He pulled out of the kiss when I was slightly breathless and pressed his forehead to mine. "Want to come and eat with me? I'm starving." he asked hopefully.
I nodded eagerly, I was actually starving too. I glanced at the clock to see it was almost eight in the evening, wow I'd been asleep for ages! Ethan pushed himself up out of the bed and held down a hand for me, I placed my hand in his and let him pull me to my feet. Damn I felt so tired and lazy that I could barely even be bothered to get out of the bed!
He smiled and pulled me from the room towards the lounge. As I walked around the corner I stopped, the lights were off and there were little candles around the room making it look all sweet and romantic. In the middle of the table were a bunch of orange sunflowers, my favorites. I looked at him a little shocked, damn he's so adorable!
"Ethan this is beautiful." I smiled.
He laughed and pulled me forward pulling out my chair for me before heading into the kitchen and coming back with the casserole that I'd made earlier. "I didn't have time to make anything else otherwise I would have made that cheesy chicken thing you like." he said apologetically.
I sighed dreamily and watched him scooping it out onto plates, he was just so perfect and thoughtful, how in the hell did I get so lucky? When he was done serving it up we chatted happily while we ate. He was telling me about his day with the art gallery guy who decided to throw a big party on Saturday night. So now Ethan would be working late so he could attend with him. He looked really annoyed about it actually, but in return he got the following morning off which meant that we could lay in on Sunday so I was more than happy about that.
We talked through a couple of baby names too, apparently he'd been thinking about it all day since I told him he could choose a boys name. He liked a couple so far but was going to keep thinking about it, his favourites were Leyton and Hayden, both of which I actually loved too.
When we were done eating he stood up, I moved to clear up the plates but he took it from my hand and kissed me. "Sit back down. I didn't have time to make dinner, but I had time to buy dessert." he grinned wickedly as turned and headed to the kitchen. He came back a couple of minutes later with two huge slices of chocolate cake.
"Thanks." I smiled happily as I grabbed my spoon, damn he is so freaking sweet sometimes!
"Welcome."
After I'd eaten every single crumb from my plate and the last couple of mouthfuls of his cake he moved off of his chair and knelt down by my side. He took my hand looking into my eyes making my whole body tingle. He looked so hot that I just wanted to rip his clothes off. How in the world can I go from exhausted to horny beast? Wow that was impressive!
"So you said you didn't need a posh restaurant." he mumbled shoving his hand in his pocket.
Posh restaurant? What was he talking about? I looked at him confused until he pulled his hand out of his pocket to reveal a little black ring box. I felt my heart skip a beat as excitement bubbled up inside. He bought me a ring? That's what all this was for?
He smiled happily and I held my breath, "Lia, I've loved you since the first time your mom put you in my arms when I was three years old. You are the only girl for me, I will always love you. Will you marry me?" he asked looking at me hopefully.
I swallowed loudly and nodded, "Yes Ethan, of course I will." I whispered my eyes filling with tears.
He laughed, "Well thank God for that." he said making me laugh. He looked at the little closed box in his hand. "I know it's nothing like what Johnny bought for you and I'm sorry I couldn't buy you the kind of ring that you deserve." he muttered looking a little disappointed as his other hand went to the lid to open it and show me.
As he opened the box I pressed my lips to his, I didn't even need to see the ring to fall in love with it. It could have been a plastic ring and it would still be the most special thing I'd ever own, just because it came from him. He kissed me back passionately pulling me closer to him as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Ethan, I don't need a diamond ring to know that you love me. I don't need expensive things from you, all I need is you. I told you that earlier." I cupped his face in my hands willing him to believe me.
He smiled and looked at me gratefully as he held the little box up again. I reluctantly tore my eyes away from his face and looked at the little box. Nestled in the cream folds of silk was a beautiful diamond ring. There were four little diamonds fitted into the shape of a square and the band was white gold, it was perfect and beautiful.
I smiled as my heart started to race in my chest. I looked back at Ethan who was looking at me worriedly, "It's beautiful Ethan, I love it. Thank you." I managed to force out as a tear fell down my cheek.
He relaxed slightly and smiled, "Ok good, I'm glad you like it. You like white gold better right?" he pulled the ring from the box and I held out my hand for him to put it on. He slipped the ring on my finger where it fitted perfectly and would stay forever.
I bit my lip and nodded, trust Ethan to remember something I told him years ago! White gold was my favourite and I had a necklace that was left to me by my grandmother that I never took off, that was white gold too.
"I love white gold." I whispered knowing my voice wouldn't work properly if I tried to talk. He was so thoughtful that it made my heart throb painfully.
