Becky swallowed thickly, gaze shifting between her family and Tobey's mother.
Dinner had just ended and Becky had said she had an announcement to make. The Botsfords and Claire waited patiently for what Becky was planning to say.
She gnawed on her lower lip, wondering why it was so much easier to tell the villains that it was her own family, but as she felt Tobey gently squeeze her hand under the table, she didn't feel as nervous anymore.
"Um, Mom, Dad, Mrs. McCallister," Becky slowly began, shifting her gaze around the table, "Tobey and I…" she trailed off, face flushing in embarrassment. She wanted to just bury her face in her food and forget the conversation, but this whole thing was like a bandaid, you just had to rip it off, "Tobey and I are getting married!"
A silence filled the room for several seconds, only to be cut through by Sally and Tim's squeals of excitement.
Claire smiled, wiping a tear that threatened to slip from her eye, "Oh, this is such wonderful news," she said sincerely, pleased to discover her boy had found someone he truly loved.
"Ha!" TJ exclaimed, holding out his hand to Bob, "You owe me twenty bucks."
Bob gave an annoyed squeak and handed off the money.
"You were betting on our love life?" Becky snapped in annoyance.
Bob gave a small squeak in reply, explaining to Becky what they were exactly betting on.
"So, you bet that we would have confessed our engagement next month, and TJ bet this month?"
Bob nodded in confirmation.
"I still can't believe I won!" TJ said triumphantly, "Considering you kept beating around the bush all those other times," he tagged on, briefly recalling the numurus times Becky had planned to tell the family about her engagement, only to chicken out last minute.
"Now, TJ, you know it's not polite to bet on your sisters love life," Sally spoke up, a disapproving look in her eyes.
"Sorry, Mom, and Becky," TJ gave a halfhearted apology, tucking the money into his pocket.