Mad Woman✓

35. Sweet and kind and fun

   POV TAYLOR

I open the door and in an instant, Grace is in my arms. She squeals and hugs me so tight I can barely breathe. I hold her just as tight. "Taylor, I am so glad you're home!" she cries, kissing my cheek. She takes a step back, but keeps her hands on my arms. "I am so proud of you, girl.. You were amazing on the Kyle Show. And Joe, too! You two are perfect together. I was so right for making the two of you share a room at our wedding!"

"I am so so so sorry I didn't stay in touch with you guys. I wanted to, but I was so busy with everything... First, all the shit stuff.. And then we came back and- Oh! We are engaged!"

"No way!" I look up and Draven stares at me. "Congratulations!"

"Oh my God, give me a hug!" I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. I don't know Draven as well, but I met him a few times and he seems like a very nice guy. He looks at Grace like she's his entire universe, which promises me he's a good one.

"Well", Grace says. "Now that we're announcing stuff.. Well.. I'm pregnant!"

"Holy fucking shit!" I shriek, wrapping my arms once again around my niece. I know she's always wanted children. She is going to be the best and sweetest mom. "Congratulations, Gracie! Come on, let's go inside."

I lead them to the living room, where Joe is sitting in the armchair. When we walk in, he gets up and gives Draven a weird man-hug. They both laugh and they're men, so they won't admit it, I can see how much they missed each other. They continue to slap each other's shoulders and laugh. Draven tells Joe that he and Grace are having a baby.

"So your sperm does work!" Joe snorts.

Draven grins and shrugs a shoulder. "Apparently so, dude. I was surprised myself. We've been trying since the night we got married."

"That's a lot of sex", I whisper to Grace.

"Yeah... I'm glad we finally did get pregnant."

"Is he that bad?" I joke.

She sighs and shakes her head. "I forgot how horrible you are, Tay.." I chuckle and plop down on the couch. Grace sits down beside me, placing her hand over her belly.

Draven sits down too and a silence falls over us. It isn't awkward... I think we are all just feeling a little nostalgic.. We haven't seen each other in forever. Right now, we are all in good places in our lives. It's just a very good moment in time right now.

"I can't believe you're actually getting married, man", Draven eventually says, eyeing Joe. "I know you always wanted that family life and I knew you'd get it eventually... But I just can't believe it.."

"Why, because it's to a mad woman?" I tease.

He shrugs. "Nah, any woman who wants to marry this guy needs to be mad, bro."

"That's really nice of you", Joe says. "So great."

"Yeah, that's me. Nice, great, perfect, amazing... Sweet and kind and fun.. I am the boss, man."

Grace puts her hand on his back and rises her eyebrows at him. "When did you start calling people 'bro' and 'man' again?"

"Since I'm sitting next to my bro, man", he winks. "It's just the way college frat boys talk."

Grace shakes her head. "Joe, how'd you ask her to marry her?" she asks, obviously changing the subject.

"Uhm, well..." he says and his cheeks turn scarlet.

"I was just sitting upstairs on the bed", I say quickly. "And suddenly he came storming into the room", I say, grinning. "And he just fell to his knees and he grabbed my face and he asked me to marry him."