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I spotted Alex Rodgers by the bar, ordering a drink. I was surprised he had shown up. When I had mentioned the possibility of a party for our baby months ago, he seemed less than enthused. I couldn’t blame him, though. This was far different from the bachelor parties and club outings he was used to.
“Glad you could make it,” I said, slapping him on the back.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” He smiled before taking a sip of the bourbon I had promised him.
I could see the young bartender batting her eyelashes his way as he turned his back to her. She was blonde with a red lip, surely his type.
“You seem to have made an impression on the staff,” I said, nudging him.
“Hmm?”
“The bartender.”
“Oh, her? Yeah, I guess so…” He seemed completely aloof.
“She’s pretty,” I offered.
“Yeah, I’m just not really looking right now.”
I looked taken aback.
“You? Not looking?” I asked in surprise.
“Yeah, no. I’m actually in need of some advice…” He rubbed the back of his head.
“On what?” I asked curiously.
“Women.”
“You’re the last person who needs advice on that subject.” I laughed.
“No, I’m completely lost. How do you getthis?” He looked toward Monica, who was across the room talking to my sister.
“Alex…” I started, looking at him with amusement. “Have you met someone?”
A smile tugged at his lip. “Well, there is this girl…”
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see my mother standing there with T.J.
“I think someone needs a diaper change. I would do it, but I don’t know where anything is…” she said.
“I’ve got it, Mom.” I took T.J. from her, excusing myself to Alex, who had left me completely surprised by his admission about there being a woman in his life. Never had I thought I would see the day. I had just talked to him months ago, and he was still the same Alex I knew. I wondered what had changed.
As I walked through the party, I looked at Monica, who seemed deep in conversation with Erica still. Monica clapped her hands in excitement. Over what, I had no idea. But my sister seemed upset. I wondered what they were talking about. Erica had mentioned last week, over lunch, that she was having some trouble at work. She didn’t give me much more detail than that, probably because I would offer to help, and she never accepted my help. She had too much pride in asking her billionaire brother to bail her out of a jam. I would have to ask her about it later.
Once I had T.J. cleaned up, I walked into my study and opened the bottom drawer of my desk. I lifted the stack of papers and felt around for the small velvet box I had hidden there. My fingers wrapped around it and I pulled it from the drawer, looking to the doorway to make sure no one saw. It was empty. I opened the box carefully and saw the large, oval diamond ring sparkling up at me. I had bought it last month, knowing we had this party coming up. I had called her father up and asked for his permission. Even though we had never met, and his relationship with Monica was sometimes strained, he happily gave me his blessing.
I closed the box and slid it into my pocket before exiting my study. As soon as I entered the living room, my eyes found Monica’s, as if she was waiting for me. She gave me a warm smile as I walked toward her. I gave Erica the signal, and she began clinking her glass with a piece of silverware, getting everyone’s attention.
Monica looked at her curiously and then her eyes widened as she saw me kneel before her, T.J. on my knee, looking up at his beautiful mother. She sucked in a breath as she shakily put her hand to her mouth as I pulled the ring box from my pocket.
“I’ve loved you since the day you walked into my life, and I love you more every single day. Monica, will you please marry me?”
I opened the box, but her eyes didn’t fall to the ring inside. Her eyes stayed on me, as she gave me a resounding yes.
THE END