My Only One

“Put me out of my misery and say yes.”

“Yes!” I half scream in his face before I start kissing him all over his handsome face knowing he doesn’t care if I get him wet with my tears. He holds me closer.

“I have the ring at home,” he says through my kisses.

“You already have a ring.” I pull back to look at him. The man is always prepared. I shouldn’t be surprised. He stands with me in his arms, setting me on my feet. I’m on the taller side but next to him I always feel short and delicate. It’s one of the things I love about Mack. He always makes me feel beautiful. He has a way about him that makes everything about me seem better. How could I have not seen how well the two of us would be together all along? I’ve been so blind and such an idiot for so long. I vow to myself to never waste another minute with him because I know firsthand that no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

His fingers tangle with mine as he leads me toward the ice cream shop. Part of me wants to tell him to forget about the ice cream but the other part of me is begging for a sweet treat. Plus, I’m always curious to hear more of what he has to say. I know if we go back to his place and he slides a ring on my finger there will be no talking. We’ll be back in his bed before either of us knows what happened. I suddenly feel a little bit nervous. A pit grows in my stomach as I remember my earlier conversation with Maisie. I think it’s only fair that I tell Mack about my pregnancy suspicions. I need to clue him into the fact that I haven’t been taking my pills. I’m not sure how he’ll handle that. He’s never asked if I am on anything and never once did he utter the word condom. I need to have this conversation with him sooner rather than later.

I let him lead us to the ice cream shop where he orders for me without having to ask what I want. This man really has been paying attention. He finds us a seat, pulling a chair out for me. Thankfully the place is pretty dead and we get a small table in the corner.

“Yeah, I have a ring,” he admits like it’s no big deal.

“How long have you had it?” He lifts his eyes from his sundae to meet mine.

“Years. You pointed it out in a magazine once at family dinner. Said how beautiful it was when you and Maisie were flipping through some bridal magazine.” My mind flashes back. There have been so many Sunday family dinners. I know what ring he’s talking about. I loved the ring because it was simple but still beautiful. It has square diamonds that make up the band instead of having a giant stone sit in the center like you see with most rings. “Say something, darling. Your silence is slowly killing me. I’ve had to go too long with it. Now that I know you’re going to be my wife I want to know I’ll never have to have it again. That we’ll always tell each other what we’re feeling going forward.”

“I’m sure we’ll fight and I’ll give you the silent treatment,” I rebuff. He gives me a smirk. “I was only thinking that we shouldn’t be so mad that we’ve missed years of being together.” I reach out and take his hand. “We have been together. Maybe not in all the ways we could’ve been but we have been there for one another. You’ve been my best friend and closest confidant for so long.” He kisses me before I can continue. This time it’s gentle. I pull back, looking into his eyes. “You’ve always supported everything I do. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you for always believing in me and making all of my dreams a reality.”

“No more being stupid though. We’re a couple and I want this shit finalized fast.”

I laugh. Typical Mack, as impatient as ever.

“I’m sure your mom will waste no time planning a wedding. I’ll be shocked if she hasn’t started already. I could see her excitement over the idea of us being together. I didn’t play into it because.” I shrug. He knows why. We both do. It’s laughable that we both had the same fears about this.

“Might have told her to start getting some stuff together.” He gives me another one of those no big deal shrugs.

“That’s good, because I know you said no more being stupid.” My stomach tightens. Marriage is one thing but babies are life-changing and that’s a whole new league of its own. He gives my hand a squeeze, silently telling me to spill it. “I haven’t been taking my pill,” I blurt out.