Richpez - A Tale of Two StarKids

Chapter 15: Not Alone

Thanks again to everyone still reading! Writing this is becoming a nice outlet to relieve stress! Hope y'all like this chapter!

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{Lauren's POV}

"Home sweet home!" I exclaimed as we walked through the door to our apartment. I took a deep breath in and sighed. "I can't believe it's been two months since we've been home."

Joey walked up behind me, and after setting our bags down, he enveloped me in a hug. I stroked his arm with my hand and swiveled my head around and gave him a soft kiss. Our lips lingered together before Joey broke away.

"What do you want to do today?" he asked. "We could watch a movie, go for a walk, do a puzzle..."

"Ooh! I've been missing the forest preserve. Let's go on a walk. But first we have to pick Diane up from your parents' house!"I practically squealed when I said that last part.

"I hope she hasn't been any trouble for my parents. They watched her for a long time," Joey responded, moving our bags from the front door to our bedroom.

"JoJo, she's an angel. I'm sure she was perfect. She's my daughter for crying out loud." I folded my arms across my chest and gave him a snarky look.

He walked right over and gave me a quick peck on the lips. An inch away from my face, he said, "Our daughter."

Soon we were in the car and on our way to pick up Diane. My fingers entwined with Joey's, we continued along the highway singing along to the radio. The whole time, I couldn't help thinking about our life together.

Sitting in the car with him, holding his hand, and singing along to the radio reminded me that we could be doing anything together and I would never want it to end. He's the love of my life. I had always thought that I would never get married. Even after falling in love with Joey, I just never saw myself as a wife. But sitting here, with Joey, I'm starting to re-evaluate. I was starting to see myself walking down the aisle to him, reading vows to him, and saying 'I do.'

The problem is, we never talk about marriage. We are content where we are. I know Joey has always wanted to get married eventually, but he respected my choice to remain life partners. How am I supposed to tell him that I changed my mind?

I reached over and turned down the radio. Joey looked at me out of the corner of his eye for a brief moment.

"What's up?" he questioned.

"Looking down at my hand, both of which were know in my lap, I whispered, "I want to talk about us. About our future together."

Joey's eyebrows immediately shot up and he said, "What? What about our future?" He had a puzzled look on face.

"We never talk about what's next for us. And that's my fault. I never want to talk about what comes next. But I'm ready to talk about it now," I responded.

"Oh?" he questioned.

"The last big step in our relationship was when we adopted Diane. Before that it was moving in together. That was two years ago. We really haven't talked about the future because I was scared about what came next. I mean, if anything came next. I've always been scared of marriage. It just seemed so unnecessary. I always thought it was just a piece of paper. But now, I don't know. Being with you, here, I think I'm starting to change my mind."

Joey looked just as confused as before. "Where is this coming from?"

"I think watching Brian and Meredith so happy and moving forward in their relationship really reminded me of how much I love you. It also helped me see why marriage is so much more than a piece of paper. It's a chance to profess our love and share it with our friends and family. Plus, it would make you happy."

Joey was smiling. "Lo, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

My smile was almost as big as Joey's. "I am saying that I am open to getting married." Before Joey could say anything I looked at him and added, "Someday! That does not mean I want to get married tomorrow."

"Lauren Lopez," Joey stated. "Will you marry me someday?"

My answer was easy. "Yes."

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{Joey's POV}

We arrived at my parents' house 20 minutes later and knocked on the door. It swung open and out came-

"Diane!" Lauren practically screamed. She scooped up Diane and our happy little family was back together again. We hugged my parents and they invited us inside for coffee. Amid coffee and cake, we chatted for some time before my mom asked for my help cleaning up the dishes. 

As we loaded up the dishwasher, I turned to my mom and asked, "Mom, do you still have grandma's ring?"

My mom was so shocked at my question she almost dropped the plate she was washing.

"And why do you want your grandmother's ring?" She questioned happily, looking like she was going to cry.

"Lauren and I talked in the car, and she may have mentioned that she wants to get married someday."

My mom was seconds away from bursting into tears. "Are you serious? I thought she never wanted to get married."

"She had a change of heart, I guess. I know she's practically part of the family already, but I want to make it official. Do you still have the ring?"

My mom lunged forward and hugged me tightly. "You know we love Lauren. This makes me so happy. Of course I still have the ring! Let's sneak upstairs, and I'll get it for you."

She released me from the hug and we snuck out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get the ring.

Half an hour later and we were walking out the door. Little did Lauren know, however, that we were leaving with more than just Diane. Safely in my pocket was a ring box containing my grandmother's ring. Now that I have the ring I just have to come up with the perfect plan to propose.

For now though, I just want to go for a nice walk with my girlfriend and our daughter, Diane.

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Sorry this chapter was so sappy! Also, let me know what you're doing to keep yourself entertained during quarantine!