Falling for You

At least, that’s what Josh thinks.

This year has been insane. Josh and I spent the first four months of our relationship long distance. We saw each other one weekend a month and the whole week of spring break.

It was horrible.

I missed Josh so much it hurt. I missed Bryson too, and almost every milestone. Holding his head up. Pushing onto his arms. Sitting on his own. Babbling. Every FaceTime call left me hollow and lonely.

So, when Josh officially asked me to move in with him at the end of the semester back in May, I couldn’t refuse. I had my bags packed and was on the first plane after finals.

Colson hated the idea, but let me go anyway. What’s the worst he could do? Tell Mom and Dad? I did that after I was settled and had a part time job at the Red Onion.

Dad was pissed, insisting I was making a huge mistake, and told me not to come crawling back when shit fell apart. Mom, on the other hand, said she was proud of me for forging my own future, and agreed to keep paying for my college.

They’ll come around. It might take some time, but I have a feeling they’ll get over themselves before next summer.

Why, you ask?

Let’s just say I called Chelle with some big news, and an even bigger request. She squealed and said she had the perfect plan, which is why Josh and I are back to back, with Bryson playing with some legos on a blanket in front of us.

I cap my marker and take a breath. I’m so nervous I could puke, but that would ruin the photos. And my dress.

“Ready! One…”

I can do this.

“Two…”

Even if Josh has been working later than usual on the farm this week, everything will be fine. Bryson’s bills are paid. He’s healthy and hitting every developmental milestone. I’m acing my classes and have a steady job. This will be great.

“Three!”

Here goes nothing!

Josh and I turn around at the same time to read each other’s messages. I don’t read his. Instead, I watch as his face morphs from happy, to shocked, to excited. He drops his board and cups my cheeks, pulling me into him.

“You’re pregnant?”

I nod, happy tears running down my cheeks. I didn’t realize I’d skipped a period until Hattie started complaining that she’s always on the rag for the holidays. Every holiday, no matter if she was due to have it or not. I laughed, then realized I couldn’t remember when my last period was.

I pulled up the tracking app on my phone and it was yelling at me, in red letters, that I was twenty days over due. The pee-on-a-stick test I took said it could take five minutes to get results. That bitch took thirty seconds before blinking the word pregnant.

Josh’s grin stretches wider and he drops down on one knee.

/> My heart skips a beat and I can not breathe. I glance down at his board, that’s fallen to our feet, Face up.

“Want to be a family?” it reads.

I look back at Josh and the ring reflecting off the sun in the little velvet box. It’s a single diamond, set in yellow gold. Beautiful. Classic.

“Well?” Chelle calls out.

“Oh!” I’m so stunned I forgot Josh had asked the question. “Yes! My God, yes!”

Josh stands and wraps both arms around my waist. He spins me around in a circle, then crashes his lips against mine until we’re both breathless.

“This was my grandmother’s ring.” He pulls the diamond out of its box and slips it on my finger. “I know girls like white gold these days, but I wanted you to have something that meant something to me, not just a store bought nothing.”

“It’s perfect.” I rest my head against his chest and smile at the camera. “Just perfect.”