20. Lucas

The next few days were hell for me. I was absolutely distraught, not knowing what to do without Bernadette by my side.

Should I go after her? Should I forget about her? Should I call her?

I had no idea what to do in this kind of situation and it was killing me. I was assuming that since Bernadette hadn't contacted me at all that she was doing all right and probably was with her mother.

And maybe things were better this way. I didn't have to worry about being the one who had broken their relationship apart. But the more that I thought about it, the more that I realized that it wasn't like that at all.

Because I had broken our relationship apart, and I missed her greatly. I missed her more than I could express in words, in a way that would only make sense when I saw her again and pulled her into my arms. If I ever saw her again.

That was the frightening part. I had no idea if I would ever see the woman that I loved so much again, or if our relationship would go back to being the way it had been before. This made me distracted and sloppy at work, and too restless at home to concentrate on anything.

Then I got a text from Vanessa.

We need to talk. Can we get the group together?

Of course, I replied, thankful for the possibility of a distraction. Can I ask what this is about? Or what's the occasion?

You know what this is about. Her response came back. It sent chills down my spine and made me consider what it was that she meant. Did I know what this was about or what could it be?

Deep down I knew what it was. Vanessa and Bernadette must have been in contact. I didn't know whether to be scared or excited at the prospect. Maybe Vanessa would know how I could fix things.

I would gladly follow any advice that she gave me. I trusted her deeply and there hadn't been a time that I had come to regret that yet.

So, of course, I had to say yes.

All right, we can have everyone over. When do you want to do it?

As soon as possible. I'll text the group chat to arrange something.

I waited and watched as Vanessa arranged within the group chat for everyone to come to meet at my house tomorrow. I was happy that everyone was going to be getting together again soon but also terrified of what it would bring. I was fully expecting, at this point, to be lectured on what I had done.

Tomorrow came, and I couldn't concentrate the whole day at work. All day I was just thinking of Bernadette and my friends coming over that evening. I was both excited for it and dreading it. I knew that I had done wrong and that Vanessa would put me in my place. As she always did. Whenever someone had messed up, it was Vanessa who put them in their place again.

And if she messed up, then Rachel would very softly tell her that she had done wrong and she would apologize immediately. It was one of the things I enjoyed about their dynamic.

Finally, evening came, and I drove home from work and then ate dinner and set up some light fare for my friends to eat. I was thinking this would just be an intervention of sorts, so I didn't think that there was anything else I really needed.

It wasn't like it was board game or movie night after all.

They all arrived soon, one after the other, gathering at the table with me and snacking. And then, everybody was there.

"Okay," Vanessa said, making everybody quiet down. "Lucas, I already have a vague idea of what happened, but why don't you tell everyone about the situation with Bernadette."

Most of them looked confused and I realized that it was just Vanessa who knew what was going on. It did seem strange that she hadn't told them, but I guessed it made more sense in a way. It meant that I could listen to the organic reactions of my other friends. And I would probably be more likely to actually follow their advice.

Vanessa was a crafty one, that was for sure.

I sighed. I was going to have to do this sooner or later, and I had a feeling that if I didn't then Vanessa would just step in and tell the whole story for me.

So, I told them about how Bernadette's mom had come into the office a few days ago and caught Bernadette and me together. Then I filled them in on how Bernadette's mother didn't like me, and Bernadette had been kicked out because she was pregnant.

And finally, the words that had all set it off.

"I thought she might just want to rekindle things with her mother, so I told her that I understood if we needed to break things off. Actually, I said that it might be better. She took that as ‘I wanted to break up with her' and ran off before I even had a chance to explain."

Rachel gasped. "That doesn't seem like you, Lucas, just letting her run off like that."

I shrugged. "I didn't know what else to do. What else was I supposed to do?"

"Maybe go after her," Samuel suggested. "That's usually what a girl wants in a situation like that, for you to follow her and show her that you really care. But of course, you managed to do none of that, sounds like you just sat there with a stupid look on your face."

Rachel placed a hand on his arm. "Be a little gentler, Samuel. You can tell he's hurting."

"I don't care if he's hurting." Samuel threw up his arms. "The fact is he had love, true love, and he threw it away just like that. If he doesn't go after her then I say he doesn't deserve her."

"While I would normally agree I say currently that both of them are confused," Vanessa said, cutting in. "She was so hurt by the fact that you would throw everything away just like that, but I can also tell that she wants you back. You just have to be smart about what you do next."

