RORY

When I walk in the apartment, I find Imogen getting ready to go to the club. She looks more beautiful than ever while she puts on makeup in the living room mirror. The space in front of our bathroom vanity is turning smaller for her with every day that passes.

"How did therapy go?" She asks me through the mirror reflection.

"Slightly better," I smile but she can see through me. 

"But not as fast as you would like it to be."

"I'll be fine."

I kiss her cheek and head to the kitchen to grab something for breakfast before we head to work. Her bump pushes me as she tries to hug me from the back and it makes me smile even when I'm not feeling great. 

"I'm really sorry, Ro."

Imogen was present when the doctor told me that the cut in my right hand damaged a nerve. Making a fist was difficult so I suspected something wasn't quite right. I could barely hold a cup of water at the hospital then. When I went home, I tried to pick up a liquor bottle and couldn't grab it. Since then, I've been going to physical therapy and some stretching exercises at home. With every day that passes it gets better, but I'm not back to my old self.

"There's progress. I was able to pour from a full bottle without trouble. I only can't grab the neck or throw it in the air. My therapist encouraged me to keep trying with the light aluminum ones from when I went to bartending school. That should train my hand to make a fist and regain the strength to flip it."

Imogen watches me with the same guilty expression since I woke up at the hospital. I cup her face and kiss her lips. "Don't look at me like that. It's not your fault I broke my fall with the cabinet." She tries to smile at my lame joke, but fails. "None of what happened is your fault. Duncan should have never set foot in our home. I blame him for being a drunken asshole. My only regret is that I wasn't as good as my dad when I punched him."

Imogen laughs and I'm happy her expression has changed. "Your dad is full of surprises."

"I need to eat something quickly before we head to the club. I need to talk with Erin about a few ideas I have for the New Year's party. I might need to hire an extra bartender to cope with my little hand problem."

"You are still faster than the rest of us."

I still can pour and do things with my left hand, but it doesn't come natural to me. In the past weeks, I've mostly tapped beer and made cocktails that only require stirring. Doing the flairtending show won't be possible anytime soon.

"I wonder if this one in here will follow our steps as a bartender."

"Our..."

"You know I love you and I've grown to love her as if she was mine. I would love it for you both to become my family and have the Sommer last name."

"Ro... Are you... Do you want..."

"I'm asking you to marry me. Nothing would make me happier than marrying you and becoming the father of this little one," I caress her belly and the baby gives me a hard kick.

"I should eat something," Imogen moves away from me and grabs the bowl of cereal I have in my hands.

I serve myself another bowl and give her time to process my words. Lately, I've been thinking about my future, our future, and I only see them in it. I never thought about becoming a father, but now I can't wait for it to happen.

"Did I fuck things up? If you say yes, I promise I'll get you the prettiest engagement ring."

Imogen puts the bowl down and laughs to the point of tears. I feel slightly alarmed at the sudden mood change.

"Fucking hormones," she says wiping her eyes and laughing again. "Ro, I don't need a ring. I only want you."

"Is that a yes?"

Imogen nods and I hold her in my arms while I kiss her head. Can't wait to tell the family the good news.

We head to the club after Imogen retouches her makeup and I regret not wearing a scarf today. Christmas will happen in a few days and has brought the perfect cold weather with it. I think we should make a big pot of hot chocolate with a touch of rum to sell today as our special. I sure crave it as I hear Christmas music coming from some stores and watch as people walk with shopping bags with gifts peeking from them.

When we walk in, I find Jordan helping Noah to mount a rig of additional lights on the stage.

"Didn't know you had a shift today," I say to Jordan as I approach them. "I really could use the extra help."

"I asked Erin for extra hours. I have a girlfriend now and need the money," he says proudly.

"Noah, don't be a cheap bastard and give some money to the kid for his dates," I tease.

"Every time he goes out, I offer him money and he declines," he shrugs and motions for Jordan to hand him a cable. "So I'm not cheap, he's a fool for not accepting it."

"A fool indeed," I chuckle. "You are mounting the lights early."

"Since we are blessed this year with Christmas on Sunday, I want to spend the three-day break with Jordan and Gianna instead of coming here to mount stuff. She also wants to introduce us to her family and I'm looking forward to that."

