Ariel walked the few feet where John was looking through his bag and gave him a big hug. She was already starting to cry again and when John put his arms around her it was the best feeling.
“You make me feel so safe John. I’ve been so scared and nervous the past few months, this has been so overwhelming and I’ve just felt all alone for so long.”
“It’s ok Ari, those days are over.”
John gently lifted her onto the bed and pulled the covers up. A few moments later he turned off the light and climbed into the bed on the other side. Gently he began rubbing Ariel’s shoulders and neck and within seconds she was fast asleep.
The morning light was streaming through the windows when Ariel awoke all alone in her bed. Was that just a dream that she had been having last night or had John really come to her house and told her he wanted to marry her? Rubbing her eyes she looked at the clock and saw it read 11:20 am. Wow, she sure had overslept much longer than usual, thank goodness she had the day off. Where was Bruno though? He was usually snuggled in bed with her and would pounce on her to lick her face as soon as he suspected she might be stirring for the day. Mumbling to herself she heard shuffling and possibly voices in the living room. Opening her bedroom door she shrieked as she saw the small space filled with almost ten men quickly moving her few items of furniture and wall hangings. Realizing she was just in panties she went back into her room and shut the door. That dream had been no dream, she was going to marry John!
The door opened after a brief knock.
“It’s just me honey, you seemed to be exhausted last night so I wanted to let you sleep as long as possible. I’m glad you’re almost up, the guys are ready to start in here as soon as you’re dressed.”
“Ok, give me five minutes to use the bathroom and throw something on and I’ll be already to go. Where is Bruno by the way?”
“I already took him over to the house and fed him breakfast, for a big dog I think his bladder may be a tad small, he woke me up at 5am wanting to go out.”
“So this is real?’
“As real as that little person in your belly over there. I spoke to my mom and dad this morning and they really want you and I to come to dinner tomorrow after the service, they even offered to come if we want them to.”
“John, I don’t know, I thought we were doing this more for insurance and last name for the baby purposes then a real wedding. Maybe a little later we can have a party for family and friends to come and celebrate with us after the baby is born.”
“That sounds fine. Alright, as soon as you’re dressed you and I can head out for a bit of shopping and the guys will finish up here.”
“Did you talk to the owners?”
“Yes, they were thrilled to hear you had a man to take care of you and they want you to come over and show them the baby after the birth.”
Ariel knew she was smiling from ear to ear as she emerged from the bathroom. She had taken the time to straighten her hair and put on a little make-up. While she had on her only pair of maternity jeans and striped maternity shirt she was hoping that John would still find her at least tolerable in the looks department.
“You look really pretty today.”
“Thank you John, you don’t look so bad yourself.”
As they went outside Ariel saw the police officers loading her items in a moving truck. It seemed that she had inherited this wonderful group of guys as her friends now. It was so nice to have someone help her out. Feeling her daughter kicking in her belly was reassurance that she was doing the right thing. Life was an adventure at times, while this was such a rapid change for her she still felt like she had to go along for the ride, it wasn’t just for her at this point. She was considering the life inside of her as well.
John came to open the door for her to his truck and make sure that she could get into the seat easily. He was right behind her as she wavered a little on the running board.
“Next time we’ll have to drive your care, I don’t want to risk you getting hurt.”
“Ok.”
Ariel wasn’t usually such a pushover and easily bossed but it felt good to have someone there making decisions so she could sit back and process what was going on a bit. Arriving at the mall John again helped her out of the truck and walked inside with her.
“So, my folks were asking last night, what else do you think we might need for the baby? Have you had a shower or anything? I’m not sure how the whole baby thing works but I know you need lots of stuff.”
“No, I haven’t had a shower. My mom and dad wanted me to come home with them, but I’m a little stubborn and didn’t want to make them pay for my mistake. I know my grandma is planning on buying the crib for me and the sheet and bumper set. My mom is going crazy now that she knows I’m having a girl; she is purchasing lots of clothes and things. I think I’ll need to get a stroller with a car seat, bath stuff, diapers, a baby carrier for when I’m doing things around the house, baby toys, and an outfit to take the baby home from the hospital in.”
“You mean things that we’ll have to buy, right? We’re in this together. Come tomorrow you’re going to be my wife Ariel. I mean it when I say I want this to work, we are gonna tackle being parents together. Have you thought of a name yet?”
“Uh, yeah, I had a few things in mind.”
“Like what?”
“I like the name Ariana, or Alden or Joshlyn. Did you have any ideas?”
“I’ve always been partial to the name Mary. It was my grandma’s name, and I know it’s simple and a little old fashioned, but it’s still pretty.”
“I think it’s a pretty name as well. Maybe today or tomorrow we can sit down and go over the names and maybe think of some middle names?”
“Sounds good. Ahh, I want to go in this store for a minute.”
Ariel had been too busy talking to even notice that John had steered her in the direction of a jewelry store. They were walking into one of the larger jewelry stores in the mall and a young and beautiful sales lady walked over to them and greeted them.
