Isaac stood before his parents' grave, the warmth of the sun kissing his skin as he spoke softly to the headstones. "Hi Mom, Hi Dad. Today is the big day," he began, his voice carrying a mix of nerves and excitement. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling a light breeze ruffle the strands as if in response to his words. "I'm going to ask Quinn to marry me. I hope she says yes. What do you think?"
A gentle smile graced his lips as he imagined his parents' approval. "She will make a beautiful bride," he continued, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "I can't wait to marry her." He spoke with a quiet confidence, his heart filled with love and anticipation. "She's a little different from how you remember her, Mom, Dad. Her hair is blonde now, but her eyes are still the same mesmerizing shade of green. I could get lost in them forever."
"With her, nothing feels impossible," he mused, a sense of wonder evident in his voice. "Every day is an adventure, and I feel like the luckiest bastard in the world that a girl as amazing as her noticed me and trusted me with her heart."
As he spoke, his eyes softened with admiration. "She's incredibly intelligent, top of her class at Yale," he explained, a hint of pride coloring his words. "And she's only been there a year." He sighed, a mixture of admiration and humility evident in his tone. "Part of me wishes we could get married before we graduate, but I don't think it would be fair for her to have my last name on her university degree. After all, she's the one who's put in all the hard work."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the cemetery, Isaac closed his eyes briefly, feeling a sense of peace wash over him.
"I miss you," he whispered softly, his voice carrying a hint of longing as he knelt beside the tombstones, gently brushing away fallen leaves with a tender touch. "It's not that Sabrina or Mason aren't good parents, but sometimes, it's just not the same, you know? I'm afraid of forgetting about you—about Mom's soothing voice or Dad's terrible dad jokes. I don't ever want to forget how funny our movie nights were, or how Dad and I would stay out playing hockey until the stars filled the sky, and you'd scold us for letting the food get cold, Mom."
A gentle breeze swept through the cemetery, causing Isaac's dark hair to dance in its wake. He couldn't help but smile, feeling as though his parents were listening intently to his heartfelt words. "Your foundation is changing lives, Mom," he continued, his voice filled with pride. "The scholarships are allowing people to chase their dreams, no matter how outlandish they may seem. And you were right about Taylor... She's become an international sensation. Quinn and I went to one of her concerts this summer, and during 'Love Story,' I think she half expected me to drop down on one knee or something. But don't worry, she's still receiving support from the foundation, and I'm personally ensuring that your name remains associated with it."
"Well, I have to go. Quinn will be wondering where I am soon, and hopefully, the next time we visit, she'll be my fiancée. Wish me luck." As the evening sun bathed his face in a warm glow, he smiled softly. "That's all I needed. I love you," he placed a bouquet of delicate gardenias beside the headstones before bidding farewell to the tranquil setting.
"It's a really lovely night," Quinn murmured, her voice soft and warm as she walked alongside her boyfriend through the quaint streets of Faibrook. The night breeze was gentle, caressing their skin with its tender touch, and the soft glow of the streetlights added a serene ambiance to the surroundings. They had decided to take a leisurely stroll after a delightful dinner with their families and friends, savoring the peacefulness of their hometown under the starlit sky.
Isaac nodded in agreement, a faint smile playing on his lips, though his heart fluttered with nervous anticipation. Santana had assured him that everything was in place, that the surprise awaited them in the town square, he couldn't shake off the jitters that fluttered within him.
"I went today to talk to my parents," he confessed, his grip tightening slightly around her hand as they walked.
Quinn turned to him, her green eyes filled with curiosity and affection. "And what did you talk about?" she inquired softly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "If you can tell me, that is."
"About you. About how much I love you and how incredibly proud I am of everything you're achieving at New Haven."
A blush tinged her cheeks, a shy smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I suppose I'll have to have a chat with them too. To tell them how much I adore their son and how proud I am to witness him chasing his dreams."
Isaac chuckled softly, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her temple before wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "I heard they're setting up for a movie screening in the town square," he mentioned. "Would you like to go watch it?"
