I couldn't remember a time in my life when I had felt so excited, nervous and lovestruck all at the same time. I was going to marry Ellie! These days we were spending together at Celine's led me to the conclusion that I could find something new I loved about her every day. This was the longest time we'd spent together in ages. The last few years had been constant activity and we were lucky to get a few days together here and there. Now, as our wedding drew closer, I could see how strong our relationship really was.
It was a warm summer evening and I headed to Ellie's room to knock on her door.
"Come in," her sweet voice called out. I walked in to find her curled up on her bed, reading.
"There's a full moon," I slyly commented.
Ellie grinned and looked at me out of the corners of her eyes. "You aren't suggesting a romantic evening out…like our pond?"
I nodded, and Ellie slid on some shoes. We crept silently to our get-away, and sat in the grass entwined in each other's arms.
"I remember the first time we snuck out here," Ellie said. "We were always getting in trouble from people thinking the wrong thing!"
"Like the time in the rain," I continued. We both laughed.
"Gabby asked me the other day if…you know…we'd done it," Ellie said hesitantly.
"Oh, really?" I said. "Well, we can prove it to them…we didn't do it when we were 13 and 15 and we're not going to now…at least until we're married," I added.
Ellie snuggled into arms. "We were so funny back then," she sighed, "talking like we knew exactly what love was about."
I smiled. "No matter what it was like, I've always known one thing for sure. I love you and I always will."
I wanted to spend some time alone with Gabby, so late one evening we headed into downtown Montreal for a night out. We chose a cozy little café where we plopped ourselves down in a booth. I viewed Gabby across the table and marveled. Contact had been difficult with our crazy schedules, me with the band and Gabby performing on her flute and vocally.
Now when we could spend more time together, I couldn't help wondering when Gabby had grown up. I had remembered an insecure girl, but here I was face-to-face with the most self-confident and mature woman I could possibly imagine.
We doddled in idle conversation, discussing our music and our lives in general until I took her hand and said, "Come on. I have somewhere to take you." We strolled down the brightly lit streets, hand-in-hand, to a building I had discovered earlier. I led Gabby in and loved the surprise on her face when she found herself in a dance club with a swinging 50's and 60's band.
"Oh, Isaac!" she exclaimed. "This is perfect!" We joined the dancers on the floor and danced until our feet ached. Lights flashed around us and the band blared so loud we could hardly talk. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and the disco ball shed dancing white lights that cascaded and twirled around the room.
After the first few notes, I recognized the song. It was the Elvis song I had sung to Gabby on that night when we thought it was over.
"Isaac," she whispered, overcome with emotion. I opened my arms and she fell into them. Together we gently swayed to the music, dancing to the music in our hearts.
Soft footsteps awakened me from a deep sleep. "Gabby?" I whispered, rubbing my eyes.
"Shh, Ellie, go back to sleep," Gabby whispered.
"Nu-uh. Not until you tell me where you've been all night."
Gabby sighed. "With Isaac."
"Mmhmm," I said, sitting up in bed.
"He's so…everything I've ever wanted, Ellie. He hasn't changed. He's still the same wacky, sweet and romantic guy he's always been."
"But…"
"But I feel different around him."
"You don't mean…"
"No, no, Ellie, no. I love him with all my heart. But tonight, when I was with him, I felt different…like I was deeper in love with him. I knew he's still trying to let go of the past. So am I. But I realized that together, we'll move on. That part of my life is over for good. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yeah," I said, twirling a piece of my hair. "I overheard him talking about you to Taylor. Gabby, he is so in love with you, it's so not even funny. You make his life worth living. I'm your best friend and I love you and I will continue to tell you that I think you and Isaac are soulmates…"
"Soulmates?"
"You are the other half of his soul. He missed it for years, but when he found you…"
"Guys, are you up?" Celine's voice asked.
"Something wrong?" Gabby said.
Even from far away, I knew Celine was crying. "Karine…she's not feeling well…"
"Celine, I'm sorry…" My voice trailed off as I realized what Celine was thinking. "Oh, no…don't you even go there, Celine. Kids get sick all the time." I dragged myself from my bed to go to the door. "I'll keep you company, all right?"
"Okay." Celine nodded and followed me to Karine's room. It was obvious something was wrong. Little Karine had a fever and was coughing a lot. I saw the worry in Celine's eyes and felt awful for her.
"Hey," Gabby said the next morning.
"Hey, Gab," I said through a mouthful of cereal.
"Any word on Karine?"
"Zac and Ellie are with Celine. She's taking it all pretty hard, but Karine's temperature is dropping already."
"Man, she must feel awful."
"Yeah." I watched as Gabby curled up in a chair across from me. She wore blue patterned flannel pants and a matching top. Her hair was piled on her head. I suppose I was still jealous of Ike. He and Zac both had the perfect women.
"Penny for your thoughts," Gabby said quietly.
"They're not worth a penny," I groaned.
"To me they are."
I sighed. "The way Ike talks about you…it makes me want to have someone too. I mean, I'm 22 years old!"
"Taylor, listen to me, okay? When you're least expecting it, your girl will run into you and you'll know it. I know it's hard being alone, but you've got a whole bunch of people who love you…not to mention your best girl friend sitting across from you."
"Thanks, Gabby. You always know just what to say," I said. She reached over and put her hand on my head.
"Hey, guys!" Isaac's voice came into the kitchen.
"Hi," I said, going back to my cereal. "I was just stealing your girlfriend for a moment." I met Gabby's eyes but she didn't even smile. She knew my inner feelings.
"Morning, sweetie," Isaac said, leaning over to kiss her head. "You wanna come with me to see Karine?"
"No, I…uh…should stay here," Gabby said quietly.
"Oh."
Gabby looked at me again. "You'll be all right?"
"I promise I won't try to jump off any balconies," I joked, but she obviously didn't buy it.
"What's going on?" Isaac asked.
"Nothing," Gabby said.
"But…"
"Isaac," Gabby warned.
"All right. I'll stay here with you guys. I'm hungry anyways."
The confident smile left my face as I disappeared behind the fridge. Gabby and Taylor looked like they'd just been through World War III. I could never understand why Taylor went to Gabby instead of coming to me. I shrugged it off. No reason to be jealous.
"Ellie?" Karine's voice said the next morning. My eyes shot open. Celine was curled up uncomfortably in a chair, asleep, and Zac was beside me, also asleep.
"Hi, Karine. You feeling better?"
"Yeah. I'm sorta hungry."
"Well, that's a good sign. Let me get your mommy up, and I'll go find you some juice." I went to Celine's side and shook her. When she saw Karine, I watched the weight fall of her shoulders. "She's asking for juice. I'm gonna go her some."
Celine nodded, and I went down to the kitchen. Isaac was standing with his head in the freezer. "Aren't you cold?" I joked.
Isaac jumped, a package of Toaster Strudel in his hand. "No, just deciding what to eat."
"Well, I sorta need the juice."
"Sorry." Isaac stepped away with his strudel.
"I heard about your night," I said. "She had a lot of fun."
"Good. I'm glad."
"She also told me you are both having trouble moving on."
Isaac put a glass on the counter. "I know she is, and I know I am, but, Ellie…would you do us both a favor?"
"Anything."
"Invite Jeremy Kramer to the wedding."
