Forgetting to breathe, p.19
Forgetting to Breathe, page 19
Keira and I both smiled wide at his words.
“Yeah, we miss you guys, too,” Jennifer said. It had been a while since we had hung out with her and Sam. Between our school, work, and extracurricular activities, our schedules rarely synced up.
“We miss you all like crazy,” I said. If they thought they missed us now, it would probably be even harder to see them after we got married.
“So, we want to apologize for inviting you all over here under false pretenses,” Keira said, and I was proud that she had remembered what we planned on saying.
“What do you mean?” Ariel asked, wanting to get straight to the point. That’s what I loved about her.
“What Keira is trying to say is, this party isn’t an anniversary party,” I started to say, putting on my engagement ring under table. They all looked at us with puzzled and expectant looks on their faces. I pulled my hand out from under the table, showing them the ring. “It’s an engagement par—”
“Oh my God!” my mother screamed.
“Are you serious?” Came from Jennifer as she ran over to my side of the table, grabbing my hand. “Is this real?” she asked, in disbelief.
“Well, I hope so. The jeweler—” Keira started her sarcastic remark, but Jennifer cut her off.
“I mean the engagement, idiot!” she affectionately corrected my fiancée, causing her to laugh.
“Yes, it’s real,” I answered.
Ariel and my mother had now made their way over to me, inspecting the ring as well, and pulling my hand in all different directions.
“Engaged, huh?” my father finally spoke, grabbing my and Keira’s attention.
“Yes, I’m sorry that I didn’t ask for your blessing. I—” Keira started apologizing.
“Congratulations,” my father cut her off, standing and raising his glass to us. “I couldn’t be happier for my daughter or for you, Keira. I think you two are an incredible pair.”
Both of our eyes started watering. I expected her to react that way to my father’s words, but apparently it had meant a lot to me, too.
“I am so happy for you,” Jennifer said, squeezing me in a hug that almost took the breath out of me.
“Congrats, dude!” I heard Johnny say as he patted Keira on the back. She had a bashful smile on her face.
“Girls, I have watched you go through so much. And Keira,” my mother grabbed her hand before continuing to speak. “You have been an absolutely joy in this family. Not only have you made our daughter the happiest we have ever seen her, but I see the love you have for her. The passion you have for her. I know you would do anything for her, and likewise. I have felt like you were my daughter-in-law from the moment I met you. Congratulations,” my mother finished and pulled her into a hug. They both had tears in their eyes.
“Thank you,” Keira choked out, arms tight around my mother.
“So, who is going to be your maid of honor?” Ariel asked, eyebrow raised.
“Don’t be silly. Me, obviously,” Jennifer sassed, eying our friend.
“And why do you get to be the maid of honor?” Ariel quipped.
“I’m her best friend!” Jennifer argued.
“So am I,” Ariel said, crossing her arms.
“I’m the one who pretended to be her girlfriend, in order to get Keira. If it wasn’t for me, they probably wouldn’t be together,” Jennifer replied, smugly.
“Fine. You have a point,” Ariel pouted.
“Why can’t I have two maids of honor?” I suggested. “I mean, it’s a lesbian wedding. It’s not exactly traditional.”
“I like that idea,” Keira smiled at me, rubbing my lower back.
“Then it’s settled,” Ariel said, satisfied. “But I get to throw the bachelorette party. I’m not letting Jennifer nerd it up.”
“Nerd it up?!” Jennifer repeated, sounding offended.
“Okay, okay. Enough,” Johnny interjected. “There is plenty of time to figure that out. For now, let’s just celebrate.”
You know things were weird whenever Johnny was the voice of reason, but I wasn’t complaining.
He raised his glass and continued, “I know I don’t get all emotional and stuff, but I think you two are a super, hot couple.” We all rolled our eyes, but he waved his hand for us to give him a chance. “Not just physically hot. Like, soulmate hot. You two are perfect for each other, looks-wise and soul-wise, you know?”
I didn’t know what soulmate hot was and his wording was a little weird, but I understood what he was saying and I thought his speech heart-warming.
“Thank you so much, Johnny,” I said, grinning, and clinked my glass to his.
* * * *
After everyone had left, Keira and I were lying in bed with Landi at our feet. We seemed to be on a high now that everyone knew we were engaged.
“What are you doing?” Keira asked me. I had my arm around her, but I kept looking at my hand.
“Nothing,” I answered casually, bringing my attention back to her face.
“Are you staring at your engagement ring and zoning out?” she asked, amused.
“Maybe a little,” I admitted, smiling.
“Do you like it?” she asked.
“Maybe a little,” I repeated.
“Only a little? Okay, here, let me take it back to the jewelers.” She reached for my hand, trying to call my bluff.
“No, no. I was kidding! I love it,” I protested and pulled my hand away from her.
“That’s what I thought.” She giggled before kissing my hand. “Are you nervous?”
“Nervous about what?” What was there to be nervous about? We had told everyone.
“Marrying me. Being my wife,” she replied.
“Why would that make me nervous?”
“Because it is so permanent. Now you can’t get rid of me,” she responded, smirking.
“I never want to get rid of you,” I responded honestly.
“You promise?” she asked me, like she didn’t already know the answer.
“I promise,” I said to her before kissing her softly on the lips.
“Hey, you know what would be cool?” she asked me and I prepared myself for her cool idea. They were always off the wall.
“What would be cool?” I asked.
“If for our reception, we have donuts and eggs for the food choices,” she suggested.
It was the wackiest menu choice I could think of for a wedding. It was completely non-traditional and would have so many guests confused. Who would want eggs and donuts at a fancy wedding?
“That sounds perfect,” I answered.
Yeah, it would be a little weird and unconventional. But unconventional and weird also described how we had met, how we had started dating, and how she and I ended up living together. Unconventional and weird was good. Unconventional and weird was us.
THE END
ABOUT MEGAN E. BEAN
I grew up in Ohio and moved to Arizona at the age of 22. I live with my girlfriend and our three dogs. It has always been my dream to write- whenever I was a young girl, I would type stories up on my typewriter. I am also working as an equipment operator at a golf course. I enjoy hiking, camping, and bike riding.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
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Megan E Bean, Forgetting to Breathe