"Absolutely. I've never seen an outdoor movie before."
"Then you're in for a treat, Miss Fabray."
As they reached the quaint town square, Quinn's eyes widened in surprise at the sight before her. The area was adorned with a myriad of twinkling lanterns, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the surroundings. Rows of chairs had been neatly arranged in front of a large projector screen, creating an inviting atmosphere. Yet, what truly caught Quinn's attention was the gathering of familiar faces that filled the square – her family and friends from Glee Club, all smiling warmly as they greeted her.
He guided her to a pair of chairs, his hand gently clasping hers as they settled down. As the credits began to roll and the title of the movie, "The Story of Us," appeared on the screen, she couldn't contain her curiosity.
"What is this?"
"Just keep watching."
Turning her attention back to the unfolding spectacle, Quinn felt a rush of emotions as she watched images of Isaac and herself as children flicker across the screen. Memories from their shared past danced before her eyes – moments captured from her own childhood, as well as snippets from their time together in Fairbrook. Some images were familiar, while others were entirely new to her, revealing hidden moments of joy and laughter that had been lovingly preserved by their friends.
Her surprise grew as images of their more recent years began to appear, moments captured by their friends and perhaps even stolen from her own phone. She chuckled at some of the candid shots, her heart fluttering at the undeniable love and happiness reflected in their smiles.
Turning to share her astonishment with her boyfriend, she found herself alone in her seat, momentarily puzzled. It was then that she felt her phone vibrate, signaling a new message from her boyfriend. "Keep watching, baby. I love you" the message read.
As the images continued to play, she found herself laughing at candid snapshots of her and Finn at Prom, her heart swelling with bittersweet nostalgia. And then, just as she least expected it, Finn's voice filled the air.
"Hi," he greeted the camera with his trademark boyish smile, "I guess it's my turn to start. You, Quinn Fabray, are one heck of a girl. Always have been, even before we started dating. Although I gotta admit, you did scare me a little sometimes. You know, Scary Quinn? Yeah, it was safer to keep a distance when you were in that mode." He quipped, his playful grin eliciting laughter from the audience.
"But seriously, you made high school suck a little less for me. Being your boyfriend, even if it was just for a while, made it bearable, and you have no idea how much I appreciate it." The boy's eyes softened with gratitude as he recalled a particular memory. "I'll never forget the first time you laid eyes on Isaac. Man, you looked at him like he was the sun and the moon all rolled into one. Gotta admit, I was a little jealous at first. What did that Columbus boy have that I didn't? It took me a while to figure it out, but once I did, everything made sense.
"Seeing the way you love and look at each other makes me dream of my own happy ending. You two are like those fairy tales that are lucky enough to see come true. Dude, I'm seriously sorry about the accident. But hey, you're still invited to my wedding, whenever that happens. Just try not to pull any more stunts on the road, okay? I still have nightmares about your girlfriend's ear-piercing screams." He grinned sheepishly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Love you guys."
The screen transitioned once more, revealing Rachel's radiant smile as she addressed Quinn directly. Her enthusiasm was palpable as she began to speak, "Hello, Quinn. I can't begin to explain how exciting it was to make this video," she greeted with a megawatt smile, her voice brimming with excitement. "When Isaac asked me, I—okay, sorry, I'm getting off topic," she chuckled, momentarily flustered before regaining her composure.
"The fact is, I always admired you, and perhaps, also felt a little envy. Regardless of how you treated me, you were everything I wanted to be. You were popular, you were smart, you had a perfect life, and you had Finn. What more could a girl want?"
As she spoke, her sincerity shone through, "When you joined Glee and I heard you sing, I felt intimidated," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "You had a Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe charm that I didn't have. Besides being popular, you sang. You could take away the only thing I was good at."
"When Finn confessed to me that you had met Isaac, I was happy for you. Admittedly, it was a little selfish of me, because it meant Finn and I could start dating." Her confession drew laughter from the audience, "I think I can speak for everyone when I say that meeting Isaac changed your life. You became more open, more relaxed, and you smiled more."
