A Baby Changes Everything

Not What I Imagined

Greer gasped...  Then she got angry.  She said, "Are you kidding me?  You ask me to marry you after I saw you kissing someone else this afternoon.  Are you insane?  Why would I want to marry you when I saw that?  Presley needs stability and we are anything but stable.  She deserves more than this.  You don't love me.  You just feel like you have to be with me because of her.  We are eighteen.  There are so many people out there that I'm sure you would rather be with than me.  I mean Kyla sure has a thing for you."

More tears came from Hudson's eyes as he said, "No!  That isn't true.  I love you!  I want to spend the rest of my life with you and Presley and any other babies we may have if you ever let me touch you again.  If I don't marry you, I will never marry anyone else.  You are the only one that I want.  So what if we are eighteen.  We've already lived a full life in my eyes.  I couldn't be happier to have you and Presley.  It doesn't matter to me if I ever have anything else other than the two of you.  I didn't imagine this proposal going like this.  I've been holding onto this ring since Presley was born waiting for the perfect time, but I couldn't find a moment was good enough for you after everything we have been through.  This is not what I thought would happen, but I can't let you go on thinking that I don't love you.  I don't love anyone else.  It's just you."  He reached in his pocket and pulled out an engagement ring.

Greer started crying herself.  "How in the world could we get married now?  We are in college and so many things could go wrong.  I don't think I could live through losing you again.  it was tough enough in middle school.  I couldn't do it again, especially not to Essie."

"We've got this.  I'm dropping that class.  I'll just be in all your classes.  Then I'm going to find a way to constantly remind you that I love you and only you.  Please forgive me for not pushing her away as quickly as I should have.  I want nothing more than for you to wear my ring.  Then to get married as soon as we can, look into getting family housing and really show the world that we are a team and the adults that no one thinks we are."

"You really didn't kiss her back?"

"Baby, these lips are yours and yours only.  She terrifies me.  I have told her over and over to get away from me.  Now I'm really mad that she upset you as much as she did and she kept me from having a much needed lunch with my two girls.  We have some time to make up for.  Can we go cuddle with Essie and forget that this ever happened?  This has been one of the worst days of my life, other than when I thought we could have lost Essie."

"Are you going to put that ring on my finger?"

Hudson wiped his eyes and smiled, "Really?  I can?"

"Yes.  Don't make me regret this."

"Not if I can help it."

"When are we getting married?"

"That is up to you.  I'll be there whenever you decide to."

"That can be decided another day.  Right now I just want that ring on my finger, cuddle up on the couch with the two of you and forget that this day ever happened."

"I can second that."

"Then lets go save our sweet girl from her auntie.  Then we will sit on the couch, watch a movie and I will show you just how much you mean to me."  Hudson put the ring on her finger and pulled her in for a deep kiss.

Clara was sitting in the rocker with Presley and said, "Sweet girl you have a mommy and daddy that love each other and you very much.  They think they are too young to be so in love with each other.  We know that is silly.  If they were to get married now they could be married for the next seventy years and everything would be fine.  I can't wait until you have baby brothers and sisters.  I was so mean to your momma, but I'm trying to make up for it.  I love you so much.  I'm doing everything I can to be a better person.  I'm so glad you are here to help me be a better person."

Hudson and Greer were standing at the door.  Hudson said, "Look at that, the grinch has a heart.  Now if you will hand over the little princess.  We need to celebrate."

"So you all are okay?"

"Yes.  We are engaged and I'm dropping that ridiculous class. I've had a ring in my pocket for way too long and now it is finally on the finger it belongs to.   We are going to get married whenever my girl wants to.  I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing this girl how much I care about and love her."

"I'm so glad you have things figured out.  I was so worried about the two of you.  The last thing I want to see is my favorite little family apart."

Greer told her, "Thank you for today and spending the time loving on our girl while we figured ourselves out."  Greer took Presley into her arms and kissed her head.

"Anytime.  I love all the time I can get with my girl.  Here she is ready to cuddle with her mommy and daddy.  I'll leave the three of you alone.  Let me know if you need anything."

"We will.  Thank you again."

Greer and Hudson both wrapped their arms around each other and their daughter.  They were in a good place again and they were ready to spend their night bonding with each other again.  It was something that they needed.  They had a long and happy life ahead of them.  They just had to work to keep it going.