I nod. “He’ll be teaching me something new every week. Or at least I’ll be learning from him one day a week. He said we can move on to something new once I’ve mastered this.”
“Is this part of your, finding fun, gig?”
I nod. “There’s something about following exact instructions and getting the perfect result that really speaks to me.”
“Of course, there is.” She rolls her eyes then halts. “Wait, does that mean I get to see you in an apron?”
“Don’t get any ideas. I don’t think I’m ready to go solo just yet. So, any thoughts you’re having will have to wait until I don’t need your dad around."
“I’m a patient woman, I can wait.” She snuggles into me and we stay silent. I wonder if I should remove the blanket from the coffee table or tease her a little more. “Justin, what did you mean when you said you want to stay in my good books for the rest of your life?”
I smile, slipping my left hand into my pocket. “I thought you’d never ask. I know we haven’t been together for very long, but I want you to know that you’re it for me. I can’t imagine being this happy with anyone else.”
Reluctantly, I untangle myself from her and stand up. I make sure my ring is secured on my finger. It makes sense to wear the one she got me if I intend putting hers back on her finger. I lift a far corner of the blanket. It’s covering the little Lego construction I put together earlier. Gently, I pull it up, making sure not to topple any of the blocks beneath it.
Angela lets out a gasp as she looks at my creation. “Oh my God, Justin. This is so pretty.”
I built the pink princess castle according to the instructions. I even included a little woman with dark hair and a crown and Lego man with blonde hair. Technically, mine is dark blonde, but whatever.
“I’m not done.” Before she can say anything else, I lift the last corner of the blanket.
I can see the moment she registers what the block construction is. In pink and purple Lego blocks are the words ‘Will you be my queen.’
Her hands are covering her mouth and there are tears running down her cheeks. I get down on one knee and pull out the ring I gave her in Vegas. “Angela York, will you stay married to me?”
She’s nodding and smiling and crying. “God, yes! I want to stay married to you.”
I get up off the floor and pull her up with me. “Angel, you’ve made me the happiest man alive. I get to spend the rest of my life with you and you’re having my baby.”
“This is the best day ever.” She pulls my mouth to hers and kisses me. I swear I see stars. I cannot imagine anything better.
Epilogue
Six weeks later.
Angela
I don’t need a wedding. I’ve been married for nearly three months. And I definitely don’t need a bachelorette party where I cannot even drink. The morning sickness hasn’t subsided at all. My doctor said it’s likely to stop in a week or two.
So, I can’t drink, and I’m already married, why the fuck do I need a bachelorette party? Oh yes, and I’m crabby as hell. According to Andi and my mom, I need to celebrate it with family and friends. When I told my mom Justin and I celebrated plenty that night, she blushed profusely and told me not to be crude. So, now I tell sex jokes just to rile her up. It’s fun to watch her get flustered, and with my mood swings, I’ll take my kicks where I can get them.
Andi assured me I wouldn’t have to lift a finger. I handed it over to her, and she stuck to her word. She picked out the flowers, organized the menu and even arranged a hotel for Justin and I to stay at tonight. She also had a perfect selection of dresses for me to choose from. I’m not really showing but I have put on a little weight.
“Here,” she says, handing me a flute of apple cider. “We need to toast to the end of your single years.”
“I’m already married.” I don’t understand why she’s making such a big deal of this. “If this is because you really want to plan a family wedding there’s still plenty to come. You have a brother and another cousin. And I have five other siblings. Surely you’ll have enough to do when they all decide to settle down.”
“Besides, she was hardly ever single.” Cassie sidles up next to us. “She’d broken up with Carl a week before she was married to Justin.”
Justin had Cassie and Lilly flown in for the weekend. He also made sure his brother, Blake could be here, as well as my brother, Michael. I must admit, it’s nice to have everyone I love around me. Especially since we all want to celebrate the best impulsive decision I’ve ever made.
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” I take a sip of my cider, which tastes nothing like champagne, and point to Lilly. “How’s she doing? Enjoying being captain.”
“Honestly, I think she’s doing it because there’s no one else. She told me to start grooming someone to take over next year.”
“You think she wants to retire?”
Cassie shakes her head. “I think Lilly will continue until her body can’t anymore. But I’m considering leaving.”
The Dynamite coach is not old. Maybe thirty-four is at the upper end of performing but she could continue coaching until she’s in her fifties. Then again, she’s still young enough to consider a career change if she wanted one. “What would you do?”
“I still have my teaching credentials. I’ll need to do some upskilling, but it’s a good place to start.”
I give her a skeptical look. “What made this come about?”
“Honestly, you.” She gestures for us to sit down and Andi