“Hi. My fiancé and here recently became engaged and I want her to try on some rings. We’re actually planning on having a little ceremony to get married tomorrow so it has to be something in stock that is her size or can be sized before noon tomorrow.”
Ariel and John were soon seated in front of the engagement section of rings and the salesperson was bringing out sets of bridal bands one by one for her to try.
“John, these must be really expensive. I don’t feel like you need to spend this much money on me.”
John leaned in and put Ariel’s hand in his. Whispering to her softly he said “Honey, you’re going to be my wife tomorrow, I have been alone and single for the past ten years socking money into savings. I don’t live an extravagant lifestyle, I have what I need, I can certainly afford to buy you any ring you want. Pick out the one you want.”
“But John, I can’t afford to buy you a wedding band anywhere near what these rings might be costing.”
“How about after you choose a ring then you choose a few for me to try on and we’ll pick it out together and buy it all at once. I want you having my engagement ring on your finger for the rest of the day.”
After another hour of trying on several more rings Ariel had chosen a beautiful and elegant ring with a large square cut diamond.
“You’re sure about this John? I can always pick something a little smaller.”
“That certainly wasn’t the largest ring in here, now let’s get me a band and head off to the maternity store.”
Finding a suitable band for John took less than 20 minutes and John made the purchases after asking Ariel to go ahead and walk a few stores down to the Maternity Place. She didn’t even want to know how much that purchase had cost him, but she decided that if that is what he wanted to do for her then she would let him. She was in the dressing room trying on a few dresses for the wedding when the saleslady came to the door to let her know her fiancé was waiting to see what she was tr
ying on. Opening the door she was wearing a cream colored knee length dress that had an overlay of lace.
“I think you look beautiful in that one honey. Do you mind if I step outside to the bench for a few minutes and make some phone calls. Pick out a few pairs of pants, shirts and some pajamas and we’ll grab some lunch before heading back to my house.”
John spoke briefly with the sales person and he gave Ariel his credit card before walking outside to sit on the bench. She quickly told the sales person what she was looking for and a few minutes later had a dressing room full of casual clothes to try on. After selecting three new outfits and two pairs of pajamas Ariel told the saleslady she was done and her purchases along with the dress and a black skirt for work were rang up, paid for and in a bag. Before she could even pick the bag up off of the counter John was behind her lifting it. Together they walked to the food court and John dutifully went with her to Sbarro and ordered pizza. Lunch was quick and soon they were back in the truck heading home. The quick trip to the mall had been exhausting for Ariel and she sat up with a start when she saw it was already after 3pm.
“John you’re going to be late for work!”
“Don’t worry, I was granted permission to have my shift covered for today and tomorrow, the downside is the weekend after next I have to work two doubles. I don’t mind but I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone for so long.”
Arriving at home Ariel saw that her few items of furniture were in John’s garage and John told her that her clothes had been hung in his closet.
“So we’re going to be sharing a room?”
“Of course, unless you have any objections to that, it is what married people normally do.”
Ariel sat on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table, her feet were so swollen. They ached painfully and she was glad to have a few days off of them.
“I don’t mind sharing a room with you, I’ve never done that before and I didn’t want to intrude on your routine and space, I know you didn’t intend on this happening or me moving in here.”
John sat down on the couch beside her and tilted her head up.
“I want you in my bed every night for the rest of my life. I’m going to make those promises to you tomorrow. This is what I want. Here, I want you to wear your engagement ring.”
Slipping the ring out of his pocket he placed it on her finger.
“It looks beautiful, just like you.”
Ariel smiled and placed her head on John’s shoulder when she woke up the room seemed a bit dimmer and she saw that she was lying on the couch and covered with a blanket. Delicious smells were emanating from the kitchen and when she walked in there she saw that John had baked potatoes and grilled steak.
“I thought you were going to sleep all night, good thing I made dinner for two anyways.”
They ate outside and let the dogs run around and eventually rest under the table waiting for any drop of food.
The next morning Ariel took time getting dressed and doing her hair. She felt beautiful and couldn’t believe she had such a huge rock on her finger. Today she was going to marry the man that she had fallen for a long time ago, and he was going to be her husband. At the courthouse John didn’t seem nervous at all, as they recited their vows Ariel couldn’t stop smiling and neither could John it seemed that this was really going to be a fairy tale ending.
Epilogue
“Mary Ariana Hughes, I really think it has a good ring to it, don’t you?”
John was smiling ear to ear as he held his daughter for the first time. Ariel was in the hospital watching her husband of two and half months melt right in front of her over this little bundle of baby.
“I think it does.”
“I already love her, I think I loved her from the moment I found out she was mine.”
Ariel felt her heart surge with happiness and the tears spring to her eyes. Her story wasn’t perfect in any way but here she was a mother and wife and thrilled to see what direction life would take her in.
The End.
If you enjoy alpha male romance with a little spice try out the other titles by the author, Jayna concepcion, that are available in the Amazon Store:
Emma: A Fresh Start
Coming in the Fall of 2014 will be another related book in this series featuring Jeff, John’s coworker and fellow police officer. Find out what happens when he finally meets his match.
Brothers in Blue: The First Love Match Page 11
