Chapter 20
Mae
The following weekend we invited both of our families over to have dinner and so that we could share our good news with them. Alex was over the moon and couldn't wait to tell our families. I have already told Max and Erica and threatened them with death if they spilled the beans early.
Alex is making dinner, and I of course was taking care of the desert. I was making a cake that had a small baby hidden in the center of the cake. It was large enough that no one would choke on it, and it was plastic.
We wanted to surprise everyone with it, and I couldn't wait to see who got the baby first. I was finishing setting the table when the doorbell rang.
"Hi! Come on in!" My parents were the first to arrive, and I could see Alex's family following close behind.
We spend the first ten minutes introducing everyone to each other, and then Alex leads them to the dining room as I head to the kitchen. I bring the food out and join the party. I look around the table and find that I am than I ever thought possible.
"I think that this is the first time in years that I have seen you this happy," Ronald says to Alex.
"I'm happier than I have ever been. Mae makes my life better than I ever could have imagined." He grabs my hand and kisses it.
"Did you ever find out who broke into your apartment?" My mother asks.
I think back to the day that the detective called me and gave me the last update on the case. After weeks of nothing, he calls and tells me that they have no suspects and that there was not enough evidence on the scene to lead to anything strong enough to point to anyone. My heart sunk when he told me all this. He not only didn't give me any answers, but he sounded as if he was bored with the whole thing.
"No, they didn't. Apparently, there wasn't enough evidence that would point to a suspect." I sigh as I finish.
"So, they just left you high and dry?" My father asks.
"Yeah. Unless something magically comes up, then I am out of luck. I hope that it was something random and that I never have to deal with anything like that again."
Everyone around the table agrees with me that I was given a crappy deal with all this. Without Alex and my friends, I would have been in a mess. A smile comes to my face as I think about Alex. That man has proven to be the best thing that has ever happened to me.
I bring out the pieces of cake, making sure that one of them has the baby in it. They are all on a tray, so I have no clue who will get the cake. I walk around and let everyone get their cake.
"This looks so good, Mae," Todd says as he digs into the cake.
Todd gets to his second bite and stops. He rolls it around in his mouth and then pulls out the baby. He stops and looks at it and then looks at Alex. Alex has a huge smile on his face, and his brother's eyes widen.
"No way!" Todd yells.
Everyone stops and looks at him like he's grown a second head. He holds the baby out in front of him for everyone to see. The faces around the table are hilarious. All of them are in shock. They range from overjoyed to a deer caught in headlights.
"Tell me it's true Mae?" My mom asks with tears in her eyes.
"It's true. Alex and I are going to have a baby!"
The room erupts in cheers as both families start losing it. Both sets of parents flock to us and begin giving the hugs of congratulations. My dad and mom are both crying since this is their first grandchild. Alex's mom gives me a huge hug and a thank you.
Katie comes flying up to her brother and holds on for dear life. She is beyond happy and it shows in the tears streaming down her face. Alex is equally as happy as he has some tears in his eyes as well. Everyone finally settles down and starts to finish their cake.
"I just want to say to everyone here, that Mae and I couldn't be happier about this. We know that we have moved a little faster than most relationships, but when you know, you know." He turns to me. "Mae I know that this is all going really fast but I promise to take care of you. I will make your life the happiest it could possibly be if you'll let me."
The next thing I know Alex is down on one knee. His face is flushed and he has sweat around his brow. He's nervous and I couldn't find it any cuter.
"I love you with my whole being. Please do me the honor of letting me love you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"
Alex pulls a ring out of his pocket and I smile wildly. This man has surprised me at every turn. When I thought that I was done with love, he showed up and showed me that I was just waiting for him. When I thought that he would leave me because of Tanner, he proved he trusted me above all others. There was only one answer that I could give.
Alex
Kneeling down and waiting for her to answer had to be the longest moment of my life. I knew that without a doubt she was everything that I wanted in life. There could never be another girl who would hold a candle to the amazing person she is.
I look into those tear-filled eyes and know that my future lays with her and our child. She has given me the hope that I was longing for.
"Of course I'll marry you! You're my everything!" She pulls me up and kisses me senselessly.
I pull back and slip the ring on her finger and smile. There is nothing in this world that will keep me from worshiping this woman for the rest of my life. All that I have done in life has been leading to this moment in time. A moment where I finally get the girl of my dreams.
"This has to be the best night ever!" Katie yells as she hugs us both.
My sister has always wanted to see me happy and to gain the sister she always wanted. Tonight just seals the deal for her to get her wishes. We spend the next hour talking and listening to how excited everyone is for the wedding and baby.
The women are all in planning mode and are ready to get this show on the road. The moms pretty much had the whole thing planned out before Mae and I even had a chance to set a date!
I look at Mae and she is glowing. The happiness in her eyes makes everything worth it. All the years of waiting and hoping were worth the sight before me. I could sit and look at her like this forever.
Once everyone finally leaves, Mae looks worn out. I clean up the kitchen and dining room and send her to our room for a long soak in the tub to relax. She works so hard already that I am worried about how the pregnancy is going to affect her. She loves what she does, but I don't want her to risk her health to do it.
Once I finish I head to the bedroom and see that she is already laying on the bed. She smiles at me and pats beside her. I undress and get in and snuggle up to her.
"Thanks for cleaning up for me." She says running her hand through my hair.
"My pleasure my love. I don't want you overdoing it." I lean up and kiss her.
"I know you're worried. I'll do my best to take it easy. I don't want to hurt myself or the baby either." She gives me a kiss back.
I chuckle at her and she gives me that breath-taking smile of hers. I know that no matter what I will do anything to see that smile on her face. I would move heaven and earth for her.
"So, Alex. You gonna let me ride that bologna pony?"
I swallow hard and nod my head. She's getting braver by the day and I like it. I spend the better part of my night doing that. Letting her get her fill, with whatever she wants. I'm spent by the early morning hours, but it is all worth it for my girl.