Anthony knocked on Julia's front door as she opened it up and he stood there with another bouquet of jonquils as she smiled.

"Good morning Anthony." Julia greeted with a bright smile as Anthony just admired how beautiful the lady in front of him was.

"Hello beautiful lady." Anthony said as he kissed her cheek.

"Are you ready for our second date?" She asked as he smiled.

"Yes. Are you ready?" He asked.

"Yes, now let's go see what we can find at that antique store." Julia said as Anthony followed her out the door.

...

They were browsing around the glass antiques as Anthony spotted the glass display with engagement rings and wedding bands.

"Julia?"

"Hmm?"

"I know this is an odd question to ask someone on the second date, but would you ever get married again?" Anthony asked as Julia smiled.

"I believe I would. Why do you ask darling?" Julia asked him.

"Would you ever marry me?" Anthony asked in all seriousness.

"Yes, I'd marry you. You never know darling, I might just ask you." Julia said as she kissed him.

"No honey, I want to ask you. It's too early right now but one day, I'm going to ask you." Anthony said as he held her hand.

"I love you Anthony." Julia said as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"I love you too Julia." Anthony said as they looked around some more.

...

A couple of days later, the ladies were all busy doing something for a client when Anthony walked in with Bernice as she greeted the ladies and hugged them.

"How are you doing Bernice?" Julia asked her.

"I'm doing fine dear. How are you?" Bernice asked her.

"I'm doing fine too." Julia said.

"So, when's the wedding?'' Bernice asked as everyone looked at each other and Suzanne did a spit take.

"Bernice, who's getting married?" Mary Jo asked her.

"Why Anthony and Julia are, I think." Bernice said as they all looked at Anthony and Julia.

"I would know if my big sister was getting married. Why didn't y'all tell us?" Suzanne asked.

"We're not engaged yet. It's still too early in our relationship to even ask Julia to marry me." Anthony said.

"Anthony's right and when that time comes then we'll celebrate and have a party." Julia said.

"I'd say go ahead and marry her." Bernice said as they all laughed.

"We're going to get married but we're taking baby steps and I love this woman with all the fiber of my being but I'm not in a hurry to rush anything and neither is she. I enjoy my mornings drinking coffee with her and watching the sunset in the evenings wither her. I'm not gonna make her rush into anything but when the time comes, I'm going to surprise her in the best way possible and that's a fact." Anthony said as he kissed Julia's cheek.

"Wow! That's so sweet Anthony." Charlene said.

"There's nothing that makes me happier than standing right beside her. Her happiness means the world to me and if she says she wants to take it slow, then that's what we'll do." Anthony said.

"Don't be pressured to jump into marriage. That's how most couples feel as if they need to go ahead and get married." Mary Jo said.

"I love Anthony and don't get me wrong, I want to marry him but give us time, but right now, I'm just happy to know I can share anything with him." Julia said.

"You'll know when the timing is right. Like Mary Jo said, don't let anyone pressure you guys." Charlene said.

"We know and I like the idea of just us being together and no certain date on when we should get married. I wanna marry her, but right now, I just like the idea of having a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with her." Anthony said.

"You guys make me want to find a good companion." Mary Jo said.

"Hopefully, you'll find someone great one day Mary Jo."  Julia said.

"Oh, I know I will. I mean, I miss JD but he's off doing his own thing and I'm just here." Mary Jo said.

"I could help you find someone Mary Jo." Charlene said.

"I know you could Charlene, but I don't know if I'll ever find someone else like JD." Mary Jo said.

"Well, maybe you could. I could help you if wanted me to?" Charlene asked.

"I don't want to meet a random stranger in a bar or at the grocery store." Mary Jo said as she felt embarrassed of that idea.

"Well, where else do you wanna meet someone?" Charlene asked.

"I don't know. I don't wanna go to a bar and seem desperate for a man or go to where I buy my groceries and stare at some guy while holding a box of Kotex or a bag of dog food." Mary Jo said as she looked at Suzanne, who smiled.

"She done made that mistake once." Suzanne said.

"Mary Jo, why don't you go with me and Anthony Friday night to dinner. There's a really nice gentleman that might be interested in you." Julia said.

"How old is he?" Mary Jo asked.

"He's in his late thirties, maybe even your age." Anthony said.

"No thanks y'all." Mary Jo said.

"Why not?" Charlene asked her best friend.

"Because I'm not going to be with someone way younger than me." Mary Jo said.

"So, what's the deal? At least, give him a chance." Suzanne said.

"I don't think a man in his late thirties would be interested in a mom with two almost grown kids." Mary Jo said.

"You never know till you at least give it a chance." Suzanne said.

"Okay, fine." Mary Jo said as everyone else smiled.

...

Later on that evening, the ladies were all saying goodbye as they walked out the door to go home when Anthony stayed behind to help Julia with a few things.

"Thank you darling for helping me out with the inventory." Julia said.

"It was my pleasure baby. I already studied for my exam and I'm all ready for next week." Anthony said as Julia smiled.

"Do you still want me to drop you off on my way to lunch with the ladies?'' Julia asked as Anthony held her in his arms.

"Yes, I don't think I could pass my exam without keeping my head on straight." Anthony said.

"Then, let me be your cheerleader." Julia said as Anthony kissed her.

"You always are baby." Anthony said as Julia smiled.

"And I always will be your biggest fan." Julia said as she walked with him hand in hand up to her bedroom.

Author's Note: Hey y'all! I've been busy with work and my personal life but I'm updating now! I'll be updating my other story too, so don't miss out. Thank you for reading! I love y'all! ❤️