Chapter 73: A Real Proposal

Melissa can’t believe it has been three weeks already since they discharged her from the hospital. They decided to wait and monitor the baby as she really wanted to have a natural birth. Everything so far was going much better than she thought it would and some things were going much better than she had ever dreamed they could. While Jeremy still had his reservations, and she knew they were justified, his mother had been godsent to Melissa.

She insisted on purchasing Jeremy’s Condo so that when she came to visit she wouldn’t “cramp their style”. She was even hinting about moving to California at least for half the year to escape the cold New York winters. This allowed Melissa and Jeremy to stay on in the condo, while the house was getting ready. Elaine also insisted on paying for any repairs and upgrades they wanted to do before moving in. She said it made more sense to do it before the baby arrived and as much as Melissa wanted to object, she knew that this was something the woman had to do to ease her conscience.

The door to the condo opens, Melissa looks up and her heart misses a beat. Will she ever get used to seeing Jeremy and not reacting to the fact that he loves her? He actually loves HER. Tears fill her eyes as she waits for him to home greet her as he always does first thing when he gets home. The big smile on his face, showing those perfect white teeth and the shine in his eyes takes her breath away.

“Hey, why are you teary-eyed?” He asks as he wraps her up in his arms.

“Just thinking about how lucky I am,” Melissa responds.

“I’m the lucky one,” Jeremy says as he reaches down to kiss her belly. “And I’ve got some great news. The house is completely ready for us to move in!”

Melissa looks at him, unbelieving. “Really? But I thought it was going to be another week or two!”

“Got a call from the supervisor today. They had just finished the last of the painting today.” He kisses her on the nose. “And apparently, he already called a cleaning company to go in there tomorrow, so I’m thinking this weekend we move to our new home!”

“A cleaning company? I didn’t know they would take care of that as well.” Melissa is surprised.

“I asked about that. Apparently, my mother had it all arranged with him. It is his cousin’s company and Mom mentioned getting it cleaned one day when she stopped by, so, between the two of them, they made the arrangements.”

“Jeremy! It’s too much.” Melissa starts to protest, then closes her mouth.

“It’s not,” Jeremy tells her. “Besides, this is the happiest I have ever seen her. If spending her money on us and her grandchild makes her happy, I say be buy a yacht!” Melissa giggles and he hugs her tight again.

Just then, Jeremy’s mother comes in the door. “I’m home,” she calls out. She started doing that after the first time she walking in on a heated makeout session.

“In the living room,” Jeremy calls back.

Elaine walks in carrying several bags, all with the names of baby stores clearly displayed on them. Jeremy and Melissa look at each other and shake their heads. Neither knows how one child could possibly use everything she is after buying.

“What?” Elaine questions, with a smile on her face.

“It’s too much, Elaine.” Melissa response lightly. “You do realize we are only having one child right?”

“Well, I gotta buy for two,” she responds. “I don’t know if you are having a boy or a girl.”

Jeremy rolls his eyes, “I’ll go start dinner.” He kisses Melissa as he gets up and heads to the kitchen.

“Jeremy was just telling me that the house is ready and we can move in this weekend,” Melissa says. “Thanks to someone arranging for a complete cleaning.”

Elaine waves it off, as she stands up and picks up her bags. “You don’t need to be worrying about that when you need to be resting. Besides, I love to plan and organize things. As soon as that baby is born we can start on the wedding.” With that, she turns and heads down the hall, while Melissa looks at her with her mouth hanging open.

With Elaine’s help, Melissa manages to get most of their personal belonging boxed up and ready for the movers during the week. There is not a whole lot she can do being on bed rest but she is going crazy doing nothing. At times she wishes she had the C-Section, that way she wouldn’t feel so useless.

She is after talking to her mother several times since she was in the hospital, inspired by Jeremy and his mother. However, things are not going as smoothly for her. While they are communicating more, her mother still has that defeatist attitude, which she sometimes likes to project onto others. She is able to get a week of work when the baby is born and honestly, Melissa is glad that is as long as her visit will be, as she doesn’t want that negativity around her baby.

Friday afternoon, the movers come to pick up their belongings, most furniture is staying with Jeremy’s mother, as it is more suitable to a single adult than a home with an infant in it. Most of the boxes contain Jeremy’s books and the biggest thing they are taking is the humungous desk from this study. It was his grandfather’s, so while it means something to both Jeremy and his mother, it seems to hold fonder memories for him, than her. Melissa can barely sleep Friday night, in anticipation of the move. While Jeremy took videos and pictures when he would stop by the house, he didn’t want Melissa around the fumes and dust created by the workmen.

Saturday morning finally arrives and they head out without even breakfast. Melissa is too excited and insists that they get something along the way. When they pull up to their house, Markus, Mel, Lucas, and Buddy are all sitting on the front porch waiting for them, The site makes Melissa cry.

She looks at Jeremy and laughs, “I can’t wait to have this baby so I can stop crying over everything.”

Elaine reaches into the front seat and pats her gently on the shoulder and says, “I hate to be the one to tell you but this is just the beginning.” Jeremy laughs at that but Melissa sees nothing funny.

As they walk up to the house, she notices Markus and Mel are holding a coffee carafe, juice, and plates of what she hopes is food because, in their excitement, they did not stop to pick up breakfast as planned.

Jeremy and Markus met the movers here last night, so everything is organized, neat and tidy as Melissa enters her home for the first time. As if Jeremy can read her mind, he reaches out and takes her hand in his. Their home she corrects herself. It is even more beautiful than she can remember. Of course, every change they wanted is completed plus a few upgrades she wouldn’t dream to ask for by it was like Jeremy or his mother knew.

As the rest get breakfast on the table, Jeremy leads her through the house. There is only one room left but before Jeremy opens it her stops and turns to face her. Taking both her hands in his, he starts to speak. “I know I jumped the gun here but it can be changed. I’ll make sure it’s changed before you even get home with the baby but I can’t shake this feeling.”

Melissa interrupts, “Jeremy, what are you talking about?” she asks. Then continues, “no, you didn’t,” but it is said lightly with no reprimand.

Jeremy is grinning now and it takes every bit of energy in her to hold back from kissing him. Instead, she tries to look stern as he continues. “I know you don’t believe in fate but I’m telling you, fate brought me to that bar that night. Fate gave us each other.” He puts his hand over her belly, “and fate gave us this little girl.” He opens the door, “Fate gave us another Ruby.”

Tears stream down Melissa’s face as she looks around the most beautiful light pink room with splashes of, you guessed it, ruby via the pillows and blankets. The name Ruby is even stenciled on the wall above the crib. It is a room fit for a princess, in fact, there are several Disney princesses painted on the walls. Melissa turns to say something to Jeremy only to stop in her tracks when she sees him down on one knee.

He takes her hands in his. “Melissa, when I came to California I thought I was running from something. I thought I was running away from the pain and sorrow love can cause. But that wasn’t it at all. I wasn’t running from anything. I was running to something. I was running towards all the joy and happiness, and hot sex” he says with a wink before continuing, “that love can bring. I didn’t know what love was until I met you. I didn’t know what unconditional love was until I saw that first ultrasound and heard the beat of our baby’s heart. You have made me a better man and a better son. Would you please let me be the best father and husband I can possibly be? Will you marry me, Melissa? For real this time and for always?”

Melissa throws her arms around his neck, “Yes Jeremy I will marry you for real and for always.”