Erik’s proposal was an excited utterance brought on by an incredible sexual encounter, but he meant it.  Within a few days, we were talking about venues and then we went shopping for a ring.  He refused to buy me one until he saw that I had actually enrolled in school.  It was tempting to just forget and see what kind of spanking that would get me, but the engagement ring was a bit more motivating than the threat of being punished.  We went to see my parents together and after my mother picked her jaw up off the floor, we were able to explain ourselves.  My father—stoic as ever—simply gave us his blessing and didn’t say much else after our explanation was done.  We decided to wait until Madison finished school to actually get married, but we told her over Christmas break.  She seemed to be a little more open towards us being together by that point and the news of our engagement didn’t cause anyone to get threatened with a sharp object.  Shortly after she graduated and moved back home, I was wearing a white dress, preparing to walk down the aisle.

“You’re so beautiful.”  Madison walked around me and checked every thread on my dress.  “No wonder my father loves you so much.”

“I love him too...”  I smiled and took my bouquet from her once she was sure I looked perfect.

“I know.”  She shook her head with a slight laugh.  “I can’t wait to meet someone, get pregnant, and make my kids call you grandma.”

“I thought you weren’t calling me mom.”  I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

“Oh, I never will.”  She laughed again.  “But you’re definitely going to be grandma.”

“I’d like to be called mom first.”  I wrinkled my nose.  “Not by you, of course.”

“You guys are going to have a baby?”  She pursed her lips in surprise.

“Um...”  I giggled.  “I might already be pregnant.”

“WHAT!?”  Her eyes practically bulged out of her head.  “Well this just turned into a shotgun wedding.”

“Yeah, don’t tell anyone though.  I’d like to avoid the scandal.”  I giggled again.  “I plan to just come back from the honeymoon and announce it was quite productive.”

“Please come up with a better way of explaining that you’re pregnant with my brother or sister than referring to it as quite productive.”  She picked up her ribbon-wrapped flowers and tilted her head towards the church.  “They’re playing your song.”

“Okay, time for my father to walk me down the aisle and give me away to your father.”  I started towards the door and Madison grabbed the train on my dress.

“Maybe I’ll marry your father...”  she stated in an absent tone.  “How would that work?  You’d be grandma—and sister, right?”

“My father has ten years on your father and I’m pretty sure my mother could still kick your ass.”  I chuckled as the doors opened and we walked towards my father, who was waiting with his arm bent at an angle.

“Fine, I won’t make our family tree any more awkward than it already is.”  She hurried past us and took her place at the front of the church.

***

ERIK AND I HAD A BEAUTIFUL honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas.  All-inclusive meant we really didn’t have to leave, which suited us fine most of the time.  We did venture out for a few excursions, but they mostly turned into foreplay, and we couldn’t wait to get back to our room.  By the time the honeymoon was over, I was certain that I was showing, but Erik said I was as beautiful as ever.  We spent the next couple of weeks breaking the news to everyone and then getting back to our regular routine.  Erik’s job kept him busy during the day and I usually got out of school before he was done, so dinner became my responsibility.  I burned more dishes than I served for a few months, but then I got the hang of the basic stuff.  Erik didn’t seem to mind.  He ate whatever I prepared and complimented it, even when I was struggling to chew my way through a single bite.  Life became a bit of a routine, but we always made time for each other, regardless of what challenges we faced during the day between school and work.

“The wedding photos came today.”  I held up an envelope as Erik walked through the door.

“You didn’t open it?”  He hung his jacket and walked towards me.

“I figured we could do it together.  I’ve seen most of them on the website, but they included a few candid shots that might be fun to see.”  I started tearing it open and hugged me as I shuffled through them.

“You were beautiful—still beautiful.”  He put his hand on my stomach and kissed my neck.

“Yeah you better correct yourself.”  I chuckled and kept moving through the photographs.

“Look at that one.”  He pulled one out of my hand.  “That is right before your father walked you down the aisle.”

“Right before Madison threatened to marry him.”  I leaned against him and looked at the photograph.

“Say what now?”  His words carried a bit of shock.

“Long story...oh wow.”  I blinked as I looked at the photograph.

“What?”  He looked closer at it.

“My father...”  I pointed at his face in the photograph.  “He’s actually smiling.”

“Damn...”  Erik nodded.  “You’re right.”

I felt a bit of joy seeing the smile on my father’s face.  It felt like the moment came together perfectly.  He might not be a man of many words or much emotion, but sometimes it did shine through.  I knew he would have no choice but to show it when I put his granddaughter in his arms for the first time.  I was beyond happy with Erik.  I looked forward to many years together.  With his help, I had gotten my life back on track and amplified it beyond anything that I ever imagined.  I had the man of my dreams by my side and together, I felt like we could accomplish anything.