The Bachelor's Bride

Chapter 16-Jack

"Surprise!" A flurry of chocolate locks attacked me as I stepped inside the apartment.

I smiled down at my sister's cheery face, "Mer? When did you get here?"

"Today!" She grinned hugging me until I couldn't breathe.

"What's the occasion?" I laughed, wrapping my arm around her shoulders as she steered me towards the kitchen.

"This is!" She pulled me into the room. "Ta da! Happy birthday Jack!" Meredith grinned.

Etta sat at the table and stood up at my entrance. She came over and kissed my cheek before tugging me towards the table, where a delicious looking chocolate cake sat.

"Dessert before dinner? I'm a lucky man." I rubbed my stomach happily.

"You should only ever eat cake before dinner." Meredith began cutting it into slices.

"Says you." I teased, but happily excepted my slice.

After we were stuffed full of cake and Meredith's fried chicken, my sister finally leaned back contently in her chair. "I'm so full! I look pregnant." She patted her still slim stomach.

Etta's shoulders shook with laughter and she shook her head, patting Meredith's hand as if to reassure my sister that she was still beautiful.

Meredith sighed, "Well, I'm going to head to bed and sleep off all this food." she cast a wink at Etta who blushed fiercely.

"Goodnight Mer." I called after my sister's retreating form.

"Night." Meredith called back.

I turn my attention to Etta who slid a small box across the table to me.  I raised a brow and picked it up, shaking it around.

"Hmm wonder what this could be." I teased. "It feels light."

Etta nodded eagerly, gesturing for me to open it. I complied and carefully tore away the paper to find a ring box. I glanced up at her quizzically and lifted the lid to find a beautiful golden ring gleaming up at me. Etta slid around the table to sit beside me and removed it from the box, putting the ring on my finger.

"A ring?" I asked, still confused. Men didn't often wear rings.

She nodded again and handed me a piece of paper that read,

I know marriage rings for men aren't typical, but I wanted something special for you. I thought it was a good idea.

I kissed Etta's cheek, "It's wonderful, thank you, love."

I intertwined our hands and looked out our matching rings, smiling, "Now no one will have any doubts that we're husband and wife."

Etta's cheeks turned a deep rosy hue, but she smiled at my words, snuggling up under my arm. She reached for her pen and notepad still sitting patiently on her lap, waiting at a moments noticed to be used, like a loyal servant.

Happy birthday, Jack. She wrote.

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