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“Alright, Mike. No need to blow a gasket,” the doctor smiles. “I just usually don’t examine my patients with an audience.”
Michael grips my hand gently, keeping his eyes on mine the whole time.
The doctor asks a million questions, and finally takes some blood, but he says he doesn’t think it’s anything too serious.
It must be over two hours before we see the doctor again, who apologizes for keeping us waiting.
“Pile up on the interstate… We got a crazy full ER right now,” he explains, but takes the time to settle himself on the edge of the examination table I’m lying on.
“Just tell me what’s wrong with her, doc?” Michael asks impatiently. Annoyed when the doctor smiles to himself.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you, Natasha,” he says, letting his smile grow wide.
“In fact, I’d say congratulations are in order. You're going to be a mommy, is all,” he says, chuckling with excitement as we both let out sounds of shock and amazement.
“I’d say you're around two months. The pain you felt is actually a little gas which is pretty common in pregnant women. Nothing to worry about,” he adds, shaking Michael’s hand and congratulating me again.
Once he goes over a few things and makes some more appointments for me at the local clinic, our doctor gets called away, leaving just Michael and me.
Plus the baby makes three.
“It must’ve been that first time,” Michael says, convinced it was when I conceived.
I don’t disagree with him, but it’s hard to know for sure.
Everything about that first time, and every time since has been so special.
Everything’s just been perfect. Now we’re gonna have a family of our own.
A place of our own too.
Us.
Driving back after I’m given the all-clear, Michael takes the exit to the city, and I moan to myself. Not really wanting to go anywhere but home and maybe even to bed for a nap.
“It’s gotta be done. I was just waiting for the right time,” Michael mutters to himself.
“What needs to be done?” I ask, tired and maybe a little cranky despite all the excitement.
“I won’t have our babies coming into the world without a proper mommy and a daddy, officially,” he says, tone firm.
“Uh. It’s like three o’clock, Michael. I don’t think the baby’s coming out anytime soon.” I drone back to him, making him chuckle as he tries to keep a serious expression.
We drive in silence and feeling the beginnings of a headache I rest my eyes, my fingers massaging my temples before we stop.
Opening my eyes I let them adjust to the light.
“Where are we?” I ask sleepily, reaching over and patting Michael’s huge shoulder by way of silent apology for being snappy with him.
“Shopping,” he says with a quick smile, motioning for me to stay put while he comes around to open my door and help me out.
I’m suddenly made of glass now that he knows I’m pregnant.
With my hand in his, I let him take the lead, freezing mid-step when I see where he’s taking me.
“Michael?” I ask, feeling my knees grow weak, a few spots dancing before my eyes.
“You okay?” he asks, and I nod, but looking up at the sign ‘Fine and Antique Jewelry’ I ask him again.
Keeping my hand in his and ignoring the passers-by, he gets down on one knee.
“I want you to pick the ring, whatever you want,” he says, and I feel my heart literally stop in my chest as I clutch at it, trying to breathe.
“…But before I put a ring on your finger, I have to ask you. Need to tell you. I love you more than anything, Natasha. And I’d be honored, a happier man and a father to be if you’d say yes to being my wife. Will you marry me?”
It feels like time has stopped and I can’t even move my mouth let alone say it.
But once I hear the small applause from people who’ve stopped to watch him propose, I find my voice.
Looking down at my man, I tell him the truth, no dare required this time around.
“Yes. Yes, Michael. Yes. Yes. Yes!”
Extended Epilogue
Six Months Later
Michael
We’re not supposed to see each other before the ceremony, but everything else so far has been unconventional, so we figure it's okay.
“But a double wedding and your parents getting their vows renewed?” I have to ask. It’s been running around in my mind for months now.
Natasha sighs, one hand resting on her belly and the other reaching for mine.
I think it’s for affection, but she soon guides it to the back of her wedding gown, asking if I can loosen the bodice a little.
Or a lot.
“You know my dad by now…” she reminds me, making a little sound of relief once her dress isn’t so tight anymore.
“I know, I know,” I smile, shaking my head still not quite ready to take it all in. It’s funny how her parents' trip back home to check on their daughter is what finally brought them back together.