"You don't know how lucky you are to have met in this life, to be you two against the world after everything you've been through." As the message drew to a close, Rachel's expression turned earnest. "I'm sorry I didn't get to see you in a bridesmaid dress, Quinn," she lamented, her sincerity evident. "But I want you to know that when Finn and I get married, it would be an honor to have you there. And if you'll have me, I'd love to be a bridesmaid at your wedding with Isaac," she added with a hopeful smile. "Whenever that is."
"Quinn fucking Fabray," Puck's voice reverberated through the air as he settled into his seat in front of the camera, his demeanor a mix of playful banter and genuine sentiment. "What can I say about you that the world doesn't already know? You're like one of those stars that grace the cover of Forbes magazine."
"You and I have never had the best of relationships. In fact, I was a real jerk to you, and I'm really sorry." His expression softened, a rare moment of vulnerability breaking through his tough exterior. "I'm glad I can say we're friends now because you're one of the most special girls I've ever met. Apart from my mother and Satan—sorry, Santana, you are the only woman who has called me out on my shit."
"You pushed me to be a better person, and when I needed to talk about important stuff, you listened to to that, my confidence increased, and it was what pushed me to graduate and strive to visualize a future for myself." Puck's signature wit resurfaced as he playfully teased Quinn about her influence on Isaac. "Now let's talk about how your childhood trapped Isaac, Miss Fabray," he quipped, his smirk widening as he leaned closer to the camera.
"Did I just make up that word? Of course I fucking did. Brandy Norwood wrote 'The Boy is Mine' with you two in mind. Quinn saw Isaac playing with a hockey stick and said, 'That's husband material right there, plus he's rich. It was a no-brainer.' Girl, I would have done the same thing too."
Quinn's laughter rang out as she listened to Puck's playful commentary, her eyes alight with amusement. "I don't know if you're aware that you have an A-plus boyfriend. A lot of the things Isaac has done for you, I can tell you right now that neither Finn nor I would have done. That boy adores you. Don't break his heart, okay? Or I'll be forced to take your place and become his sugar baby, and then you'll have to fight me, bitch."
As the photos of the Glee Club flashed on the screen, memories flooded the minds of everyone present, each image evoking laughter, tears, and nostalgia. They reminisced about their most cherished moments in the club, reliving the camaraderie and friendship they had shared. Videos created by Mr. Schue, Miss Pillsbury, Mike, Tina, Sam, Artie, Mercedes, Charlotte, Emily, Kyle, Seth, Grace and even one by Sue added to the sentimental atmosphere, eliciting laughter and fond recollections from the audience. The next segment featured Kurt and Blaine, the former appearing visibly emotional, his tearful demeanor contrasting with his boyfriend's supportive presence.
"Hello, Quinn. As you can see, this is not my best moment," he quipped, wiping away tears with a hint of self-deprecating humor. "I'm going to be very brief because otherwise, I feel like I'll cry again, and I don't want to. It'll ruin my makeup."
With a deep breath, Kurt composed himself and spoke from the heart. "Quinn, you are a wonderful girl. Isaac, you are a wonderful boy. You two are wonderful together," he expressed, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know you well enough to say that of all of us here together, you two deserve your happy ending the most. You deserve to be very, very happy together, and I'm going to stop here or I'll cry. You already know how I feel about you guys. I love you."
Blaine, ever the supportive partner, interjected with a light-hearted comment, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "Kurt's right, you guys make a wonderful couple," he affirmed, offering a warm smile to the camera. "You may not know it, but the Glee Club has a bet on how many kids you're going to have and what you're going to name them. Oh yeah, and also who you're going to name godfathers and godmothers," he added with a chuckle. "The stakes are quite high, so be careful with every move you make. You have a lot of eyes watching."
The next to appear on the screen were Santana and Brittany, Quinn couldn't help but chuckle as she noticed the backdrop of Isaac's backyard, a testament to Santana's permanent presence at her boyfriend's house—though the Latina would never openly admit it.
"Bitch, if you haven't figured out what's going on by now, you're dumber than I thought," she began in her typical no-nonsense fashion, her tone laced with playful sarcasm. Before she could continue, her girlfriend gently intervened, her blue eyes narrowing in a gentle reprimand.
"Santana, don't be mean. We agreed that you would keep your insults to a minimum."
"Right," she acquiesced, clicking her tongue. "Quinn, you are a bitch, a huge fucking bitch," she declared bluntly, her words carrying a hint of fondness despite their harshness.
"Santana—"
"Blondie and I understand each other like that, it's our love language. We've thrown each other under the bus more times than I can count, and we've also slapped each other a few times. You were always a genius slapper."
But then Santana's demeanor softened, a rare moment of vulnerability shining through. "But you're also my best friend," she continued, her voice gentler now, "and you know I'll always have your back. You were the first one I confessed to when I realized I liked Brittany—as more than a friend. Though I think you already knew that. You were just waiting for me to admit it out loud. You think I don't know, but I know you threatened a couple of people along with Coach so that no one would mess with us"
"She spent an entire afternoon crying about what a good friend you were," Brittany chimed in with a warm smile, her affection for both of them evident in her gentle demeanor.
"Blondie didn't have to know that, Britt. You're going to ruin my reputation."
Turning her attention back to the camera, her expression shifted, her playful demeanor giving way to a more serious tone. "I've seen you go out and hook up with real idiots. If Finnocence, Puckhead, or Walmart Bieber are watching this video, I'm talking about you guys. They never saw you for what you were because, Twitter update losers, Quinn Fabray is a big fucking nerd, glasses included."
Quinn turned to shoot Santana a mock glare, raising her middle finger in playful defiance. The Latina gave her a cheeky grin, sticking her tongue out in response, while Brittany's laughter echoed in the background.
"Your relationship with Isaac has had its fair share of ups and downs," Santana declared, her voice carrying a mixture of fondness and exasperation. "And I swear, sometimes you drove me up the wall with your 'woe is me' attitude until you finally fucked on Isaac's birthday." Her words elicited laughter from the gathered audience and Quinn couldn't help but sink into her seat, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"But you know what? No matter how many problems you had, what you had felt real. What you have is real. Many high school couples don't make it till college, and if they do, many fail due to the distance. But something tells me that you will survive everything that comes your way."
Beside her, Brittany nodded effusively, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "San is right," she chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I personally can't wait for you to have children because I've put your faces together in an online program that predicts what your children will look like." Her words were met with laughter from the group, but there was an underlying sincerity in her playful tone. "And I can say that it is impossible—do you hear me? Impossible—for you to make ugly babies."
"Blondie, I'm calling dibs on being the godmother to the first child you have," Santana declared, her tone firm as she fixed her gaze on the camera. "I'll fight with whoever I have to, but that position is mine."
"We love you guys so much!"
The screen flickered back to life, revealing Asher, Gabrielle, and Jayden sitting on the porch of their house, bathed in the warm glow of the sunset.
"How exciting is this?" The brunette's voice was filled with genuine enthusiasm as she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with emotion. "I guess I'll start because Jay and Ash have been crying for like half an hour," she admitted with a playful grin, eliciting a soft chuckle from her twin and her boyfriend, who were indeed sporting slightly reddened eyes.
"It's not true, Ellie," they protested in unison, exchanging a sheepish glance before Jayden added, "We're just... emotional."
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly before continuing, "Anyway, I'm not going to give you too many clues because otherwise my brother will kill me, but I'm very happy. We're very happy that Isaac found you, that you both found each other." Her expression softened, a warmth filling her gaze. "I can't wait to see you around our house more often. Do you guys want to say something?"
"We love you, Quinn!"
"You're probably wondering why Alec and Sabrina aren't here, but everything has an explanation," Mason began, his voice steady and filled with paternal warmth. "Quinn, I think I speak for my family when I say that you have been a blessing to us. Before you showed up, I had never seen my son smile as much as he did that afternoon in that restaurant after Homecoming."
