Simone.

9 months later.

"You didn't fucking tell me this hurts like a bitch," I growl, eyes glaring at Abby.

The contractions are coming in stronger and faster but Abby remains calm through it all.

"Oh, fuck!" I scream as Abby tightens her grip on my hand.

The nurses head emerges, encouraging me to push one more time.

Abby is by my side the whole time: wiping away my sweat and whispering 'You can do it honey' in my ear.

When they finally place the baby in my arms, the world narrows to this singular moment.

The pain and worry that had consumed me for months seems to disappear.

As I look down at the tiny bundle in my arms the exhaustion is replaced by a fierce, protective love.

The baby reaches out with tiny fingers, and, to my surprise, grabs onto my chin. I laugh through the tears running down my cheeks.

This, I realize, is what I’ve been searching for—a feeling of true happiness, completeness I hadn’t known was missing until now.

"She's so beautiful," Abby says next to me, gently caressing the baby's cheeks.

I want to say something, but only my lips find hers and I pull her in a slow kiss.

When we break apart, Abby laughs. "I don't think she was supposed to see that."

I laugh.

“Have you thought of any names?” Abby asks.

I look down at my baby.

“Miracle,” I choke out. “This baby is my miracle.”

Abby smiles, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I love it,” she says, holding Miracle close.

One year later.

My face is deep into the screen of my computer, words flowing out of my head as I edit my recent project.

Abby, too, has been busy—she’s processing papers and preparing to re-enter med school.

Even though she will be in her thirties when she graduates, she does not want to give up her dream.

When Abby comes home, she has a grin that’s both mischievous and excited on her face.

“Get ready,” she says, her eyes shining. “We are going out for dinner.”

I stare at her, blush painting my cheeks. “But the ki--”

“May is coming,” she replies. “Lets ditch life for a little."

May our, babysitter shows up an hours later and we leave.

We spend the night holding hands, kissing whenever we can, Abby's hand on my thigh or the small of my back when she talks to people we know.

It's a subconscious thing she does but I like it.

After dinner, we settle outside on a swing. May put Miracle and the twins to bed so it's just us, the beautiful sky and the wine mugs.

The air is fresh and enjoyable. The starts twinkle, syncing with my heart.

I don't think I've felt this happy in my life.

Abby turns to me, her face lit by the soft glow of the porch light.

“Do you remember last year when I got on my knees and asked you to be my roommate so we could drink wine in mugs together?” she begins,

I nod, not sure what she is getting at. That moment was funny though.

“I had removed the ring from the box and replaced it with a key." She exhales but her words are calm.

I let her finish before saying anything.

“What I really wanted to ask you was if you would marry me. But I figured you wouldn’t have been ready then. You had just gotten out of a toxic marriage, and asking you to step into another commitment would have been too much.”

I’m stunned.

My heart thuds as Abby gets down on one knee, pulling out a small, familiar box.

She opens it to reveal the ring, shining under the stars.

“So, I’m asking again,” she says, her voice steady despite her visible nerves. “Simone Marley, if you feel like your heart is in the right place, please let me make you my wife. Now that I’ve had a taste of what my life is like with you, I want it to always be this way.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I look down at her. I can barely breathe.

I slip my hand into the ring’s band, and it takes a bit of effort to fit, my fingers still a tad thicker from the pregnancy.

Abby doesn’t mind; we both laugh softly when I finally get the ring on.

I nod, choking out, “Yes. Yes, I’m ready to be your wife.”

Abby’s face lights up. It's all between shock and happiness.

She pulls me into a kiss, gentle, tender, as if solidifying all the things I feel for her.

“I promise you, it won’t be like the previous one,” Abby says softly. “This is different. This is real.”

I smile against her lips. “Did I ever tell you how I fell in love with your pretty ass?”

Abby chuckles.

The next week, our wedding is a small but beautiful ceremony. We have our marriage blessed at the council, with Mom and Abby's parents.

Vince and Beth couldn't travel so we have them on FaceTime.

The twins hold Miracles hands as they shower little rose petals in a path I will soon be walking.

When I make it to the front, Abby swallows, her eyes not leaving mine for second. She looks gorgeous in that white suit and I wish to tear it down and kiss her on every part of her body.

"I do," is all I hear and the noise blurs again when she kisses me.

Abby was wrong when she said this wouldn’t be like the previous ones.

This is better—so much better. This was more than just a feeling after all. It was real.

"Wanna ditch our wedding and go make out?" Abby whispers into my ear as we dance.

I smile, the butterflies in my tummy locking in.

"Yes." I breathe. "I wanna ditch everything and make out with you, my darling wife."

......

I don't want to say it.

But...

😭😭😭😭😭😭🥰🥰😍😍