5 Years Later

The Proposal

I’ve been pacing a hole in Brad’s loft floor for an hour. Where the hell is he? We had moved here three years ago after Gabby’s father passed away in prison. He had been suffering from renal failure due to the excessive drinking.

The three of us went back home for the funeral. My mom and even Brad’s parents all attended, in support for Gabby and Alex. Even though he had done unspeakable things, it wasn’t always like that for them. They mourned the dad they used to know and in a way it gave them some closure. The day after the funeral, we went back to our apartment in Athens, Ga. Gabby had moved in with Brad and me and it turned out I was a big fan of cohabitating. 

She was understandably quiet after we got back, with so much on her mind. Then, the phone rang. She got a call from a high-end art studio in NYC. Alex was in his sophomore year at Columbia, and Brad and I were considering starting a construction business there. 

Gabby wanted to continue pursuing art and applied to work for an art studio called Galeria LaPuente. The call she got the day after the funeral was them offering her the job. We all agreed on the change of scenery and moved within the next two months. Gabby and I rented a house in the city, with Brad getting a loft in Manhattan. 

It took a little over a year to get our business up and running with steady jobs. Once we did, we were making pretty decent money. I started saving for this very night. 

Two months ago I went to Alex to ask his permission to propose to Gabby. He had the biggest grin on his face when he said, "Aren’t you guys technically married already? You’ve been together forever.”

I laughed at that. “Yeah, true. But, I want to give her a wedding and be tied to her every way imaginable.”

He extended his hand to me and I shook it proudly. “You have my blessing. Did you get a ring yet?”

“No, but I got my eye on a few.” 

"Hold on a sec," Alex said as he disappeared into his bedroom. 

I heard the sound of dresser drawers opening and closing before he reappeared and held out a small black velvet box to me. 

"Are you asking me to marry you? I'm flattered and everything, but I kind of got the hots for your sister, you know?" I said with a grin. 

"Shut up and open it, asshole." 

I opened the box a sucked in a breath when I saw a beautiful gold engagement ring with a ruby in the center surrounded by small diamonds that also ran along the band. "Where the hell did you get this?" 

"It was our mother's," he answered, sliding his hands in his pants pockets. "After our father died I got a box of stuff sent here. That was in it." 

"Are you sure?" I asked, looking up at him.

"My mother would have wanted her to have it." 

I pulled him in for a hug. "Thanks, Alex. This means a lot." 

He pulled away from me and cleared his throat, clearly overwhelmed by the situation. "You're welcome. Now, get out of here and make my sister happy." 

***

Gabby and I were sitting at our table at L'Artusi, which was located in the West Village. The Italian restaurant was extremely romantic and I had made reservations months ago. I wanted this night to be special, and I knew that Gabby loved Italian food. Not to mention, she's mentioned this place to me more than once since we moved here.

"I can't believe we're here," she breathed as she looked around the restaurant. There were twinkling lights and candles, making the ambience here perfect for what I had in mind. 

"Well," I said with a smirk, "I promised you dinner after that incident at the house." 

She gave me a look as she said, "If you had just called an electrician…"

"But then I wouldn't be here with you tonight," I replied as I reached out and took her hand. It wasn't true, of course. I was already planning this. But, it was a good excuse to bring her here without raising suspicion. 

She gave me a smile as the waiter brought our dessert. I watched her for a minute. She was wearing a black strapless dress, along with the necklace and earring set I bought her on our last anniversary. She had her hair curly and pulled up high in a clip. She was so beautiful. 

"Why are you looking at me like that," she asked as she took a bite of her cheesecake.

"You look really beautiful tonight," I said and she smiled at me. "You know, I think I finally have an answer to your question." 

"What question?" She asked, taking another bite, completely clueless to where I was going. 

"You know which one I'm talking about."

She sat her fork down and gave me a half smile. "What's your dream, Golden Boy?" 

"You are." My heart started pounding as I got up from my chair and got on one knee in front of her. 

Understanding showed in her expression, followed by surprise then disbelief. "Gabriella Elizabeth Adamson, you are the purest, most loving person I know. They say that everyone experiences a pivotal moment that changes their life forever. For me, it was that day I saw you clutching those damn books to your chest, wearing a pair of jeans, a Taking Back Sunday t-shirt and a faded pair of Converse." 

She laughed a little, tears forming in her eyes as I opened that black velvet box. Her hand covered her mouth when she saw the ring, recognition clear in her expression. 

"My life changed that day and these past eight years have been an amazing gift. I'm hoping we can have decades more. Gabby, baby, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" 

"Yes! Yes, I will," she said, crying and laughing at the same time. 

As applause erupted around us, I slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her. My only thought in that moment, was how fucking lucky I was. 

Two Weeks Later

As I raced home after getting a frantic call from Gabby, I slammed on the brakes in front of our house. Still decked out in my construction uniform, I busted through our front door to find her pacing in the kitchen.

"Gabby. What happened? Are you okay?" 

She turned to look at me with wild eyes as she continued to chew her fingernails, something she never did before. "I thought it was just stress, you know. I thought it was just stress due to this new showing I'm planning at the gallery or even the fact that bills were tight this month. I've missed my period before and it was nothing." 

She was talking so fast and saying so many different things it was hard to follow. "Gabby, slow down. What happened?"

She reached for something on a counter then held it out to me. Frowning, I took it from her and it showed me a little blue plus sign. 

I looked back up at her and I knew the shocked expression her face was due to the huge grin on my mine. "You- We're pregnant?" 

The excitement I was throwing off seemed to calm her a little and she smiled at me. "We're pregnant." 

I pulled her mouth to mine, the need to kiss her was overwhelming. She pulled back and looked me in the eye. "Are you sure you're okay with this? Because it's just so sudden and I don't if we're ready-" 

"Baby," I said, cupping her face in my hands. "We're ready. And you are going to be an amazing mother. We got this." I placed my hand on her belly. "We're in this together." 

6 Months Later

I was standing in front of the counter of a 24/7 ice cream shop at three a.m. As my foot was impatiently tapping, I knew I looked like shit. My hair looked like I got electrocuted and my eyes were probably bloodshot from exhaustion. 

But, I kept my tone patient and calm while Gabby listed off the different flavors of ice cream she wanted over the phone. 

She was almost full term and had a late night craving for five, no, make that six different flavors of ice cream. 

"Yes, baby," I said into the phone while the cashier was throwing me a pitiful look. "Okay, I'll tell him. Love you, too." 

I hung up the phone and the cashier said, "Pregnant girl at home?" 

I let out a tired sigh. "You have no idea." 

I gave him the order and waited while he prepared it. After thanking him, I walked out onto the busy street and hailed a cab. 

Thank God, I wasn't far from home.

I rested my head against the seat as the cabbie drove towards our house. Not ten minutes later, we arrived. I paid the driver then stumbled up my porch, retrieving my keys from my pocket. 

I was so fucking tired, I couldn't get the damn thing in the lock. Fifth times a charm it seems as I push the door open and head for the kitchen. I hear footsteps coming from the hallway and turn to see Gabby with an odd expression on her face. 

"What? I swear I got the order right." 

"That's not it. Hayden, my water broke."