estrellas~chapter 38

One of my new favorite memories would be that night at Texas Roadhouse.

Everyone was acting so silly.

We all were throwing rolls and cheese fries at each other.

Steven and I both rode the saddle as they sang Happy Birthday to us.

Jeremiah and Conrad couldn't stop laughing.

It felt like the old days.

I would certainly love to spend every birthday like this.

After our birthday dinner, we got back and Jere and I decided to watch a movie.

We got all cuddly in my bed and put on the movie Moonrise Kingdom, one of my favorites.

Midway through the movie, I turn to face Jere and say, "I loved this birthday, it was so good.""I love you," He says while looking at me.

"I love you too," I say back while giggling.

"You know what, want to go to Cousins?" He asks.

"Right now? I say back.

"Yeah, why not?"

I look at my phone and it's around 9:30. I laugh, "Sure, let me just go ask my Mom, start packing!''

I ran out of my room and down the hallway to my mother's. She was in bed reading a book.

I sat at the edge of her bed, "Hey Mom, you know what would make this birthday extra, EXTRA special?" I say.

She looks at me cautiously with a raised brow.

"Cousins..." I say while trying to hold back my excitement.

"Are you asking me to go to Cousins with Jeremiah?" She said while putting her book down.

"Maybe..." I say.

She rolls her eyes, "Fine, only because it's your birthday. Two rules, be safe and no drinking!" "Thank you, thank you!" I yell while kissing her cheek.

And just like that, we get on the road as soon as possible.

We decided that I would take the first shift driving then him.

I played peaceful Rex Orange County music while Jere slept, he looked so cozy.

I couldn't be any happier.

As I thought that Happiness by Rex started to play, I just laughed to myself.

It may be one of his saddest songs but still, it made me happy and was my favorite.

The song began to end and I quietly sang the lyrics, "The way you love to show me what it's like to be happy..."

Then Jere woke up just in time for his favorite part.

"Bum, bum bum," Then he continued to scream, "Ahhhhhh, ahhhhh, ahhhh."A/N LISTEN TO THE END OF THE SONG IT WILL MAKE SENSE LOL

"Good morning, we're halfway there," I say to him.

"Mmm, want to switch?" He offered.

"No, all good Jere, keep sleeping," I answered back. I could tell he was still tired.

He shifted in his seat to look at me, "You're so pretty Laur," He said.

"Thank you, Jere."

He falls back asleep and we are only a little bit away. I've done this drive what feels like a thousand times, but never at night, and never during winter. Cousins felt like it had its magic back. The lights were everywhere, everything twinkling. Maybe it was extra dark since it was nearing one in the morning but still, everything was special.

I wonder if Sussanah had ever come down during the winter. Jere woke up again, perfect timing, right as we were hitting town.

"We passed Rosie's a little while back," I say.

"Thank you for driving," He says while reaching for my hand.

"Thank you for this wonderful idea," I say back.

I begin to roll the windows down, "You're going to get cold," He says.

"I have two of your hoodies on, I'll be fine," I say back with a smile.

Cousins feels so exciting and unfamiliar, I've spent most of my life in this place but going now is so new and exhilarating.

"I hope it snows," I say.

"It's supposed to," He answers back while looking at all of the lights in town.

"That would really make it the best birthday ever."

He continued to look out the window.

I don't know why he was acting kind of strange but it was cute.

I pulled into the familiar driveway and took a breath of the fresh cold air.

My heart hurt thinking of how our families would drive up to Cousins every year.

The drive up to Cousins was always my favorite part of the summer. The anticipation of seeing my favorite people in the entire world. Sussanah would always tell me I was also destined for one of her boys, And now I've started to believe her. So much has changed since two summers ago.

It reminded me of a promise we made when we were twelve.

"Hey, Lauren," A twelve-year-old Jeremiah asked me.

"Yeah?" I answered back.

"When we're old, can we get married?"

"What do you mean?"

"I want to marry someone I love, I don't think I could ever love someone as much as you."

I remember hitting him and we both laughed.

Jeremiah was the only person I have ever loved. Jeremiah was the only person I could ever love.

We finally pulled into the driveway and I glanced at my rings, causing me to smile. Everything about this today was perfect.

I parked his car and we ran inside the house, he fiddled with the lock and when we entered, everything felt empty.

"My Dad is staying in Boston right now for work," Jere said.

We turned the lights on and now it felt like people lived here.

"Let's get a fire going," He suggested.

"That would be lovely," I say as I plop down on the couch near the fireplace.

He grabs a match and tries to start it up and I giggle.

"Truth or dare?" I ask him.

He gives me a funny look, "Dare."

"I dare you to kiss me," I say while holding back a smile and trying to act serious.

"No need to ask," He says while leaning in to kiss me. I pull him on the couch with me and continue to kiss him.

I take a quick breath and look out the window, "It's snowing!" I yell.

I get up quickly and scramble to find another jacket in my bag. Jeremiah is searching for something in his bag as well. I can't see what he grabbed but it was something small.

"Ready?" I say excitedly.

We link hands and run down to the beach.

I wouldn't change anything about this moment.

"Get ready!" I say as I charge full speed at him, tackling him to the ground. We both laugh and just stay for a moment.

"This is amazing!" I say as I chuck snow mixed with sand at him.

"I want to eat the snow," he says, turning to face me.

"Ew, please don't Jere, there will be sand in it!"

As I say that he scoops up a little bit and chucks it in his mouth.

I cringe as he does so and he spits it out immediately, he continues to spit trying to get the sand out of his mouth.

I die of laughter and roll around on the ground. He grabs my shoulders and turns me to face him.

He has a big passionate smile on his face. He sits up and so do I.

He won't stop staring at me.

"What?" I say while letting a laugh out.

He stands up and looks out at the ocean.

"I love you so much Lauren," He then turns to face me and I sit up criss-crossed on the sand.

"What's this about Jere?" I ask him.

"This planet has 8.1 billion people in the world, and I am lucky enough to date you. You are the only girl I have ever loved, you are the only girl I ever want to love," He says.

"Do you remember that promise we made when we were twelve?" I ask him.

"I could never forget about our promise rings Laur, I wear it every day," He replies, "You are my favorite person, Lauren, I only want to spend the rest of my life with you."

A/N PLAY SNOW ON THE BEACH BY TAYLOR SWIFT AND LANA DEL REY *normal* at 2:02

I watch as he does the one thing I wasn't expecting him to do.

He gets down on one knee and asks, "Will you do me the honor and marry me?"

Weird but fuckin' beautiful

Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful

You wanting me tonight feels impossible

But it's comin' down, no sound, it's all around

Like snow on the beach

Like snow on the beach

Like snow on the beach

Like snow

But it's comin' down, no sound, it's all around.