Love's Crazy Twists (23 page)

              “Yeah, pregnant.”

              “You’re having a baby?” He asked shocked.

              “Yeah.”

              “I’m going to be a Daddy?” He looked at her hoping that his reception was acceptable.

              “That’s what I’m saying. I’m going to be a Mommy and you are going to be the Daddy.” She smiled.

              Shane reached over and took hold of her hand and put to his lips and kissed it. “I love you so much. This is incredible!” He said.

              “So you’re not mad?”

              “Mad! No way! I’ve always wanted to have a baby. This is awesome.” He said. “It makes this night even more unforgettable. He was smiling so big that Julie thought his face might rip in half.

              She was so happy that he wasn’t freaked out by her news and she felt so much better now that she told him about the baby. They sat in silence for a little while letting their newfound information sink in. Finally, Julie spoke, “So, are you going to tell me where we are going?”

              “Not on your life. It’s a big surprise.” He laughed.

              “Oh alright.”

              A little while later they pulled off the road and then up to a cabin. It was Shane’s cabin. Julie wondered why she had to get dressed up for this. Shane stopped the car and jumped out before Julie had a chance to move and he  opened the door for her to get out.

              “Thank you. You’re such a gentleman.” She told him.

              “You think I wouldn’t open the door for the mother of my baby? What do you take me for, a Neanderthal?” He laughed.

              “I think you are a very special man.” She kissed him. “Thank you for not freaking out on me when I told you I was pregnant. I was afraid to tell you.”

              “You shouldn’t ever be afraid to tell me anything. Ever. No matter what, I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.” He told her.

              They walked up to the cabin hand in hand until they reached the door. Shane fumbled with his keys as he searched for an excuse to have Julie stay outside for a few minutes. As he turned the key in the lock he said, “Oh Julie, I forgot my cell phone in the car, could you go get it? If it isn’t on the sun visor it fell on the floor. Please look for it, I’m expecting an important call from work.”

              “Sure, Hun, I’ll go get it.”

              He ran inside as fast as he could, he needed to get things ready. This was going to be the most important night of their lives. He was there the day before to get things ready, but he had to do the finishing touches. He had just finished lighting the candles and starting the gas fireplace when he heard Julie approaching. He quickly got in position and Julie opened the door.

              Her mouth dropped open as she peered into the cabin. It was filled with candles and there was a roaring fire in the fireplace. There was a big comforter on the floor by the fireplace, just like the last time they were there. As she turned her head, she saw Shane. He was standing in the middle of the room with two glasses of sparkling grape juice, since Julie’s announcement in the car he knew that she couldn’t have the champagne that he had originally planned on. He was grinning from ear to ear.

              “Shane?” What is all of this?” She asked.

              “It was a surprise.” He said as he handed her a glass.

              “Well, I’m definitely surprised. It is so romantic. Thank you.” She said then kissed him.

              “Let’s make a toast. To a wonderful woman and a wonderful evening.”

              “Cheers.”

              “Come. Sit. I have dinner in the fridge, and while it’s baking we can have salad.” He told her.

              “You brought me all the way up here so you could make me dinner?” She asked.

              “I just wanted to have an evening all alone with the woman I love. Is that so bad?”

              “No, not at all.”

              “And I wanted to make you dinner. Lasagna.”

              “My favorite.”

              After dinner Shane led her over to the fireplace. He sat down on the comforter and Julie sat between his legs and leaned back on him.

              “Thank you.” Julie said. “This has been a great evening.” She turned to face him and they kissed.

              He loved to hold her and he hated to get up, but he had other things planned. “Julie, would you like more
juice
?” He smiled.

              She nodded and sat up so he could go get it. He was gone a few minutes and when he returned Julie was in for an even bigger surprise. He handed her a dozen long stemmed, red roses. She gasped with delight as she took them from him. He bent down and sat their glasses next to the hearth. Then he stood back up. Julie jumped up and hugged him.

              “Thank you. You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

              “Well, what can I say?” He laughed. “Anything to make you happy.” He leaned down and gently kissed her on the forehead. Then he proceeded to get down on one knee. “Julie, you are not only my best friend, but my lover. I have loved you ever since the first time I laid eyes on you. With you in my life I am truly happy. Without you, I would be lost. You are my lighthouse in the storm. You are my ‘everything.’ I love everything about you.” He paused to look at her. Her eyes were filling up with tears as she realized what the surprise was. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, he flipped it open to revel a large diamond ring. “Would you make my life complete? Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me and make us a family, all three of us.” He finished.

              Julie started crying, “Yes.” She shook her head, “Yes! A thousand times yes!” She got up and Shane slipped the ring on her finger, and they kissed.

              “I love you.” He told her.

              “I love you, too. More than words can say.” Julie said.

              They stood embraced kissing for what seemed an eternity. Julie knew that this was finally the happy ending she had always wished for, and it was even better than she had ever imagined.