The familiar scent of the apartment hit them as Jace pushed the door open. Amy stepped inside first. The apartment looked exactly as they had left it.
Her gaze swept across the living room. The pillows on the cushions were perfectly arranged. Not a speck of dust was on the shelves, and a fresh bouquet of white lilies was placed neatly on the dining table.
She slowly turned to look at him.
"Does your apartment self clean?" Amy smiled teasing him.
Jace set their suitcases down by the door before slipping his jacket off. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I had someone come clean yesterday."
Amy blinked. "That's was very thoughtful"
"I knew we'd be exhausted after the flight." He said as he walked past her toward the kitchen. "I wanted us to come home to an actual home."
Amy watched him quietly. Sometimes he did things so naturally that he didn't seem to realize how thoughtful they were. She smiled to herself before walking towards him.
"It smells nice too"
"It does, the flower shop was out of tulips so she got lilies instead"
"You remembered they're my favorite."
"I always remember things about you."
She laughed softly. "I've noticed."
Jace walked towards the refrigerator and returned with two bottles of water.
He handed one to her and she accepted it with a smile. He took a sip from his own bottle before nodding toward their luggage.
"We'll unpack later."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good."
She walked over to one of the large windows overlooking Manhattan and opened it. The city looked exactly as she remembered. It's always busy. Amy looked at her fingers and covered her face with one hand, laughing.
"Oh my gosh."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No, tell me." Jace prayed.
She lowered her hand. "I just..."
His eyes still on her.
"I still can't believe we're engaged."
Jace simply crossed the room toward her.When he reached her, he held out his hand.
"Come here."
Amy tilted her head smiling. "I'm already here."
"Closer."
She stepped forward obediently. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her gently against him.
Amy rested both hands against his chest.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Hugging my fiancée.
Her cheeks immediately turned red. "I knew you were going to start."
"Start what?"
"The teasing."
"I'm not teasing."
"No?"
"Of course not." He leaned down slightly. "I'm just hugging my beautiful fiancée."
Amy smiled despite herself. "I'm never going to get used to hearing that."
"Future Mrs. Prescott."
She laughed. "Jace..."
"My wife-to-be." Jace smiled.
She hid her face against his chest. "Stop."
"The love of my life."
"Oh my goodness..."
"The woman who's agreed to spend the rest of her life loving me."
She looked back up at him. "Suddenly sounds like I made a bad choice" She smiled mischievously.
A grin slowly spread across his face. "Liar" He said.
She lightly smacked his shoulder. "You are unbelievably full of yourself."
"And yet..." He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "...you're still marrying me."
Their eyes met.The teasing slowly faded as neither of them spoke.
They simply stood there, smiling like two people who still couldn't quite believe they'd found each other again after everything life had thrown at them.
Jace lifted one hand and gently cupped her cheek.
"You know..."
"Hmm?"
"I like calling you my fiancée."
"I noticed."
"I think I might overuse it."
"I think you definitely will." He laughed quietly before leaning down. "But I still can't wait to call you wife"
Amy smiled as he leaned closer and their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss and his arms settled more securely around her waist.
He rested his forehead against hers "I missed you."
"You've been with me all day."
"I know."
"I've literally been sitting beside you since we left Virginia."
"I still missed you."
She laughed. "You're impossible."
"I've been told."
He kissed her again. Amy smiled against his lips.
"I don't think we're ever going to sit down"
"I wasn't planning on it."
She laughed softly. "Oh really?"
"Really." He leaned in once more but before their lips could meet again.
DING DONG!!
Both of them froze. Amy blinked once before bursting into laughter.
Jace closed his eyes. "...Ignore it."
She laughed harder. "I don't think that's how visitors work."
"If we don't move, they'll think nobody's home." Jace replied smiling at her.
Another ring echoed through the apartment.
Jace sighed dramatically. "They're very persistent."
Amy gently slipped out of his arms. "I wonder who it is."
"I don't." He said running his hand through his hair.
She looked back at him with an amused smile. Amy walked toward the front door while Jace followed a few steps behind.
The moment she opened the door.... "SURPRISE!"
Sophie practically launched herself forward onto Amy.
Amy barely had time to react before she found herself wrapped in an impossibly tight hug.
"Oh my gosh!" Sophie squealed. "You're finally home!"
Amy laughed as she hugged her back. "I missed you too."
"I missed you more."Sophie finally stepped back just enough to properly look at her best friend.
"You look so good, the Prescotts really spoiled you huh?"
Amy glanced down smiling. "They did"
Behind Sophie, Darren smiled warmly. "Happy New Year."
Amy stepped forward and hugged him. "Happy New Year."
"It's good to have you two back." Darren said.
"It's good to be back." Amy replied.
Jace walked over and pulled Darren into a strong manly hug.
