February 14th 2016
"What do you want to do tonight?" Haddie asked her girlfriend, Jessica.
"No clue." Jessica said casually. "Dinner and a movie?"
"That seems to lame!" Haddie said popping off her bed. "We are seniors in college, this might be our last valentines day together, and we are going to settle on dinner and a movie? Lets use our imagination and make this romantic!"
Haddie and Jessica were both seniors now at Cornell University. Haddie already had offers from several universities to continue on into law school, where as Jessica was planning to temporarily move back into her parents house, in Iowa, while starting a career of her own.
"I have an idea." Jessica said. "How about we go to dinner and think of ideas, because honestly, all I care about at this point is getting some food in me."
"Fine." Haddie grumbled putting her coat on. They started walking out of the apartment building when Haddie's phone rang. She reached down and saw that her mom was calling. Groaning, she looked at Jessica.
"Just answer it. You know she will just keep calling if you don't." Jessica said, walking down the hallway to give Haddie some privacy.
"Hey honey." Kristina said, when she heard her daughter answer the phone.
"Hi Mom, what's up?" Haddie replied, biting her tongue, trying not to sound annoyed.
"I want to talk to her." Haddie heard Max yell in the background.
"Later." Kristina said, trying to hush Max.
"How is school going? Is everything alright?" She asked.
"Everything is fine Mom. Just spending the night with Jessica, because it's Valentines day."
"Aw that is sweet. Hopefully your dad has something planned for us. He isn't even home yet."
"I'm sure its something great. Can I call you back though, we were on our way to dinner."
"I'm sorry! You should have told me. Of course you can."
"Don't hang up. I have to talk to her." Max yelled in the background.
"Fine." Kristiana handed the phone to Max.
"Hi Haddie." He yelled into the phone.
"Max, you don't need to yell. I can hear you just fine."
"Sorry." He whispered. "How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you? I miss you!"
"Okay. I am fine." He said, before just hanging up the line.
When Haddie was done with her phone call she went out into the lobby to find Lauren. "Sorry about that. Sometimes they just love to talk."
"Its fine. I find it cute how close your whole family is. My parents are always to damn busy with work to ever call me."
They walked outside and Haddie started traveling towards her car, however Lauren started walking the opposite direction.
"Where are you going?" Haddie asked. Lauren just pointed at the limo banked on the corner.
"I think it would be fun if this took us to dinner."
"That is so amazing. It would be beyond fun." Haddie commented, rushing into the limo.
They arrived at the restaurant of their choice, and had a lovely meal. It was filled with romantic conversation and delicious foods.
"I love you." Jessica said as they walked down the street towards the ice outdoor skating rink, where they choose to go next. Her comment took Haddie back to her time with Alex. She hasn't heard anyone say that to her since he did on the night of Prom. She also hasn't said it to anyone since then. Her first girlfriend, Lauren, transferred to a different university for financial reasons before things got too serious. Haddie realized it had been a few moments two and she hadn't said anything back.
"I love you too." She said, then kissing Jessica on the lips. There was nothing better than the two of them, Haddie thought. It was a cold February night, and she had somebody to keep her warm and to spend all her time with. It was perfect.
They held hands and skated around outside for about an hour.
"I'm freezing." Haddie said. "I vote finding a Starbucks, and then heading back to my place."
"That's it? All we have done is eaten food and ice-skated. I thought you wanted fancy!"
Haddie shrugged. "I guess I don't need fancy, as long as I have you."
They walked back onto campus and when they were about to reach the Starbucks, Jessica pulled Haddie aside.
"I hate doing this, just I'm not holding it in anymore."
"What's wrong?" Haddie asked, puzzled.
"I'm moving back home early."
"What?" Haddie popped up, "why!"
"My Grandma has come down with some really bad breast cancer. I want to be there for her." Haddie started tearing up. She knew exactly what that was like. Her mom had horrible breast cancer, less than three years ago, and for a while her parents forced to stay at school.
"Make us proud with your grades." They would tell her. "We will take care of everything here."
She hated not knowing on, so who was she to try to convince Jessica to stay.
"I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandma. That is one of the hardest things you will go through. I understand. But when you get back, I will be here finishing up the year." Haddie said, trying to smile.
Was this really needed on Valentines Day night? They just had the most perfect evening together.
"That's the thing. I've been working hard to go ahead. Professors have more than understanding. I'm leaving in two weeks, and I'm not coming back."
Haddie wanted to cry. "Then where does that leave us?"
Out of the blue, Class Notes, Cornell's mixed a'capella group started singing the Lion King theme.
"Can you feel the love tonight?" They all started singing, surrounding the two girls.
Jessica got down on one knee, and Haddie's heart started pounding in her chest.
"Just because I have to move, doesn't mean I'm moving on from you. I want you in my life forever. Finish up the last few months here and then move to Iowa. There are great law programs there. We are meant to be together for the long run. I promise you. Will you, Haddie Braverman, marry me?"
Haddie was speechless. Was this right? Of course it was? Wasn't it? She had no clue. The a'cappella group was now singing Elvis. She couldn't get any words out. She started crying. She nodded her head.
"Yes." She chocked out. "Yes I will marry you."