I pressed my lips to his again pulling him closer to me and wrapping my legs around his waist so he couldn't pull away, not that he was trying to. He smiled against my lips and stood up, slipping his hands under my ass lifting me with him easily. I pressed my body to his and giggled breathlessly as he kissed down my neck and sat me on the table kissing me passionately. I gripped his shirt and pulled it off over his head quickly as he moved me so I was laying on my back across the table with him pressing against me. It was so romantic in there with the candles casting shadows everywhere; Ethan looked so handsome I could barely breathe through my excitement.
"I love you fiancée." he murmured as he pulled my t-shirt off over my head.
"I love you too." I giggled as he bit on my shoulder lightly, his hands roaming my body almost desperately. Looks like Ethan couldn't wait to get to the bedroom tonight.
Chapter 24
One of the best months I'd ever had in my life passed so fast I could barely keep up. Ethan was adorable and so loving it made my heart ache. He was still working with the gallery owner so he wasn't too far away from me at all times which he liked. He still worked long hours but he was talking to Trent about cutting them down in a couple of months ready for when the baby was born.
Threats and letters were still being sent to Johnny's house so I still had Andrew following me around everywhere, not that I minded though he was a really nice guy and had become a pretty good friend.
College was good, tiring but good. I'd had a letter from the doctor telling them it was ok for me to dance so I was back to normal in classes, I was just being a little more cautious than normal just in case. The school board had even consented to me taking a year out next year to raise the baby. They would hold my third year place for me the following year which was awesome, but I wasn't sure I would want to return after the baby was born.
Ethan said I needed to so I could at least try and achieve my dream, but the thing was my dream was slightly different now, I was living my dream with him. All I ever dreamed about for the last six years was being with Ethan and feeling safe and happy. Being a dancer just wasn't as important to me as it used to be before his parents died and everything changed. I was a different person now, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I was a stronger person than I thought I was at the time and I'd learnt to appreciate the smaller things in life, I would never take things like love and happiness for granted again.
I was twelve weeks pregnant today and we were heading for another scan of the baby. A scheduled appointment this time, I wouldn't be able to show anyone the picture as I was only supposed to be nine weeks so I wasn't due for my first scan for another month according to the lie we told everyone.
br /> I gripped Ethan's hand as we sat in the waiting area of the pre-natal clinic ready for our appointment. I was bursting for a wee but I wasn't allowed to go, something about having a full bladder making the picture clearer. I sat there shifting uncomfortably in my seat making Ethan laugh.
I shot him a dirty look, "It's not funny, if she pushes on my stomach hard I swear I'm gonna pee." I grumbled.
He shook his head grinning as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, a couple of minutes later we were called in and I laid down watching the clock. They said this would take about ten minutes, I just needed to hold it in for ten minutes then I could run to the toilet I saw outside in the waiting area.
The sonographer smiled and squirted some gel on my stomach before grabbing the little plastic scanner thing and pressing it on my stomach. I groaned as she pushed on my bladder, maybe I went a little overboard with the water!
I watched the screen eagerly as the little grainy picture appeared. I was expecting just a white blob like last time, so when she rolled over slightly and paused at the baby I felt like my heart had stopped. The little thing on the screen looked like a baby, I could see arms and the shape of the head, I jerked up so I could see better and the picture disappeared from the screen.
"Oops, sorry." I said apologetically as I laid back down quickly making the sonographer laugh.
"No problem, don't worry once I've done all the check's I'll let you have a good look." she smiled kindly and I gripped Ethan's hand. He was staring at the screen with his mouth hanging open as the little baby popped back on the screen again.
After a couple of minutes the lady turned the screen around to us more, "Ok guys so the baby's doing really well. You're just under twelve weeks and it has a strong heartbeat. All the arms and legs are there, features, everything looks great." she smiled happily.
Ethan still hadn't looked away from the screen and looked like he was barely breathing.
"How big is the baby?" I asked excitedly.
"It's just over five centimeters." she smiled and rolled the little plastic scanner around again. "You want a couple of pictures?"
I nodded and grinned, hell yeah I wanted a picture. "Yes please." I gripped Ethan's hand, "You ok tough guy?" I asked a little worriedly, why hadn't he said anything?
He nodded his eyes not leaving the screen, "Yeah." he mumbled.
"You can't tell the sex yet can you?" I asked curiously turning back to the scanner to see if I could see anything on there that would give us a clue.
She shook her head smiling, "Not until the next scan at around twenty weeks." she printed off a couple of pictures and handed them to Ethan who's gaze went from the screen to the picture. He looked a little shocked about something, I don't know what he was expecting to see today but it clearly wasn't that.
"Ok we're all done, your doctor will send you through your next appointment. I guess you'll want to go and empty that bladder now." she joked handing me some paper towels to wipe my stomach with.
I grinned, "Yeah, thanks so much." I jumped off of the bed and wiped my stomach at the same time as I practically ran from the room leaving Ethan behind in a bid to get to the bathroom before my bladder burst.
