A Dream Deferred

Her days began leisurely now, with slow mornings drinking coffee Jake made for her before he left for work. She'd sit by the window, sketchbook in hand, the city below inspiring her in ways she'd never imagined. By mid-morning, she'd be in her makeshift studio—a corner of the living room they'd transformed into her creative space.

The freedom was intoxicating. For the first time in years, she didn't feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her shoulders. She painted everything: abstract swirls of color that mirrored her emotions, delicate portraits of Jake when he wasn't looking, and vibrant cityscapes that captured the energy of their life together.

Her work began to blossom, her creativity flowing like never before. And Jake was there every step of the way, offering encouragement and support.

One Friday evening, as she was putting the finishing touches on a painting of a rainy city street, Jake walked through the door. He set down his briefcase and loosened his tie, his eyes immediately drawn to her.

 "Wow," he said, crossing the room to stand behind her.

 "That's incredible."

Lily blushed, setting her brush down.

 "You think so?"

 "Are you kidding?" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

 "It's amazing. Just like you."

Her heart swelled, and she turned to kiss him.

 "You're biased," she teased.

 "Maybe," he admitted with a grin.

 "But I'm also right."

That night was among the nights where they had sex to their heart's content, sharing themselves in pleasant harmony and lying drained and sweaty in each other's arms. 

As the weeks turned into months, Lily found herself falling more in love with Jake—and with her own life. She started sharing her paintings online, gaining a small following of people who admired her work. She even sold a few pieces, the validation giving her a confidence she hadn't felt in years.

One day, she received an email from a local gallery owner who had stumbled upon her art. He wanted to feature her work in an upcoming exhibition. Lily nearly dropped her phone in excitement, her hands trembling as she called Jake.

 "Are you serious?" he said when she told him the news.

 "That's incredible! We have to celebrate."

That night, they toasted with champagne, Jake's pride in her shining brighter than the candles on the table.

Despite her growing success, it wasn't all smooth sailing. There were moments of doubt, times when she worried she wasn't good enough or felt guilty for relying on Jake financially. But he always knew exactly what to say to pull her out of her spiral.

 "Lily," he said one night as they lay in bed, her head resting on his chest,

 "You've given so much to everyone else for so long. It's okay to let someone take care of you for once. You've earned this."

His words stuck with her, and she began to let go of the guilt.

 Lily sat on the edge of the couch, clutching the letter in her trembling hands. She had read it at least a dozen times already, but the words still felt surreal: *Congratulations! You have been selected for an exclusive art internship in Paris.*

Paris. The city she'd dreamed of since she first picked up a paintbrush. Her stomach twisted with excitement and anxiety as she looked around the cozy apartment she now shared with Jake. It had only been three months since she moved in, and everything about their new life together had been wonderful. Mostly.

Jake walked in from the kitchen, a cup of tea in hand.

 "What's that?" he asked, nodding toward the letter.

Lily hesitated

 "It's… kind of a big deal," she said, handing it to him.

As he read it, his brow furrowed.

 "An art internship? In Paris?"

 "Yeah," she said, biting her lip.

 "It's one of the most prestigious programs in the world. Only ten people get in each year."

 "That's amazing," he said, though his tone lacked enthusiasm.

 "How long would you be gone?"

 "Six months," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jake set the letter on the coffee table and sat beside her.

 "Six months is a long time, Lily."

 "I know," she said quickly, her heart sinking.

 "But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It could open so many doors for my art career."

He took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

 "What about us? We just moved in together. I thought we were building something here."

 "We are," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

 "But that doesn't mean I don't love you. It's just… Paris. My art."

Jake's expression softened, but there was a tension behind his eyes that made his stomach knot.

 "I get that this is a big deal for you, but we're a team now. If you leave, it'll put a strain on us. Long distance isn't easy, and honestly, it feels like you're choosing your career over us."

Lily's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't thought about it that way.

 "That's not what I'm doing," she protested.

 "Then why does it feel like that?" he asked gently.

They sat in silence for a long moment, the weight of the conversation pressing down on them. Finally, Jake spoke again.

 "I'm not saying you shouldn't follow your dreams, Lily. But sometimes, love means making sacrifices. Maybe this isn't the right time for Paris."

His words stayed with her long after they went to bed. That night, Lily lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She loved Jake, and she wanted their relationship to work. But turning down Paris felt like giving up a part of herself.

The next morning, she made the call.

 "Ms. Thompson," the program coordinator said cheerfully.

 "Are you ready to confirm your spot in the internship?"

Lily's heart felt like it was being squeezed.

 "I'm so grateful for the opportunity," she began, her voice shaking.

 "But I'm afraid I have to decline."

After hanging up, she sat at the kitchen table, staring at her phone. She tried to tell herself she was doing the right thing—for Jake, for their future. But a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered: *What about your future?*

Weeks turned into months, and life with Jake settled back into its familiar rhythm. They decorated the apartment, went on weekend trips, had sex, and spent lazy Sundays watching movies. On the surface, everything was perfect.

But late at night, when Jake was asleep, Lily would sit by the window with her sketchpad, drawing scenes of Paris she had only seen in books and movies. The Eiffel Tower, the Seine, the cobblestone streets lined with cafés. She poured her longing into her art, hoping it would be enough to quiet the ache inside her.

One evening, as they were cooking dinner together, Jake noticed a sketch of the Paris skyline on the counter.

 "This is beautiful," he said, holding it up.

 "Thanks," she murmured, focusing on chopping vegetables.

He looked at her closely.

 "Are you okay?"

 "Of course," she said, forcing a smile.

But Jake wasn't convinced.

 "Lily… did I make you give up something you really wanted?"

She froze, her knife hovering over the cutting board.

 "You didn't *make* me do anything," she said carefully.

 "That's not what I asked," he said gently.

She set the knife down and turned to face him.

 "I made the choice because I love you. Because I thought it was the right thing to do for us."

 "But do you regret it?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded.

 "A little. But I don't regret choosing you. I just… I wish I could have both."

Jake sighed, pulling her into his arms.

 "I never wanted to hold you back, Lily. I just… I was scared of losing you. But maybe I was being selfish. You deserve to follow your dreams."

 "It's too late," she whispered.

 "Maybe not," he said, a determined look in his eyes.

 "Let's find another way. Paris isn't going anywhere."

For the first time in months, hope flickered in Lily's heart. Maybe love didn't have to mean sacrificing dreams. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to have both.