Laura
Driving back home, my thoughts were filled with worry for Arlene. I couldn't shake the image of her sad smile, or the exhaustion in her eyes when she finally confided in us. I'd never seen her so vulnerable. She was usually the one who stayed strong, the one holding everyone together. Now, she was carrying a weight that she never planned for, and knowing she felt so alone through it all made my heart ache.
I parked in the driveway and took a deep breath, hoping some of this worry would melt away by the time Jake got home. But as I stepped into the house and sank onto the couch, I knew the concern was still clinging to me. I was still lost in thought, replaying our conversation, when I heard Jake's footsteps approaching.
"Babe?" Jake's voice was warm and comforting, pulling me out of my thoughts. He stepped closer, looking at me with a concerned expression. "Hey, you okay? You seem… distracted."
I gave him a small smile, but I knew it wasn't very convincing. "Yeah, I'm okay… just thinking about Arlene, and I just can't stop thinking about it all." I let out.
Jake sat down beside me, reaching for my hand. "What happened?"
I sighed, my thumb absentmindedly tracing patterns along his hand. "Arlene finally told her mom about the baby today, and I could tell it was hard for her. I mean, it's supposed to be happy news, right? But… the father isn't in the picture. He left when she told him, and now she's all on her own, dealing with everything."
Jake's expression softened, a look of empathy filling his eyes. "Poor Arlene. That's a lot to go through alone. But she's lucky she has you there for her. I know you'll be a great support." He asserted.
"I want to help her, Jake. I really do. But it's so much… She needs a stable job, a place to stay, and a way to make sure the baby's taken care of. It feels overwhelming."
Jake squeezed my hand gently, his voice filled with reassurance. "I'll do something about it, don't worry. I'll make sure she gets a job that pays well, and if she needs a new apartment, I'll help with that too. And for the baby, we can set up a trust fund. That way, she won't have to worry about the future." He said firmly while my eyes widened, and an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude washed over me. "Jake… you'd do that for her?" I asked happily.
"Of course," he replied, giving me a soft smile. "You care about Arlene, and that means I care about her too. She shouldn't have to go through this alone, and neither should you. This way, you can focus on the wedding and everything else without worrying about her as much."
I felt a surge of happiness and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Jake. Really, thank you. This means the world to me… and to Arlene. I know it'll take a huge weight off her shoulders."
Jake held me close, rubbing my back gently. "Anything for you, Laura. Anything to make you smile."
He pulled back, giving me a reassuring look. "Now, how about I get the living room ready for our movie night? You go get comfortable, and I'll handle everything."
I nodded, my smile now genuine and bright. "I'll be down in a bit. Thank you again, Jake."
As he headed downstairs, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was Chloe calling. Perfect timing, I thought, since we still had some things to finalize for the wedding.
"Hey, Chloe!" I answered, a bit of excitement slipping into my voice.
"Hey, Laura! Just wanted to check in and go over a few more details for the wedding. Are you still thinking about wearing your hair down?" She asked.
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah, I think so. Something loose and soft, maybe with a few flowers woven in. You know, kind of romantic but simple?" I explained.
"Oh, I love that idea! It'll suit you perfectly. And for makeup, are you thinking natural too, or a bit more dramatic?"
"Natural for sure. I want to look like myself, just… elevated. Nothing too over-the-top."
Chloe laughed. "Understood. I'll make sure everything is just right. And what about jewelry? I was thinking something delicate, maybe just a pair of earrings and a bracelet to keep it classy."
"Perfect, I trust your taste. You've really been a lifesaver with all of this, Chloe."
"Hey, I'm just happy to help. And honestly, this is one of the most exciting weddings I've worked on. I'm just as thrilled as you are!"
We talked a bit more, discussing flower arrangements, seating plans, and last-minute details. Chloe's enthusiasm made everything feel even more real, and I couldn't help but smile as we worked through each detail. She was just so happy to help, and I was thankful for the day we became friends. I mean with the current situation Arlene in, I would be doing the running around alone. But now, I have Chloe to help.
Just then, I heard Jake's voice from downstairs. "Laura, the movie's ready! Come down whenever you're done."
I looked at my phone and realized we'd been talking longer than I thought. "Hey, Chloe, I have to go, Jake's waiting for me. But thank you so much for everything. I honestly don't know how I'd do this without you."
Chloe chuckled. "It's my pleasure. Go enjoy your night, and I'll see you soon. And if you think of anything else, just give me a call!" She said.
"Will do. Thanks again, Chloe."
I ended the call and made my way downstairs, feeling more at ease. Jake had dimmed the lights and set up the living room for our cozy movie night, complete with blankets and popcorn. He was reclining on the couch, looking relaxed and waiting for me.
As I joined him, he looked over with a smile. "All set?"
"All set. I was just catching up with my friend. We recently met but you wouldn't even know, she's been such a big help with the wedding planning."
Jake raised an eyebrow, a look of curiosity in his eyes. "Oh? I didn't realize you'd brought someone else on to help. You should have just let me get you the planner then. I thought Arlene was handling it all." He let out.
I nodded, tucking myself under the blanket next to him. "Yeah, she was. But this my new friend offered to step in to take some of the pressure off Arlene. She's been an incredible help with the details… she's got this amazing eye for style."
Jake looked thoughtful, nodding. "That's really great. I'd like to meet her and thank her for helping out with everything." He let out.
I laughed softly. "You've actually met her already. She told me she's one of your clients."
Jake looked intrigued, tilting his head slightly. "Really? What's her name?"
"Chloe," I said with a smile. "She said she's been one of your regular clients for a while now."
The moment I mentioned her name, I noticed a shift in Jake's expression. He froze, his gaze fixed on me with a sudden intensity, as though he'd heard something he hadn't expected…