Shalimar had awoken next to Brennan in the early morning and left to go back to her house before her father realised she wasn't home last night. She kissed Brennan on the head before she left and thought about the rest of her life with Brennan on the way home.
When she got back, Adam had already left for work and she hoped he hadn't been in her room before he left, but there was no indication that he was.
After having a long, relaxing bubble bath, Shalimar called Emma. The phone rang several times before Emma picked up.
"Hello?" Emma's voice was as sweet and innocent as ever. Typical Emma.
"Hey Em, it's me." Came Shalimar's usual reply, smiling to herself. Nothing ever changed; they'd been doing the same phone routine since high school. She couldn't wait to tell Emma about Brennan's proposal.
"Hey Shal, what's going on?"
"I have some news to tell you." Shalimar's voice burst with excitement and Emma could just hear Shalimar smiling.
"What is it?" Emma was excited for her friend; there was obviously something she needed to get off her chest.
"Brennan proposed!" Shalimar squealed with delight.
"Oh my god! I'm so happy for you, congratulations!" Emma was completely surprised; she didn't take Brennan as the commitment type.
"I know! And I'm so happy Em. I know Brennan will make me so happy!"
"Um, wait a minute. Isn't there a kink in this plan?" Emma said regretfully.
"No." Shalimar paused before the blood drained from her face. "Is there?"
"Er, your dad. He hates Brennan." Emma sighed.
"Not hates," Shalimar corrected. "Just despises with a fiery passion. Ok, so maybe he does hate Brennan, but we discussed that and we've come up with a solution. We're going to elope." Shalimar crossed her fingers in hope that Emma wouldn't freak out. She really wanted Emma to be ok with this.
"Oh," Emma paused. "That's…wow." She sounded a little dazed.
"I know it's a little drastic, but this is something Brennan and I really want. Are you ok with this?" Shalimar asked nervously. She really wanted Emma to be ok with this because they were best friends.
"yeah and I'm happy for you, just al little shocked. Your dad's gonna freak." Emma joked and laughed.
"I know," Shalimar chuckled. "But I'll deal with him when I get back."
"Where are you going?" Emma inquired.
"We don't really know, just somewhere that's away. We're gonna walk through the forest outside of town though because a car would probably wake me dad up. We're going tonight and my dad shouldn't realise I am gone 'til tomorrow." Shalimar explained.
"Sounds like you got it all figured out." Emma said unconvincingly.
"Yeah. Listen, I'll see you when I get back. I have to pack." Shalimar said.
"Ok. Bye." With that, Emma hung up, leaving her with feelings of happiness for Shalimar, but feelings of sorrow for Jesse, as this would break his heart. Sure, Emma loved Jesse, but she'd rather see him happy with Shalimar than miserable with her. She'd call him before Shalimar and Brennan left tonight.