I pulled a slow, deep breath in, trying to get oxygen to my brain or I'd pass out, I was certain. He was staring up at me, waiting for a response, and I simply couldn't form any words. I crouched down and took his hands, so I could be close to him, and also so that if I did pass out, I wouldn't have to fall very far.
"Tom..."
"Max?"
"Are you sure this is what you want?" I whispered.
He looked at me, startled, as if I'd just slapped him in the face.
"Max, of course this is what I want. I want it more than anything I've wanted, ever."
"This isn't just because of the baby?"
"I've had this ring for two weeks now." he offered it again, and the floodgates opened.
I nearly came apart, so happy I thought I was about to split in half. I went between smiling, kissing, crying and trembling all in the same moment.
"Thomas, nothing would make me happier than to call myself your wife."
"Thank god." he jumped up, pulled me to my feet, and kissed me. Then he ceremoniously slipped my new ring on that very special finger.
"I love you so much." I whispered in his ear as I draped my arms around his neck.
"I told you I'd make it up to you." he said, with a wink.
He took my hand and led me down the runway. Stef and Wendy were there waiting, the little sneaks. I wondered how long they knew and didn't say anything to me. They shrieked and squeezed me until I had to pry them off.
"This is the best day ever." Stef gushed.
She took both of my hands, and kissed me on the cheek, then said, "I'm so happy for you. All of these wonderful things that are happening, you are so worthy of them."
"Thank you Stef."
"Of course. Now get off the stage, they're gonna open the doors." She winked and shook a thumb towards our stage side seats.
We all had a laugh, and did as we were told as Stef disappeared back to her dressing room. Tom excused himself to go change, but not before giving me another deeply passionate kiss.
"Get a room, you two." Wendy scoffed, to which I stuck a tongue out at her.
"Ok, ok. Let me see it." She held her hand out, and I placed mine in it.
The ring he'd given me was a square, cushion cut diamond with a double halo of diamonds around it and it was set in rose gold. The band was covered in pavè set diamonds as well. It literally sparkled with every little turn of my hand. A surprising choice for Thomas, as it was quite flashy.
"So, when's the wedding?" Wendy asked, batting her eyelashes at me.
"The sooner the better, if you ask me." Tom said, as he slid into his seat next to me.
"I've been engaged for less than one hour. You've gotta give me a minute, Wendy."
"I'm just hassling you, anyway. Do you think it will be pre or post baby?"
"I guess it doesn't make much difference to me...Tom?"
"I already told you, it could be tomorrow and I'd be happy."
"I should probably fill my family in. A bit has changed since we've been back from Nebraska."
"Well, they already know we're getting married...or, I should say, they knew I'd be asking."
"My parents know?" I shrieked.
Tom and Wendy both doubled over in laughter at my shocked state.
"Of course they do, Dolly. What kind of man would I be if I didn't ask permission first?"
"The field...you and my dad in the field."
"Bingo." he said, giving me a sideways smirk.
The house lights went out, and the arena full of fans erupted in raucous screaming and applause. Strobe lights and lasers were in full effect and every sense in my body was on high alert. Tom looked at me, wide eyed and in complete awe of what was happening.
Surely he's seen an arena show of this magnitude before?
"Ladies and gentlemen...Lady Gaga!"
With that, Stef arose on a platform from under the stage. Her costume was a gold sequined, long sleeved leotard and she had on a blonde bob wig. On her back were a pair of wings that spanned at least five feet. The crowd never quieted their cheers as her opening song began.
"Come to me
In all your glamour and cruelty
Just do that thing that you do
And I'll undress you
Keep it tight
Sometimes the simplest move is right
The melody that you choose
Can rescue you
A hybrid can withstand these things
My heart can beat with bricks and strings
My ARTPOP could mean anything
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
Come to me
With all your subtext and fantasy
Just do that thing that you do
In a perverse hue
Lovers' kites
Are flown on beaches for public sight
The color palette you choose
Can profit you
A hybrid can withstand these things
My heart can beat with bricks and strings
My ARTPOP could mean anything
Could try to sell you out or I
Could show you all the reasons why
My ARTPOP could mean anything
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
Brushes with darkness won't help you create your destiny of self
But ARTPOP could mean anything... anything!
I try to sell myself but I am really laughing
Because I just love the music, not the bling
Music, not the bling
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
We could, we could belong together
Free my mind, ARTPOP
You make my heart stop"
Even amidst the fanfare and craziness I felt complete peace. Peace and contentment for myself, my fiancé and the unborn child that was yet to be. I hadn't felt whole in so long. Life was good. Life couldn't have been any better. The next step was to let my family in on the news.
Later that night, Tom and I were laying in bed and the subject of an actual wedding date came up.
"That's the first thing we have to choose, right? Besides eachother?" Tom asked.
"Truthfully? Let's get married as soon as I find a dress. Because, word is, I'll start getting quite large in a short period of time. Plus, I just don't see the need to wait."
"Agreed, darling." He bent and kissed my belly, "The sooner, the better."
Call me in the morning when you get up
I need to talk to you-Max
I'm up now.
Is everything ok?-Tab
Everything is wonderful-Max
With that, my phone started ringing and even though it was one in the morning, she wanted to call.
"Hi Tab."
"What's your news?"
"Oh, come on. Don't play dumb. I know you know."
Tab started giggling, since she already knew what I'd called to tell her.
"This is so exciting! I wish I could give you a hug right now! When? When are you getting married?"
"Well, I think probably as soon as I find a dress."
"Wow, that quick huh? Wait...wait...are you--"
"We're having a baby, Tab!"
"Oh. My. God!" She squealed into the phone, so loud that I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
"I'm...going...to...be an auntie!" I could tell she was crying, which in turn made me cry too.
"Don't tell Mom and Dad. I'm going to call them in the morning."
"My lips are sealed. They're going to freak!"
Tom looked at me with concern in his eyes. I assured him that them freaking, would be a good thing.
"After I call them tomorrow, you and Mom need to get out here ASAP. I've gotta find a dress."
"Done, I'll book tickets tonight."
YOU ARE READING
Dolly (Part three-Max Mitchell series)
Fanfiction*Part 3 of the Max Mitchell series* After a tragic run in, Max must take steps to move forward with her life. Her career isn't slowing down, but with loose ends threatening to tangle her up, will she ever get the chance to move on?
