The One with the Engagement
A/N: This is the second co-write between my best friends, @yaywinning, @sadbeautifultragic-loveaffair & I! Hope you enjoy!
He couldn’t believe it. He should have seen it coming but he didn’t.
She’s engaged.
That’s all he heard. He was taken aback. And on live TV. “What? I didn’t know that,” he said nervously, trying to keep his composure. “That’s great. I will have to call her right after this.”
The rest of the interview was a blur. When the camera was off, he still looked stunned. He reached for his phone to call her. But what would he say? He texted her instead. MEET ME AT THE SPOT.
After a moment, Maria could feel her phone vibrate in her pocket. She was sitting in her bedroom, playing with her dogs after their walk, while her fiancé was asleep in the bed behind her. She pulled her phone out of her pocket to check it. As soon as she read the text from Derek, she could feel her heart drop. Even through written text, she could sense the pain in him. Maria had taken Derek by surprise with the sudden news and it strained her that she had to. Why do the media have to be so quick on these things… she wondered as she tapped her finger against the side of her case, contemplating what to type in response.
I’LL SEE YOU IN FIFTEEN.
Maria clicked send and quickly but quietly took the leashes off her dogs and got ready to see Derek. What should she wear? She could tell even by the simple text messages he’d sent here that he wasn’t happy. To be fair, it wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t seen it coming either. Maria finally settled on the dress she knew Derek loved, quickly changed and got in her car.
As she arrived she looked out her window and saw Derek sitting on their favorite bench by the water. She took a deep breath as she got out of the car.
“Hey,” Derek said, only slightly acknowledging her presence as Maria sat down next to him. She was careful to keep a good distance between them which she thought was necessary given the circumstance. “Hi.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry you found out like that.” “I don’t really know what to say,” he replied, looking straight ahead. She felt awful. He turned to look at her. “What happened?” he asked. “We were supposed to make it. I gave you so much time.”
“I know, I know. And that’s what I needed. I—”
“You, I, what? Moved on and didn’t let me go?”
He wasn’t making this any easier on her nor did he intend to.
Maria’s eyes fell from Derek to her lap. She played with her fingers nervously in her lap. “I don’t know what to say…” She murmured softly.
There was a silence between them that seemed to last forever. All that was heard were the waves crashing in front of them. Maria thought her words through carefully before deciding to continue.
“I really did fall for you, Derek… but even the amount of care I have for you isn’t enough to overtake the plans and future that have been implemented for me for years.”
“I thought we really had something, Maria,” Derek stated bluntly, keeping his eyes on the ocean in front of them. He could feel a sudden fire in his words even he himself wasn’t expecting.
“Derek, you have to understand. For ten years, my parents and career have been pressuring me to finally move onto the next step. My parents want children - they want me to settle down. All that I’ve done in my life have happened because of the past. The past that was built and solidified before you came… before you came and almost deviated me from who I am.”
“I could have given you the kids you wanted. I could have given you the career you wanted. I could have given you the life - the LOVE - you wanted, Maria!!!”
“It’s not about that. Kevin and I have been together for years. I had to give him a chance. I can’t just leave him. I owe it to him to stay.”
“Maria,” Derek breathed, trying to calm himself before completely exploding on her, “You owe it to yourself to have someone who truly loves you.”
“He does love me, Derek.”
“Then why? Why now? Why after 18 years has he suddenly decided you’re suitable to be engaged to?”
Maria finally made eye contact with him and her eyes pooled with tears.
“Why are you doing this?” Maria asked, her voice broken from emotion. “Me? I’m not doing anything. I should have let you go a long time ago.” He looked back at her. “I should have given you an ultimatum. I actually let you string me along.” He stood up. “I love you, Maria. Good luck.” And with that he walked away.
She sat at their spot for a little while longer. She cried in her hands. Before she got up, she touched the carving in the bench. It read D&M.
Maria stared at their initials, sniffing, tears still continuing to roll down her cheeks. She walked close enough to the ocean so her toes were dipped in the water before sitting down. After a moment, she raised her hand and twisted the engagement ring on her finger, sighing and biting her lip, trying to hold herself from crying harder. There was a lump in her throat and her eyes were so filled with tears, her vision became blurry.
About fifteen minutes passed before Maria felt a tap on her shoulder.
She sniffed before responding, “Derek…?” Her eyes hadn’t left the ocean.
“Try again,” the voice behind her answered. The mystery person then sat beside her and placed a hand on Maria’s.
Maria finally took her eyes off the ocean and looked at the person beside her.
A small smile fell on Maria’s face for a brief second.
