Ford
I move in with Alona right after Halloween. This was her idea when I brought up the idea of marriage.
“How about we do things a little more modern to start with?” she asked.
And I was fine with that. I just want to be with her.
I stay working at the dude ranch, since Alona is happy with Victor and Dale’s work ethic at her farm. The first few weeks of November fly by with us unpacking my things and figuring out what to do with everything.
The Friday before Thanksgiving, I come home to find Alona on her cell.
“Yes, I am sure Ford will be fine with it. I’ll double check with Clementine, since she is hosting, but I’m sure she will say the more the merrier. I can’t wait to see you!”
Alona hangs up and turns to me.
“Welcome home, sexy,” she says as she gives me a kiss. “So, our guest room is about to have someone sleeping in it for the holiday.”
“Someone you know, I hope.” I joke.
“Yes, goober. You know my friend who is a cat shifter? Dinah? Well, her Thanksgiving plans fell through, and first I’ll make sure Clem is cool with it, but I invited her for turkey day.”
“I’m sure Clem will be cool with it. If not, we can always figure something out so that Dinah isn’t alone on Thanksgiving.”
Alona grins at me, pulling me close to her.
“My boyfriend is such a quality hottie.”
I laugh and give her a kiss.
Ravenhart Mountain Dude Ranch always hosts a packed Thanksgiving. This year, my fellow cowpoke, Amos, flew home to see his family, but otherwise all the usual folk are here. Plus Dinah. Who blends in really well with everyone.
The children play basketball outside after dinner while we adults laze around with full bellies.
“So, Dinah, how do you know Alona?” Jasper, another Brooks brother, asks after dinner.
“We were roommates when we both lived in Chicago many moons ago.”
“Oh, I love Chicago,” he replies.
“It is a great city. I miss it, but not enough to move back. Actually,” Dinah turns to Alona, “I think I am over Utah. I may move again.”
My girlfriend and Dinah are discussing potential places to move when Wyatt's son, Paul, bursts into the room.
“Is it time for pie yet?”
Jasper stands up, clapping his hands together, and replies, “It’s always time for pie.”
On Saturday, we take Dinah on a hike up to Ravenhart Ridge, which looks out onto Corvid Valley.
“Wow,” Dinah says when she takes in the view, “your hometown is stunning, Al. I hate that I am leaving tomorrow.”
Alona pouts and hugs her friend.
“I hate that you are leaving, too. I’ve loved having you here.”
“You know, I think that maybe Corvid Valley is where I should hang up my hat next.”
My girlfriend shrieks, making Dinah and me crack up, as she jumps up and down.
“Do it! That would be so amazing!”
Alona’s excitement clearly makes Dinah feel good, shown by the smile she beams at her.
“Maybe I will.”
Corvid Valley gets a decent amount of snow the week before Christmas, so Alona and I decide to have a cozy day at home. I cook up my famous chili that she adores on days like this, but when she walks into the kitchen, she immediately runs back out.
“Al?”
I walk out into the living room and hear her throwing up in the powder room.
“Babe? Are you OK?”
The toilet flushes, and Alona walks out, confusion coloring her face.
“I don’t know where that came from, but the spices made me feel sick?.”
“Weird.”
We stare at each other for a long moment and then I say, “I’m going to the drugstore. Stay out of the kitchen.”
Alona’s eyes go wide and she nods knowingly.
They plowed the roads, making my drive to the drugstore easy.
I pick up a few items we need, plus a pregnancy test. On the way home, I tell myself to act cool no matter what the results end up being.
But the idea of having a baby with the love of my life thrills me.
Especially at our age, since I thought it wasn’t even possible.
Alona grabs the shopping bag from me as soon as I step into the house and goes into the bathroom. The toilet flushes, and she walks out. I give her an expectant look.
“Three minutes.” She says.
I pull her close to me and stroke her hair as we wait. Her smart watch timer goes off, so she goes back into the bathroom. A second later, my love stands in the doorway, eyes huge.
“We’re pregnant, Ford.”
Tears flow from my eyes as I pick her up, twirling her in the air.
“This is amazing.” I say, as I kiss her, my tears falling onto her beautiful, smiling face.