I own none of the characters of October Road

"Good morning fiancé." Eddie mumbled as he kissed the woman lying next to him.

"Hmm morning fiancé." Janet responded sleepily. Eddie's alarm had just gone off so they were both still in bed.

"Is it possible to just stay here in bed all day with you?"

"I wish we could babe but we both have so much to do today."

Tomorrow, their best friends, Nick and Hannah were getting married. The wedding was originally planned for after the first of the year, a New Year's Day wedding but The Commander's cancer had taken a turn for the worse and his doctor told Nick and Ronnie that he wouldn't make it to the first of the year so Nick and Hannah pushed it up. Nick wanted to make sure his father would see him marry the love of his life. Since it was being rushed and after her last faux-wedding, this was going to be a small affair with approximately fifty guests. They were getting married in the park, under the gazebo and then Janet booked them one of the party rooms at The Johnson Inn for a big discounted rate where the reception would be held. The couple was foregoing a rehearsal dinner simply because the only people in the wedding besides the bride and groom was Eddie, Janet, Ronnie, Pizza Girl, and of course Sam. They were just going to run through everything the morning of.

Nick, Eddie and Ronnie were only working the morning and they were going to spend the afternoon picking up the chairs that they were going to set out for the reception and then they were going to the party room to help the girls set up. Janet took the day off because her Grams was invited to the wedding and then was spending a week in town and Janet was the one who eagerly volunteered to drive to Rhode Island to pick her up. Once Grams was safely in town Janet was going to spend the afternoon with Hannah doing the appropriate maid of honor duties.

"Damn our friends for getting married." Eddie said with a grin.

"I hope that they don't same thing when we get married." Janet commented.

"If they do, I will kick their asses." Janet placed her hand over her heart.

"My hero."

"Damn straight." Eddie picked up Janet's left hand. "I really wish you had your ring right now."

"Baby, it's okay. As soon as it is sized, I'll where it for the rest of my life."

"I know, but you should have since we are officially engaged."

"Eddie, we are engaged whether or not I have my ring."

"I can't wait to tell everyone." Eddie was excited to be engaged to the woman next to him and he couldn't wait for the world to know.

"Yeah speaking of telling everyone…"

"Are you kidding me? You don't want to tell anyone about our engagement?" Eddie looked utterly devastated."Why not? Are you changing your mind? Do you…"

"Babe, relax." Janet interrupted him. "I am not changing my mind. We are getting married so you are stuck with me Latekka."

"So?"

"Tomorrow is Nick and Hannah's day and it has been a long time coming. Today and tomorrow should be all about Nick and Hannah and I don't want to take anything away from them. Can we tell everyone after the wedding, after Nick and Hannah return from their short Honeymoon?"

"Well I have really crappy timing don't I?" Eddie mumbled and Janet simply smiled. "I just couldn't wait any longer. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning."

"You have perfect timing."

"I don't know if I am going to be able to keep this secret from my dad or yours." He said softly.

"Excuse me? Did you just say my dad?" Janet sat up in bed, the sheet falling to her waist leaving her breasts exposed and immediately Eddie's eyes landed on them. Janet had to snap her fingers and pull the sheet back up to get his attention. "My eyes are up here."

"Sorry. It's not my fault your boobs are so awesome." Janet rolled her eyes.

"So again, my dad knows?" Eddie nodded. "Only my dad?" Another nod. "Why is my dad the only one who knows that you were going to propose?"

"I asked for his permission or blessing." He admitted softly, not meeting her eyes.

"Really?" She didn't sound mad. Eddie looked up at her and saw that she was smiling and there were tears shinning in her blue eyes.

"Really."

"Why would you do that? You and dad aren't really what I would call friends."

"Because your dad is important to you and you are just as important to him. I didn't know if your dad was the kind of man who wanted or needed to give his permission or blessing. If he was I wasn't going to risk proposing and then have him all pissed off at me. I didn't want to start our engagement like that because I knew if he was pissed at me then you would end up getting pissed at him and taking my side or defend me which would probably cause a big fight and I didn't want that."

"You have no idea what that means to me Eddie, that you would ask my father for my hand. Thank you for loving me enough to do that because I know it wasn't easy."

"You should know by now that I would do anything for you sweetheart."

"I do know that." Janet reached out and cupped his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too." Eddie planted a kiss on the hand that was holding his cheek.

"So your dad knows too?"

