Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

The TV was on and the countdown was going on. There was still a couple of minutes left. Jerlina decided to make the call later and looked at Jeremy by her side.

She has a lot to talk to him about.

As she was about to call him, she heard Gordon's voice through her phone. She had accidentally called him.

She looked at the count down. There was only a minute left.

Ah…I want to talk to Joel when the new year begins!

Jerlina's hands reached to Jeremy as she wanted to talk to him. He's changed her life for the better and she could feel that she is more courageous and strong thanks to him..

When the year began, she didn't think she'd end up here... But here she is...

She blamed herself for waiting till the last moment.

She is with him the entire day but she didn't say anything as she decided to tell him at the break of the new year. But she didn't imagine the last moments of this year would be this hectic.

Come to think of it… This is fine too, right?

She looked around. Her phone, laptop, his phone were all connected to many people and although they are in a town far away, they have a lot of people around them.

And she is very happy although she didn't have the privacy to have a moment with her husband.

When the year started she didn't imagine she would be in her mother's home, married to the guy she thought of a monster.

But she's learned that he never was a monster and she fell in love with him. And now, she is so happy.

It's all thanks to him!

Jeremy felt her hand reaching out to him. It seemed like she wanted to talk to him. He smiled at her.

When this year started, he was in Peyton, drunk and playing games with the boys. His mom got sad for him and she was almost in tears asking him to find a woman to date at least.

A lot happened after that. He went through an emotional rollercoaster and he is a better man at the end of the year. A lot of people he started the year with are no more. Some died, some left and some…Emma- he pushed her away because he didn't want to have anything to do with her.

The losses he suffered are not less but he gained a lot more. And more than anything, he has gained the most important person in his life.

His wife!

He thought he would be single for the rest of his life.

But here he is, at the end of the year, with his WIFE! And they probably have a baby in the making already.

I have a family!

"I love you, Jerlina," he said. "I hope that our love never fades," That's all he needed.

"I love you too, Joel," she smiled. Her hold on his hand tightened.

Yes, she has a lot to say to him but in the end, love encompasses all the feelings she feels for him and wants to convey. And like him, her only wish for the next year and their future is for their love to grow without bounds.

"Gordon," She answered the phone and her heart warmed hearing that Jonathan is awake.

Apparently, Jonathan was about to call her a minute after the new year is born where she is at. He said he wanted to give her a minute with her husband before he talks to her.

5…4…3…

The countdown reached the final stage. Jerlina felt a pull by her hand. As she could hear the cheers of everyone and the loud noises of the fireworks display. Everyone was cheery and loud.

"Happy New Year, Jerlina," Jeremy leaned and kissed her on the lips.

"Happy New Year, Joel," Jerlina said with a smile.

I am starting this year with a kiss from my husband! HUSBAND!!! I have a husband!

She talked to Jonathan and he ended the call just in seconds to leave her celebrate it with her husband. Jerlina thanked him for his thoughtfulness. In her heart, of course. She is not rude to say it to the face of that old man who showers her with love every time they talk.

They then started wishing everyone who were connected to them through the phone.

After the wishes and kisses, Jerlina heard the familiar song from Jeremy's phone. Charlie and Jimmy were the one who started it.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot…"

The song started and everyone joined them. They were so loud that Mikhail could hear it from his bar that was loud with cheers.

So he joined them.

"…be forgot… And days of auld lang syne…"

Soon Rose started to sing along and so did the others who were near them. Through Jerlina's phone she connected with Nick and his family, they joined in too.

"…We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet… For auld lang syne…"

With smiles and cheers they all sang the song unitedly. After chatting with everyone for some more time, Jerlina and Jeremy ended all the calls.

"Ah…" Jerlina leaned at the back of the couch leisurely. She didn't think spending time with others would be this enjoyable.

"I am so happy, Joel," she kissed his cheek.

"I am happy you're happy," he smooched on her lips.

Whatever the reasons may be for her happiness, he would welcome it as it would make him happy too. As long as she is happy, anything is fine!

"I had a lot to say to you. But," Jerlina turned and looked at him. "Thank you, Joel" she leaned on his arms. "Thank you for loving me."

"Loving you is all I know," he said with a cheesy smile and rested his cheek on her head.

"Yeah, I am glad you're simple."

With a chuckle, he lay on her lap and she ran her fingers through his hair.

She hoped this happiness lasts forever.

"And when are we returning?" she asked.

She didn't fail to notice the little bit of sorrow in his eyes. He probably misses his sister, she thought. She wasn't sure but she had a feeling. When she asked him to talk to her, he said that it won't be necessary and it seems like she didn't call him either.

Or did he block her number?

"I unblocked Emma's phone number today… Well, technically, yesterday…" he said.

Oh, dear! He probably expected her call but she didn't, huh!

"I'm sorry," she bent and kissed his forehead.

"What are you sorry for?" he said and went silent.

"She probably got tired after calling you for days," she said.

She didn't want to tell him to talk to her. She really did not. Ever since she heard from the lawyer that she wanted to have access to Jeremy's will, she didn't want to do anything with her. Not to mention her attempt to damage her baby's grave.

She was a little conflicted knowing that Jeremy still expected her call.