3️⃣ What Next

3. Curve Ball

Scarlett and I walked outside and Steve is sitting on the porch. "Hey" I whisper. He was sitting on the porch step staring forward.

"Hey," he says. Then he chuckles to him self "congrats I guess" he smiles at me. It's forces. He holds his arm out to Scarlett. She goes to him.

"You guess" I giggle watching them.

"Are you really going to do this?" He ask. Looking over at me. "He continues to hurt you over and over again y/n. I think it's too soon!" He continues. "Are you prepared to put up with that shit for the rest of your life" he looks over at me.

His words cut deep. I could tell he was hurt. But now he had hurt me too. "Steve really" I say. "I'm sorry your hurt but was it worth it to hurt me too!" I whisper. I had started to cry.

Just then the door opened. It was Billy. "Hey, it's time for presents" he says scanning the situation "you okay" he ask me. Walking over to me.

I had now stood up and I took back Scarlett. "I'm fine" I smile to Billy as takes Scarlett and softly places his hand on my back and guides me in. Billy sits on the couch and I sit on the floor between his feet.

Steve walks back in and sits next to me on the floor. I lean back between Billy's legs and look up at him and Scarlett. He winks at me and Scarlett holds her arms out. I take her and she sits in between my legs.

We all open our presents. I couldn't help but think about what Steve had said. Maybe he was right. Commitment to Billy meant always wondering what he would be doing. Where he would. Who he'd be with. I was getting worried.

I held Scarlett's hands and bounced them up and down softly. Billy leaned forward and I looked back at him. "You about ready to go?" He ask me. I nod. We pack up and say our goodbyes.

As we're driving home Billy looks at me. "You okay baby" he says grabbing my hand.

"I'm great!" I smile. I grip his hand and smiles at him. I couldn't believe the lie that I just told. Billy. The truth was I was terrified. Everything that Steve had said was true. How did I know Billy was going to change? How did I know he wouldn't do the same thing to me again? I was terrified now.

When we get home and Billy walks to my side of the car. He opens my door and holds out his hand. I take his hand. He pulls me out of the car and into his arms. He hugs me and kisses my temple. "Baby" he whispers. I nod still resting my head on his chest. "What's wrong?" He ask softly rubbing my back. "You know you are a horrible liar" he says with a soft giggle.

"Can we talk after we put Scar to bed" I ask softly.

Billy agrees and I go grab her. And Billy takes all the other stuff inside. Once we get inside Billy and I head upstairs to our room. He softly sets down our gifts and grabs Scarlett's special Christmas pajamas. I lay her down on the bed and changed her diaper. I giggle and play with her. "Here you go Momma" Billy says handing me her clothes and he walks to the bathroom. I get Scarlett changed. I read her a Christmas book and she falls asleep. I lay her in her bed and I slip into my Pajamas. Billy was in the shower so I went downstairs and started wrapping presents. Billy came down about 5 minutes later.

"Hey pretty girl" he says and bends down and kisses me. One thing about Billy was he could tell when I needed his love the most. He sat next to me and grabbed presents and started wrapping. "You ready to tell me what Harrington said that's bother you" he said smiling at me and throwing a small wrapping paper ball at me.

"He doesn't think I should marry you" I whisper. Looking up at Billy. He slowly nods his head.

"Do you want to marry me" he ask after a long pause.

"Of course" I say. Placing a bow on a present and sliding it toward the tree.

"Look me in my face and tell me you want to marry me" billy whispers.

I look at him. I take a deep breath. "Billy I want to marry you!" I say sternly. His face is pained. I can tell he's worried. I put down my tape and I crawl over to him. I sit in between his legs. I grab his arms and wrap them around me. "Baby I want to marry you" I whisper again. He rest his head on mine and holds me tight. "You are all I've ever wanted" I whisper. Billy kisses my head. He holds me for a while then finally I whisper. "Let's finish these last few presents and get some sleep baby"

We finish wrapping presents. And Billy places all the presents under the tree. I cleaned up a bit then I sat on the couch and watch. We had a few people coming over for Christmas lunch so we needed to sleep. Finally Billy came over to the couch. I stood up thinking we'd go up to bed. He flopped down on the couch and he pulled me onto his lap. I sat on him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I've got something for you and it's a big present" Billy smiled big. "Do you want it now or later?" He ask.

"Hmmmm now!" I smile. It was 12:06 officially Christmas. Billy reaches over into the drawer of the end table. He hands it to me.

Right before he hands it to me he pulls back and says "now, this was J and I'd idea so you can't say anything to anyone baby. This is s present for everyone from our family to Joyce and Hop"

"Okay baby lips sealed until after lunch" I smile and he hands me the envelope. He rest his head back on the couch closing his eyes. I open the envelope. It's a receipt. I found it kind of weird until I started reading the receipt.

12 day vacation to Clearwater beach Florida. Depart date Dec. 27 on flight 2782 at 6am. Return date Jan. 7 on flight 1829. Three Bedroom penthouse beach front.

I froze. I looked at him. "Baby" I whispered. He looks at me and smiles. "I know it's a lot of money not to ask you but J and I thought you, Nance, Joyce, Hop and the kids need a break. We've both been working really hard to play off this vacation." He says smiling at me. He was softly scratching my back. I cover my mouth and I start to cry. I hugged him tight. I kissed his face softly.

"Thank you" I whisper to him softly. He smiled at me. In one movement he lifted me up and carried me to the bedroom. And sat me on the floor. I couldn't stop myself. I immediately turned to Billy, I placed both of my hands on his face. And I kissed billy. He wrapped his arms around my waist. He softly guided me backwards to the bed. He fell on top of me and I gave Billy an early Christmas present.