Brothers in Blue: The First Love Match (14 page)

             
“Ariel, those things I said don’t apply to this situation. I’m about to be a father and I don’t want to miss a moment of my child’s life. Have you been with anyone since me?”

             
              “Not that it should be your business, but no, I haven’t.

             
“I didn’t think so. I really enjoyed spending time with you Ariel and part of the reason I was so quick to push you away is that while you were busy falling for me, I was starting to fall for you. I was stupid and I still think about you all the time. Just agree to marry me and give it a chance. We can be a real family for our daughter. It may not have been a match formed in the most usual way, but I think we are going to be good together and I think we’ll make each other happy.”

             
“John I want our daughter to have a father and the stability of a family as well. If I agree to marry you, promise me that you’ll be a good dad and stay true to me and our daughter.”

             
“I can easily make that promise. I also think, if its ok with you that I’d like to go home and get a change of clothes and my dog and come back to stay with you tonight. I don’t want to leave either of you alone, and this is a really bad neighborhood. Before my shift tomorrow I’m going to move your things to my house. Wednesday I think we should go and get married at the courthouse, that gives me enough time to get the day off of work, are you able to get the day off?”

             
“I’m already off Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Once I start in the admissions office I’ll be working Monday through Friday from 7am to 3pm.”

             
“That’s perfect then. I’m going to run home to get my things and change and I’ll be back over here shortly. Do me a favor, lock both of these locks when I leave and make sure it’s me before you open that that door again.

After John left the little apartment Ariel sat on her couch stunned. She went from being a single mom to an engaged woman in a matter of an hour. John had said that he thought he had been falling for her in the past. Hopefully he meant that he still felt something towards her. Before long John was knocking on the door and Ariel let him in.

             
“John, I know that we need to talk some things over, but I can barely keep my eyes open right now. Are you ready for bed?”

             
“It’s been a long day for me as well. I didn’t know when I woke up this morning that I would go to bed a father and soon to be husband. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few hours and I like this feeling.”

John was smiling at Ariel and sat down next to her on the couch.

              “I do want to make this marriage work with you, it may not have been a decision we made under the circumstances that most people decide to get married under, but I think it’s going to be a positive outcome for both of us. I may just be a cop, but I think I can provide a decent life for you and our daughter, and who knows, maybe another kid or two in the future.”

Ariel looked up into his face and could see that he really mean
t what he was saying. It felt good to know that he was in this and meant to be for the long haul. Putting out her hand he intertwined his fingers with hers and stood pulling her and walking to the bedroom.

             
“I hope you don’t mind if I sleep with you before we’re married, if need be I can sleep on the couch, but it is a little lumpy.

Ari
el laughed and smiled up at John.

             
“I think we have moved far past that point John.”

Changing for bed wasn’t really an option for Ariel she had few clothes items that she could wear as money was so tight she didn’t have but three pairs of maternity pants as it was. The sweatpants she had thrown on when John came over were just not comfortable to wear on her rounded belly.

             
“Do you mind if I sleep in just a t-shirt and some panties? I don’t have much in the way of maternity clothes and these pants are uncomfortable on my belly.”

             
“Of course I don’t mind. In less than two days you will be my wife. I am going to insist that I take you to do some shopping tomorrow after me and the guys move your things. I’ll talk to your landlords as soon as I get up and see what we can do about your lease on this place. I want you to be comfortable and I won’t have my wife not even having the clothes she needs to live in.”

             
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 sid
e. 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 trying on. Opening the door she was wearing a cream colored knee length dress that had an overlay of lace.