Work Text:
Charlotte looked out of her hotel room window in Paris, she had the most magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower. Most people would feel joy and excitement but all Charlotte felt in that moment was sadness. Charlotte was turning 30 years old in a matter of hours and would be spending her birthday alone.
She had planned this milestone birthday trip almost 5 years ago. She had dreamt of sitting on the Champ de Mars garden with him as the clock stroked midnight and the Eiffel Tower lit up. Charlotte had gone back and forth on canceling her trip but she knew she needed to do this for herself. She hoped entering this new decade would bring new beginnings and most importantly heal her heart.
Charlotte had friends she could have asked to come with her but she didn’t want to take them away from their young children. If she was being honest with herself there was truly only one person she really wanted there with her. One night after a couple glasses of wine she almost sent him a message that read, “meet me in Paris” but then she looked on his Instagram and immediately sobered up when saw he had moved on with a beautiful blonde. Her heart broke into a million little pieces that night but she only had herself to blame. It was her decision to break up with him.
They met their first year at university when he came over with her roommate’s boyfriend. They immediately clicked and soon became inseparable. They moved in together after graduation and every day their love continued to grow. He supported Charlotte as she continued her education and went through law school. She supported him as he worked his way up through the investment banking hierarchy.
They had talked about marriage soon after but they both decided to wait until after they were both settled in their careers. Charlotte had known he was the was one from the moment she laid eyes on him. Even now she still couldn’t picture herself with anyone else.
Almost two years ago he came home after another long day at work and had big news to share. His old boss who was now a CEO at a top investment company in New York had offered him a VP role. This was a dream opportunity for him and one that didn’t come along very often. He told her that as much as he wanted the position he was going to turn it down because he could never ask her to leave her position at the law firm. Charlotte couldn’t simply leave and practice law in New York. She would need to take the bar exam and pretty much start all over again. She loved her firm and the nonprofit work they did.
Charlotte knew she couldn’t let him pass this opportunity and had thought about having a long distance relationship. She knew a long distance relationship wouldn’t work, with their careers it would be very difficult for them to see each other. After a week of sleepless nights and agonizing over what to do, she made the tough decision to let him go. She lied and told him that she no longer saw a future with him and that he should go to New York. She would never forget the look of pain across his face. He told her he loved her and pleaded with her. There was no turning back after she told him she had fallen out of love with him. He angrily left their home after those words were spoken and that was the last time she saw him. He came over the next day while she was at work to pack up his things and move out. They had mutual best friends who didn’t take sides and avoided bringing his name up in front of her, knowing the selfless reason for their breakup. There was the casual mention of his name that made her heart leap.
She regretted her decision every day and came very close to quitting her job to follow him but she would let a lot of people who needed her down. The pain never went away and she thought about him every day. She kept telling herself that 30 would be a new beginning for her.
At 11:30 she walked the short distance from her hotel to the Champ de Mars garden. She found an open spot on the grass and laid out a blanket, bought a bottle of champagne from a vendor. As the clock began to inch closer to midnight and to her birthday she felt the weight of the last couple of years and began to quietly sob.
When the clock on her phone changed to 11:59 she wiped her tears away and took a deep breath as she looked up at the beautiful Eiffel Tower. As the clock strikes midnight and the Eiffel tower began to light up she felt someone sit next to her. “Happy Birthday Charlotte,” he said with the same smile that was etched in her mind, and he handed her a bouquet of her favorite flowers.
Charlotte could not believe her eyes at the sight of him. “Sidney, are you really here?” she asked thinking she might be dreaming.
“Yes my love,” he said taking her hand in his and leaning closer to give her a kiss. Time stood still as they kissed passionately. Realizing they were in public place Sidney detached his lips from hers and pressed his forehead on hers, “I have missed so much” he said.
“Me too,” she responded with tears in her eyes. “Sidney, I never…” she began before he put his fingers on her lips.
“I know and we will have time to talk about that later,” he responded.
“Let us enjoy your birthday today,” he said pressing a gentle kiss on her lips again.
After a couple of more kisses, Charlotte leaned her head on Sidney’s shoulder enjoying this perfect moment. “Do you want some champagne?” she asked him as she moved to grab the bottle beside her.
“I would love some, but before we pop it open I have a question to ask you,” he said as he positioned himself in front of her and pulled a small box from his coat.
“Charlotte will you marry me?” he asked
Charlotte was stunned at his question and asked him to repeat it again to make sure she heard him correctly. After Sidney asked her again, she answered “yes, yes, yes.”
… and they lived happily ever after.