I want to thank XxBritni-LinnxX, MusicLuver22, BournePriceless54, GoddessWriteroftheNight, KimmieCena, Krista Hardy and Jessica-Angelbaby-Bautista for the awesome reviews. You guys are the best!
When Taylor woke up the next morning, her head was still in a fog from the previous night. After Matt proposed, they spent a good 15-20 minutes, just standing in the living room holding and kissing each other. They then went to pick up Maddy, and shared the good news with Jeff, Beth and Claude G. Taylor then moved her left hand slightly, and caught a glimpse of her ring glistening in the light.
"The light makes your ring more beautiful, doesn't it?"
Matt's question made Taylor jump slightly, as she didn't realize he was up. She then rolled over, quickly kissing him. "Good morning."
"Good morning to you," he replied with a smile on his face. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."
Taylor giggled, fully knowing what Matt meant. "Yes, I am exhausted too. Plus, today is Christmas Eve and by the end of the day, we will be even more tired."
Matt nodded. "So...have you thought of a wedding date yet, baby?"
"Matt, we've only been engaged for like 12 hours. I haven't been able to think of much else but your proposal."
"Awe, did I do good?" he asked.
"Yes, you did very good."
Matt nodded. "Good. Well, I kind of had an idea on a wedding date. I think...or I should say hope you might like the idea."
"What is it?" Taylor asked as she sat up slightly.
"Well, I thought we might try and get married while I'm on injury leave. Because once I fully return to the WWE, it will be hard to set a date."
Taylor nodded in agreement. "I think that's a very wise idea," she said as she grabbed her cell phone and started flipping through the calendar. How about February 9, 2008? That will give us about 6 or 7 weeks."
"Sounds good to me," Matt said as he leaned down and softly kissed Taylor. "Do you think everything will be done in that time?"
"Oh yeah, it will be stressful, but I think it can be done. We'll have to call the church on the 26th, considering today and tomorrow no one will be there."
"Very good idea," Matt replied as they both heard Maddy start to stir on the baby monitor. "Daddeeeeeee!" she called.
Matt laughed out loud as he crawled out of bed and threw on a t-shirt and sweatpants. "I think I'm being called."
Taylor followed Matt into the nursery, where both smothered Maddy with morning kisses. "You know what I was just thinking of Matt?"
"What is it?" he asked as they went into the kitchen to get started on breakfast.
"I should probably drive over to my parents house today and tell them. This is too big to tell over the phone, especially since we haven't seen eye to eye lately."
Matt nodded. "Sure, babe, whatever you think is best. Besides, the only plans we have tonight is Jeff and Beth are coming over, but that's not until 7 or so. Do you want me to come as well?"
"I think that is a very good idea. Do you mind?" Taylor asked.
Matt shook his head as he cut up an egg for Maddy. "No of course I don't. We'll leave right after breakfast."
Within a couple of hours, everyone was ready and loaded in the car. As Matt drove closer to Taylor's parents house, he glanced over at Taylor. He noticed immediately she looked anxious and nervous. She was also fidgeting with her engagement ring. "Baby, are you ok?" he asked as he grabbed her hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous. I don't know how they are going to react."
"Well, it's not like we are 18 and 19 and just found out your pregnant," Matt stated as he turned down the street Rich and Diane lived on. "Besides, I am 33 and your 29-we know that we are in love and happy. Your not looking for their permission, are you?"
"No of course not," Taylor said as Matt pulled into the driveway. "I just want them to be happy for me. Whether they approve or not, you and I will be married on February 9."
Matt let out a small sigh of relief as he turned off the car. He really hoped she wasn't going to change her mind if her parents were upset and wouldn't come. "Well, are you ready?"
Taylor slowly nodded her head. "Yep. I'm ready."
Taylor then took Maddy out of her car seat, and it seemed like the walk up the driveway was a long one. She rang the doorbell, and when Diane answered the door, she had a surprised look on her face. "Taylor. This is a surprise."
"Hi mom," Taylor said. "Ummm...can we come in. Matt and I have some news to share."
Diane stepped aside so they could come in, and when Rich walked into the living room, he was also surprised. As everyone got settled, Diane reached out for Maddy, but had to admit she was a little disappointed when she wanted to stay with Matt. Rich even tried considering Maddy was a grandpa's girl at one time, but she also refused him. "So...you said you had some news to share," Diane said, looking at Taylor. "What is it?"
"Wait, I think I know what it is," Rich said with a smirk. "Taylor looks a little nervous. Matt, let me guess-you knocked her up again and have no plans on marrying her."
