“For what?” He tells with one raised eyebrow, turning to face him. “You have nothing to thank me for, Christine.”
“I do,” I whisper with a smile. “I have to thank you for being this perfect.”
21
Epilogue
“Here she is, our very own Miss United States!” Kim cries out as she sees me walking inside the bar. Ashley and Natalie are here too, and the whole gang smiles as I sit down at the table with them.
“Knock it off, Kim,” I laugh, playfully punching her in the arm. She feigns pain and then, raising her arm high in the air, waves at the waiter. He scoots over to us in a hurry and I order a non-alcoholic cocktail. Kim throws me a suspicious look as she hears the words non-alcoholic, but I just shrug it off.
“Seriously, we’ve missed you, girl,” Natalie says, sipping on her margarita. When was the last time I went out for drinks with them? Weeks ago? Since I started working at the United Nations my schedule has grown so busy that I barely have any time for myself, let alone to go bar-hopping with the girls. Still, I had to take the time and meet them here today - it’s a special occasion.
We’re sitting outside at the Maison Prèmiere garden, and it’s my favorite time of the day: Happy Hour. To be honest, since I started working at the United Nations that every hour seems like Happy Hour. Why? It’s simple - I’m in love with the most perfect man I have ever met, and I’m living my dream. What more can I possibly want?
Right, I should probably give you a rundown of what happened since I got the position, the one that caused me a lot of headaches and almost cost me heartbreak as well. Let’s see - like I said, I started working at the United Nations and, a few weeks after that, Anders handed me the keys to his apartment. Big step, right? Well, it sure was - mainly because three days after that he was asking me to move in with him.
Yeah, I really became the center of all gossip in the Political Science department - Christine, the lucky girl who somehow managed to snag the hottest professor in the whole campus and a dream job all in one term. That’s me, alright, and that was what everyone talked about non-stop for days on end.
Now, my internship is going to end next week, and I’ve already been offered a contract for a permanent position. That’s right, I’m this close to achieving my dream of getting a career at the UN. Also, I don’t know if I should be telling you this, but I’m also late… And you know what I mean by late, don’t you? Yap, less than an year from now there’s going to be a miniature Anders running around. Well, not exactly running around, but you get my point. I still haven’t told Anders, though. I’m planning to do it once I finally finish my internship. After that, we’re going to take some time for ourselves.
We’re flying out to St. Albans in the summer, since Natalie’s there that time of the year, and then we’ll probably hop to Paris, Berlin and God knows where else. I can barely wait to roam the streets of Europe arm-in-arm with Anders, showing him off to everyone that cares to notice. Life’s good, life’s perfect.
“Hey, are you there?” Kim snaps her fingers right in front of my face, pushing a non-alcoholic cocktail into my hands. “Earth to Christine, Earth to Christine.”
“I’m here,” I smile lazily, still feeling in a dreamy state, and Ashley crosses her arms over her chest and eyes me suspiciously.
“So, out with it! Why did you want us to meet here today?”
“She’s pregnant,” Kim cries out triumphantly, grabbing both my hands and beaming. “That’s what’s up!”
“You got me,” I smile, and the three of them squeal at the same time, jumping up to hug me. “And not only that,” I continue, freeing myself from their embrace. “Anders proposed.” With that, I show them my fingers and flash them the new three stone diamond ring Anders got me from Tiffany. They squeal again, almost hysterical now, and everyone around the bar starts eyeing us like we’re the wild bunch.
“Oh my, God,” Natalie cries out, holding my hand and placing her head so close to my ring I start thinking she might just eat it out my fingers. “It’s so beautiful!”
“A wedding and a baby, oh God, we’re getting old,” Kim teases me, sitting back down and sinking into her seat. She stares at the waiter behind the counter with dreamy eyes, and I can almost feel the gears turning inside her head. “I hope I don’t end up being the cat-lady of the group. Seems more and more like it.”
“Don’t be silly,” I tell her. “You’ll find someone, just wait. He’ll show up when you least expect it.”
“Well, you could just share Professor Handsome. He sure seems like --”
“Don’t even think about it,” I laugh, hitting her arm once again. No way in hell I’m sharing Anders. He’s mine and only mine - and, God, that sounds so good to say! “What about your stepbrother? He sure seems yummy from the last photos I’ve seen of him.”
“Uh-uh, don’t even go there with that filthy mind, Christine. I mean, he’s my stepbrother!” She protests, but I notice a glint in her eyes as she thinks of him. Yeah, I also know how to read people - specially Kim.
“I was just sayin’,” I laugh again, taking a sip out of my cocktail as the conversation drifts off to what I’m planning for the wedding, and when I’m thinking of telling Anders about the pregnancy. We girls are nosy when it comes to sex, babies, and weddings… and more when these three come hand-in-hand. Just part of being the fairer sex, I think.
Can you imagine it? A few months ago I was just another graduate student, one of many eyeing the hot professor in class. And now here I am, a life growing inside of me, a wedding to plan, and a career at the United Nations! And, of course, the perfect man by my side. And, just between me and you, my sex life couldn’t be any more perfect as well… ‘Perfect’ meaning that I’m coming four to six times every time we make love. Which is everyday.
Jealous? Don’t be. Men like Anders are a rarity, yes, but if you keep your eyes open... Well, you might find someone like that for you. Just keep your hands off of Anders, okay?
He’s mine… and I might bite.