Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
My hands shake a little and tears stream down my cheeks as I read Mrs. Westmead’s words. I truly did love her. She was always so welcoming, made me feel as if I was a part of their family.
Dear Jasmine,
If you’re reading this, I’m sorry that my time has come to an end. But there are things I wanted to tell you that I couldn’t in person or over the phone.
First, I love you. Well, I did tell you that. But I need to make sure you know that I love you as if you were my own daughter. I will never forget the joy you brought into our home whenever you visited. You were a light, an angel I believe.
Your soft soul loves and forgives everyone. You care deeply and you’re loyal to a fault. All great qualities, and ones I had hoped to have in a daughter-in-law someday.
I really hoped you and Jacob would find your way back to each other, but I know my Jake is stubborn and I believe the first step in mending that relationship is going to have to come from you.
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him. You were both so young, and he was lost. He has been lost without you in his life.
Second, Jacob loves you. I know you might find that hard to believe, with how things ended between the two of you. Yes, he told me what he did. I’m sorry. I do know that boy loves you like he will never love anyone else.
Third, I’m leaving you my jewelry, because you might not be my daughter-in-law, but you are the closest thing I’ve ever had to a daughter. I hope you can find some pieces you love, something that reminds you of the friendship we had when you wear them.
I know whatever you decide to do, you will make the right choice for you, Jazzy. You are the smartest, most kindhearted woman I know. And it has been an absolute pleasure knowing and loving you.
Love always,
Celine
I fold the paper back up carefully and look up at Jake, who is watching me. “What did she say?” he asks.
“That you’re stubborn and that I should forgive you for prom night,” I tell him.
“Do you? Forgive me?”
“I do,” I say. “I want to move on. I want to start our lives together, Jake. I want our happily ever after, like all the princesses got.”
“I want that too.” Jake picks me up and pulls me onto his lap. His lips descend onto mine.
Two days later, a white box is delivered to Jake’s apartment with a note. It’s addressed to me so I open it and read it.
Dear Jazzy,
You once said you wanted a redo. I’m giving that to you. Put the dress on. I’m picking you up in an hour.
Yours always,
Jake
I open the box next and push the white tissue paper aside. A gasp leaves my mouth as I pull out the dress. The exact same dress I wore to prom. But somehow nicer. The material feels finer.
He wants to redo prom night? I don’t know how I feel about that. But I can’t turn him down either.
I rush into the bedroom and quickly shower. Then I put the dress on and stare at myself in the mirror before I finally start fixing my hair and makeup.
True to his word, by the time I’m ready, Jake is waiting for me in the foyer in a tux.
“You look amazing,” I tell him.
“I’m pretty sure that’s my line.” He smirks. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Where did you find this dress? It’s the same as the one I wore?”
“I sent a dressmaker a picture and told her I wanted the same design. It took a couple of weeks, and a lot of me annoying her to get it done quicker,” he says.
“You’ve been planning this for weeks?”
Jake nods. “Ever since you told me you wanted a redo. Are you ready to go?”
“Where are we going?”
“Prom.” He smiles, and I willingly let him lead me out of the apartment.
When we pull up to Aces, I don’t question him. I just follow along blindly, giddy. It’s not until he opens the doors to the ballroom that my jaw drops. The whole place is decorated in the same gold-and-blue tones as our original prom theme.
“Can I have this dance?” Jake gestures to the middle of the room.
“I thought you’d never ask,” I reply.
Jake holds me close as we twirl around the dance floor. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I smile up at him.
“I wish I had said that at the first prom.”
“You did.” I laugh.
“Not enough.”
The song changes and the lights dim. “I can’t believe you did all this,” I say.
“This isn’t all. There’s more.”
After two hours of dancing, eating and drinking, Jake finally leads us out of the ballroom. We end up in one of the hotel suites. A huge “happy prom night” banner is hung on the window just like there was the first time.
“You know, we don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, Jazzy,” Jake says, a shy smile on his face.
“I’ve never done this before,” I tell him, the entire conversation from that night replaying in my head.
“Neither have I,” he says.
“I want you to be my first.”
“I want you to be my only,” he counters.
I smile and then start tearing at his clothes. I want him naked. I’m ready for the orgasm part. “Don’t forget… you made me come twice that night. I fully expect the same amount of orgasms.”
“I’ll double it,” Jake says.
And boy, does he.
I wake up to an empty bed and my heart sinks. That’s until I hear the clattering of a trolley being pushed into the room. “You’re awake.” Jake smiles.
“You’re still here,” I counter.
“Of course I am. I ordered you pancakes.” Picking up the plate covered by the silver dome, he waits for me to sit up on the bed and then places it on my lap.
I lift the lid and freeze. I look from the pancakes, to Jake, and then back to the pancakes. “Jake?”
“Jazzy, you are the love of my life. The only person I ever want to be around, probably the only one I like. You have always been my best friend and always will be. I want to spend the rest of our lives loving you the way you deserve to be loved. Will you marry me?” he asks.
“Yes.” I push the plate to the side and leap forward, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor. I land on top of him. “These are the best pancakes I’ve ever had.”
“You didn’t even eat them.” He smiles as his hands cup my face.
“I don’t need to. I can’t wait to be your wife, Jacob Westmead. I love you.”
“I love you, but I really want that ring on your finger.” He manages to stand while lifting me up with him. Then, sitting me on the edge of the bed, he pulls the ring out of the middle of the pancakes, sucks the syrup off, and slides it onto my finger.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell him.
“It was my mom’s,” he says. “I know she wanted you to have it on this finger.”
“I love it so much. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for marrying you, Jazzy. It’s not a hardship.” He laughs.
I stare at my finger. I’m engaged. I’m marrying Jacob Westmead. I don’t think I could be any happier, any more content than I am right now. That’s what I’m thanking him for. He has made my dreams come true.
“You really are my prince charming.” I lean forward and fuse my lips with his.