Project Marriage

Chapter 4

I wake up the next morning to birds chirping, the sun shining, a peaceful silence se- wait. What? I lay there for a minute.
No fighting.

No bickering.

Not even a hushed argument.

Just silence.

...And bacon.

On that note, I hurry to get dressed and start down the stairs, I almost forget about my outburst the night before. Then, in midstep, it all comes back. It's obvious that they're trying to fix their mistakes, but will one week really fix everything? Without a second thought on the matter, I head downstairs and see my parents sitting at the kitchen table in silence. They look up at my arrival. Mom smiles a bit too widely at me and dad gets up and kisses my forehead, "Good morning sweet pea," he says before sitting back down. I frown in confusion, "Morning," I as I take a seat and take some bacon and eggs.

My dad has never been the sentimental type. I think that's what started his and mom's fighting. Whenever I got hurt as a kid, he would just pat me on the back and say, "Walk it off sport, crying's for the dead." Who says that to a little girl? Mom always tried to make up for his lack of love by spoiling me. She gave me everything I wanted and always let me do everything. I was a spoiled brat until I met Marie back in 3rd grade. She was so kind and giving. I didn't understand her. Her parents are loaded, and she would just give things to people who were less fortunate. I had decided to befriend her and show her how to use money correctly, but then I met her parents and Kole. They were nothing like what I had at home. Kole helped Marie with her homework and in turn she would show him something new. That's how he learned how to play the drums. Their parents helped each other with dinner and her dad always hugged and kissed them both when he got home. After dinner Kole and his dad would go into their backyard and play ball while Marie helped her mom with the dishes. Mr. and Mrs. Washington became my second parents. They taught me everything I know now and took me from being a spoiled brat to someone who puts others before her. They're the reason I want to be a lawyer. I want to help people in the way I can. My parents weren't who they should have been for me, so I want to be that person that helps people show others that a person is not what they seem.

Right then I realize, I want to be a mom too. Maybe more than I want to be a lawyer.

My parents try to start a conversation with me, but I just keep eating and grab my bag, "Excuse me, I have a school to go to and a wedding to plan." As I walk out the door I turn around and see my parents' pained faces. My mom is actually crying a little. 'Serves them right,' I think as I turn around to walk to school, but instead there's a blue GMC pulling into my driveway, Kole's sitting behind the wheel and Marie is in the back, waving at me. This is... Unexpected. Kole parks and runs around to open my door for me, "Good morning," he smiles, kissing my cheek. I can't help but blush, "Morning Kole, morning Marie." Marie look and me and smiles, squeezing my shoulder. As we pull out of the driveway she speaks up, "I don't hear fighting this morning, everything okay?" I look at her and Kole for a second before telling them both everything, from me coming home and telling my mom that we need to talk, all the way walking out this morning. A few tears slip out of my eyes during the story and Kole reaches over and gently wipes them away. When I finish they're both quiet for a second before Marie speaks up, "Lauren, I am so sorry." It's so quiet that I barely heard it, but I still turn around and smile gratefully at her. Kole remains quiet, he just grabs my hand and squeezes it affectionately. After another moment of silence he speaks up, "Now I know why people always dread meeting the in-laws. Just so we're clear, we are not naming our kids after your parents." Marie and I laugh and I crinkle my nose, "Ew, no. Robert and Sophia? No way!" (I'm sorry if those are your names.) We all laugh again and Marie speaks up, "Name them after our parents, Neil and Amelia." (Again, sorry.) Not missing a beat, Kole cries out, "Noooo! You have absolutely no say in our children's names, all of your ideas are crazy."