"Good to see bro" He said.
"You too." Darren replied smiling.
Darren lifted the bottle of wine in his hand with a grin.
"We figured an engagement deserved a proper celebration."
Jace nodded approvingly. "I'll allow it."
"You'll allow it?" Sophie repeated hugging him.
"This is my apartment."
She looked at Amy. "You're getting married to my best friend, you should do everything we want"
Amy giggled.
Jace placed a hand over his heart. "I'm being bullied in my own home."
"You'll survive," Darren replied.
"I probably won't since it's Sophie in mention"
Everyone laughed.
The moment they stepped inside properly, Sophie suddenly stopped walking. She slowly turned toward Amy.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Amy immediately knew that look.
"No." Amy said.
"Yes." Sophie grinned mischievously.
"No."
"Absolutely yes."
Amy laughed. "You've been here for ten seconds."
"And I've waited days."
Sophie held out both hands dramatically. "The ring."
Amy shook her head, already laughing. "I knew this was coming."
"You knew correctly."
With a fond smile, Amy slowly lifted her left hand.
The diamond sparkled.
Sophie gasped as she carefully took Amy's hand into both of hers.
"My..." She turned it slightly. "...God."
Calls Darren over. "Look at this!"
Darren whistles. "Good job, Jace, you made the brotherhood proud"
Jace bows dramatically. "Thank you."
Sophie suddenly narrows her eyes. "Can I try it on?"
Amy snatches her hand back. "No."
Everyone bursts into laughter.
She looked at Jace. "You did good, Prescott"
Jace slipped both hands into his pockets with a satisfied smile. "I know."
Sophie rolled her eyes. "Don't let it get to your head."
"Too late." Jace smirked.
Amy laughed.
Sophie gently traced the elegant band with her fingertip. "It suits you."
Amy looked down at it. "It does."
"Congratulations" Sophie said pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks Soph" Amy smiled.
"So..." Sophie said, finally releasing Amy's hand.
"Where are the wine cups?"
Jace nodded as he walked toward the kitchen.
"Coming"
Within minutes the apartment felt alive again as everyone sat down.
Darren uncorked the bottle "There we go," Darren said, pouring the wine carefully into each glass.
Jace accepted one after handing another to Amy.
Their fingers brushed. He smiled and she smiled back.
Sophie caught it immediately. "Oh no."
Amy looked at her."What?"
"You two are doing that thing."
"What thing?" Amy continued smiling.
"The smiling."
"We're just smiling."
"No" Sophie pointed between them "You both are doing that newly engaged smile."
Amy laughed. "There's a newly engaged smile now?"
"There absolutely is." Darren nodded solemnly. "I've seen it."
"You have not." Amy said laughing.
"I have." Darren said again.
Jace looked at Amy. "I think they're making things up now"
"They definitely are." Amy agreed as they laughed.
"You both keep looking at each other like everyone else disappeared." Sophie added.
Amy felt herself blush.
Sophie immediately kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs beneath herself on the opposite couch.
"This feels nice."
"It does," Amy agreed.
"I've missed this." Sophie said.
"Me too" Darren leaned back comfortably.
"So..." Sophie looked at Amy. "I heard Rebecca's already planning the wedding."
Amy groaned. "Please don't remind me."
Everyone laughed.
"Sophie," Amy continued. "She actually picked the location."
"What?" Sophie gasped through a smile.
"Santorini." Jace said.
Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "Not bad but wait....she picked a country before asking you?"
"Apparently." Amy replied. "No offence though, she's actually really cute and very committed to making our wedding one of a kind"
Darren laughed into his glass. "I respect the confidence."
Amy nodded. "She's already planning cliff photos".
Sophie blinked. "Without meeting me?"
Amy laughed.
"She knows about you." Jace said rubbing Amy's arm softly.
"Oh?" Sophie says.
"I told her my best friend would be helping me plan everything."
"What did she say?" Sophie asked.
"She looked horrified for about five seconds."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Then," Amy continued. "she said you both would have to work it out together."
"I already love her." Sophie said.
Jace chuckled. "You haven't even met."
"I know...i feel like we're either going to become best friends....."She paused. "...or we'll accidentally start a small war."
Darren raised his hand. "My money's on both."
Even Jace laughed at that. Amy shook her head fondly.
"I have a feeling the rest of us are just going to stand there watching." Jace said.
"Oh, absolutely," Darren agreed.
"For what it's worth," Amy said softly."I don't really care where we get married."
Everyone looked at her. She smiled at Jace before intertwining her fingers with his.
"As long as I get to marry him..." Her voice softened. "...that's enough for me."
The room fell quiet. Jace looked at her with that unmistakable expression everyone had come to recognize. The one that said she was his entire world.
Sophie smiled to herself. Darren quietly looked away, giving them the moment.