"I needed some proposing advice. He didn't know when but every time I talk to him, he mentions it."

"How about this? Let's tell our families now but wait until after the wedding to tell our friends and that way when we tell them I will have my ring."

"Let's tell them tonight. Let's invite them all over for dinner and tell them then."

"Wow. I don't think that I have ever seen you so excited about something before."

"Can you blame me? The woman I love has agreed to become my wife. It doesn't get much better than that babe." Janet couldn't resist. She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to his and Eddie, being Eddie took total advantage of that. He immediately pushed his naked fiancé back on to the bed, cupped her breast and the kiss quickly became more intense.

"Eddie…hmmm….sweetheart…we…not…now." Finally, Janet managed to push Eddie to the side. "We aren't done talking."

"I thought we were."

"Eddie, sweetheart, darling, there is no way that I pull a dinner together today. I'm going to spend four hours by picking up Grams and then the afternoon with Hannah. We don't need a dinner to tell them. Later tonight we can take ourselves over to their houses." Eddie thought about it. Putting together a dinner tonight would be next to impossible to pull off.

"You're right. Let's just go to their houses today after we get done with the wedding stuff."

"Okay except for…"

"Except for what Janet?" As she looked at him a childlike grin crossed her face.

"I'm not going to be able to keep this secret from Grams, especially spending two hours in a car with her. She knows me so well and she'll know the instant she sees me."

"Who are you kidding Janet? The second you see her, you'll tell her." Janet nodded sheepishly. "I really wanted to be there when you told Grams but I know that you won't make it so you can tell Grams under two conditions."

"Conditions? Really Latekka?"

"The first condition is that as soon as you tell her you call me and the second condition is that you have to convince her to keep quiet until we tell the rest of our family and then she has to act surprised. I don't want to piss anyone off."

"Those conditions are acceptable."

"Good. Now are you done talking?"

"About that yes. Now…" Janet never finished her sentence because Eddie was rolling on top of her. "Ummm Eddie?"

"You're killing me Janet."

"If we do…ohhh…this aren't you…ahhh…late?" Eddie was literally taking her breath away with his tongue.

"I own half of the damn company and I want to stay home and make love to my fiancé who won't shut up and be late for work, then I will."

"Yes sir." No more words were spoken. Smiling tenderly at each other, they officially began their morning as one in heart, soul and body.

"Oh Janey, it is so good to see you my sweet girl." Edith greeted her beloved granddaughter with a hug and a kiss.

"Hi Grams." Janet hugged and kissed her grandmother back. "I am so excited that you are going to be in town for an entire week. Eddie and I want to take you to dinner, BINGO at the senior center; we got tickets to see Bye Bye Birdie in Boston and whatever else you want to do." If Janet could, she would spend every minute with her Grams.

"Well it sounds as if you have a lot of plans."

"I do. Well we do."

"There is something you aren't telling me Janey." Edith knew, just as Janet has suspected, that Janet had some good news. She knew as soon as she saw her. Janet was glowing with happiness. Janet pulled out her cell phone and found the picture of her engagement ring that she took before Eddie left for work, taking the ring with him.

"What do you think about this ring Grams?" Janet handed Grams her cell phone.

"Janey is this what I think it is?" Janet nodded. "You and Eddie are shopping for an engagement ring?" This time Janet shook her head. "Sweetie, my old mind isn't as sharp as it used to be."

"Grams, Eddie picked out this ring all by himself." Janet smiled. "He proposed to me last night."

"And what did you say?"

"What do you think I said?"

"I would hope you said yes."

"Of course I said yes." Edith wrapped her arms around her precious girl and hugged her with as much strength as the older woman could muster.

"Janey, I am so very happy for you and Eddie. I know that you two will be very happy together." Edith pulled away and when Janet looked into her grandmother's blue eyes and saw tears that mirrored her own.

"I know Grams." Janet said over the huge lump in her throat.

"Your grandfather would have been so happy for you. The night that we met Eddie, after you two dropped us off after the play, Frank told me that you guys would get married one day. He said you guys reminded him of us when we were younger."

"I wish that he was here."

"Me too honey. He wanted to see you married and happy more than anything. Janey, I believe, no I know that he is looking down on you today and smiling."

"I believe that too Grams." The two women were lost in their own thoughts about their husband and grandfather for a minute.

"So…" Edith began wiping her tears. "If you are engaged why aren't you wearing that beautiful ring?"

