123. Future happiness
When Mara told him that she was pregnant Keegan was finally relieved. He had suspected for a while and he was so close to forcing her to go to the doctor and get herself checked out. The man didn’t want anything bad to happen to their baby.
Their baby.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
Keegan still replayed her words over and over again in his mind as she told him that she was pregnant. He saw the paper bag on their bed. Yes. Their bed. He had printed the words in his mind since the first time they had sex. He knew she was the one. He knew from the first moment he met Mara in her teenage years that she was the forbidden fruit but still wanted her anyway.
Those years he had to restrain himself, telling himself that she was way too young for him. But when fate decided them to meet again, Keegan was not letting her go. Ever.
He was wary when she dismissed the barrier between them. He didn’t want to think about it when she realized that he might impregnate her because he was selfish. He wanted her to be his. He wanted his baby in her belly. He wanted everything with her. Though Keegan had doubted himself the last couple of weeks, dreading what she’d do when she finally learned out about her pregnancy.
Keegan’s pocket had been burning with the Mara’s engagement ring. He had bought it, knowing that it was perfect for Mara. His future partner in life, the one he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with. To grow old and bear his child and maybe future children. He would treat her right. His love for her was endless. He felt sappy, but that was just the way it was.
Keegan watched her sleeping peacefully on the pillow next to his. Her naked backside was creamy and soft. Mara didn’t realize that she was glowing with her pregnancy now that she had accepted it.
A few days after she told him, they went to the doctor’s office where Keegan had made an appointment for her. They checked her blood work and confirmed her pregnancy. They were told to come back in the next few weeks for their first ultrasound.
“They don’t have to know… at least not yet. It’s up to you. We haven’t even told Cody.” Keegan tucked her stray hair to the back of her ear.
“This is good news, right? I’ve known them for over a month now. Cody had gotten closer to Alma and Reuben, and he had spent a couple of afternoons with them. My brother had never been spoiled so much in his life.”
It was one of those afternoon. They were to pick up Cody from Alma and Reuben’s. Yes, the older couple had even bought a house and moved into town to spend more time with their grandchildren.
“It is good news. I love you and trust that you will make the best decision. You know I will always support you.” Keegan kissed her lips softly as he felt her relaxing in his hold.
“Thank you, Keegan, and yes, I want to tell them. I want them to know that I want them in my life. They’re nice people. I think the strain between them and Mom had made them take a different perspective on life. And… I want our baby to grow up around a loving family.” There was a somber feel in her words that Keegan recognized.
“Alright then, let’s get dressed and buy some ice cream and pizza for Cody. Might as well stay for dinner, I’m sure we can stay longer and celebrate with your grandparents. I know they kept on noticing your ring but have been too hesitant to ask. Let’s make the announcement.” Keegan took her hand and kissed her knuckles, pressing his lips on her ring finger.”
“I love you.” Mara’s heart bloomed with affection and she latched onto her boyfriend. She was not ready to let himself go as she pulled him closer for a deeper, more passionate kiss.
It was less than two hours later when they finally arrived at Mara’s grandparents.
“Alma, Reuben… Cody, we have some good news to announce.” Mara said after they all sat down and pizzas were on the table while the ice cream was chilling in the freezer.
“I knew there was something going on with these many pizzas!” Cody grinned, his eyes darted back and forth from all the pizza with various toppings on them. Keegan had ordered them from Cody’s favorite place. He picked out three large pizzas with several different toppings on them, including all cheese and pepperoni that Cody liked so much. Mara was thankful to have a fiance who really cared about his brother.
“Look grandma, grandpa! there are the cheesy ones! And Keegan bought them from Silvio’s! Thank you, Keegan!”
It was adorable how Cody had easily called his grandparents’ grandma and grandpa while Mara still struggled and called them by their names. They didn’t mind though and Mara knew Keegan was thankful for them for not pushing everything on Mara.
“You’re welcome kiddo. And Mara is the one who picks out your ice cream. But will get to that after dinner okay?” He chuckled before ruffling Cody’s hair adoringly.
“And what about the great news?” Her grandmother asked, putting her hand on top of her husband as if she couldn’t contain her happiness.
“Well, first of all, I’m pregnant. And second, Keegan had asked me to marry him.” Mara held out her hand, showing her grandma and grandpa her ring finger while her other hand was to Keegan like she needed him to be her support. So he did, he kept himself quiet as he watched her grandparents’ expressions. He relaxed seconds later when he saw nothing but happiness because Mara knew that Keegan had shared his worry when Mara told him that she was nervous about telling her grandparents
“I’m going to be an uncle?”
“Yes, a very young uncle!” Alma half-shouted from her excitement when she got up and kissed Cody before going towards Mara and hugged her. Reuben followed behind his wife and congratulated the couple.
“You’re young to start a family. But we will support you, we will help in any way we can.” Her grandpa hugged her one more time before shaking Keegan’s hand while her grandma was already talking about the wedding.
“Grandma, grandpa… thank you, but we haven’t discussed the wedding. Though I think I’d prefer an intimate dinner of friends and family.” Mara said, and Alma finally got teary when she called them grandma and grandpa just like Cody had.
Mara could see that Keegan was busy talking to Cody about how to be an uncle. He was clearly giving Mara a moment to talk to her grandparents about the baby and their future marriage.
“I still want to work, will that be okay? At least until I’m too big to walk?” She smiled nervously while waiting for their answer.
“It’s our restaurant, I will be pleased to know that you want to keep helping me to run the place. Just remember not to force yourself. I’ve heard great things in just the short time you started working there. The position will always be there for you, you can pause and take a break and start whenever you want.” Reuben said rubbing her shoulder gently.
They went back to their seats and started feasting on dinner. Alma asked about the gender of the baby and the ultrasound. Her grandmother was back to teary again when Mara invited her grandparents to come with her to one of her doctor’s appointments.
Overall, dinner went great and Cody was so excited to be a young uncle that he went straight to sleep the second they arrived back at Keegan’s, and his head touched his pillow.
“Thank you, Keegan. I’ve never known I could be this happy and everything turned out the way it is now.”
“You’re welcome, and I love you more. It should be me who thank you for taking me back after leaving you all those years ago.” He took her hand and put them on his naked chest. They were in bed, ready to end their perfect day. Though Mara knew that he was going to make it even more perfect by showing her just how much he loved her.
This was it, she was living the dreams all those years ago where Keegan cherished her and loved her with all of his feelings. Mara swooned. She was beyond happy. She has Keegan’s love and their baby in her belly. Cody was tucked in, safe in his bed. She even has her grandparents who supported her and took their time mending their relationship. Mara was even more thankful that she had her friend from Babes who had her back and was there for her when she needed them.
This was her happiness. She was living her dreamy future and couldn’t ask for more.