Friend

Chapter 10

It was a couple days later when Val invited a couple of friends over for dinner in a nearby restaurant. Val had planned this evening out for a couple of weeks now.

He wanted to propose to Sharna that one evening when Jenna came into their house, but now while she was getting better, it felt like a good time. He had also invited Sharna parents over, that was a surprise for her. Her father hadn’t been to the USA since Sharna had started on DWTS. And because the show would start in a couple of days, he would be able to see her perform live as well.

At first Sharna hadn’t been sure if she wanted to do the show. But because her shoulder was healing quickly and she was last season reigning champion, she wanted to defend her title. So after some thinking she decided to do the show.

She and her partner had already started rehearsing, but tonight she had a night off. Together with Val and a couple of friends they were going for dinner. Val said they were going to celebrate that Sharna and Val had bought a new house. The new house was nearby Maks and Peta’s house and it was fairly large.

Sharna had a rehearsal prior to the dinner and when she got home, Sharna went to her room to get dressed. Val wasn’t there, but on the bed was a dress. There was a note on top of it.

This is for you, please wear this tonight. I will pick you up at 8pm. Love, Val. 

Sharna took a quick shower and then she put on the dress. It fitted really nice and it was a beautiful dress. Sharna had no idea why he had brought her a dress. But after she applied some make-up, it was already 8pm and Val was at the door.

“Wow! You look beautiful.”
“I think it is because of the dress.”
“No, it is because the person wearing the dress.”
“Thank you Val. I love you.” She kissed him on his lips and they took off the restaurant.

Their friends were already there, Maks, Peta, Emma, Sasha, Artem, Tony, Lindsey, Haley, Derek, Mark, BC, Keo and Alan. Val and Sharna sat down they all ordered food. In the restaurant they had a more private location and that was really nice. They could eat without being disturbed by any fans.

During dinner Val kept checking his phone. Sharna parents had landed and they finally had a taxi which would bring them to the restaurant. They would text Val when they were outside and that would be the moment Val would say he had to go to the bathroom and pick them up. Right after that he would propose to Sharna.

He still had the ring from the night all the trouble started, the night he would first propose to her. During the last month, he had kept the ring close to himself, knowing the right time would come. And tonight would be the right time.

Just before deserts were served, Val got a text from Sharna’s mother. “Sorry, need the bathroom.” Val got up from his chair and walked away from the table. Outside, Sharna’s parents were waiting.

“Good to see you.” Sharna’s mother hugged Val.
“It’s good to see you too and I can’t wait for the two of you to get married.”
“She has to say yes first.”
“Well, I can tell you, you get our blessing.”
“So how do you want to do this?” Sharna’s mother asked.
“I think we should go inside. She will be surprised by the two of you following me, and I will propose to her.”
“I think she will love that.”

Val walked back inside and Sharna’s parents followed him. At table everybody was talking, while waiting for desserts and Val.
“Hey Val, that took a long time.” Val walked straight towards Sharna on the other side of the table. Sharna was looking at Val and didn’t see the people following him just yet. Val took a deep breath and took her hand, urging her to stand up.

“Val, what are you doing?” Sharna looked pasted Val's shoulder and there she saw her parents. “Mum?! Dad?! What are you doing here?” They kept quiet, watching Val and Sharna.

“Sharna, I want to tell you something. For a couple of years now I have loved you and for over one and a half year we have been together. I have never been more in love with somebody in my life. One month ago our life changed, something terrible happened, but we got out of it stronger than ever. There isn’t anybody I can think of who I would want to spend the rest of my life with, with whom I want to get older.”
Val got down on one knee:
“Sharna May Burgess, will you marry me?” 

During Val’s speech, Sharna started crying and when he asked her the question, all she could do was cry and nod. She had to take a couple of deep breaths.
“Yes. Yes, I would love to marry you.” Val got up from the ground and kissed her. Their friends and family cheering.

Val put the ring on Sharna’s finger and she kissed him again. Afterwards she ran to her parents, who she both hugged tight.
“Thank you for being here.”
“I wouldn’t want to miss this.” Sharna’s mother let go of her daughter and went over to Val.
“Welcome to the family.” The two of them hugged and Val was so happy.

Two more chairs were bought out and everybody congratulated Sharna and Val. Sharna couldn’t stop watching at her ring. After desserts they bought out some drinks, to enjoy the rest of the evening. Sharna declined the alcoholic drinks, saying she wanted to remember this night forever.

Afterwards Sharna and Val drove back home together. They had wanted her parents to stay with them, but they declined, for tonight they would sleep at a hotel. From tomorrow on they would love to see their new daughter’s house.
“We have been young as well,” her mother whispered in her ear.
“Mom, I didn’t need to know.” Sharna and her mother laughed and hugged, before wishing her a goodnight.

The first show of the new season was amazing. Her new partner was a pretty good dancer and he enjoyed being on the show. And then her parents were there. It was the first show her dad had ever seen live and it was amazing knowing he was there to support her. After the show, they went out for dinner and the four people went home together.

Sharna was really nervous, because she had news for Val and her parents. None of them knew, but she really wanted to share with them. Everybody sat down at the table to discuss the show, when Val got out some drinks.
“Sharna you also want something?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”

They talked together, until Sharna interrupted.
“I have something to say.” Everybody looked at her. Sharna looked at Val,
“I’m pregnant.”
“What?!” “Really?”
Val was quiet. He stood up and walked towards.
“You’re sure?” Sharna nodded and from her bag she got two positive tests. Val looked at them in disbelief.

“This is amazing,” he said. “We are going to be parents.”
“Yes we are.” Val took Sharna’s head between his hands and kissed her. Then he put his hands on her stomach. They looked each other in the eyes and smiled at each other. Her parents also got up from their chairs and hugged the future parents.
“Congratulations.”
“The same goes for you, because you’re going to be grandparents.”
“I can’t honestly not wait for that moment.”

That night Val put his hands on Sharna’s stomach. At that moment he knew things could go wrong and that there wasn’t a certainty, but he also knew that they were ready to be parents.