"It's too small." Janet sniffed as she wiped her own tears away. "It was so cute. Eddie was trying to be slick and he took a ring out of my jewelry box to measure for my ring but he took your old emerald ring that you gave me. Your fingers are so much smaller than mine and the ring is too small so he took it back today to get it sized." Janet picked up Edith's suitcase. "Are you ready?"

"I am." Janet went and signed Edith out for the week and the two women walked slowly out to Janet's car.

"Do you know what he did Grams?" Janet asked once she got her grandmother settled in the car and they were on their way to The Ridge.

"What did he do honey?"

"He asked for dad's blessing before he proposed." Janet gushed.

"Of course he did. Eddie is a good man and he did what any man who loves you and respects your father would have done. It doesn't surprise me."

"Grams, I am so happy."

"I know you are Janey." Edith reached out took and squeezed Janet's free hand.

"Later tonight we are telling mom, dad, Lil and Eddie's parents tonight after we are done with the wedding stuff. When we tell mom and dad we need you to act surprised. Mom will be heartbroken if she knows that I told you before her."

"You have my word. I will be pleasantly surprised. When are you telling Hannah?"

"After the wedding. Probably after they come home from their honeymoon."

"Why are you waiting?"

"Tomorrow is Nick and Hannah's day and I don't want to take anything away from that."

"That's my girl. Giving up her own wonderful news so her friends can be happy."

"They would do the same if it was my wedding day. " Janet picked up her phone and hit the first speed dial on her phone. "Eddie wants to talk to you."

"Hey babe." Eddie's voice came through the speaker.

"Can you talk?"

"Hang on." They could hear Eddie telling Nick that he had to take this call outside because he didn't have a signal. "Okay babe. It's all good."

"I've got Grams on speaker."

"Hiya Grams."

"Hello Eddie."

"So how long did it take before you realized that Janet had something to tell you?"

"I knew the second she walked into my room."

"I wanted to be there when she gave you the news but I knew she wouldn't make it home."

"Thank you Eddie, for loving and for making my Janey, so happy."

"You don't have to thank me for doing what comes natural. Loving Janet, it's like breathing. I wouldn't make it a day without it."

"You remind a lot of her grandfather Eddie. You are the kind of man that we always wanted for her."

"I'm the lucky one Grams."

"We are both lucky." Janet interjected.

"Grams, Janet is everything to me and I promise you that I am going to spend the rest of my life loving Janet with all that I have."

"I knew that the first time I saw you two together. We, Frank and I, we saw the love and the depth of that love every time you looked at each other."

"Well you could have told us Grams. Maybe it would have saved us a lot of heartache." Eddie told her.

"No. Discovering the depth of those feelings is something that you had to do for yourselves. The heartache you both experienced was part of the discovery. Eddie, seeing Janey hurt was and still is the last thing that I want but had you two not experienced the heartache than we probably wouldn't be having this conversation." Edith wisely informed her granddaughter's fiancé.

Once Edith and Eddie finished their conversation which wasn't nearly as long as either would have liked since Eddie was working but Eddie promised they would catch up later, Janet and Edith spent the remainder of the drive home discussing the engagement and how it happened. Janet gave her grandmother almost every detail of the magical night and then they discussed different wedding ideas until they arrived in The Ridge where Janet left her grandmother in the care of her mother and then she headed to Hannah's for wedding detail.

"Something weird is up with Eddie and Janet." Hannah whispered to Nick.

"You noticed it too?" Nick asked.

Since they all arrived at The Johnson Inn Nick and Hannah had observed Eddie and Janet. They were more touchy-feely than they normally were. They would send each loving, longing glances to each other across the room and whenever possible they would steal kisses but the most noticeable thing was the smiles. Eddie and Janet both had been wearing big goofy smiles all day.

"You don't think…" Hannah mumbled and then it hit her. "Oh my God." Hannah rushed away from Nick and over to her best friend and her boyfriend with Nick following behind, confused. He had no idea what was going on. "Is there something you guys want to tell us?" Hannah demanded, placing her hands on her hips while taping her foot.

"Hannah, babe, what is going on?" Nick asked, completely lost.

"Yeah what are you talking about?" Eddie asked with a forced laugh while Janet avoided meeting Hannah's eyes, a sure sign that she was hiding something. Hannah reached out, grabbed Janet's left hand and examined her finger.

"Where is it Janet?" Hannah asked.

"Where is what?" The smile on Janet's face gave Hannah the answer she wanted.

