After a whole lot of sleep and a lot of in flight movies I arrived back in beautiful Paris, home for yet another lovely year. I took a cab from the airport to the college and then paid the driver after he helped me carry my bags to my door. When I opened the door their was my roommate Allison sitting on the couch with her French boyfriend, Pierre, making out. They stopped long enough to say 'hi' and 'welcome back'. I rolled my eyes and carried my bags to my room, our dorm was more like an apartment with separate room so at least I had some privacy.
I started to unpack my carryon and then took a look at the bag Lance gave me and remembered he wanted me to call when I got here.
The phone rang twice before he answered.
"Hello."
"Hey it's me. It's me and I made it here, unfortunately." I said.
"Don't say that. It's going to be ok. Did you look in the bag?"
"Yes I did, and thank you so much sweety. I'll start watching those videos tonight like I'm suppose to. Thank god I have a Tv and VCR in my room because I wouldn't want to interfere with Allison's suck face session in the living room."
He laughed, "Try not to sound too happy. Oh and don't forget I can't call you for 2 days because of this thing we're suppose to do that I still don't know about. But trust me you'll hear from me as soon as you can."
"All right that sounds good. Well, I have a lot of unpacking to do and if I'm going to stay on track with these videos I better go because it's already 6 pm here."
"Ok, I love you and I'll talk to you soon. Bye."
"I love you too, bye." I said as I hung up and finished my unpacking.
When I was finished I grabbed a bite to eat, got my pajamas on and laid on my bed watching the first 2 tapes Lance gave me. They included 6 hours of Leno, Letterman, Rosie, MTV, and other such appearances.
The following day I woke up at 10:30 am and decided to go for a walk in the park. The next week was my relaxation period until classes started up again. In the park I saw everything that made me miss home. People walking hand in hand, laughing and having a good time, kids running playing and having fun. I went in a cafe got a cup of coffee to go and headed back to my dorm room. Alli wasn't home so I sat in the living room watching the tapes I was suppose to that day. Mid way through the second tape around 2 pm Alli came and sat down next to me on the couch.
"Did you have a good time at home?" She asked.
"Yea, with Lance and my brother and sister but not with my parents."
"Oh, you miss him a lot don't you?"
"Who?"
"Lance. I mean you weren't in the door a minute yesterday and you call him. Then start watching the tapes. You really miss him I can tell." She said with a smile.
I smiled back, "Yea I do. How did you know I did all that stuff?" I asked.
"Well despite popular belief Pierre and I took a break from our 'suck face session' so I could come say a better hello and talk to ya a bit but I just peeked in and thought you needed some time alone."
I laughed, "yea well that's actually the last thing I need it keeps me thinking about him when I'm sitting there doing nothing. I really realized when I got home." I paused, "And my little sister dragged me upstairs to my room and there was Lance right there after not seeing him for a whole year my heart just exploded with happiness. I spent so much time with him that this year is really going to hurt me all over again. I just really can't be crying myself to sleep everynight." I began to sob and she handed me a tissue.
"I'm sorry." Was all she could say. "Do you mind if I sit here and watch some of this with you?" She asked pointing to the screen.
"Of course not. I'd love to have some company." I smiled and wiped a final tear away.
The next day Alli and I went out to a cafe for lunch and caught up on everything we missed in 3 months. It really made me feel better. We then went home and she left at 8:30 pm for her date with Pierre. I looked at the time and realized it was time for me to sit down and watch the final video Lance had left me. I took a seat on the couch and pressed play on the remote. There was the video for "This I Promise You" and after a minute it faded out and then Lance popped on the screen. This video was obviously taken at his house, he began talking.
"Hey Jen, I bet this is a surprise for you. I hope you're thinking about me as much as I'm thinking about you. Right now I can't call you because I am being whisked off to some secret location that no one knows about. I miss you so much even if it has only been 2 days. Do you remember how I promised we'd be together soon? Well I'm promising you once again that we will. But I have a question for you..." Then he disappeared off the screen. I looked at the screen puzzled. A minute later there was a knock at the door I figured it was probably Alli who realized she left her purse on the counter so I hopped up from the couch and walked over and opened the door.
"Will you marry me?" Lance said down on one knee right there in front of me in a black tux. I was in utter shock I couldn't believe he was here right now. He stood up and I hugged him tightly as I was crying from being so happy.
"Oh my god, what are you doing here? I thought you had to go to some secret location and all. I can't belive you're here."
"This is the secret location. No one knows I'm here." He smiled giving me a kiss. "So you never answered the question."
"Yes, yes of course I'll marry you." I said as I came in for one more kiss.
"Well then go get ready and let's go." He said.
"What? Right now? What are you talking about?" I said shaking in shock.
"Yes, we're going to do this now. Just go change out of your sweats and lets go. We're getting married in half and hour."
"I can't believe this. I...I.. I'll be right back." I somehow got out as I went off to quickly freshen up. I came out with my hair down and a black dress on and a smile upon my face.
"Come on." He said as we locked up the dorm.
We got in a white limo that was waiting out front with people standing all around. They all smiled when we came out. We drove not too far away to this place right in front of the Eiffel Tower where a priest awaited us outside in a gazebo with the now purple/black sky surrounding us. We recited our vows and with a kiss to seal it all we were husband and wife togther forever.
There was one issue that never crossed my mind. What was I going to do now that I was married and stuck thousands of miles away from my husband.
"Lance, what am I suppose to do? You are thousands of miles away from me." I asked.
"I forgot to tell you. Your parents, Josh, and I had a heart to heart discussion and we made them realize how you need to be home and have had enough of the Paris life and you're coming home and you'll be going to school in Orlando and when I have to go on the road they offer those courses on independent study, tape, and online so you can come with me. It's all settled."
"I can't believe you went and did this all for me. So we could be together." I said staring into his eyes.
"I'd do anything and go the distance for loving you." He said.