"She said yes! She said yes!" Derek runs into his grandparents house screaming and pulling me behind him.
"What's the yelling about boy?" Papa asks.
"Papa where is Mama?"
"She's coming." Papa says as Mama enters the kitchen.
"Mama, Papa. She said yes!" He grabs my hand showing them the ring.
"Oh thank goodness! Congratulations you two! And it looks absolutely lovely on you Ella!" Mama says.
"Well I'll be damned! You found a way to tie this wild horse down!" Papa says.
"That ring has been passed down starting with my great great great grandma." Mama says.
"Oh wow! I'm honored!" I say.
"We also have some more good news to share." Derek says.
"Please don't tell me you all are pregnant." Papa says.
"No Papa. And what's the big deal if she were?"
"No big deal, but get married first." Papa says.
"Well Papa we are not rushing babies yet."
I can't help but cry. Feeling embarrassed I run from the room. Not too long ago I was with Ivan we were going to have a baby and then it was all taken away from me. I know everything happens for a reason but my baby didn't need to die.
Mama steps into the room. "Honey are you ok?"
"I'm fine." I say wiping my tears away.
"What's wrong dear? You can tell me."
"I was pregnant a few months ago and lost my baby when I was 2 months pregnant because of a severe car accident."
Mama looks at me sadly. "Oh dear. I'm so sorry. Derek's baby?"
"No. But he was ready to step up and take care of the baby and I."
"He's a good man Ella. He loves you. He's loved you since freshman year. He would show me your picture and say one day Mama I will make her my wife."
"Really? I had no idea."
"He didn't want to push it with you sweet girl. He came to me for advice the fourth month of your freshman year. He said you two had talked for hours at a party."
I smile. "I remember that day. I remember thinking that we had an immediate connection. I wanted to kiss him, but my best friend Courtney interrupted."
"I told him that love takes time and when the time is right it will happen and it did."
"Thank you Mama."
"For what sweetheart?"
"For making me feel better about all of this."
"Ella dear....that Ivan wasn't a good man. He wasn't the one for you. Derek told me everything. I'm so sorry honey."
"Thanks. But I'm just going to learn from it and move on. Plus I love Derek so much and I'm loving where life has taken us so far."
"You remind me so much of myself and Papa when we got together."
I smile and she takes my hand leading me back into the kitchen to talk with Papa. I know Derek wants to tell them about reopening the bed and breakfast.
"You ok baby?" Derek asks.
"Yes I am now." I answer.
