Allie's Arrival at Noah's House

Allie drives to Noah's house, following the familiar road past landmarks from her summer with him. She sees the old abandoned church and the majestic oak tree where she first fell in love. She remembers Noah reading poetry to her under that tree, his voice soft and musical. She finally sees the house in the distance, dramatically restored. She turns into the long, tree-lined drive and stops beneath an oak tree. Noah steps off the porch and approaches her car. When she emerges, they stare at each other for a long time without moving. Allie is twenty-nine, engaged, and a socialite; Noah is thirty-one, a dreamer haunted by her memory. She finally speaks, saying it's good to see him again. Noah, amazed, stammers a reply. They embrace, dissolving fourteen years of separation. Allie cries, and Noah comforts her. She explains she saw the article about his house in the Raleigh paper and had to come. He says he's glad she did. She feels something deep and old stir inside her, making her dizzy. She fights for control, reminding herself she is engaged. They begin to walk, and she tells him she has something to tell him. He suspects the worst.