Page 97 of Jain

A beautiful ruby ring shimmered on her ring finger as a pang of envy grew in my stomach. Jain faintly smiled as I forced a wide smile.

“Congratulations, when is the big day?”

Sarah bit her lip again and glanced at Jain.

“Well, we are doing it at a registry office in two weeks... it’s all booked. We just need some witnesses.”

I frowned, wondering why their families weren’t attending. Jain seemed to understand, though, a sympathetic smile on her face as she nodded.

“Are you asking us?”

Sarah nodded and exchanged a look with Eloise.

“Of course, we will,” I said smoothly, as Jain sent me a grateful look.

Sarah reached out and hugged us both, tears glistening in her eyes as she spoke. “Ithasto be you two. You’re the only ones who know what it’s like to be in a relationship that’s frowned upon by nearly everyone. Sorry.”

I knew what she meant; we did.

“It’s fine. We would love to.” Jain smiled, wrapping her fingers around mine.

“Then when you guys get married—” Sarah began before Jain cut her off.

“Don’t start him off. So, what are you both wearing?”

Instead of showing how annoyed I was, I tried focusing on the kids. Amaya was chasing the boys, her cheeks rosy with excitement. Anya was stunning, dominating attention already from the children that surrounded her. But, again, a familiar ache filled my stomach, and I realised I wanted to start a family of our own.

Jain just didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm. I sighed, and she glanced at me, her eyes filling with concern.

“You ok?” she whispered as I shrugged. “Babe is this to do with the marriage comment—”

“No, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

Jain nodded before Kate joined us, a glass of wine in hand.

“Tired? You should try having kids. I’m knackered.”

“I’m just going to the men’s room,” I murmured, smiling as I walked away. I could feel Jain gazing after me, knowing she would be riddled with guilt. She couldn’t help how she felt, though. I just hoped it wasn’t permanent.

I loved her and wanted to make her my wife and themother of my children. But if she didn’t want that well—there wasn’t anything I could do.

I would be with her forever regardless. I knew the argument she would use. It’s just a bit of paper, she would say.

We’ll see.

Jain

The rain lashed down on the windscreen, clouding my vision despite the wipers fighting it furiously. I sighed, pulling up the handbrake as I sat in the long line of traffic that led the way home.

This route wasn't usually bad, but it was late on a Friday evening—rush hour had somehow been extended as late as seven PM. The red lights from the cars ahead of me blurred through the wet glass, swirling before the wipers cleared it temporarily before they disappeared from view again.

The dashboard screen on my car lit up, and I saw it was Evan.

"Hey, you," I answered, stifling a yawn.

"Tell me you didn't go down the A road," he said hopefully, and I groaned.

"Yes. I've been at a standstill for the past twenty minutes. Has something happened?"