After a few seconds, Sophie cleared her throat dramatically.
"Okay..."
Everyone looked at her.
"If one of you even sheds a tear" She pointed at herself. "...I'm going to start crying too."
That broke the silence instantly.
Laughter filled the apartment once again as the evening continued.
Darren laughed quietly before taking another sip of his wine.
"So..." He cleared his throat.
"I've actually got something important to discuss."
Sophie's rolled her "Oh no."
Amy looked curious. "What is it?"
Darren sat up straighter and rested his elbows on his knees. "It concerns the wedding."
Jace immediately smiled.
"I've prepared absolutely no speech," Darren admitted, "but I'd appreciate it if everyone took me seriously."
"I already can't," Sophie muttered.
He shot her a look. "Traitor."
"I've always been honest with you."
"I was hoping today would be different."
Everyone laughed.
Darren placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"I believe I possess all the qualities required of an exceptional best man."
Jace leaned back comfortably. "Oh really?"
"Absolutely." He held up one finger. "I'm responsible."
Sophie coughed loudly.
"No interruptions," Darren protested.
Amy laughed into her glass.
He held up a second finger. "I'm dependable."
"A little" Sophie admitted.
"A little?" "You forgot to take your drugs one time and I reminded you."
"That happened one time." Sophie said.
"It still happened."
Jace couldn't help laughing.
Darren sighed dramatically. Undeterred, he continued.
"Thirdly..." He pointed at Jace.
"I flew from Boston to Manhattan to spend Christmas with all of you."
"You flew to spend Christmas with me," Sophie corrected.
"I did."
"And?"
"And... everyone else benefited cause I'm here in this moment."
That earned another laugh.
He spread his hands. "So I think it's only fair that my commitment to this friendship is rewarded."
Jace rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm."
Darren leaned forward expectantly.
"I've considered your application."
Sophie's shoulders began shaking with silent laughter.
"And?" Darren asked.
Jace nodded once. "I've reached a decision."
Darren straightened immediately. "Okay."
"My best man..."A small pause."...will be Nick."
Darren froze. "...Oh."
Sophie reached over and sympathetically patted his shoulder.
"You never had a chance."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Darren pointed accusingly at Jace. "I spent five minutes presenting my qualifications."
"I appreciated the effort."
"You crushed my dreams."
"I did."
"You could've at least pretended to think about it longer."
"I actually did think about it."
"You did?"
"I thought for almost three seconds."
Amy laughed so hard she nearly spilled her wine.
Darren sighed dramatically and leaned back against the couch.
"I suppose that's fair."
A smile slowly spread across Jace's face. "But..."
Darren looked back up."But?"
Jace shrugged casually. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to have two best men."
Darren blinked. "I'm sorry...?"
"I said..."Jace smiled. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to have two best men."
For a second, Darren simply stared at him. "You mean..."
"I'm asking if you'd stand beside Nick." Jace said
Darren let out a disbelieving laugh.
"You're serious?"
"I wouldn't joke about something like that."
Another few seconds passed before Darren stood.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't actually know what to say."
Then he walked toward Jace and pulled him into a firm hug.
"Thank you."His voice was quiet. "Genuinely."
Jace hugged him back just as firmly. "I'm glad you're here."
When they stepped apart, Darren shook his head with a laugh.
"I was fully prepared to spend the rest of the evening pretending I wasn't disappointed."
"You weren't pretending very well," Amy said.
"I know."
Darren picked up the wine bottle once more.
"I think..." He looked around the room.
"...this deserves a proper toast."
Everyone lifted their glasses.
Darren stood, his gaze moving from Sophie.....to Amy.....and finally to Jace.
"You know..." He smiled.
"When I came to Manhattan the first time through Jace's help, I honestly thought I was just visiting my girlfriend."
Sophie smiled.
"I never imagined I'd leave feeling like I'd gained another family."
Amy's eyes softened.
Darren continued.
"Jace..." He looked at him.
"Thank you for always making me feel welcome."
Jace nodded quietly.
Then Darren turned to Amy.
"And thank you for loving my favorite person."
Amy laughed.
"And thank you..."He looked at both Amy and Jace now.
"...for reminding all of us that love isn't just about finding the right person." His voice became softer. "It's about choosing each other every single day."
No one interrupted him.
"You've both done that." He lifted his glass. "So here's to forever."
Amy looked at Jace and Jace looked back at her.
Sophie smiled. "To forever," Sophie whispered.
"To forever," Jace echoed.
Four glasses met gently in the middle. The soft clink echoed through the apartment.
Outside, Manhattan carried on as always.
Cars moved. People hurried along the sidewalks. For one perfect evening, there were no deadlines. Just four people, bound not only by love, but by friendship, celebrating the beginning of a beautiful new chapter.