Beside him, Bailey nodded in affirmation, her smile softening the lines of her face. "Isaac has always worn his heart on his sleeve, and he is a lot like Jacob in many ways, so it wasn't difficult for us to figure out that he liked you."
"He had the same dreamy look as his father when he told us that he had met Sophia and that this girl was going to be his wife and the future mother of his children," Mason reminisced, a chuckle escaping him as he leaned a little closer to the camera. "That's the thing about a Hargrave falling in love with you—they never let go. So it depends on how you look at it, Quinn. That's either good luck or bad luck. Take your pick."
The next ones to appear on the screen were Alec and Sabrina, and it was evident that they had been crying. Their eyes were slightly red, and their expressions carried a weight of emotion.
"Hi," she began, her voice quivering slightly as she reached for a tissue to dab at her eyes. "Oh my goodness, what a way to start this video... Well, here we are. Today, I'm not here as a mother, but as Isaac's godmother, which is the position I originally signed up for. No one expects their best friends to die and leave you with their child. A child who looks so much like his parents that sometimes it hurts to look at him."
"I took the call that morning," Alec continued, his tone heavy with emotion. "I still have nightmares about it. When we discussed who Isaac was going to stay with, I... I felt incapable of taking on that responsibility. Going from being his cool godfather to being his father was something—I felt like I was stealing something from my best friend. Sabrina was stronger than me in that regard."
"Don't give me that shit now, it was hard for me too. We raised him together. You spent more time in my house than in yours, and we lived literally opposite each other."
"Whatever you say, Sab. Many of you may not know this, but Jacob, Isaac's father, gave Sophia, Isaac's mother, a pearl necklace on their first date." He shook his head incredulously. "Sonny, Sab, Bailes, and I warned him that he would only scare her because, seriously, who gives a pearl necklace to a girl they don't know at all?"
"I think now you all understand where Isaac got his gift-giving habit from. The only person to blame here is his father," Sabrina added with a soft chuckle, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Keep going, please."
"Quinn," Alec said, his gaze unwavering as he looked directly into the camera, "I witnessed once my best friend fall in love with the girl he later married, and I can tell you that Isaac is just like Jacob. You two are like magnets, drawn together by a force stronger than anything else. No matter how much people or circumstances try to separate you, you always find a way to be together."
"You are one of those couples who inspire hope," he continued, his voice filled with conviction. "You show the rest of the world that true love exists, that soulmates exist. You can't imagine how lucky you are—no, you both can't imagine it. I already told my godson once, and now I'm telling you: there's no point in being at the top if you don't have anyone to share it with."
Sabrina nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the depth of emotion in her words as she addressed the camera. "You and I have already talked," she began, her voice soft yet resolute. "And to answer to what you told me in the middle of that hospital hallway, Isaac couldn't be in better hands. I saw how you looked at him, Quinn, and it was like seeing my best friends again. You are one of those love stories that legends are written about."
"From Alec and me," she concluded, her smile genuine and warm, "the only thing left to say to you is... Welcome to the family, Quinn. We love you."
"Hello, baby girl."
Quinn couldn't help but tear up as she watched her parents on the screen. "Being your father has been one of the most beautiful adventures of my life. Your mother, your sister, and you are my entire world. I remember the day perfectly, the day you were born, you were this small." Russel gestured with his hands, illustrating the tiny size of a newborn. "I promised myself, just like I did with your sister, that you wouldn't have boyfriends until you were at least 40."
The air filled with laughter at his playful declaration, a moment of levity amidst the emotional atmosphere. But then his expression softened, his gaze brimming with paternal pride and love. "Isaac was always the exception," he admitted, his voice filled with sincerity. "He made you happy, and he always made you laugh. What more would a father want for his daughter than a man who brings joy and laughter into her life every day? You're my baby girl, you'll always be, Quinn. No matter how old you are."
Judy's warm smile illuminated the screen as she gently squeezed her husband's hand, "Isaac was always your world, Quinn. No matter the time or the distance, it was always the two of you." Her gaze softened with fond memories as she reflected on their journey together. "I still remember the day you met him, you couldn't stop talking about a little brown-haired boy who loved to skate. And look at us here, fourteen years later."