"I would bring her flowers," Howard said, looking over at Ana who smiled back at him.

"Or just yourself," she suggested. "I know that if I was in that situation all I would want would be for Howard to come after me."

At that he looked down at his feet, a blush coating his face. "Of course, I would come after you. It's what any good boyfriend, or husband, would do."

"I don't think she even thinks of me as her boyfriend right now," I said. "After all, for all she knows, I was trying to break things off with her. And she hasn't contacted me at all."

"Because she's emotional." Vanessa sounded exasperated. "She's absolutely distraught over the whole thing, as I imagine you are too. Which is why you need to go after her. Show her that you love her, show her that you care enough to chase her. I think that's what she wants right now. For you to show her that you want her badly enough to do something as crazy as show up at her front doorstep."

"You think that's really what she wants?" I asked, feeling a little skeptical.

"Of course, that's what she wants!" Vanessa said. "Believe me, I would know."

"Have you talked to her? Is she doing okay?" I asked, leaning forward in my seat.

"Of course, I've spoken to her. Why did you think I organized this whole thing? And I guess physically she's fine. But emotionally she's definitely not. We've been in contact for the past few days and she's definitely very sad. In fact, I asked her why she wouldn't just talk to you, even after I told her that everything was definitely a misunderstanding. And do you know what she said? She wanted you to come forward first."

It was nice to know that that was what she wanted, but it hurt my heart to think that she was sad, especially when it had been me that had made her feel that way.

"Okay," I finally said. "I think I can see all of what you're saying. I'll go to her and try to make things right that way."

"Good," Vanessa said, and everyone else nodded.

"I'm glad you've come to your senses," Samuel said. "I definitely wouldn't let that one get away. Isn't she your best friend?"

I nodded, and Ana clasped her hands together excitedly. "Do you think you two will get married?"

"I think it may be a little soon to be asking those questions," Rachel said softly. "They have to at least get back together first. Otherwise, it would be like something out of a novel."

"You know, that might actually be a good idea," I said, the wheels in my mind starting to turn again.

"Don't tell me you're planning on proposing to her already," Samuel said.

"I mean, why not? She's my best friend and I know that I never ever want to lose her again. Besides, I was planning on proposing before the baby is born anyway."

A chorus of "You were?" rose from the room around.

"Wow, you really messed up then," Vanessa said. "Letting her leave before you could even propose to her."

"I didn't want to when she was facing so much turmoil with her mom. But now I know that I have to, because I'm absolutely lost without her. I never want her to leave me again."

"That's so sweet!" Ana said, clasping her hands together. "Really romantic in fact. You know what, I think you should go through with it. Just tell her exactly what you've told us, and you'll be fine."

"Oh, I plan on it," I said. "I want her to know exactly how I feel about her. And this seems like the best way to do it."

"I can tell you're set on this," Vanessa said. "So, all I will say is good luck, and go get her back. We're counting on you."

I was definitely going to do exactly that. But first, I had some shopping to do.

* * *

Iwent to one of the trusted antique stores in the area because I wanted to get Bernadette something unique. In my mind, she was special and definitely worth the most expensive diamond ring that I could afford.

But money wouldn't impress her. No, I wanted to make her feel special by finding a ring so beautiful that it would take her breath away. And so an antique jewellery shop was the perfect place for me to go.

The shop attendant was busy with something, so I began to browse the display cases. All of the rings were organized by size, and there were a lot in Bernadette's. She had small, dainty hands, but a lot of the antique rings were exactly the same way. It gave me hope to find something especially unique for her.

I was so engrossed in examining the rings and trying to decide if any were the right one for Bernadette that I didn't notice the shop attendant had come over until he cleared his throat.

I looked up at him in surprise.

"Can I help you with anything?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "I'm actually looking for an engagement ring, size four, for a special girl. I want something really beautiful and unique. Dainty would be great."

"Ahh, I see," the man said, then began looking at the rings with me. He pulled out a few of them for me to look at closer up, but none of them seemed right for Bernadette so I shook my head at all of them.

Then, finally, he said, "I actually have a ring in this size that just came in in the back of the shop. I'd have to price it, but it might be exactly what you're looking for. It's very dainty, from the 1920s. Doesn't have the traditional stone though and will cost you a pretty penny."

I waved my hand. "That's fine. I just want to find something that will fit her perfectly."

The attendant nodded and headed into the back, then returned several minutes later with a box. When he opened it, I had no questions. I knew that I had found the perfect one.