Tyler sliced off another bite of his steak, wondering why Valerie was being so insecure tonight. Something was obviously on her mind but he knew not to push her, to just let her open up on her own.
“Well, what if that family started now?”
Tyler looked up at Valerie, not raising his head, just lifting his chin and meeting her gaze with the wide-eyed deer in headlights look.
“Valerie? … What are you saying?”
With a giggle, she looked over to him, her eyes lit up in a blue swirl of excitement mixed with something else and he finally identified what it was - fear.
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
“You’re pregnant…” The muscles in his jaw started to twitch, and Valerie sat, prepared for him to be angry or upset. But within seconds, he was around the table, pulling Valerie to her feet and hugging her so tightly she could barely breathe.
“Oh my God, Valerie!” He kissed her softly, his hands cupping her face before dropping to her stomach in a protective stance. “You’re having my baby?”
Valerie nodded. “Yes… I am.”
Tyler leaned down to nuzzle her neck, and Valerie felt her heart leap and the butterflies in her stomach fluttered in a melody of relief and joy. Finally Tyler lifted his head and Valerie saw that his eyes were glistening in a stain that she recognized as pure love and it nearly took her breath away.
“I love you, Valerie,” he whispered softly. “I’ve loved you from the very first time that I saw you… and I’ll never, ever stop.”
Valerie wrapped her arms around Tyler’s neck, her eyes locked onto the man that she knew she would love for the rest of her life.
“Forever?” she replied, wanting to stay in the moment forever. She closed her eyes, feeling him leaning in, his warm breath fluttering against her earlobe.
“Forever.” He replied.
She felt Tyler’s soft lips curve against hers, and the world faded away.