"Understandable, and wow, meeting the in-laws. That's a big step. Jordan, when you are done with your dad, come and get the wine glasses for upstairs."

Jordan looks at Noah with slight shock and I realize that I called him his dad.

"Yeah, he'll be with you in a few," Noah says. "Have you noticed that you waddle when you walk? Did you learn that from Imogen?" He teases, likely to give time to Jordan to process his feelings.

"I don't waddle!" Imogen protests from the bar. "Robbie, do I waddle?"

Robbie stops as he comes with a tray of coffee cups, turns around, and goes back to the kitchen. Smart move.

"Rory, do I waddle? Tell me the truth!" 

"I guess most pregnant women do it."

Erin comes from the kitchen right when Imogen gets teary.

"What the fuck did you two do now?"

"Rory said she waddles," Noah tries to hide a smile.

"You said I waddle!"

"You are two idiots!" Erin shakes her head.

Imogen laughs again. "This hormonal shit is awful! I wasn't even offended. I can't stop crying over everything. Like this morning when you asked me to marry you."

"You proposed?" Erin looks at me and grins.

"Yeah... We haven't talked details... Probably after the baby is born. Of course, I would love to do it straight away, but I want us to enjoy the baby's arrival first."

"Can I be the maid of honor?" She looks so hopeful at Imogen it's kind of funny.

"I would love it for you to be my maid of honor," Imogen walks to her and hugs her.

Noah seems to ponder about something. "What's going on with you?" I ask.

"Gianna hinted that she wants us to get married. I wonder if it's the right timing to feel like that."

"She wants us to be a family," Jordan says and watches Noah carefully.

"Do you want to get married, Noah?" Erin asks him.

"I do. I just never expected to meet the woman I wanted to do it with so soon," he says thoughtfully again.

"What's the meeting about?" Sam comes out the kitchen and hands a paper to Erin.

"Marriage," I say. "Two Moonlight House partners are on their way to get hitched and a third is thinking about it."

"Have I been so obvious? I haven't asked Marisol yet. Planned to do it on New Year's Eve."

Our mouths drop in surprise while Erin and Imogen let out a girly scream in delight. Jordan rolls his eyes. At his age, marriage is something far away in his mind.

"Oh, Sam, this makes me so happy! I know you haven't asked her, although I'm sure she'll say yes," Erin holds him in a tight hug.

"She is the perfect girl for me. Has helped me rethink and be more accepting of the relationship with my parents. When we are together I don't fear saying something stupid and disappointing her. I don't know exactly when or how, but I know I would like her to become my wife. If you guys were not talking about me, does it mean Adam will propose to Claire?"

Before any of us can answer, someone seems shocked or outraged at the comment.

"WHAT?"

Claire stands in the kitchen doorway and definitely heard what Sam said.

"I asked Imogen to marry me, and Erin and Matt are engaged of course. Noah believes Gianna is open to marry him, and Sam would like to propose soon."

"And you are speculating whether Adam and I will be next... Congratulations," she says and returns to the kitchen.

"Did I do something wrong?" Sam asks Erin.

"No, sweetie. It was only bad timing that you both didn't hear the first part of the conversation. Adam doesn't exactly have open-hearted conversations with me, or any of you I guess, but knowing him, marriage isn't anything he'll rush into."

"But they are almost living together. What's the difference?" Noah shrugs.

"We all have done things in different ways and Adam isn't the exception," Erin says. "Sam, keep an eye on Claire. Something tells me this conversation complicated things."

Sam nods and heads back. The atmosphere, far from feeling blissful from all the marriage intentions, becomes awkward. I join Imogen behind the bar and she lets out a big sigh while getting garnish holders to fill.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"I feel odd about the situation with Claire. I shouldn't have said you proposed."

"On the contrary, I'm happy you did. I don't know exactly what is happening between them, but I have an idea. Adam isn't exactly the most communicative person in the world. If he's anything now like he was with his last girlfriend, I don't think their relationship will last long. It will disappoint me, because I really like Claire."

"I get what you mean."

I've never had a close relationship with Adam like Erin has. We always butt heads over life decisions. He was upset I picked a career in bartending, even though my work brings the highest revenue for the club. Not once has he said, you were right, because Adam simply doesn't say what's in his mind unless it is to complain about something.