Bumps in the road | J. Puckerman (1)

You Belong With Me

I didn't want to go to school today. I was up all night getting sick and felt like I was going to die. I could barely walk without being too tired to stand. I was in my wheelchair almost permanently at this point. I was too weak and in too much pain to wheel myself like I normally did, so Marls, Bug, Sam, or Jake would push me.

I couldn't have girls' days with Marley without falling asleep, and I felt horrible about it. She said it was fine, but I felt like a horrible friend. We still had weekly sleepovers at her place, even though I was literally just sleeping. I still tried to make her cupcakes when she was sad, but it wasn't the easiest anymore.

Everything was just so different.

"Come on baby girl," Jake said, softly pushing the hair out of my face. "I know you don't want to, but I know you are going to have a good day today. You can do it," he whispered.

I hid my face in a pillow and pulled Elephant and Jaguar into my chest. I felt the pain rise in my stomach but tried to push it away so I could try and sleep. It didn't work, I cupped my hand over my face and ran to the bathroom. I barely made it to the toilet, and after I finished being sick I leaned back on the wall and started crying. It was too much and it hurt, I still had five months left. One month till Bug graduated and five months till I gave birth. December twenty eighth couldn't come fast enough.

Jake sat behind me with his legs in a 'v' so I could hold onto them and still lean back on his chest. He pulled my hair into a ponytail and softly kissed the side of my neck, "you're doing amazing. Can I help with anything?" He asked.

I shook my head and leaned back on him, tears still streaming down my face. "You can't help. It's okay, it's not your fault... well kinda, no. Just stay here for a minute?"

He nodded and kissed my head again, "so so many minutes, beautiful."

We sat there for about a half-hour. I would get sick and cry then lay back on him. He would softly sing Let Me Love You in my ear as an attempt to calm me down after getting sick.  We drove to school and Marley met us at the car to bring me inside. When we saw Blaine, I opened and closed my hands for hugs. He had stayed at Sam's the night before, and I needed a big brother hug. I needed my Bug.

After I got my hugs, we went into the choir room. Jake wasn't in the room, I looked around and didn't see him. I started to get a little worried because he normally told me if he wasn't going to be in class.

We were sitting in class, I had my hand on my belly and was leaning on my wheelchair. Marley was braiding my hair over and over because she was bored. We were rambling about baby names and plans to hang out soon. We planned a Starbucks date and for her to come over a few times this week of more game nights. Blaine and Sam were talking about their wedding and laughing. Sam was smirking, and when Blaine asked what was going on he just smiles more and shook his head.

A few minutes into our boredom the music for You Belong With Me started playing. I laughed, thinking back to when I sang the song to Jake over a year and a half ago. I thought about how much has changed, how Blaine and Sam were graduating in less than two months and how in less than six months I would have a tiny baby to hold and keep.

The song played and Jake walked in dancing, he sang the song and flipped around. He was flipping upside down and doing all sorts of turns, he was showing off and I loved it. I love seeing him in his element.

At the end of all his spinning and flipping, he landed on one knee in front of me, "oh my God, you're crazy!" I laughed, "Are you okay? What was all of that, you're insane I love you," I said, still laughing and reaching around for a chair.

"I'm super okay," he said, getting back down on his knee and grabbing a small box from Sam. "Emily Anderson, the love of my life, the mother of my baby girl, my absolute favorite human. Will you do me the wonderful honor of being my wife?"

Tears started to fill my eyes and my heart started racing. I wasn't worried or upset, it was just a surprise. I took a few seconds to calm myself. Oh, this is what's happening. Okay, okay, okay. Let him say his words and say yes. You know you want to spend the rest of your life with him, so say yes. He's who you want with you forever and who you love. Didn't Sam just propose to Bug? Oh well, Sam was involved so he didn't care.

"Yes please, I want that please. Husband," I cried as he put the ring on my finger. He kissed me softly then laid his head in my wheelchair. I kissed the top of his head and started playing with his hair.

My eyes were full of tears when he asked, so I didn't see the ring. It was stunning, it was a thin twisted gold band with four little stones that looked like a butterfly. It was us and it was perfect.

I looked around and everyone was as shocked as I was. Marley was clapping and wrapped her arms around me and Blaine came over to kiss my cheek and tell me how proud and happy he was.

"Are y'all havin' a double wedding?" Artie asked, with a laugh.

Blaine and I both shook our heads, "hell no," I laughed. "I love Bugga and Sam, but no double wedding. They want to get married soon, and we won't till after baby girl. They also want a big wedding and personally, I want something smaller.

"Okay okay, the moment was had," Finn said, "We need to go over the set for graduation. We have a month and a half to get this together. Emily, do you have anything to add as Captain?"

I shook my head, "let's get to work y'all. Tina let's start with your solo. Let's go New Directions!"