The Book Of Me & You

"Leaving Impressions Like Our Feet On The Carpet"

"Ugh, John! Hurry, we're going to be late!" She groaned from the kitchen table, putting on the infant's socks as she bucked and squirmed in defiance in the highchair

Stepping out of the bathroom and running the frayed towel over his head, he chuckled, "He's deep in protest - pretty sure he's still naked."

"You have got to be kidding me! John!" Putting the single pink sock on the table, she shot up off the chair and down the hallway, where sure enough he sat naked on his bed. "John, please get dressed quickly. It's mommy's final exam day, and I can't be late."

"No!" He protested, "I no want to!"

Giving their daughter another spoon to add to her collection, Ricky sprinted to the bedroom. "Take a breath. And go to school. I've got this." He assured, running his hands up and down her arms, "My class doesn't start til 9, I can get them to the nursery and deal with his tantrum. You -" Pecking her lips, "just go kill that final."

Sighing against him, Amy nodded, and moved quickly to grab her bag, "You're a lifesaver", Slinging her purse, and grabbing her keys before turning on her boot heel to peck his lips again, "Love you" and wave at the messy baby before closing the door.

A fussy whine turned his attention to the kitchen again, where Emma sat slamming her tiny hands into the yellow glob of her breakfast. He looked down, smirking as she reached a messy hand up towards him, "I guess that's a no on the pureed peaches then?" He teased, grabbing a baby wipe from the counter and wiping her hands and face before lifting her out of the highchair, "Come on, let's go wrangle your brother into some clothes."
-------------------------------------------------------

"Oohh, look at you!" Kathy enthused, pulling on her hand lightly to admire the stone shining against the light, "And he just proposed like right there?"

"Well, he took me to dinner, and then he just... yeah, right as the cheesecake was coming out. Jack loves his cheesecake." Grace beamed, her smile wide as she too admired the large rock on her ring finger

"Have you set a date yet?"

"Not yet. Right after graduation me and my mom are going to start making plans."

She nodded, half listening as she snuck a glance at the guy across the hall, staring at her with a big goofy grin, "I gotta get to class - congratulations again, I'm sure it's going to be great!"

Waiting until Kathy was out of earshot, Amy leaned into her friend, "Are you sure about this, Grace? This is a big step - a really big step," giving the ring a sad smile, "Is this what you really want?"

"I thought it was... but it's just all happening so fast." Grace sighed, "Jack and I weren't even talking about marriage, and then out of nowhere, he just proposes? I mean, who does that?" She stared at her ring again and then at the array of students walking in the crowded hallway, "We're graduating at the end of the week. We should be out celebrating, not picking out China patterns and entrees." She bit her lip, pulling her hand to her chest, "I sound so horrible and... ungrateful... don't I?"

"Not really. It's normal to have those feelings... and marriage isn't all sunshine and rainbows... it takes a lot of work." She answered honestly, a sad little crack in her voice, "Sometimes it's exhausting." Her expression quickly changed from sadness to anger upon seeing him across the hallway; his eyes squinting at her