Patience

Thirty-one

When I woke up the next morning, Axl was outside on the balcony smoking. I got up and walked outside to join him.

"Good morning, lovely Lucy. How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Overwhelmed. I don't think I'm parenting material," I said.

"I think you'll do just fine, plus, you're not doing it alone."

"Well, it's not like we're married or anything, so you can't really be considered her uncle-" I turned to face Axl, but he was down on one knee.

"Lovely Lucy, we have been through so much together. And though our time has been short and we've been through many rough patches, we've always made it through just to find the best in each other. Lucy, I love you more than you will ever know and I want to raise your niece with you and go on this crazy adventure we call life with you. Lucy, will you marry me?"

"Oh my god, yes, Axl. Of course I'll marry you!" I said and I hugged him. Axl leaned in and kissed me for what felt like an eternity, but we were interrupted when we heard Megan's cries coming from down the hall.

"Someone's awake," Axl said.

"I'll go get her up and feed her," I said.

"No, no, let me do it. That way you can go take a shower," Axl offered.

I smiled. "Well, future husband, I might just have to take you up on that offer."

"Anything for you, my future wife."

I went and took a long and relaxing shower. I thought everything over, cried a little over Molly, but at least I had a wedding to look forward to.

Oh, how I was already imagining the beautiful wedding we'll have. I could have a beach wedding right out front, or maybe a destination wedding. Maybe I'd have it somewhere like Paris or Hawaii.

When I got out of the shower, I heard the piano, but it wasn't being played. It was just random keys being hit. I smiled to myself, knowing that wasn't Axl doing it.

I walked out of the bathroom to find Megan on Axl's lap, banging on the piano. I smiled.

"Did you feed her?" I asked.

"Yes and she ate every last bite. I wonder how long it's been since she's eaten," He said.

I sat down on the piano bench next to Axl. Maybe this parenting thing will work out. Sure, Megan's mother is gone and she has a father she needs to stay away from, but she's got an aunt and uncle who care about her, and that's what matters.

I rested my head on Axl's shoulder. "What are you guys doing?" I asked Axl, laughing a little.

"I'm giving Megan her first piano lesson. She's doing very well for a beginner," Axl said, smiling down at Megan.

"This is just too cute. Wait here," I said and I got up to go fetch the camera. I snapped a picture of Axl and Megan at the piano.

"We may not be her parents," I began, "But I still consider this a stable household."

"Man, I guess I never really thought about having a kid until now, you know," Axl said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, I get to take her on tour and teach her piano and give her voice lessons. That's pretty exciting, you know," Axl said.

"Axl," I began, "You are going to make a wonderful husband, but an even better father."

He smiled. "Where do you want to get married?"

"I don't know. The possibilities are endless," I told him.

"Want to do it today?"

"Today?" I asked.

"Yeah. We'll call someone and it'll be just the two, well, three of us. We'll do it right outside on the beach," Axl said.

"O-okay. Yes, let's get married today!" I exclaimed.

***

For the wedding, I just wore a knee length white dress I've owned for years, and I made a flower crown from some of the flowers outside. I decided not to wear shoes, since we were getting married in the sand.

Outside, we had set up a blanket for Megan to sit on and watch the wedding, which happened so quickly.

Axl and I just followed the wedding officiant out to the beach and set Megan down on the blanket.

We said our "I do's" and our vows and kissed, which Megan giggled at. It was over so quickly, but it felt amazing to be married to the love of my life.

We all went back inside and didn't quite know what to do.

"Now what?" Axl asked.

"Well," I began, "Reschedule your tour."

"What?"

"You heard me. I'll stay at home with Megan while you finish your tour," I told Axl.

"Are you sure? I can take you guys with me," Axl said and I shook my head.

"It's better if I stay home this one. I'll go on the next one," I told him.

"Lucy," Axl began, "I'm going to miss you, but thank god you said that."

"I know," I giggled, "You need to get back out there. It's time."

Axl nodded. "I love you and I think we make a great team."

"I love you, too, Axl. And we make a wonderful team."

"And this is the part where we disappear off the screen," Axl said.

"And the part where the screen reads 'That's All Folks.'"

The End

Or

That's All Folks.