But it’s been blissful because Morgan’s my rock. He’s so supportive, and allays my concerns whenever anxiety crops up.
“Don’t even think about them,” he soothed one night when we were alone. “Just finish your degree, and ignore everyone else. They’ll come around soon enough.”
His words were true too because I walked across the graduation stage with a huge baby bump, beaming and smiling while receiving my diploma. People were shocked and there were scandalized whispers, but what could they do? All that matters is that I finished school, and that I’m expecting a healthy baby. Of course, my education’s on pause for the moment, but I’ve been accepted into Sheridan Community College, and I’ll take some classes on-line once the baby’s born. There’s a time for everything, and right now, I’m focused on being a mama.
Morgan reads my mind and kisses me again.
“You’re smart, talented, and amazing, honey, graduating with honors the way you did. I’m so proud of you. Plus, you’re already an incredible mother to June, and I can only imagine how phenomenal you’ll be with this child.”
I blush again at his praise and we sit in silence for a few moments just holding each other with contentment as June scampers about. I love that she’s such a big part of our lives, and I really do think of her as my own daughter now. She’ll be an amazing big sister too, and I smile beatifically before giggling a bit.
“What is it?” Morgan asks with a quirk of those sensuous lips. “Something funny on your mind?”
I nod while tittering again.
“Yeah. Do you remember Susie by the way? She’s one of our biggest supporters.” He nods.
“Yeah of course.”
“Anyways, Susie is very much still the single lady about town. In fact, she’s been dating up a storm in Sheridan and I think she’s run out of men!”
Morgan guffaws.
“Are you serious? How is that possible? I mean, Sheridan’s not huge but it’s not that small either.”
I shrug.
“Let’s just say that Susie’s a bit promiscuous, so I think she’s been sleeping her way through a swath of the town’s most eligible bachelors. But now she tells me that there’s no one, and that she’s desperate for it. She’s even thinking about signing up for on-line dating, she needs to hook up that bad.”
Morgan snorts.
“Okay, Bumble and Tinder and those sites better watch out then because clearly, the Black Widow’s on the prowl.”
I giggle.
“OMG! Don’t call my friend the Black Widow!”
My boyfriend merely snorts with laughter.
“Yeah, but she kind of is right? I mean, these guys will never know what hit them.”
I merely laugh again.
“Well, I love that Susie’s enjoying herself because that’s what single ladies should do. They should revel in their freedom before they get huge and pregnant like me,” I say, rubbing my tummy again while shooting my lover a warm smile. “When you’re my size, you can’t get anything done.”
Morgan leans over for another kiss.
“That’s why I wait on you hand and foot, my lady.” But then, he grins with some news himself. “By the way, Fred Walsh says hi.”
I brighten.
“I say hi back! How is he? Did he ever finish The Grapes of Wrath?” We decided to terminate our reading sessions after the confrontational Town Hall, even though Fred did nothing wrong.
Morgan shakes his head.
“I have no idea, but rest assured, Fred Walsh is completely fine. The old coot is as tough as nails, and as soon as the DA dropped the charges, he was practically dancing in the streets.”
I giggle.
“You mean, wheeling about the streets in his wheelchair?”
My lover winks.
“You know what I mean.”
I merely smile and giggle again because Mr. Walsh, despite being old, is as canny and cunning as the best of them. That old fox has quite a bit of life up his sleeve, and I’m glad to hear he’s thriving.
Then, Morgan gets up and stands, stretching. For a moment I think he’s going to go play with June, or maybe go back inside to grab something, but a moment later he’s reaching into his pocket and has dropped down to one knee beside me on the grass. I gasp as he pulls a small box out of his pocket before popping it open.
“Natalie Sherwood, I love you. I absolutely adore you, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you. We’ve already been through an incredible shit show, but with your grace and courage, our relationship has only come out of it stronger, better, and more loving. Now, I can’t wait to make a life with you and to meet our beautiful baby. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asks, his voice emotional.
Tears of happiness course down my cheeks as I nod dumbly, the lump in my throat too large to speak. With a knowing smile, Morgan pulls me to my feet and I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply.