Lady Labyrinth

Natalie Feels at Ease

I woke up and glanced towards the window. The light coming through told me that it was probably 7-ish. My body clock usually woke me up at that time. Rowan was next to me, still fast asleep. It was Sunday morning.

Was last night real? I looked over at the nightstand, and the ring I was given was still there. I guess I was engaged. What an unexpected turn of events. We weren't even dating officially. Our first kiss came after the ring was on my finger. We decided to not have sex. And now we're engaged. What the hell was I going to tell my family? Hi, mom! I'm engaged. God knows Rowan's family wouldn't be mad about it. They love me. His dad has always seen me as a daughter.

I'm a functioning adult. I can do what I want. I want to be with Rowan for the rest of my life. Might as well get married. I don't regret last night.

I swallowed some saliva that was in my mouth, and that was when I realized my breath tasted awful. I got out of bed and went across the house to my bathroom to brush my teeth. When I returned, Rowan was still sleeping. I got back into bed and rolled over to spoon him. That woke him up.

"So that wasn't a dream," he said. "Thank God. Good morning."

"So, are we engaged now? Is that how that works?" I asked. Of course, I realized right away that I just said the exact same thing I said to Blake when we got engaged. I was not sure if Rowan knew. Of course we were engaged. That was how it worked. I should have known that since I was married to Blake.

"Yes?" he answered. "I've never proposed before."

"Well, great." I leaned in to kiss him. Then we began to make out. He shifted and ended up on top of me.

"Can we?" he asked.

"Yes."

We went back to kissing, which he took to my neck. I wear a big t-shirt and pajama bottoms to bed, which I was already wearing when he proposed. Rowan was still wearing his shorts and a t-shirt from yesterday. I was not wearing a bra, so my boobs were pretty accessible. It did not take long for Rowan to realize that, and he went to town.

Not having had sex since Blake died meant I was really tight, and it took some getting used to again. Rowan was very patient. Everything went great, though I knew I'd be sore for some time.

We decided to get dressed and go to IHOP for breakfast. I barely ate, just like when I had sex with Blake for the first time. This time, however, I was nervous about calling my family. I typically called my parents once a week. I think the last thing they were expecting was for me to call them and tell them I was engaged.

When we got home, Rowan called his dad. This would give me an idea as to what to say to my parents.

"Hey, Dad!" he said.

"What's going on?"

"So, uh, you're not gonna believe this. Natalie and I are engaged."

"Wait, I'm confused," his dad said.

"That's okay! It was kind of an in the moment thing last night."

"I always knew the two of you would end up together somehow."

I wasn't sure what to say to that. Rowan's dad always loved me as much as he loved Jade. Now I kind of see why. I guess he knew I really was meant to be with him. He always refused to date again after divorcing Rowan's mother. Rowan never had a good relationship to look up to. I did, which I hoped would help us in the long run.

"I'm really happy for you, Rowan," said his dad. "Natalie, I'd love to see your parents again sometime. We should all get together!"

My parents met Rowan's dad at a competition a few years ago, but that was the only time they saw each other.