Only One Mistake (Only One 6)

“My dad and I are going to put the crib together.” I point at my dad, even though we are not going to be putting the crib together.

“Okay,” Julia says, coming down the stairs. “I brought you a dress, so you don’t have to leave your house in your robe like Tony Soprano.”

“Thank you.” She grabs the dress, changes, and in five minutes, she’s kissing my lips and heading out the door.

“You ready?” My father looks over at me, and I nod. “I just have to get dressed. Where are we meeting this guy?”

“Matthew’s place,” he says, and I look over at him. “You didn’t think Matthew wouldn’t have gotten a place here.” He shakes his head. “His grandchildren are here.”

“Oh my God, how many people are actually coming to the baby shower?”

“Fifty,” he says. “Women plus the men.”

“She’s going to lose it.” I shake my head.

“Well, your mother hired Erika as the party planner,” he says, and I put my hand to my mouth. “Yeah, she’s not going to be happy.” We walk out of the house and head toward my uncle Matthew’s new house, and four hours later, I’m walking into the baby shower.

“Oh my God,” I mumble to myself when I walk up the driveway, and there is a balloon display next to the door in yellow and green. I push open the door, and I can hear people chattering already.

In the middle of the foyer with the high ceilings, a balloon pyramid is coming down with a teddy bear dangling. There is a path of roses that leads you to the backyard, and if I thought inside was something, nothing could prepare me for outside.

“Holy shit,” Cooper blurts, coming to me. “Did you see outside?” He shakes his head. “Your mom went all out.”

“I thought mine was extreme,” Erika says. “This tops that.”

“Dear God,” I say. “How is Jillian?” I ask, looking around.

“Beaming,” Erika assures me, and they both walk away.

“There he is.” I hear my grandfather and look over at him as he walks toward me from the stairs. He grabs me by my neck like he’s done from when I was younger.

“Hey, Grandpa,” I greet, hugging him. “Did you guys just get in?”

“We did with Dylan,” he says. “It’s the only reason Alex picked us up.” He laughs. “She almost took off without him.”

“What did he do?” I ask, shaking my head. It’s not a party if Alex and Dylan are not arguing.

“Something about her dressing appropriately for a baby shower.” I shake my head, and we walk out of the house together.

To the side is a wall of balloons spelling OH BABY in big letters and standing in front of them getting pictures taken is my girl. She’s wearing a mint green dress that is off the shoulder and ruffled across her chest and goes tight all the way to her knees and ruffles. Her hair is long and curled, and she smiles at the photographer.

“There he is.” I look over and see Dylan there. He walks to me wearing dress pants and a white button-down shirt rolled at the sleeves. “The dad.” He slaps my arm,“You ready?” he asks, and I tap my pocket.

“Oh, good, you’re here,” my mother says, coming up to us. “Dylan, you look skinny.” She shakes her head, and he laughs. “Alex told me to tell you that. You look fine.” She then turns to me. “You need to go and take some pictures with Jillian.” She points toward my girl, and I look around. I walk to her, and when she sees me, her whole face lights up.

“Hey,” I say, leaning down and kissing her lips. “You look…”

“It’s all glam.” She laughs. “Did you look at all of this?” She looks around the backyard. “I had a feeling that your mother’s low-key and my low-key were two totally different keys.” She shakes her head.

I laugh and look at her while the guy takes pictures. “Everyone that we love is here,” I say, looking around at the tables scattered all over the lawn. My aunts and uncle are all around, and so is Jillian’s mom, who stands with Julia as they talk to my uncle Matthew.

“Look here,” the photographer says.

“You having fun?” I ask, and she smiles big, nodding.

“The baby has been very active.” She puts her hands on her stomach. “I’m afraid that this baby is going to love parties.”

“That isn’t a bad thing,” I say, the collar at my neck getting tighter even though there are two buttons open. “I love you,” I say, and she looks up at me, smiling.

“I love you, too,” she says, and the photographer just keeps snapping pictures.

“When I was younger…” I start, and the whole speech that I planned before is out the window. “God, I’m messing this up,” I say, and she just tilts her head. “I went over this with my father today.” I put my hand in my pocket and take out the red box. “Jillian.” I get down on one knee. The gasp and shock from everyone who didn’t know, which is almost everyone, fills the backyard. Her hands go to her mouth. “There is no one else I want beside me for the rest of my life,” I vow. “There is no one else in this whole world who can complete me the way you do. When I come home every single night, my heart settles down just from looking at you.” I look down and then look up. “Grow old with me, Jillian.” I smirk at her. “Will you marry me?”