The Alpha Sunshine

Say yes.

Lucille and Kate were amazed. They were blinded by the lights in Babies-R-Us, stunned by all the baby items. They had made a list of all they needed. Things like clothes, car seats, toys, and a bassinet. Lucille didn't want to know the sex of the baby. She knew her and Thad would love the child all the same.

She and Kate stayed together, wanting to explore everything together. They piled their carts high with socks, little baby onesies, and boxes of car seats and a bassinet. They were checking out when the cashier stopped and smiled at them.

"Aw! Who's expecting?" Lulu raised her hand shyly.

"Oh my. You are so young, .Are you married?"

Lulu thought for a moment. Yes, technically she was. But not legally. Even though she nodded, she noticed that the cashier's eyes flickered to her hand. She moved it out of view, and felt the older woman's judgement. After paying for their purchases, Kate rubbed her lightly on the back.

"It's okay, hon. It wasn't any of her business."

Lucille supposed that was true. But still. She didn't want to seem like a slut. Her and Thad's relationship was hard to describe. They were in love, simply. Non simply? They would be together forever. She didn't want to explain their relationship to others. It was theirs. Private. However, she didn't want to be judged. And their child certainly wasn't a bastard. She came up with a solution.

************************

"Thad? Can I ask you something?"

He looked up from his newspaper. He had on a pair of sexy black rimmed glasses that she had never seen before. Her lower regions throbbed. "Yes, love?"

"Will you marry me?"

He cocked his head to the side.

"Of course. But I believe I'm supposed to ask you that question."

"I want to get married now. I just...the lady at Babies-R-Us was judging me. And I don't want people to call our child a..."

Her sentence ran off. But the damage was done. His fists clenched, and he tossed his glasses onto the table.

"A what? Say it, Lucille."

"A bastard, Thaddeus! The woman, she looked at me like I was scum. And my mother? She would give me the same look. I...I love you. You know that. But I want our child to know that we love each other. Please? I want our child to be accepted. By society, by everyone. Please, Thad?" She was going to cry. Her bottom lip trembled.

Thad stood, and kneeled down next to her. He took her hands in one of his, and reached into his dress pants pocket. He pulled out a black case. He opened the box, and laid it on the table. The sparkle mesmerized her. The engagement ring was stunning. It was a two karat circular diamond surrounded by tiny diamonds. It was on a band studded with tiny diamonds as well. It looked vintage, and Lulu felt it was perfect.

"Babe. I was going to propose over the weekend. Don't cry, my love. I am not angry with you. I feel the same. If it upsets you, we will fix the problem. I want to marry you, sweetheart. In my eyes, we are already married. Say yes, honey. This is me proposing."

She said yes. And then asked him to carry her upstairs, so she could show him how positive she was about saying yes.