“Some people are only meant to be in your life for a fleeting amount of time. While others are meant to stay through the highs and lows.”
---
— Cecile —
“What would you like to have?” Joel asked as he opened the car door.  
“Chicken sandwich and grape juice,” I answered automatically, leaning on Joel as he helped me out of the car. Though I wasn’t heavy yet, my energy levels had been unusually low lately.
“I’ll think about it,” he said with a mischievous wink. I shook my head, deciding to ignore him; responding would only encourage him further.
Hand in hand, we walked toward our seats, savoring the crisp evening air. It was a perfect night—calm, serene, and unassuming—until an all-too-familiar voice shattered the moment.
“Cecile Grayson?”
I turned toward the sound, my heart momentarily skipping a beat. Standing there was Timothy, his dark eyes as striking as ever. He hadn’t changed much—still handsome, still confident—but there was something different about him tonight. Beside him sat a blonde woman, radiating quiet elegance. My mind raced: Was she his girlfriend? His wife?
I took a deep breath and walked toward him, Joel’s hand warm and steady in mine. “Hey, Tim,” I said, extending my hand.
“Cecile.” He smiled warmly, shaking my hand before glancing at Joel. There was curiosity in his eyes, and I realized I owed some introductions.
“Joel, this is Timothy,” I began, my tone light. “A friend I met through a blind date, courtesy of Bernie.”
Timothy grinned, clearly remembering the awkward setup. Bernie had been convinced we were soulmates, but the truth was, we had always been better as friends.
“Nice to meet you, Tim,” Joel said, shaking his hand firmly.
“And this lovely lady?” I asked, nodding toward the blonde woman.
Timothy’s face softened as he turned to her. “Guys, meet Amber, my fiancée.”
Hearing those words filled me with unexpected joy. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted him to find happiness until now.
“Amber, meet Cecile and Joel, her —” Timothy said, his grin widening.
“Husband,” I interjected with a smile. The word still felt new and exciting on my tongue.
“Congratulations,” Timothy said warmly, standing to shake Joel’s hand again.
“Thanks. It was… a bit of a whirlwind,” I admitted.
“A shotgun wedding?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I laughed. “Vegas, a few months ago. Very cliché, I know.”
Timothy turned to Amber, his expression tender. “Maybe we should consider something like that.”
Amber laughed softly. “It does sound fun.”
After a few more pleasantries, we said our goodbyes and made our way to our table.
---
“So… what was that about?” Joel asked once we were seated, his tone casual, but I could sense the weight behind his words.
I glanced around the restaurant, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. This place held so many memories—our reunion, the beach just a stone’s throw away, and the almost-mistakes that had happened there. 
“Bernie set us up on a blind date a few months ago,” I explained, taking a sip of water. “We bonded over shared experiences—he was grieving a loss, and so was I. It was… nice.”
Joel frowned slightly, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. “Does he know about me?”
“Probably, if he’s pieced things together,” I admitted, shrugging lightly.
“ Okay. ” His voice was cold and distant, carrying an unfamiliar weight, as though it didn’t quite belong to him.
The waiter arrived then, setting down our orders. I had a chicken sandwich and grape juice; Joel had a chicken salad and red non-alcoholic wine.
He had been craving seafood for days and had even suggested we visit a seafood restaurant. But lately, even the faintest scent of it triggered my allergies—and my stomach wasn’t forgiving either. Just the thought made me queasy.
And since we weren’t ready to share the news of our pregnancy with strangers just yet, avoiding seafood and the restaurant altogether seemed like the safest choice, don’t you think?
“Are you jealous?” I asked, watching his reaction. He seemed caught off guard, but I wasn’t going to let it slide.
“I guess…”
“Why?”
He took a bite of his salad, thinking. “You two seemed to have this connection. It’s like you understood each other in one meeting, while back in high school, I couldn’t even build that with you after months.”
I squeezed his hand, my heart swelling with affection. “Joel, I waited three years for you. You’re the only one I’ve ever truly wanted.”
His lips quirked into a mischievous smile. “Tempting words.”
I rolled my eyes, kicking him lightly under the table. “It’s not funny.”
His lips twitched into a smile, but I could see the vulnerability lingering in his eyes. “It’s not just about jealousy,” he said quietly. “It’s the way you two understood each other. I couldn’t give you that back in high school. I was too wrapped up in my own fears to let you in.”
I leaned forward, brushing my fingers against his. “We have all the time in the world to build that now. You’ve already given me more than I could ever ask for.”
---
— Joel —
“We do,” I replied, my voice steady as our gaze locked. Her words wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, easing the quiet insecurities I hadn’t even realized were weighing me down.
“I love you, Joli,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
She smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I love you more, Hubby.”
I brought her hand to my lips, kissing it gently as everything else faded away—the noise of the restaurant, the memories of the past, even the nagging doubts that sometimes crept in during quiet moments. It was just us, cocooned in a bubble of love and understanding.
“Cheers to forever,” she whispered, raising her glass.
“Cheers,” I echoed, clinking mine against hers.
As I looked at her, I realized how much I’d grown. Love wasn’t just about passion or duty—it was about sharing everything. My fears, my flaws, my dreams, and my triumphs. With Cecile, I had found a partner who saw me, all of me, and loved me anyway.
Indeed, love was a very beautiful thing.
---
A/N; What do you think, guys?