"Oh my God, you ARE engaged."

"I…I…have no idea what are you talking about." Janet mumbled.

"Come on sweetheart." Eddie said as he slung an arm around her shoulders. "We might as well tell them since you are horrible at keeping a secret."

"I never said a word." She defended herself.

"You're face babe. Your face always gives you away." Eddie smiled tenderly at his fiancé.

"Fine." Janet relented as a huge smile crossed her face. "Eddie asked me to marry him last night."

"And she said yes." Eddie blurted out and Hannah squealed, wrapping her arms around her best friend.

"I can't believe it. I can't believe that you and Eddie are getting married." Hannah gushed. She pulled away from Janet and hit her friend in the arm. "Now why in the hell didn't you tell me the second that it happened?"

"Because it's your day and it should be about you and Nick not about me and Eddie."

"That is sweet but an engagement is not something that you keep from your best friend." Hannah scolded.

"I'm sorry Hannah. I just thought…"

"I know what you thought and that's why we are best friends." The two women hugged while Nick and Eddie did the manlier thing, they shook hands. "So where is the ring? Are you going ring shopping this weekend?"

"No. I already have one." Janet said proudly.

"Well where is it?" With a smile Janet found the picture on her phone and showed to her best friend. "Oh My God." Hannah screeched. "Janet, this is so beautiful. Where did you find it?"

"I don't know. Ask Eddie. He is the one who picked it out."

"With your help right? You found it in a magazine and showed it to him right?" Hannah was having a hard time believing that Eddie could pick out such a gorgeous ring on his own.

"Nope. He did it all by himself."

"How?"

"Probably because he loves me." Hannah turned around and slapped Nick on the arm.

"You could have called Eddie before you went shopping for my ring. Apparently he's got great taste in engagement rings."

"I thought you liked your ring." Nick stammered.

"I do." Hannah planted her lips on Nick's "I love my ring." Hannah turned to Janet. "Now spill. I want every juicy detail."

"Janet, Eddie, this is a surprise." Katherine Meadows said as she opened the door. "I figured that you two would be with Nick and Hannah." Eddie and Janet had been invited for dinner and dessert but they had to turn down the invitation due to Nick and Hannah's upcoming wedding.

"Everything is ready." Janet told her mother as she pulled Eddie into the house. "So we are free for the evening."

They had decided to tell her family first since Gram's goes to bed early and Lillian, Jason and the boys would be there as well visiting Grams so they would be able to tell everyone at once. They also knew once they got to Eddie's parent's Max would make it very difficult for them to leave.

"Are you guys hungry? We just finished dinner and are getting ready for dessert. I could warm up some plates for you."

"No thanks on the dinner but we would love to join you for dessert." Janet answered. She knew Eddie could always eat dessert.

"Everyone is in the dining room." Kat told them.

"Do you need any help mom?"

"No sweetheart. I'm just going to grab a couple of plates and coffee cups. Go on in and find yourselves a seat."

"Thanks mom."

When Eddie and Janet walked into the dining room everyone looked up in surprise. Janet saw Eddie and her father exchange a look. Eddie gave a slight nod and Patrick smiled. The couple parted ways. Eddie went and shook Patrick's hand. From there Eddie said hi to Lillian and Jason and finally he went over to see Grams. Grams stood and hugged the young man in front of her and the two of them shared a whispered conversation.

While Eddie made his rounds Janet made hers. She went and hugged Lillian, Jason, Grams and finally her dad. "Congratulations Angel." Patrick whispered with his arms wrapped around his little girl.

"Thanks daddy and thank you for saying yes to Eddie."

"All I want is for you to be happy and I know that your happiness is wrapped up in Eddie."

"He's a good man and he loves me." She whispered back.

"I know that."

Katherine brought out some carrot cake for the adults and ice cream for Timmy and Charlie. The adults sat and enjoyed each other's conversation and cake which Eddie really enjoyed because he had two big pieces. He hinted, not so subtly, to Janet that he would love for her to make this delicious cake for him. It was while they were all talking over coffee that Eddie and Janet decided to share their news.

"Eddie and I have something to tell you." Janet said and the table went silent. She took a deep breath and continued. "Eddie proposed last night and I said yes." The table, mainly Lillian and Katherine went crazy; hugging, kissing and crying. Everyone in that room loved Janet and they were so very happy for her. They welcomed the man that loved her into their family.

