Pray For Me

Engaged

Four Months Later

Jude has been working full time for two weeks. Being away from Octavia has been really hard for her, but they found a really nice day care just a few buildings down from Jude, so she can go on her lunch break. Octavia has just turned six months old, and can sit on her own now. Timothy got offered a position as the librarian at the school, and he absolutely loves it. Jude still hasn't spoken a word to Lana.

"Hello, welcome in," Jude greets as she finishes the latte she's making for a customer. She turns to the counter and smiles.

"Oh, my baby love! Hi, Tav."

Octavia kicks her legs in her father's arms and reaches for Jude.

"I can't hold you right now, sweet girl. I'm off in fifteen minutes. How are you, babe?" Jude asks Timothy, leaning over the counter to kiss first her daughter, then him.

"I'm good. It's really nice to have half days on Friday," He smiles, bouncing Octavia in his arms. Jude pinches Octavia's chubby leg, making her giggle and stick her hands in her mouth. Jude laughs and strokes the baby's light brown curls out of her face.

"Jude," Timothy says, eyeing the customer walking up to the counter. Lana.

Jude clears her throat and Timothy steps in front of the pastry case, watching the interaction slowly.

"What can I get started for you?" Jude asks, as if she's any ordinary customer.

"Jude, I came here to talk to you. Hello Timothy," Lana says, smiling at Octavia. Jude just smiles artificially.

"Ma'am, your order?"

"Jude, don't do this, please."

"I didn't do anything," Jude hisses, leaning over the counter and glaring daggers into Lana's eyes. She just sighs.

"I know what I did was wrong. I lied to you-"

"Wrong? Oh, it was-"

Michael appears out of the back room to tell Jude it's time for her to clock out.

She turns and walks away from Lana without another word. Jude grabs a drink for Timothy and swaps his coffee for the baby.

"Hello, my love," Jude smiles, kissing her daughter's chubby cheeks. Timothy looks back at Lana as they leave, nodding to her.

"You don't even want to hear what she has to say?"

"Not at all."

Timothy sighs and puts his arm around Jude's shoulder, shaking his head slightly.

"Oh, thank God! I love that little girl but she sure is a handful," Jude laughs, collapsing onto the bed next to Timothy.

He doesn't respond.

"What is it?" She asks when she sees his face.

"Jude, I've been thinking about this for so long. I was trying to think of a creative way to tell you-"

"Don't do something you'll regret," Jude warns, sitting up.

Timothy chuckles and shakes his head, grabbing her hands.

"Nothing like that, my love. Marry me, Jude? It's all I want. Seeing you with Tav, it makes me fall deeper in love with you every day. Let's get married, rare bird."

Timothy pulls a ring box out of his nightstand drawer and Jude covers her mouth.

"Huh? Can we make it work this time," He chuckles, looking hopefully into her eyes.

"Of course," Jude smiles, throwing her arms around his neck. He laughs and wipes the tears from her cheeks, sliding the beautiful diamond ring onto her finger.

"I love you," He smiles, kissing her. She gazed at her ring over his shoulder and beams.

"I love you too."

They kiss, Timothy laying Jude back. Right when things are getting serious, Octavia starts crying from her room. Jude groans and rolls out of bed.

A few minutes later she returns with the baby in her arms.

"She wants to sleep with us."

"Jude, the child can't speak."

"How could I say no to that face?" Jude asks, pouting. Octavia smiles sleepily at her father, blinking tired little eyes at him. He cracks a smile.

"Alright, bring her here."

Jude smiles and jumps into bed.

Jude turns off her lamp and rubs her hand over Octavia's back to soothe her to sleep. She lifts her hand to look at her ring.

"We're engaged again!" Jude whispers excitedly, taking Timothy's hand.

"I know!"

"I love you. I know I tell you a million times a day, but I honestly thought I would never get to say it to you."

"I never thought I'd see your face ever day when I wake up and every night when I go to bed. I'm the luckiest man alive."

Jude giggles at him and smiles when Octavia's hand falls off her stomach. Her heart melts looking down at her daughter's face, half asleep.

"Goodnight, Timothy."

"Goodnight, rare bird."

Both girls are out instantly when their heads hit the pillow. More specifically, when Jude's head hits the pillow, and Octavia's head hits Jude's chest. Timothy chuckles and kisses both of them on the forehead before turning out his lamp and going to bed.