"Well sir, you have half of it right," Matt said, trying to sound as polite as he could. "No Taylor isn't pregnant, but I have every intention of marrying her. We got engaged last night," Matt finished as Taylor showed off her ring.
Rich and Diane were both surprised. Taylor expected them to be at least happy considering she was marrying the father of her daughter, but both said nothing for a few moments. "Will someone say something?" Taylor asked.
"Well, I'm happy at least one Hardy isn't dragging our daughter along on strings and is going to settle down. Matt, your settling down with the mother of your daughter-that's commendable. Even if it isn't for love." Diane said.
"What do you mean it isn't for love?" Taylor asked, now rather annoyed. "Plus, what did that crack mean about one Hardy isn't dragging me around?"
"Oh come on," Rich said, now standing up. "Beth has been with his brother for like 8 years-marriage should have been talked about by now. He is just wasting his time. As for you guys, you only told us a month ago that he is Maddy's father and now all of a sudden your engaged. Sounds a little fishy, doesn't it?"
Not saying anything, Matt also stood up and handed Maddy to Taylor. "Jeff and Beth's relationship isn't anyone's business but their own. If they are happy just the way they are, then so be it. Two people don't have to get married to be happy with each other," he said as he looked down at Taylor. "Babe, I'll be in the car."
Taylor watched Matt walk out the door, and also stood up. "You guys are un-believable. Yes, it hasn't been too long since Matt came back into my life, but I'm glad fate brought us back together. We have gotten a lot closer than when we were together before. I admit, I was a little surprised when he proposed so quickly, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
Taylor then got Maddy's winter coat on and also walked toward the door. "Matt and I will be married on February 9, and after seeing your behavior today, I don't want to see either of you there. Whether you guys like it or not, I will be Mrs. Matt Hardy. Nothing will change that," Taylor said as she walked out of the door.
The drive home was relatively quiet, and as Taylor glanced at Matt for what seemed like the hundreth time, she could tell he looked mad. "Baby, I'm sorry for the way they talked to you. Believe me, I told them off when you walked out."
"I don't blame you," he said as he took her hand. "You can't help how your parents act. I just couldn't let them trash talk my brother like that. I mean, you know how close me and Jeff are."
"I know-Beth and I are equally close. I wouldn't have expected anything less from you. I also told them that no matter what, we are going to be married on February 9, and nothing or no one will change that. I also told them that I don't want to see them there."
"So...your ok with us getting married, and you don't have the blessing from your parents?" Matt asked as he pulled into their own driveway.
"I wasn't looking for their blessing," Taylor said confidently. "Like you said, I'm 29 years old, and can make my own decisions. And I know that marrying you and being happy with our daughter is the best decision I have made in a long time."
Matt smirked as he leaned over the center consil and quickly kissed Taylor. "I love you."
"I love you too baby."
Later that night, Jeff and Matt's dad, Claude G came over with Jeff and Beth. Everyone had a great dinner, and as Taylor brought in drinks in the living room she had to giggle at all the gifts Maddy received. Claude G looked more than happy to help her play with every single one of them.
"Dad, that one needs a screwdriver. I'll go get one," Matt said as Jeff followed him.
"So...what did Rich and Diane say about your engagement?" Jeff asked.
Matt smirked, and then told Jeff what all happened. A surprised look came across his face. "Wow, I knew that they didn't like me, but I didn't know they didn't like me that much."
Just then, Taylor walked into the room with a very tired Maddy. "Don't worry what they think," Taylor said. "Matt stuck up for you and no one thinks different of you because you and Beth aren't married. If you and Beth are happy, that's all that matters to me."
"And me too," Matt agreed as they walked back into the living room. Taylor stayed in the doorway, just watching everyone play and enjoy their gifts. Within moments, Matt joined her.
"You know, this has been an awesome Christmas," Taylor stated. "Last year, I was getting a lecture because I didn't know the father of my 3 month old...and I missed you," she said as she looked into Matt's eyes.
"I missed you last year too," Matt said as he kissed the top of Taylor's head. "This has been a great Christmas for me too. Look how much fun Maddy is having. I don't know who is having the most fun-Maddy or my dad."
Before Taylor could respond, Beth looked up and pointed to the small thing hanging above them. "Uh oh! You guys are under the mistletoe!"
"Matt, you can't break Christmas tradition," his dad chimed in. "Go ahead and kiss her!"
Matt shrugged. "It's not like you guys are asking me to do something out of the ordinary," he said as he dipped his future wife and placed a bruising kiss on Taylor's lips.
Maddy then looked up at her parents as everyone giggled. "EWWWWWWWW! YUCKY!" she squealed as everyone chuckled.
"Maddy took the words right out of my mouth!" Jeff exclaimed.