Her eyes glistened with maternal pride as she continued, "I guess by now you can imagine what's going on but Isaac, before your Senior Prom, showed up at our house to ask for our blessing to marry you. You can imagine how happy I felt for you at that moment. I've seen you two together, darling, and the way you look at each other brings tears to my eyes."
"Isaac came to us and told us that he didn't know what his future held or where he would be in ten years, but what he was sure of was you, baby girl. There was no scenario in this life where he didn't see himself next to you. And as selfish as it sounded, he couldn't imagine you with anyone other than him."
A soft smile played on the man's lips as he spoke, his voice trembling with emotion. "I think I have never heard anyone speak with such conviction and reverence about someone," he confessed. "Any doubt I had about whether you would be happy disappeared at that very moment. He is the man and the husband that I always dreamed and prayed for you, Quinn."
"It's what we've always wanted for you, darling."
The screen momentarily darkened before illuminating once more to reveal Sophia's face, bathed in soft light as she addressed the camera with a gentle whisper. "Hello," she began, her voice tinged with warmth and anticipation. "Today's video is special because this is not a family video. This video is directed to the person my son marries, preferably Lucy," she added with a playful undertone, eliciting laughter from the audience.
"If my son hasn't introduced us yet, I hope so or else he and I will have a few words. My name is Sophia, and I'm your future mother-in-law. And if there's anything you should know when you get married to this family, is this."
With a graceful turn, she maneuvered the camera to capture a hallway, the soft glow of ambient light casting gentle shadows along the walls. Steadily, she navigated down the corridor until she reached the dining room, where her husband and son lay sprawled on the couch, shirtless and fast asleep, their bodies entangled in a comfortable heap.
"See this?" Sophia directed the camera towards herself, her expression a mixture of amusement and affection. "This is what you're signing up for," she declared, before redirecting the lens to focus on Jacob and Isaac, their peaceful slumber a stark contrast to the scattered toys strewn across the floor. "Total chaos," she remarked with a chuckle. "There is only peace of mind when these two fall asleep."
The camera followed her as she retraced her steps down the hallway to her original position, "I want you to know that that 6-foot, brown-haired hockey player and his miniature carbon copy, who are now sleeping on the couch, are my entire world. There will be times when my son will annoy you to no end and will play endless pranks on you, and then laugh at you. But what he will also do," she added, her tone growing earnest, "is love you, above everything and everyone."
"That's what it's like to be the center of their world. Many times it will seem to you that what they do to show you that they love you is extravagant and unnecessary. But it is their way of showing you that they love you."
Sophia's eyes glistened with tears of joy, "If Isaac has decided that you are the one he wants to share the rest of his life with, as his mother, I have no objection. I just hope that my son makes you as happy as his father makes me. I hope that he fills your days with laughter and he tells you every day how much he loves you. That no matter how much time passes, every time you look into each other's eyes, may you remember why you fell in love with each other and remain just as in love as the first day. That's all I ask."
In the distance, the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, drawing the attention of Sophia as her husband and son walked in, their hair tousled and their eyes still heavy with sleep.
"We missed you," they both chimed in unison as they gazed at her with matching puppy-dog eyes and a pout.
"Why don't you two go to the kitchen and start taking out the ingredients to make some cookies? I promise I'll join you in a while."
Isaac and Jacob exchanged excited glances, their identical smiles lighting up their faces as they nodded eagerly. "COOKIES!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices ringing with excitement before they turned and dashed down the hallway, their footsteps fading into the distance.
As they disappeared from view, she turned back to the camera, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Remember what I said at the start?" she remarked, her voice tinged with humor. "This is what you're signing up for by marrying my son." She winked playfully at the camera. "Good luck," she added with a knowing smile, her gaze lingering on the camera for a moment longer before the screen faded to black.
"Hello, it's me," Jacob greeted the camera with his characteristic smile, his eyes twinkling with warmth and familiarity. "Why am I recording this video? Well, because I've seen Soph's video and I don't agree with her at all. I think this is the first time we don't see eye to eye, you know?"
