Been Here All Along

34| growth

While I waited for their food to come, considering they are my only table on this early Sunday afternoon, I sat at the counter by the cash register.

"Table for two?" A familiar voice said, snapping me out of my daze I didn't realize I was in. I was surprised the chime of the door opening and closing didn't catch my attention.

"Noah!" I grinned, jumping up and moving around the counter to give him a hug. After hugging Noah, I also hugged Andrea, who I have gotten closer with. Kaila and I try and do something fun with her every time Noah and her come down to visit, and we always enjoy each other's presence. "How are you both?"

"We're really good," he grinned. After knowing Noah for as long as I have, there's some things I have picked up on about him that have not changed. That grin was one of them.

"How good?" I rose my eyebrow. He has something else he is dying to share.

"Tell her," Andrea urged, also grinning uncontrollably.

"Andrea and I just got an apartment a couple miles away."

"You're kidding!" Noah already told me a while ago that he and Andrea agreed to move home to Florida, but I didn't realize that it'd be coming so quick. "That's awesome, I'm so happy for you guys."

Our cook announced the food was done for my one table, so I put a pin in our conversation and ran the people their food and provided them with refills.

"There's more though." More? He better not have gotten her pregnant. She is about to graduate MIT, and a kid is not what she needs right now. "We are now engaged." Noah grabbed Andrea's hand and turned it so the engagement ring on her finger was flashing me.

"Oh, thank God, you had me thinking you got her pregnant," I teased. Noah laughed and rolled his eyes, playfully. "Seriously though, I'm so happy for you guys."

Noah has grown so much since we were freshman in high school. He has grown to be a remarkable, loyal man with goals and ambitions that go deeper than deciphering what the best method for cheating on a test is. I've always loved him and considered him a great friend to me, but I never imagined him being able to withstand a long term relationship, let alone a long distance one at that. He was genuinely prepared to leave behind his home in Florida to move to Ohio with her if that is what she really wanted. Noah Griffith is going to bring an immense amount of happiness to Andrea's life.

   "Thank you, Josie," Andrea said softly.

   Noah told me, after the last time she visited, that he appreciates how welcoming Kaila and I, and even Jocey and Cara, have been to her. Apparently, she has never had many girl friends for reasons he didn't really explain, but she really seems to like us, which I'm glad for. I want Noah to always be a part of my life, and the same goes for Andrea now.

   "Have you heard from Ian recently?" Noah asked as he sat down at a nearby table.

   Our conversation was paused when Trevor walked in. "Hey, Jos, Mr. W said if you want, you can be done for the day. It's raining so the waterpark is closed." Normally, I wouldn't because I don't mind working, but I was hardly doing my job right now anyway.

   "Sure, Trev, that'd great. Thanks." I hung up my apron and clocked out for the day, thanks to Trevor's generosity.

   I rejoined Noah and Andrea at the table they were sitting at and resumed our conversation that Noah sparked. "Yeah, we just talked earlier before you came in actually."

   "How is he?"

"Good, I think," I said honestly. It's hard to tell through a five minute phone call how he actually is, but he seems okay given the circumstances. It does suck that he only gets such minimal time with the phone, so he has to use it to call his family and I. There's been maybe once or twice he called while I was with Mason and Kaila so we all got to chat then. "He actually just got word from his lieutenant that he will be home for Easter weekend."

Noah's face literally lit up at the news, Andrea and I both first-handedly witnessed it.

"You know what we should do?" Andrea said. "We should plan our wedding for the day before Easter, that way Ian can be there. Do you think he'd be okay with that?"

"I'm sure he'd love that." I'm almost positive actually. Ian hates that he has missed out on so many milestones in his friends and families lives, and being home for his childhood best friends wedding would make him so happy.

"Really, babe? I thought you wanted a big wedding? I don't know how much time we will—"

"As long as my parents are there and you are happy, it sounds like the perfect wedding to me."

Noah smiled and gave his fiancée a kiss. "You really think Ian would be down to come home to a wedding?"

"I'm almost positive he would, but I'll ask him next time he calls."

"Awesome," he shamelessly smiled so big it made the world seem small. "I'll be right back, I have to use the bathroom." Noah got up and excused him to the bathroom, leaving Andrea and I alone.

"You're a really good person," I told her, seriously. She wanted a magical, big, perfect wedding, and gave it up without a second thought just to see Noah happy while reconnecting with his old friends.

"I'd do anything for him," she smiled softly. "Plus, he always tells me how much he misses how close he used to be with you all."

The love Andrea and Noah have for each other reminds me the love Ian and I share — unconditional, selfless, and genuine. I can tell that Andrea and Noah are each other's best friends. I can't wait to watch their love for each other continue to grow more and more when they are officially moved back home where they belong.

I'm glad Noah was able to find a girl like Andrea who has changed him to become an immensely better person. I'm so proud of his character development.

"So, ladies, let's plan a wedding, and begin the countdown to when Ian is finally home," Noah smirked as he plopped back down in his chair.

And I loved that energy.

It's only a matter of time before Andrea and Noah are married and Ian Miller is finally home to visit after several long months.

As excited as I am for the wedding, no level of excitement could begin to match mine regarding Ian's homecoming, even if it is only for a weekend.

•••

HAPPY TUESDAY!!! (Yes it did only JUST become Tuesday) I leave for Florida in like 4 hours and I'm so excited guys!!! Never been before!

How cute is it that Noah and Andrea are getting married!!! And making it solely so Ian can come? So cute!

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! :)

Don't forget to...
Vote
Comment
Follow
Share
Check out my other stories!

- Emily