An hour later the newly engaged couple was walking into Eddie's parent's house, their final stop of the evening. As usual, they were greeted by Max or more accurately Max greeted Janet with hugs and excitement. Eddie got the impression that Max could have cared less if he was there. Eddie and Janet weren't the only ones with a surprise that evening. When they walked into the living room they found a young woman with Down Syndrome sitting on the couch.

"Janet, Eddie, this is my girlfriend Molly"

"Hi." The young girl whispered.

"Molly this is my brother Eddie." Max took Eddie's hand and drug him over to the couch, in front of Molly. Eddie smiled softly, kneeled down in front of her and reached out his hand.

"Hiya Molly. It's really nice to meet you." Molly smiled shyly. Eddie stood and Max came, took Janet's hand and drug her to the couch.

"Molly this is Janet. She is Eddie's girlfriend, like you are my girlfriend. She is really, really nice." Janet sat next to Molly.

"Hi Molly. I am really glad to meet you. Max is a pretty great guy isn't he."

"He is very nice and I like kissing him." Eddie started laughing and quickly covered it up with a cough.

"Are you okay Eddie?" Max asked.

"I'm good Max. "

"I'll tell you a secret Molly. I like kissing his brother."

"Janet." Eddie hissed.

"What? I do enjoy kissing you every much."

"Where are mom and dad?" Eddie asked. He wasn't comfortable having this conversation with Molly and Max.

"Right here." Judee answered walking into the living room carrying a bowl of popcorn with Mitch following behind his wife carrying a few cans of soda.

"Thanks mom." Max grabbed the bowl of popcorn and took Janet's spot on the couch since she stood up.

"Here." Mitch handed the young couple the cans of soda.

"Thanks dad."

"So what brings you two here, not that I am complaining." Judee asked as she hugged her son and his girlfriend.

"Janet and I have something to tell you."

"Oh My God. You two are getting married." Judee exclaimed.

"Dad! Really?" Eddie said. "You told her?" Before Mitch could respond Judee spoke up.

"You told your father you were getting married before you told me?" Judee slapped Eddie's arm and then her husband's.

"I didn't say anything to your mom." Mitch defended himself.

"And I never actually told dad we were getting married. I just had to get some advice from Dad." Now Eddie was defending himself.

"Judee, I didn't even have a clue if that helps." Janet offered.

"It does help."

"Max don't you have anything to say?" Eddie asked his brother and Max shrugged. "Dude, Janet and I are going to get married."

"Okay." He mumbled. Eddie wore a troubled look as he sat next to his brother.

"Max do you want me to be happy?" The younger Latekka boy nodded. "Do you want Janet to be happy?" Another nod. "Getting married will make both Janet and I very happy."

"Why do you want to get married?"

"Because I love her.

"I love Molly. Can I marry her?"

"Not yet. You're still too young. "

"But you're getting married."

"And I'm old dude or at least a lot older than you."

"Oh." Max looked crestfallen.

"Do you know what the best thing about me and Janet getting is?"

"What?"

"You are going to have a sister. When Janet and I get married that will make Janet your sister."

"Really?"

"Now isn't that awesome?"

"You're going to be my sister Janet?"

"I sure am and you are going to be my brother."

"That is so cool."

"I've always wanted a brother Max and I am so glad that my brother is going to be you."

"I'm glad that you are going to be my sister." Janet leaned over and hugged the young boy next to her.

"So where is the ring?" Judee asked and Eddie and Janet laughed. "What?"

For the fourth time that day Eddie and Janet told the story of Eddie's planned proposal, the actual proposal, and the story of the ring that is too small. Judee had tears in her eyes when Eddie and Janet finished their story. She hugged her future daughter-in-law tightly.

"Janet I've always wanted Eddie to find someone who would love him, really true love him and not the idea of him and you do that. I couldn't have chosen anyone better than you if I could have chosen myself. I can't tell you how happy I am that you are going to be an official part of this family. Mitch and I love you dearly and so do both of my boys."

"I really do love Eddie, with my whole heart." Mitch came over and hugged Janet as well. Eddie watched the interaction between his family and the woman he loved and tears filled his eyes. He was so happy and it was all because of the woman whom his family was surrounding. Walking over he reached out, pulled Janet away from his dad, wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her.

"I love you forever my beautiful fiancé." Eddie told her tearfully.

"I love you too my handsome fiancé, forever." Janet responded with a smile that was full of love.

Thanks for reading. I hope you're not getting bored.