Saying Goodbye to Toronto

As they stood in the emptying living room, Jacquie's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed around at the memories they had made within these walls. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson-Erlick, still felt surreal to her. It had been just a few short weeks since they exchanged vows in a picturesque Glasgow ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends and family. Now, they were back in Toronto, collecting the remnants of their lives and preparing to start their new journey together in Scotland. Noah, ever the pragmatist, was methodically working his way through the tasks they needed to complete before they left. "Okay, so we've got the boxes packed, the utilities are shut off, and we've said goodbye to everyone," he ticked off on his mental list. He walked over to Jacquie and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "It's going to be an amazing adventure, I promise." Jacquie smiled, feeling a mix of emotions: excitement for their new life, but also sadness at leaving behind everything they knew and loved. She remembered the countless hours they spent in this very room, laughing, arguing, and making plans for their future. Their first meeting at the Next Step dance studio, when they were just 8 years old, seemed like a lifetime ago. Who would have thought that those two awkward, gangly kids would grow up to be each other's everything? As they began to make their way through the house, collecting last-minute items and saying goodbye to each room, Jacquie's mind wandered back to their journey. She thought about the countless hours of practice, the thrill of making it into A-troupe at 17, and the rush of winning regionals. She recalled the proposal on her 18th birthday, in that theatre, surrounded by their teammates and the people they loved. Noah's infidelity, a painful memory that still lingered, but one that they had worked through. The 150 bouquets and his heartfelt speech had been the start of rebuilding their relationship. She was grateful for the growth, the forgiveness, and the love that had only deepened with time. Their impressive win at nationals, with a breathtaking duet, was still fresh in her mind, as was the thrill of competing at internationals in London. It had been a whirlwind few months, and now, here they were, on the cusp of a new chapter in Glasgow. Cumbernauld, their new home, was waiting for them, and Jacquie couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Noah squeezed her hand, breaking into her thoughts. "Hey, you okay? You've been lost in thought for a while." Jacquie nodded, smiling up at him. "Just thinking about our journey, I guess. It's crazy to think about how far we've come." Noah smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And it's only just beginning." He pulled her close, and they shared a soft, gentle kiss, the taste of goodbye and new beginnings lingering on their lips.