got over her years ago! Once I had you, I didn't need to have anyone else. Why?"
"I was just wondering."
"Do… do you still love Charlie?"
"No." Jody said quickly. "No, of course not. We haven't spoken in 2 years. It would be 4 years, but one day I saw him and we talked for about 3 minutes. I love you Aaron."
Aaron smiled. "Ok." He leaned forward and kissed Jody.
**@** 10 YEAR REUION **@**
Jody sat in the passenger seat of Aaron's car.
"Are you sure it's ok that I come?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, it's fine. They said I could bring a date. And come on, Sergei's bringing Galina who wasn't there that year. And Eva's bringing her boyfriend. Erik's… not bringing anyone as far as I know. And Charlie would bring Sam, but they broke up 2 years ago, at least that's what Eva said. So, it'll be fine! Trust me!"
"Ok." Aaron parked his car in front of the restaurant and they got out.
Charlie watched as Jody and her boyfriend walked into the restaurant, hand in hand. They walked up to everyone else, who had already arrived.
Charlie stood up and gave Jody a quick hug. "Hi Jody."
"Charlie, hi! Um, everybody, this is Aaron. Aaron, this us Charlie, Eva, Brad, Erik, Sergei, Galina, Maureen, Jim, Anna, Greg, Emily, and Bob." Jody introduced all her friend's and their boyfriends.
Aaron and Jody sat down at the large table, Aaron next to Sergei and Jody next to Charlie.
"So," Charlie asked. "How long have you guys been dating?"
"Um, almost 2 years."
"What, what about that guy who was going to propose to his girlfriend?"
"Oh, that's Aaron. Um… he chose me instead!"
"Well, that's so great, for you… I'm glad you're happy."
Jody nodded slightly and turned to Aaron. "Can we switch seats? I don't think I can go through this whole meal next to him."
"So, you suggest I go through dinner sitting next to your ex?"
"Please Aaron!?" Jody begged.
"Yeah, ok."
Jody got up and Charlie watched in confusion as they switched spots.
"Hey… Aaron right?" Charlie said cautiously.
"Yeah, hi Charlie." Aaron said, going along with this so Jody wouldn't flip out on him.
After a long dinner they all went out to a salsa club. They sat at two different booths and after a while, Aaron pulled Jody up to dance with him. He was a very good dancer, and Charlie watched jealously.
"You ok?" Erik asked.
Charlie nodded. "I guess. I mean… I just never thought I'd see her this happy with… someone else."
"Well, Eva's out there dancing with her boyfriend. Just think, 10 years ago we were out there dancing with them."
"Yeah, but you weren't in love with Eva for 10 years." Charlie said, watching Jody kiss Aaron.
"Evan so, a lot has changed."
"I know that." Charlie stood up and walked out to where Aaron and Jody were dancing. "Can I dance with Jody?" Charlie asked bravely as a new song began.
"Sure." Aaron moved away stiffly and walked back to the table. He sat next to Erik and asked, "Do you know Charlie very well?"
"Very well." Erik confirmed.
"Does he still love Jody?"
"I don't think he'd like me saying anything like that."
"Please, I don't care either way. I just have to know."
"Well then, uh, yeah, he does. He's been in love with Jody for 10 years. How long have you loved her?"
"3… but we've only been together 2." Aaron explained. "Do- do you think Jody still loves Charlie?"
"Even if she does, that doesn't matter. She might not ever get over her first love, but now she has you. Don't worry. Why?"
"I was planning on proposing sometime soon. I have the ring with me tonight. But… do you think this is romantic enough?"
"Trust me on this one, you'll definitely wanna do this with less people around. Other than that, I'd say it's plenty romantic."
"Why less people?"
"It just… I dunno. She might have changed, it's been almost 5 years. Whoa."
'What?" Aaron asked.
"It' just hard to believe that it's been 4 whole years since they broke up."
"Oh…" Aaron nodded and watched Jody dance with Charlie.
Charlie danced his heart out, looking deep into Jody's eyes and wishing she were still his. Jody danced with the fire inside that still only came out around Charlie. She looked deep into his perfect blue eyes. When the song was over Charlie led Jody back up to the tables.
"Thanks Jody." Charlie said and gave her a small kiss on the cheek.
"Sure Charlie… anytime." Jody spat out.
Aaron took Jody from Charlie and sat her down at the edge of the seat. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Sure!" Jody said happily.
"Ok… um, here." Aaron got down on one knee and pulled out a ring box. "You remember that one night about 2 years ago when I said that I wasn't proposing?"
"Yes."
"Well, now I am. I love you Jody Sawyer, and I know you can make me happier than I've ever been in my life. Will you marry me?"
Without a second thought Jody smiled and nodded. "Yes."
Aaron slipped the ring on Jody's finger and kissed the back of her hand. "I love you." He pulled her up and hugged her tight.
Jody kissed him. "I love you too. I can't believe this! You're amazing!"
Charlie looked on, speechless. His eyes were 2 shades darker and his face was 2 shades lighter. "That's my girl…" He whispered to no one.
Sergei heard him and patted him on the back. "I'm so sorry man."
Charlie shrugged it off and walked away to Jody, who was still hugging Aaron. "Um, Jody, I'm gonna go now. I have to get up early tomorrow. Um, congratulations to you both, I wish you the best of luck. Bye."
"Bye Charlie!" Jody waved as he said good-bye to the rest.
Aaron smiled brightly. "You really don't love him anymore, do you?"
Jody smiled and shook her head. "I've moved on. Now I have you… forever. I love you Aaron."
"I love you too Jody." Aaron kissed her and they said good-bye to everyone and left.
