Lucy
February 14th
Lucy smiled as Jacob squirmed while she dressed him for daycare. He’d had his Uncle Seth go out and buy cards for all the girls in his group and he bragged about how pretty they all were. She tried not to let the fact that he’d just noticed the beauty of the opposite sex bother her, but knew it was inevitable given his gender.
“Hurry, Mommy,” Jacob insisted. “I’m going to be late.”
“Yes, yes,” Lucy agreed. “We can’t keep the ladies waiting, now can we?”
Amber had arrived the previous day and she and Chris had spent the night in a hotel. Lucy knew they hated being apart and considering the nature of the holiday, they needed some alone time that her small apartment and number of guests wouldn’t allow. She was proud of her brother’s happiness and she loved Amber like a sister. They were both so good for each other. She just hated that they had to spend this Valentine’s Day watching over her.
Once she had Jacob properly dressed, he raced from his room and grabbed Seth’s hand.
“I’m ready,” he declared loudly. “Take me to the ladies Uncle Seth,” he added and pulled the man toward the door.
Seth chuckled but tossed a wink at Lucy.
“I’ll be back soon, Mommy, don’t do anything strenuous while I’m gone,” he announced and then warned. Lucy saluted him like a good soldier and went about straightening up the breakfast dishes and wondering when Jacob had learned the word “strenuous”.
She’d all but cleared the table, loaded the dishwasher and put the cold breakfast foods back in the refrigerator when she heard the front door open and close. She pulled the sink’s plug, drained the soapy water and then rinsed the sink out, waiting for Seth to peek in on her. But when he didn’t she went in search of him.
She halted short when she walked around the corner and found him in the middle of her living room, on one bended knee, an open jewelry box in his hand. She closed the distance between them and peered down into the red, velvet box. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the diamond engagement ring. Her face heated when she realized what he was in the throes of.
“Seth,” she started but he stopped her short by standing and grabbing her by the hands.
“Don’t,” he warned. “Just sit down and listen to me.”
Lucy nodded curtly and allowed him to lead her over to the sofa. He waited until she was firmly seated and then he, again, kneeled in front of her, offering her the open ring box.
“I know what the doctors have told you,” he admitted and paused when she inhaled sharply. “Chris told me,” he admitted much to her dismay. “But I also know that I can’t go another day without you knowing just how much I love you and Jacob. I want to marry you,” he insisted. “Today, if necessary, or the sooner the better. I want you to tell Jacob that he’s my son and I want to spend the rest of our lives together. Till death do us part,” he finished and sighed heavily.
“Lucy, will you marry me?” he asked softly. “Please, give me the chance to show you how much I’ve changed and how much I want a family with you. You’ve already given me a son, you’ll get better and maybe give me a daughter to spoil,” he rambled and she stopped him by placing her finger against his lips, successfully silencing him.
He complied but stayed where he was, his eyes searching hers for an answer. Her eyes went to his throat and she saw the way his pulse hammered in conjunction with his heartbeat. She knew she loved him and now she knew that he loved her. Her only dilemma was whether or not she should chance breaking his heart.
“I’ll never stop loving you,” he added. “I don’t care how long we have together. I’ll never stop. Even if you refuse, I’ll never leave your side, so you might as well just say ‘yes’ and put me out of my misery,” he rushed on.
“Okay,” she relented and almost squealed when he lunged to his feet and pulled her into the tightest embrace she’d ever felt. He squeezed so hard she feared he would break her ribs.
“But we have something to do first,” she whispered against his chest. Seth pulled back to look down questioningly into her eyes.
“When Jacob gets home this afternoon, we need to sit him down and tell him the truth,” she said. “I want him to know that I’m marrying his daddy.”
***
THE END