Rightfully Hers

Chapter 16

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky as Alex walked down to the lake. He held Emma’s hand as he went. “Where are we going?” Alex looked back at her. A month had passed since Emma was taken but still she looked pale. He refrained from asking her how she felt because he knew he would get daggers if he did. “I’m taking you on a picnic.”

“I love picnics.”

He laughed. “And I love you.”

They sat down on the blanket that was spread out. He sat next to her, his nerves in a mess.

“Is something wrong Alex.”

He looked at her. Nothing was wrong; he was just trying to figure out how he was going to ask her to marry him. What if she said no? What if she asked him to wait? He couldn’t wait.

“Alex?” She touched his face pulling him back to reality.

“Emma, I…” She held up her hand to stop him as she jumped up and ran off into the direction of the woods. He sat there wondering what she was doing when two minutes later she reappeared.

Emma’s POV

Emma walked back over to Alex feeling a little better. She had been feeling horrible these last few weeks but she hadn’t told a soul. She was happy she had made it into the woods because throwing up near the picnic would have ruined everything. Maybe it would have helped stall the moment when she would tell Alex she was pregnant. Her heart skipped several beats from just thinking this. Her last pregnancy hadn’t gone well at all. So yes there was a part of her that was fearful.  She sat down next to Alex aware that he was staring at her as if she had two heads.

“You okay?” She smiled and nodded. He leaned in to kiss her but she jumped back.

“Emma what’s going on with you?”

“Nothing, I’m just ready to eat is all. Aren’t you? You been working all day and I’m sure your starving.”

He watched her dig around in the basket and place the food on the blanket between them. She couldn’t help but taste the peach cobbler. It donned on her that he was just watching her.

“They looked at each other for a moment before they both blurted out. “I have something to tell you.”

“You first,” Emma said. Alex nodded.

“Well this isn’t how I expected to ask you. I actually wanted it to be romantic and all but I can’t wait any longer.” He reached behind his back and pulled out a little black box.

“Emma, will you marry me?”

She screamed causing Alex to look around but seconds later he was flat on his back as Emma jumped in his arm. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes, yes!” He slipped the ring onto her finger and leaned in to kiss her. Again she pulled back.

“Emma what are you doing? That’s the second time you pulled away and It’s starting to really bug me.”

“Sorry Alex, I was sick earlier.”

“Sick? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Umm, I didn’t want you to worry.”

“What? Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Well you haven’t noticed before.”

“You were sick before?”

“Yeah, just mostly in the mornings but by noon I’m fine. Today has just been a little different.”

“Well how long?  we should call the doctor.”