Chapter 3

Knowing that it would be a bad idea to try and have a in depth conversation while trying to eat, AJ asked, "So are you still traveling extensively with your job?"

"Not since I started showing, I have been working in the home office."

"Are you happy with that?"

"Yes, it's different for a change, and has allowed me time to get things ready for the baby."

Since she had brought the subject up he asked, "Were you ever planning on telling me that I was going to be a father."

"No, there was no reason to since I had planned on raising the child by myself."

"So you didn't think I'd want to know."

"Since we had never discussed a family I didn't think you'd want to be bothered with a child complicating your life."

"I have always wanted more children."

"How was I supposed to know?" she asked.

"You could have asked me. I know that this was not a planned pregnancy, but I had as much to do in getting you in that condition as you did and you should have trusted me enough to know that I would have helped you through this."

"I can see now that I was wrong, but at the time my mind was clouded with fear and confusion."

Remembering what Harriett had advised him, he took a single red rose from the vase on the table and offered it to her saying, "Do you know that there is a language of flowers, the red rose represents passion and love."

Taking the rose he offered she smiled and said, " Oh, AJ, how beautiful."

He slid off his chair and on to one knee, pulling the ring box from his pocket he opened the box and said, "I love you, Thea Lewis, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"I love you too, but are you sure you're not asking now because of the baby?"

"I bought this ring four months ago, before I knew there was going to be a child and I still feel the same way about you now as I did about you then," with that half grin of his he added. "The baby is just a bonus, Thea."

Patting her stomach she grinned, "We are a package deal so if take one you get the other too."

Staring at the hand on her tummy he asked almost reverently, "May I touch the baby?"

Taking his hand in hers she laid it on the spot where the baby had just kicked.

He waited, hoping that the baby would move under his hand and asked, "Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?"

"No, I wouldn't let them tell me, I wanted it to be a surprise."

Taking to the baby this time AJ said, "Hello, little one will you tell your mommie to answer my question so I'll know if I'm going to be your daddy."

"Yes, AJ, I'll marry you," she replied just as the baby moved under AJ's hand.

He didn't know whether to react to the baby's movement or her answer first, but both of them filled him with joy. Removing his hand from her tummy he took the ring from the box and placed it lovingly on her finger.

"I'd like us to be married before the baby is born if that's alright with you."

"I'd like that too," she replied softly.

"Do you want a big wedding?"

"No, just something simple."

"I have a few people I'd like to invite, but could keep the numbers down quite easily."

"I only have my parents who live in Florida so I'll have to get in touch with them."

"I'll have to call my daughter in Italy."

"You have a daughter already?"

"Yes, from a very youthful marriage. Her mother took her to Italy when we split up."

"How old is she?"

"She is thirty five."

"We're almost the same age. I'm only four years older than she is. Do you think she will resent me?"

"I honestly don't know Thea, Francesca was raised Italian because of her mother so my guess is she will either love you or hate you, but she certainly won't be ambivalent."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner."

"Because as you pointed out we never talked about family."

"How will she feel about the baby?"

To be continued…..