Chapter 37 #2
And then, softly, a voice, raw and familiar, whispered, “I loved you before that kiss… I still do.”
Claire whipped around. She wasn’t imagining it. Others in the audience also turned in the darkness. Her gaze darted to Irina, who was sniffling into a tissue.
“Did you hear that?” Claire whispered.
“Shh.” The tissue muffled Irina’s hushed voice. “It’s so good.”
Too good. Claire’s pulse raced as the two best friends, now adults, showed up for each other through life’s sharpest turns—Dixie’s skiing accident, Bobo’s bike crash, and his wedding—and shared laughter and resilience during their lowest moments.
Her grip on the armrest tightened as Jair’s brother’s tragic death played out on screen. Dixie unraveled, drowning in sleepless nights and burying himself in work, lost in his grief for his best friend.
And then, the will. Jair and Dixie reunited to raise the baby left in their care. The hesitant love that grew between them, the stolen glances, the quiet moments, the laughter that returned. It was all there, Claire’s own life.
And just as swiftly, the heartbreak followed. The actor portraying Wade stood alone in a cold, empty house, his face etched with fear as he walked away.
Claire’s damp hands gripped the armrests.
When the credits rolled, she sat trembling, unsure whether to cry out or bolt from the theater. The screen went dark, the room enveloped in silence.
Then, a new montage began.
Claire gasped as a slideshow of real photos appeared on the screen.
Her chest ached with every image. Picture after picture flashed by—her, Wade, and Albert.
Then came the moments Wade captured on his phone—him cuddling Bella fast asleep in his arms, the three of them in their new house, their honeymoon, and their wedding day.
Each image radiated the joy and love of a couple deeply connected.
The final slide was a black screen with white text.
True story, inspired by the life of Wade and Claire Stone.
The theater erupted into applause, but Claire sat frozen, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Claire,” Irina whispered, squeezing her arm. “That’s so incredible.”
Claire’s mouth parted, too stunned to speak. When she finally managed, her voice trembled. “He did this… for me?”
Irina sighed. “He’s such a romantic.”
Claire’s gaze darted into the shadows. He had to be here.
The screen flickered, and the applause morphed into gasps and murmurs. A video began playing—a recent clip of Wade, his face illuminated with raw emotion.
“Claire, you’ve been filling the empty spaces in my heart for as long as I can remember.”
Tears blurred her vision. She peered through the cheering crowd, searching for him and holding her breath.
The video ended, leaving the theater dark and still.
Then, the screen brightened again, revealing a backdrop of twinkling fairy lights. Wade stepped onto the stage.
He was here.
Irina’s hand squeezed her shoulder, comforting.
Dressed in a tailored suit, he locked his gaze on Claire, vulnerable yet confident. The lights brightened, and she sensed the entire room watching her.
“I know you’re better off without me.” He drew out a slow breath. “But I’m better with you by my side. I’ll always need you.”
The crowd erupted in applause, but all she could hear was the pounding of her heart. Her palms pressed into her lap as she fought to steady her trembling legs.
“I can’t undo the past.” The microphone amplified his voice. “But if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
As the applause reached a fever pitch, he tossed the microphone aside and jogged up the aisle toward her.
Claire found her strength, standing despite her trembling knees. She met him halfway, and the weight of the world lifted as he swept her into his arms.
“I’m sorry I took you for granted,” he whispered. “Sorry for giving up on us when all you did was love me.”
“You’re here now.” That was all that mattered.
His lips found hers, and she kissed him back with the same fervor, forgetting the crowd, the cameras, and the noise.
“That movie,” she whispered against his lips, trembling. “It’s the best present I’ve ever gotten.”
He eased back enough to meet her gaze. His eyes shone with so much love it took her breath away. “Give me one more chance.”
“I’ll give you as many chances as you need.” She smiled through her tears, her heart so full it felt ready to burst. “You’ll always be my one and only.”
“Lucky for me.” He brushed his nose against hers. “You’re mine too.”
Their lips met again, sealing promises of everything they’d lost and everything they could rebuild.
She tipped her face back, her chest squeezing. “I’m pregnant.” Might as well say it.
His eyes widened. “What?”
“I guess I should’ve—”
“That’s the best news ever!” He beamed brighter than the lights. Turning to the crowd, he cupped his mouth and boomed. “Our Bella is going to be a big sister!”
The theater cheered. Someone repeated the announcement into a microphone: “Mrs. Wade Stone is expecting a child!”
Wade kissed her again, a tender kiss infused with hope, love, and promise.
There was still so much to figure out—his film contracts, her business now that she was pregnant, the challenges ahead. But knowing he’d always come back to her and their family was enough.
He then whispered against her lips. “Now, will you help me edit our final draft and complete our love story?”
She smiled, her heart overflowing. “We’ve been editing it all along. Now it’s perfect. You’re home.”
With God on their side, they could face any hurdle—together.