Joe and Demi soon found themselves in an ice cream parlor with Gracie. They just wanted to go somewhere in which they could get to know her and she could get to know her a little bit.
"I'm still living with mom and dad though right?"
"Yeah, yeah. We just thought we'd get to know you, you want to get to know us too right?" Demi questioned and she nodded her head.
"Yeah! I know about Joe though," She stated and they laugh. "Joe sing for people, what do you do?" She asked looking at Demi.
"I'm a teacher, you know like your teacher at school? I'm like that but for kids a bit younger than you." Demi explained.
"Wow, you must be clever." She replied and they laughed.
"She is." Joe answered for her and Demi slapped his arm gently but they thanked the waitress as she came back with a tray of their sundaes on handing them out with the spoon before wandering around and they begun to tuck in.
"You married?" She inquired and they couldn't help but laugh.
"No but we're boyfriend and girlfriend." Demi answered her.
"I have a boyfriend." She stated and Demi burst out laughing with Gracie as Joe choked on his ice cream wiping his mouth taking a sip of his water.
"What? Does mommy and daddy know about this?" Joe questioned and he shook her head gently.
"Me only tell you secrets." She declared
"What's his name? Is he treating you well?" Demi questioned her.
"His name Harry and he gave me his cookie." She claimed and Demi turned her head to Joe.
"Where's my cookie?" She asked and he pecked her lips gently.
"I gave you my desert plenty of times when we were back in school." He replied.
"And that's probably why I'm fat." She grumbled jokingly Joe grabbing hold of her hand from under the table.
"Your not fat, Joe is." Gracie declared again.
"Hey," Joe demanded pointing a finger at her. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"I am!" She exclaimed and he laughed. They continued to talk and get to know one another as they ate their ice cream.
______________
Two years later and things had been going well. Gracie still lived with Will and Lilly but she saw Joe and Demi very often. Demi continued her job as a teacher throughout the two years and she often saw Gracie around school, it gave them change to see one another alone, Demi sometimes sat on her lunch table with her and her friends. Joe had spent the two years recovering from cancer.
"I'm so glad for you." Demi breathed as they came out of the doctors office. They were a little emotional, hearing that the cancer was fully gone. Joe wrapped his arms around her and she hugged him back just as tight.
"I love you so much." Joe breathed.
"I love you too," Demi answered pulling away from him kissing him gently pulling away before he could kiss back. "I'm relieved honestly."
"Me too," Joe breathed pulling away from her completely grabbing hold of her hand leading her towards the exit, he planned to not spend so much time in hospital now the cancer was gone. "I just thought more people would be here."
"That doesn't matter at the moment but we can go see if you're parents are in?" Demi suggested and Joe nodded his head gently.
Joe felt his eyes swell with tears when he entered the backyard hearing cheers for him as they noticed him. Everyone was there and it all came to him suddenly. That Demi only went with him so everyone could get this celebration ready. Joe hugged Gracie as she ran over to him but he didn't stick with anyone, giving everyone a hug as he got to them.
"Joe I'm so proud of you!" Denise gave him a big hug squeezing him tight but he hugged back laughing.
"Thank you, for putting all this together." He replied.
"It was Demi's idea actually," Denise replied pulling away kissing his cheek. "She had a feeling you were going to get the all clear."
"Well, you know what I was gonna do if I got the all clear," Joe stated and Denise grinned as he left her comfort heading over to Demi grabbing hold of her hands. He looked up at him as he took in a deep breath but she couldn't help but act shocked as he got down on one knee getting a ring out of his pocket. People were awing already. "Demi, you've been the love of my life since we were fourteen and sure we lost touch for a little bit but the last two years have meant so much more. I want to grow old with you, have a family of our own with you. What do you say? Will you marry me?" He questioned.
"Actually I have something I need to tell you." She breathed leaning down whispering something in his ear and he grinned standing up crashing his lips onto hers and she kissed him back before pulling away.
"We're having a baby!" Joe announced and everyone cheered some getting emotional.
"But yes, I will marry you." Demi demanded and Joe grinned again slipping the ring onto her finger.
Demi gazed down at it as it glimmered in the afternoon sun.
