The next weeks passed by uneventfully. The five of us learned math and other subjects from Diana, a certified teacher, and Zac and I snuck out to our pond where we planned Ike and Gabby's birthday party. We tried to make it as light-hearted as possible.
The day between Ike and Gabby's birthdays arrived, November 18. Ike had turned 19 the day before, and Gabby would turn 16 the next day. Zac, Celine, Mom, Diana and I sent Taylor to take them to a movie and we turned the backyard into a winter wonderland, which wasn't hard to do considering there was snow on the ground already. We figured food and presents could happen inside and then we could dance a little outside. Luckily, the night wasn't too cold.
I thought the party was going well. Ike and Gabby seemed in good spirits, which made everyone happier. It was only until the dancing began, however. Zac and I danced every dance, and occasionally Taylor would take Gabby, Jessica or Avery to the floor.
Celine and I had planned the last dance to be Love Doesn't Ask Why. We set it up so everyone was dancing but Ike and Gabby. Even though we'd promised to lay off, it was their birthday. I'm sure they could tolerate one dance.
The music started. Zac and I strategically danced near where Ike and Gabby were standing. They both looked uncomfortable. I thought Gabby was going to cry.
"Zac, maybe this wasn't such a good idea," I whispered.
"Shh." Zac pointed with his head.
Ike was holding out his hand to Gabby! Yes! I thought. I grew even more excited when she put her hand in his and they started to dance. Not like they had on the 4th of July, but for the briefest moments in time, the world was right.
The song ended all too soon and Gabby pulled away, a little unsure. We crept closer, pretending we were going to the refreshment table.
"Happy Birthday, Gabby," Ike was saying, holding out a box.
"Isaac, I can't take anything from you…"
"Call it an apology." Then Ike walked away. Gabby opened the box and lifted out a beautiful gold locket. In the light, it shimmered with the outline of an angel. Gabby stared for a moment then rushed to me, throwing a card into my hand.
"Gabby, you are a guardian angel. May all your birthday wishes come true. Isaac"
"Oh my gosh…" I breathed. Gabby already had the necklace on. I was speechless. Ike still really cared for her.
The next morning, Gabby officially turned 16 at 8:30. She woke up singing a song from a musical called "Lida Rose". An idea sprang into my head. I had 30 minutes to perfect it.
The night before's events flowed back to me…Isaac's arms around me and the gorgeous necklace now in my possession. It was almost too much to bear.
The morning of my 16th birthday, I awoke singing "Lida Rose" from the Music Man, so I pulled out my soundtrack and played the song.
"Gabby, come downstairs. There's a surprise!" Ellie burst into my room and grabbed me.
"Not another one…" I murmured.
Four-part harmony met my ears as we walked into the kitchen. I gasped. Isaac, Taylor, Zac and Walker were singing "Lida Rose"! I was totally speechless as the guys surrounded me and continued to sing.
"Oh guys that was beautiful!" I sighed. "Thank you so much!"
"Happy Birthday, Gabby!" Ellie exclaimed. I whirled around, pretending to get angry. "You! You did all of this!" Ellie shrugged, knowing what I meant. I went over and gave her a hug. Then I turned back to the guys.
"Do we get hugs too?" Zac asked. I laughed. I gave Zac a hug, then Taylor, who handed me a rose, then Walker, then I turned to Isaac. As I stood there, looking into his eyes, I was moved into a trance. There was just something about him that I knew I couldn't live without, and that when he left on Christmas Eve, my heart would go too.
Slowly, I felt Isaac reach out and draw me into a hug. There was so much emotion in that brief gesture. It was too brief. We both quickly pulled away, Isaac glancing at my neck to see the necklace hanging there. He allowed himself a small, beautiful smile.
A few days later, Ellie, Celine, Diana, Jessica and I woke up early to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Since Celine rarely felt all right in the morning, we were supposed to start without her. I helped Jessie with the mashed potatoes while Ellie and Diana stuffed the turkey.
"Gabby, can I ask you a question?" Jessica asked me.
I smiled at her. She immediately smiled back. At 10 years old, she was an extremely smart, beautiful and happy girl. "Sure, Jess."
"Why did you and Ike break up if you still love each other?"
"Jessica Grace!" Diana snapped.
"I just want to know, Mama."
I was caught off guard by her question. I cleared my throat uncomfortably. "Uh…well…Jess…why do you think we're in love?" My voice cracked on the last word.
"Anyone could see you love each other! Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. You two are soulmates."
"Soulmates?"
"Yes. True love at first sight," Jessica answered simply.
Was Jessica right? Maybe tonight at dinner I should talk to Isaac. I pushed him from my thoughts to keep working.
"Oh, man, something is missing here," I groaned to Gabby. She entered the room from across the hall, dressed in a lacy green ankle-length dress. Ike's necklace still hung around her neck.
"You look fine," Gabby assured me, checking her appearance in my mirror. I had opted to wear a short blue dress to Thanksgiving dinner. My hair was pulled back at the sides and my face shone with natural makeup.
"So do you."
"Ellie, am I crazy for talking to Isaac tonight?"
"I think it's time you moved on. If you can't be together, at least be friends."
Gabby sighed. "Ready?"
"Let's go!"
We walked down the hall to Zac's room. I was, of course, Zac's date for Thanksgiving dinner. Taylor was escorting Gabby and Ike was taking Jessie.
Zac opened the door and a smile lit up his face. "You look beautiful," he said, kissing my cheek lightly. "I thank God for you tonight."
I blushed. Gabby was waiting.
Zac pulled out my chair and let me sit before seating himself. The huge feast we'd slaved over sat before us. Everyone was happy and healthy and I was so thankful for that.
After dinner, the guys had dishes duty while the girls moved the party into the living room for pie and coffee. Ike had agreed to meet Gabby outside in ten minutes.
"I don't know if I can just be friends, Ellie," Gabby said.
"It's all right. You guys will be fine. Take my black shawl outside. It's cold."
"Yes, Mother," Gabby exaggerated. I laughed and she went out the door.
I had no idea what Gabby wanted to talk to me about as I stepped out into the frigid night air. At least she was wearing the necklace I had given her.
She stepped onto the porch with a shawl thrown over her.
"Isaac, I think it's time we talked," she began.
"All right." I turned to face her. The brilliant color of her eyes almost tore me apart.
"I know things haven't been too good between us these past months. But it's hurting us and our friends. I think we should just move on and be friends."
"That would be really great," I said. She smiled, rubbing her arms.
"Thank you for the necklace. It's just beautiful."
"No problem." I paused. "I guess we have a lot to be thankful for tonight, don't we?" Gabby nodded. "Here, take this," I said. I pulled off my jacket and put it around her quietly. She looked up at me and our gazes locked. I wanted to hold her, tell her how much I loved her and needed her.
In a moment of pure happiness, by an invisible force, our faces moved closer together. Finally, they connected. My hands went perfectly around her waist, and her arms went uncertainly around my neck. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced. I loved Gabby with all my heart.
When we drew away, I searched her face. It was cast in moonlight. Her eyes were still closed. "Isaac…" she whispered.
"Shh, not a word," I whispered. My hands still on her waist and her arms around my neck, I began to sing an oldies song I knew she knew. It was called For The Good Times by Elvis Presley.
"Isaac…" she whispered again.
"Shh," I whispered again. For minutes we were silent, holding each other. Even though we had promised we'd only be friends, I knew we never would be. Our souls were connected now.
Reluctantly, I stepped away. I saw the glint of tears on her cheeks as she quietly pushed away a stray lock of my hair from my face. Then she went back inside, my jacket and all.