He held up a photograph to the camera, the image capturing a candid moment between Isaac and Quinn. Her radiant smile illuminated the frame, but it was Isaac's expression that spoke volumes—a look of profound adoration and tenderness that seemed to transcend the confines of the photograph as he looked at her.
"This is my son," he continued, his tone brimming with paternal pride. "And that beaming girl is my future daughter-in-law. You're probably wondering how I know. Well, the answer's simple. When us Hargrave men fall in love, we do it for keeps. We worship and cherish our partners until the end of days, and that's exactly what my baby boy does with Lucy."
Moving closer to the camera as if sharing a secret, his expression softened. "Lucy, dear, if you are watching this video, I want to apologize for how dense and oblivious my son can be. Just be patient with him, and he will realize that you are the woman of his life, just like I did with my Soph," he chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with fond memories. "And look at us now. Happily married and with a rambunctious nine-year-old."
Suddenly, an irate female voice interrupted, followed by the sound of childish laughter. "ISAAC JACOB HARGRAVE! COME HERE, YOUNG MAN!"
Jacob's expression shifted to one of amused resignation as he glanced towards the source of the commotion. "You can't catch me!" Isaac's voice rang out, the sound of his laughter mingling with the patter of small footsteps as he darted through the house. "You can't catch me!"
"I'll also apologize in advance if your kids inherit my son's 'talent' for getting into trouble. But don't worry, you've already got Ace practically wrapped around your finger, so I think you'll manage just fine."
"If there's one thing I've been sure of in my life, it's two things," Jacob continued, his tone turning more solemn. "That Sophia was going to be my wife and the mother of my children, and that you, Lucy, are going to be the woman my son marries. The first one came true, so I reckon you could consider me a bit of a psychic or something," he quipped, a playful glint in his eye. "He'll marry you, as sure as my name is Jacob Levi Hargrave, or I'll have failed as a father."
His words were met with laughter from the audience, the genuine affection and confidence in his voice leaving no doubt about his conviction. The camera panned over to capture Isaac clambered onto his father's lap, his face lighting up with infectious joy as he waved at the camera.
"What do you think of Lucy, buddy? She's pretty, right?"
"Prettiest girl I've ever seen," Isaac replied between fits of giggles, squirming under his father's tickling fingers. "Daddy, let me go! I need to hide. Mom is looking for me."
"What have you done now, you little rascal?"
His son darted into a nearby closet, gesturing frantically for his father to keep quiet. "Jacob, thank God, have you seen your son?" Sophia's voice cut through the air as she entered the room, her hands planted firmly on her hips, her expression a mixture of irritation and concern.
"Me? No. Have you tried the Fabrays? He and Lucy are always joined at the hip. Besides, why is he only my son when he gets in trouble? He's your son too, Soph."
The woman let out a frustrated growl, sticking her tongue out at her husband in a display of playful annoyance before stomping off. Her parting words echoed through the house. "If you see him, tell him I want to talk to him!"
"Love you!" he called after her with a broad grin, waiting until she was out of sight before whispering conspiratorially, "Ace, you can come out now." With a burst of laughter, his son emerged from his hiding spot and dashed down the hallway, his laughter echoing through the house.
"Well, that's my son in a nutshell," Jacob remarked to the camera, his voice tinged with fond amusement. "That's what you're signing up for. Good luck, Lucy, and...welcome to the family." With a final smile, he reached over to switch off the camera.
The video continued, and Quinn's hand instinctively flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in astonishment as she beheld a series of photos. Each image captured precious moments shared with her boyfriend, moments where he had cunningly slipped a ring into the frame - whether she was lost in thought, distracted, or peacefully asleep.
"Baby," Isaac's voice reverberated through the speakers, and her heart skipped a beat as she scanned the place in search of him. Yet, to her surprise, he was nowhere to be found. Instead, her gaze fell upon her friends and family, each holding a delicate gardenia in their hands, their faces radiant with anticipation and joy.
"Follow the stars and you'll find me. I will be waiting for you."