“Jules…”
To Maria’s surprise, Julianne Hough, Derek’s younger sister, was at her side. Julianne smiled softly at Maria, wrapping an arm around her in comfort. Julianne looked at her sadly for a moment before answering, “I was watching the interview Derek was in and I heard what happened. I had a feeling you’d be here… “ She paused before continuing, “…Why are you crying?”
Maria sighed, “Derek was here earlier… evidently, things didn’t go too well.”
Julianne raised her eyebrows at Maria’s statement. “Huh, he didn’t even tell me. He must have been too distraught. But babe, you shouldn’t be crying, you’re engaged, shouldn’t you be celebrating?”
“I should… but it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel like it should.” “And how should it feel?” Julianne asked. “Good,” she responded. “I should feel happy and eager, and want to shout it from the rooftops.” “But you don’t?” Maria shook her head and started to cry again. Julianne sighed. “Don’t cry, Mar.” She continued, “I’m sorry, I should have been a better friend and a better sister. I should have stopped you both from doing any of this.”
“It’s not your fault.” Maria instantly replied. “It’s mine.” They sat there in silence for a few minutes as Maria tried to gain composure.
“It’s my fault.” She finally managed to admit. “I’ve been with Kevin so long and I had no intentions on leaving but then I met Derek and everything I thought I knew was turned upside down. I fell in love with him. I wasn’t planning on it. It just happened. In the past when I thought about the future I envisioned my husband as Kevin—”
“What about now? Is it still him?” Julianne inquired.
Tears fell down Maria’s cheeks again as she shook her head no. Julianne hugged her and held her tight.
“Shhhh…hey? It’s okay.” She said attempting to comfort her. Maria finally pulled away. “It’s Derek.” She admitted. “I see a future with Derek. I was planning on a future with Derek. It’s been 18 years. I didn’t think Kevin was ever going to propose and then he did. I waited too long and now I can’t break his heart. As much as I thought Derek and I would be together. I can’t do that to Kevin.”
“But you can’t do that to yourself either,” Julianne replied, echoing her brother’s earlier words. “Sometimes it’s okay to be selfish.” She then pulled out her left hand, looking at the engagement ring on her finger. “Being engaged to someone you love is supposed to be exciting. It’s supposed to make you feel complete, as if you can conquer the world and fight against all the hurdles together. I never imagined being so happy until I met Brooks, and I can’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with him.” Julianne looked back at Maria and patted her hand. “True love makes you feel unstoppable, Maria. It shouldn’t make you feel like you’re powerless and have lost half of yourself.”
Maria didn’t know what to say in response. She simply sniffed and looked back at Julianne.
Julianne smiled sadly at Maria, wiping a tear away. “I hate seeing you like this. You’re like a sister to me, you know.”
Maria spent the next few days trying to understand what happened. Where exactly did she go wrong? She didn’t know. She thought she would give Derek a few days to think about things. She hoped he would still talk to her. That’s what she was thinking when she called him. She figured he wouldn’t answer, but it was worth a try. “Hey, it’s me,” she said into the phone. “I know you probably don’t want to talk, but I think that we should. I don’t want to lose you and– well, just call me back.” She left messages like that for the next two weeks. After two weeks of contemplating she finally knew what she had to do. She ended things with Kevin and when she finally did she called Derek crying. He didn’t answer.
“D… please call me back. It’s important. Please?” She begged, sniffling into the phone before hanging up and laying face down on her bed. That’s when it happened. After weeks of trying her phone vibrated and when she looked she saw his name.
It simply read: “Are you okay?”
She paused for a moment. So thankful he had finally responded. That he still cared enough to respond then she typed back.
No. And I know you probably don’t want to see me but can you please meet me at our spot? It’s really important.
A moment passed before he replied and Maria felt as if it was the longest moment of her life.
Sure. I’ll leave right now.
On the way out the door, Maria passed by the living room where all of her dogs were. She half-smiled at them, noting how silent they have been since Kevin moved out. In fact, her whole house had been quiet as well as the atmosphere at AfterBuzz TV. The ending of her 18-year relationship had evidently taken Maria’s parents, dogs, and coworkers by surprise. Maria wasn’t sure if the silence derived from the shock or pitiness of the situation. Probably both.
It’s okay to be selfish sometimes.
Julianne’s words reassured Maria as she hugged her dogs goodbye and found confidence to get into her car and drive to the beach.
—–
Maria parked her car and walked to their spot. Everything was quiet except for the waves, the thoughts in her mind, and the sound of her flip-flops slapping against her feet.