After I was done I opened the door to the toilet to see Ethan standing outside leaning against the wall still staring at the picture. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into the toilet with me locking the door behind him. "What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.
He shook his head slowly, "I just thought it would be a blob like last time, but you can see his arms, his nose, his chin. Everything." he mumbled still staring at the picture.
I laughed and put my hand over the picture to get him to look at me, "Yeah it was good scan, but are you ok? You're kind of freaking me out a little." I admitted.
He laughed and wrapped his arms around me tightly. "I'm fine Lia, it just kind of hit me that we're having a baby. Last time it just looked like a little bean thing and now it had arms and legs. I just wasn't expecting that, it was amazing." he said quietly looking at me in awe as he traced one hand around my body to rest on my stomach.
I smiled, "Ok so this is a happy silence? I can stop worrying about you freaking out and leaving me right?" I asked needing a little reassurance. Ethan always spoke his feelings, I'd never seen him just quiet like that for so long.
He gasped and pressed me against the wall, "Are you kidding me? Freak out? That's stupid Lia, I'd never freak out and leave you." he said as he pressed his lips against mine. I smiled against his lips, and he pulled away slightly.
"Well that's a relief, you were just so quiet."
"I just can't believe we have a little baby in there, it just kind of hit me like a ton of bricks today." he smiled and took my left hand and kissed my engagement ring. "How about for the twenty week scan you come as Aaliyah Scott?" he asked looking at me hopefully.
I gasped, that was only eight weeks, he wanted to get married within eight weeks? "Seriously?"
He nodded, "Seriously."
I grinned and threw my arms around his neck, "How about you get the weekend off whenever you can and take me to Vegas?" I offered happily. I didn't care where it happened as long as I got to marry the man of my dreams.
He grinned happily, "Sure, I'll arrange everything. You just need to pick out your outfit and allow for some growing room." he said rubbing his hand over my not so flat stomach. I wasn't showing so that people would notice but because I was a dancer my stomach was so flat and toned that you could notice the slight little curve it had to it now if you looked closely enough, which of course Ethan did everyday.
"Ok tough guy, whenever you want I'll be there." I said happily as I pulled him closer to me, happiness was bubbling up inside me at the thought of being Mrs. Scott.
Instead of going straight home we decided to stop and get some lunch. As we walked in the restaurant I headed straight for the bathroom needing to go again after drinking all of that water for the scan. When I came back out I spotted Ethan standing and talking to someone who was sitting at one of the tables.
I walked over to him and touched his back making him turn to look at me, "Hey you." he smiled as he slipped his arm around my shoulder pulling me close to his side.
I smiled back and glanced down at the table to see who he was talking to only to see Graham, he was one of Ben's friends and someone who Ethan went to school with. I smiled nervously and immediately glanced round to see if Ben was there too, I stepped a little closer to Ethan but I couldn't see Ben anywhere.
"Hey Graham, how are you?" I asked politely.
"Yeah good Ali, long time no see." he smiled. He nodded at Ethan, "You two together? I thought you were with Johnny Brent. Ben never said you two had broken up." he looked at me a little confused.
I smiled at Ethan and tried not to let Ben's name affect me, his name hadn't been brought up in general conversation for a while and I wasn't used to hearing it again.
"Yeah Johnny and I broke up about two and a half months ago. It didn't work out when Ethan came back into the picture." I grinned sheepishly. "Ethan and I live together, we're getting married too." I said proudly as I held out my hand to show him my engagement ring.
"Engaged? Seriously? That's awesome, congrats." he smiled. "Why don't you come and sit here with me? I was gonna head off because my friend has to get back to work but I have another half an hour. We could catch up, I'll order a bottle or something." he stood up looking towards the bar.
I shrugged, I didn't mind sitting with him, he was a nice guy actually. Ethan looked at me obviously leaving the decision up to me. "Sure ok, I can't have a drink though." I said.
He looked at me curiously, "How come?"
Ethan smiled and pulled my chair out for me, "Lia's pregnant." he grinned proudly and I couldn't help but smile too, he really was so freaking excited about the baby.
Graham's eyes went wide, "Holy shit really? Ben didn't say anything. I only saw him yesterday."
I flinched a little when he said Ben's name and I saw Eth
an's body tense up, his hand clenching into a fist as it rested on my leg. I gripped his hand and smiled uncomfortably. "He might not know, I had a huge argument with my parents so I haven't seen them or Ben for the last couple of months.
He didn't tell you?" I asked frowning. Why the hell wouldn't he tell his friend that his sister had been disowned from his family?
Graham shrugged, "He had a huge fight with them too, they kicked him out right after he got out of hospital. He's been staying with Paul. That's probably why he doesn't know then."
My parents kicked him out? Wow I never thought they'd have the gall to do that, I always thought they would choose him over me, hell they did choose him over me when then went to visit him at the hospital!