Chapter 6
"Need any help?" Mia asks from the dining table while I toss a salad in her parent's kitchen.
"No. I'm in my element. You'd only get in the way." I wink at her.
Every Sunday Mia and I come over to her parent's house for family dinner and because cooking is my second love I always beg to do it.
Autumn, who's sitting next to Mia, sighs and puts her head in her hands. She's seemed down the whole time she's been here, not her bubbly self.
"You okay?" Mia asks her.
"Not really," She looks up at both of us. "I lost my ring last night."
Mia looks at me wide-eyed then looks back to Autumn.
"Do you know where it might be?"
"No, I took it off last night before I got in the shower and then when I got out I couldn't find it. I told Johnathan but all he said was, 'I'm sure it will show up.'" She explains, clearly upset.
"How about Mia and I come help you look for it tomorrow after she gets off work?" I suggest.
Autumn nods looking slightly relieved. "That would be great."
"She's gonna smack him." Mia mouths to me and I nod.
A few minutes later Autumn is rounding everyone up for dinner and Mia and I are setting the table.
We set fifteen places at the table and a bouncer for Ryder next to Mia's seat. Johnathan was able to convince Autumn's parents and sister to come for dinner as well so they can witness his announcement which; according to him, Autumn just thinks has to do with the hospital bills.
After a minute everyone starts filing into the dining room and sitting down. Fifteen-year-old Nick walks in with Xander next to him and Zoey following close behind. Twins Kyle and Trevor come in next followed by Josh, and Autumn's sister Rose. Finally, Johnathan walks in with Autumn and the parents. Everyone sits, grace is said, and the food is dished out. When everyone is finished eating, Johnathan stands up and clears his through getting everyone's attention.
"So, I have an announcement I would like to make."
Everyone is smiling. Tears are starting to gather in the eyes of both moms. They must think it's THAT announcement.
"Well," He says. "Mia and I have an announcement."
Confusion clouds everyone's face.
"The hospital called Mia yesterday. Someone made a huge donation and, to sum it up quickly we don't have to make any more payments."
Everyone has a shocked look on their face. Mia's mom, Anne, suddenly starts crying and John wheels his wheelchair over to her and pulls her into his lap hugging her. His eyes too are filled with tears.
One by one their children get out of their seats and join in on the hug. Johnathan pulls Autumn into the hug as Mia waves me over. Zoey gets out of her seat and somehow manages to crawl into Anne's lap. And there everyone stands, hugging and crying while Ryder sits in his bouncer babbling.
I smile to myself. This is how a family is supposed to look.
"Can we have cake now?"
"Johnathan!" Autumn shouts at her fiancé who just completely ruined the moment.
"I agree with Johnathan," John says. "I think it's time for cake."
Once everyone is done eating their cake Johnathan again stands up looking a lot more nervous this time. Autumn looks at him confused.
He bends down and pecks her lips before getting on one knee in front of her. He pulls her ring out of the breast pocket of his shirt causing her to gasp.
"Now, if I remember right," He says. "We agreed to wait till the hospital bills were caught up. "
"Did you have my ring the whole time?"
"Yeah, I wanted t-" He's cut off by her smacking him across the face.
"Called it!" Mia and I shout.
Johnathan chuckles. "I wanted to surprise you. I even went and had it cleaned. So Miss. Black, will you finally marry me? Can we have our Christmas wedding this year?"
"I changed my mind. I don't wanna get married on Christmas anymore."
Johnathan's smile falters slightly. "That's okay. We can wait until after Christmas."
"Actually.... I was thinking an October wedding." She says biting her lip.
"That's in four months. Don't you need longer to plan a wedding?" He grins when she shakes her head.
"Well, who am I to deny you."
"Exactly," She says. "Now give me my ring!"
Everyone laughs as Johnathan slides the ring on her finger then jumps up from his kneeling position and kisses her. Both moms are crying. Josh covers Zoey's eyes while Rose covers Xander's.
I look at Mia who's wiping tears out of her eyes. I know she has mixed emotions. She's happy for her brother and for Autumn who she's considered a sister for the past six years. But she's also in a way bitter. I mean, who wouldn't be? The man she was completely in love with cheated on her and now Autumn is getting what she had wanted to get from Ryan. That doesn't mean she has ill feelings for Autumn, nothing like that. It just reminds her of what she thought she almost had.
Autumn is completely in love with Johnathan. Just like she was with Ryan, and she can't help but wonder if she'll ever feel that way again.
She sees Johnathan look at Autumn like she's his world and she wonders if Ryan ever looked at her that way. And if he did, when did he stop? Why did he stop?
I know what she's feeling because I'm feeling the same thing.
She gives me a knowing smile. She knows what I'm thinking. She knows we're both feeling and wanting the same thing.
To be enough for somebody.
***
We've passed the 100 reads mark! Oh my gosh! I'm so excited! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story! It means so much to me!
The next few chapters are gonna be a little slow but it will pick up. I promise!
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