Maria found a man sitting in the same exact spot she had been sitting in what felt like forever ago.
“Derek,” she called out, walking closer to him. It seemed to take him a moment before realizing her presence.
Derek turned his head and saw Maria behind him. She sat beside him and immediately Derek could feel his heart beat harder - somehow, after all these years, Maria still gave him butterflies.
Just like what had happened weeks ago, the longest silence crept its way between them.
“You didn’t have to end things with him.”
Maria looked up at Derek, surprised.
“I just want you to be happy,” Derek assured, looking back at Maria.
Maria looked into his eyes for a moment before smiling softly. “I am happy, Derek. For the first time in weeks, I am happy.” Derek gave her a look of confusion. “You not answering my calls or texts and me knowing that I caused the person who means more to me than anyone else I know such enormous pain, filled me with utter sadness and I felt lost. You’re such an amazing man, Derek, and any woman who would dare break your heart is an absolute idiot.” Maria paused and then sighed, looking down at the sand between them. “I have been an absolute idiot.”
“Maria, you’re not an idiot-”
“Derek, please let me continue,” Maria interrupted. “You deserve someone who loves you entirely and who you can give your entire heart to without anything coming in the way of it. I’m sorry you felt like I led you on or that after all those years, our relationship was doomed for failure. I’m sorry I couldn’t take the leap of faith with you… until now.”
Maria looked down and then back into Derek’s eyes. “Derek, I know I have not given you my entire heart, but after all this time and after a talk with who may be my fairy godmother,” Derek squinted his eyes in confusion, “I’ve finally realized that I don’t want to spend my life with someone unless that someone is you. You make me feel excited to wake up in the morning, you make me feel powerful when the rest of the world seems to be falling apart, and you make me a better person and remind me of the most important things in life. Leaving Kevin was the best choice I have ever made and meeting you was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.” Maria smiled and placed her hand on Derek’s. “I’m ready to give you my whole heart if you’re willing to accept mine…and the craziness that comes along with it.”
Derek couldn’t help but smile back at Maria. He brushed a hair behind her ear, kissing her forehead. “You know I accepted your craziness the day you walked into my life, right?”
Maria chuckled and shrugged in response.
However, after a moment of looking into each other’s eyes, Derek forced himself to look back at the ocean. An hour had passed and the sunset had come into view.
“Still… I’ve waited too long,” Derek stated after a few minutes. “I’m too scared of what could happen after tonight, and I don’t know if I can put myself through that again…”
“What? Der…” Maria murmured softly in response.
After a second, without another word, Derek pushed himself up and began walking away.
“Derek, wait!” Maria turned and yelled back at him.
It took Derek a moment to acknowledge her words before he stopped in place and called back, “I hope you’re ready for my craziness, babe.”
Maria sniffed, confused.
Derek turned around, smirking. He spread his arms out, “Never in a million years would I say no to a woman as amazing as you.”
Tears started falling down Maria’s face, but unlike before, they were tears of happiness. Maria ran into Derek’s arms, and instantly Derek wrapped his arms tightly around his woman, letting her tears fall onto the back of his shirt. He held her securely in his arms, before pulling away just enough to kiss her on her forehead.
Maria smiled softly, “I couldn’t be more in love with you…”
“Right back at you, babe.”
——–
A week later, Derek and Maria decided to hold a dinner party at Derek’s apartment. They had invited Mark, Brittany, Julianne, Brooks, and Maria’s parents. When Maria had told Derek that she had wanted to invite her parents and announce to them that they were officially together, Derek worried that it was too soon; however, Maria reassured Derek that, unlike with Kevin, Maria’s parents had immediately loved and accepted Derek into the family from the first day they had met him.
Julianne, Mark, and their fiance/fiancee were sitting in the living room playing with Derek’s dog, Romy, as the others were still chatting at the dining table. That was until Julianne accidentally threw Romy’s ball too far and was too late to retrieve it before the dog came running for it.
“Careful, Romy!!” Julianne called at the dog as she chased him into Derek’s room.
When they got in the bedroom, Julianne took the ball away from Romy, relieved he hadn’t destroyed anything. Although he hadn’t, he had somehow managed to bump against a chest and open it.
While closing the chest, Julianne couldn’t help but find a small velvet box inside. She picked it up in front of her and opened it carefully. Inside was a beautiful engagement ring that had been passed down the family for generations.
Julianne immediately smiled, choked up by the item. “I can’t believe it…” she whispered to herself. She looked down at her brother’s dog and petted him gently, “It won’t be too long, huh boy?”
