One Night in New York

Chapter Thirteen

That was the moment I wished I could freeze in time forever. We all have that desire for certain events to pause, and mine was no exception. I could have lost myself in those eyes, feeling the rush of hearing the news followed by our passionate kiss.

Enough of the sentimentality. I was becoming more like Natalie. But she had a hold on me, and I couldn't explain why. I never wanted to fall in love, but from that moment on, I planned to be hers forever. Was I taken aback? You better believe I was. I had never imagined myself as a father or with someone I thought I could marry. Yes, you read that correctly: Liam Taylor used the M-word. I thought I'd lost Natalie when we were in the accident when she came rushing toward the back windshield. They say that when I broke my arm trying to catch her, it ultimately saved her life. After that night, I had a newfound appreciation for life and the people I cared about, as I thought the one I cherished the most had been taken from me.

And, with everything that had happened, did I tell her I loved her in the heat of the moment? Sure, someone could argue that I did, but I meant it. It just took a tragedy to make me realize how much. And did it bother me that she didn't respond? Yes, at first, it did, but she had her reasons, which I would soon discover. She said she couldn't say anything back because she was keeping a big secret from me. Knowing what she was keeping inside, she felt it wasn't fair to tell me she loved me.

But I forgave her. Naturally, I did. That woman had changed my life in ways I had never imagined possible in just over eight weeks. It still amazes me that on that one night in October, I was only looking to hook up with her, but I could never let her go.

So, what would be our next step? I'm sure anyone could figure it out. But how are we going to get there? That was the issue at hand. Will there be some obstacles in our path that we must overcome? Of course, and without them, there would be no life. Life is a series of obstacles that we must overcome in order to reach the prize at the end, similar to a crackerjack box. Yes, I did say that. But how often do you rummage through one to find the prize? That's what we do until we find our reward in life. Whether it be a husband, wife, kids, or even a career, people all have the same goal in life; the results that we have been digging for all along.

Did I inform my parents? Because they were in town, I thought it was a good idea to notify them, but Natalie, not so much. My mother, as most people knew, could be a bitchy character. Wait a minute, I didn't say she was one. To be fair, I said she acted like one, which she did on occasion. My mother believed that because I took care of her and my father, she had the right to treat others as if they were beneath her, as evidenced by our Thanksgiving trip to Mississippi.

I was shocked by my mother's behavior and threatened to cut her off unless she apologized, sincerely hoping to get to know Natalie for my sake. That's why I was fine telling them right away. I had that power over my mother, and I knew she'd have to bite her tongue no matter what. Natalie, on the other hand, was afraid my mother would lash out at her. Needless to say, I was able to prevail. I persuaded Natalie to tell everyone together before the news broke in the paper, leaving my parents to figure it out without me.

So, there we were. It was the 5th of December. I intended to have food delivered so that we could all break bread together and share the good news with my parents and others. Angie and Marcus were already aware, and I knew we didn't have to be concerned about them. She and Natalie were best friends who could completely rely on each other.

As we gathered around the table, it was nearly noon and our brunch had arrived. Almost everyone in the room was clueless as Natalie and I prepared to break the news. Andrew, my best friend and driver, my parents, Alyssa, Angie, and Marcus, and, of course, Natalie were all there. "Can I have your full attention for a moment?" I began. "As you know, Natalie and I have only been together for a few months," I said, seeing my mother's wheels turn as she probably thought I was about to pop the question. "I just want to start by saying, none of this was planned, but Natalie and I are happy to say, we are expecting."

Cheers rang out from all; my dad stood immediately to hug us as my mother sat there and said, "Expecting, what dear?"

"Really, mom, how could everyone catch on but you?" I laughed to myself.

"We're expecting a baby, mother." With the news finally clicking, my mother covered her mouth with her hands. It appeared she was about to say something inappropriate, but quickly corrected herself and moved toward Natalie and me. She didn't start with Natalie, don't worry. Surprisingly, she hugged us both and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, I'm going to be a grandmother!" I'm not sure if she was genuine. I assumed she was, and I happily accepted her reaction.

Natalie appeared relieved, as I'm sure she expected my mother to come swinging at her with her verbal assaults, but she didn't. My mother hugged Natalie and placed her hand on her belly, which most pregnant women dislike, but Natalie didn't seem to mind. As the entire room began to cry, she returned my mother's hug.

As the excitement in the room grew, we talked about the baby, the due date, names, and so on for the rest of the meal. Aside from my mother asking, "Does this mean you two are going to marry?" I gave my mom a look that said, "Please don't start," knowing where that conversation could have gone. She put her hand to her chest, palms outstretched as if to say she'd back off.

Natalie appeared to be taking it all in as the focus remained on her and our child. So, what's the next step? What would the year 2020 bring? I couldn't say what it would bring us at the time. All I knew was that Natalie and I would be together for the rest of our lives. I had planned to propose, but I didn't want to do it when everyone was expecting it. I decided to wait a little longer as I considered when the best time would be.

Christmas was approaching, and I had an idea to do it then, but I didn't want to detract from the rest of the family's festivities. Natalie had always returned to Ohio to visit her family, and I had hoped she would invite me to join her. She was going to tell her family about the baby at that time because she didn't want to tell them over the phone or through text, and I wanted to be there to support her. I also wanted to meet the people who would become my in-laws one day.

What about the living situation? I had every intention of asking Natalie to move in with me because I needed to make sure she and our baby were taken care of. I wanted her to quit her job so she could concentrate solely on herself and the pregnancy. The decision would be hers, but only if she wanted to, and I knew that once word got out about our relationship, Natalie would be hounded by people, as I usually was, or harassed by other women for taking me off the market. I decided not to worry about it because I knew she would do what she thought was best for her, with my support.

The rest of the week went swimmingly. Alyssa returned to her Manhattan apartment, and my parents returned to Mississippi on Sunday morning, giving me the opportunity to ask Natalie to move in with me. I couldn't figure out why I was nervous; women never made me nervous, but for some reason she did.

I chose to take her out to dinner that night to celebrate the baby announcement and to ask her the big M. Moving in with me, not marriage. We went to a quiet little restaurant, or as quiet as a restaurant could be in such a busy city, and sat in the back. Natalie ordered a steak dinner with all the trimmings, while I ordered veal.

I began, "So I want to talk to you about something," Natalie looked up at me with a mouth full of meat and nodded her head to continue. Most people would be turned off by someone with a full mouth, but that was Natalie, and I found her endearing. "With the baby on the way," I continued, "I was thinking maybe you should move in with me."

Natalie swallowed her food slowly as I could hear the gulping sound, "But why?" she asked.

Not the response I had hoped for, but I persisted "I just think it would be safer and better if you lived with me. We know we love each other and are about to have our first child together. Natalie, I adore you; please, baby, move in with me." I graveled as much as Liam Taylor ever graveled.

"Can I think about it?" She asked. And, again, not the answer I was hoping for, but she wanted to continue, so I heard her out, "I love you, Liam, I truly do, but we have been together two months. Can I at least mull it over for this week?"

"Sure, absolutely, take your time." I sadly replied.

"I'm not saying no, babe. Let me sit on it for a week. It's a big decision," she quickly added.

I wanted her to respond right away, but I knew it would be a significant shift for both of us, and I could respect that, and I did because I loved her.