Olivia (Babysitter’s Club 3)

The next day life went back to normal. She went off to school and I headed to the shop. That feeling of excitement still lingered and I had no choice but to tell the nosy ass fucks who work for me what was up because they kept asking.

I was more than a little surprised by their reactions. It was obvious they were happy for me, but I had no idea they’d been so invested in my shit. From some of the comments it was obvious they’d had their noses in since day one. I wasn’t hiding shit as well as I thought I guess.

During my lunch break I didn’t make a big deal out of it when I headed to the best jeweler in town to buy her ring. It was a three-carat solitaire with about a carat and a half of diamonds around the band.

The wedding band itself was a thicker band of diamonds. I had tears in my eyes when they shined them up and put them in the cute little velvet box and passed them to me.

I was too excited to wait. So I called her when I got back to the bike, not stopping to think what she might be doing just then. Lucky for me she had a fifteen-minute break coming up.

“Meet me outside the hospital, under that big maple tree that you like so much.” I rode out there five minutes before her break was supposed to start and watched as she walked out the door. The smile on her face made my heart race and all I could think was, please don’t let me fuck this up. Don’t ever let her lose that smile.

Not for the first time I realized how fucking tiny she was and that feeling of protective love was almost overwhelming. I opened my arms as I leaned against my ride and she ran the last few steps and flew into them, wrapping her arms around me.

I didn’t make a big deal, since I’m shit at giving speeches. So I just removed the engagement ring from the box and held her hand in mine, sliding it in place.

“I promise to do everything I can to make you want to keep wearing this every single day.” I kissed her ring and pulled her crying ass into my arms. Even the tough ones break.

“It’s beautiful.” I guess she was looking at it behind my back because she was still in my arms when she said it. So I pulled her head back to see the truth in her eyes.

“You like it?”

“It’s perfect. I can’t wait to show it off.” We kissed for the next ten minutes before she had to go back and I had to get back to work. I felt ten feet taller by the time I walked back into the shop.

Sunday came way too fast and I was on pins and needles as I stood in the doorway with my son, waiting for the girls to come on. Since she’d been sick the last time we’d had to reschedule.

Her family were going to meet us at mom’s. Something I didn’t know until the night before. When they said they were coming to town I thought I had at least a few weeks, ergo the sweat around the collar.

My nervousness didn’t stem from any fear, but from wanting her family to be happy for her. I know she wants that even though she doesn’t say it.

And though I’d just escaped one situation where my in laws and I hated each other’s guts, I didn’t care if they liked me or not. As long as they didn’t dim that light in her eyes, we’re good.

The two of them came out of our room dressed alike. They were both wearing flower patterned yellow summer dresses and white sandals. And their hair was done up in the same style. Ringlets caught up in a ponytail with a flower pinned to the side.

“My beautiful girls, you both look amazing.” I’m not sure which of them wore the bigger smile. I lifted the little one on my arm and took the other’s hand in mine while she took Jason’s and the four of us headed out the door to my truck.

I lost any odd feelings by the time we pulled up to mom’s place because I gave myself a little pep talk on the way there while we held hands in the truck. No matter what, I’m going to make it my mission in life to see that she’s happy.

So even if some of her family members aren’t too sure in the beginning, hopefully they’d be singing a different tune in the months to come.

Like I said, mom had met my girl on a few occasions so when they embraced it wasn’t a big deal. But the thumbs up and the big ass grin on mom’s face behind Olivia’s back said more than enough about the way she felt.