"Eternal Love"
It's been nearly a month now as Blake and Natalie finished signing papers, involving the custody of their son Nathan. They agreed fully that Natalie would have him during the weekdays, Blake in the weekends. If necessary, one could take over in any of the days due to a change in schedule, vacation plans booked, emergency, etc. It's been another chaotic week with emotions still running high. There were moments when the two young parents think back on the events that happened, which led to a child of their own. No one knew how it all came about as they kept their mouths shuts and completely secured--not wanting to create tension nor discomfort. Afraid to admit, neither of them have the nerve to ask the question that's been popping in everyone's minds since the day they found out the truth. Blake and Natalie, however, knew how it all started. Consolation over Tori and Hunter's newfound relationship led to lonesome days and pure jealousy with the two. Eventually, they found themselves in a desperate need of being with someone that got out of hand. Never in a billion years did they think their mistake would give them a baby boy. But then again, every mistake as its consequences and Natalie got a taste of it.
It was about mid-day as Tori arrive back home from a visit to the hospital. She'd have to wait for a few weeks till the results turn out positive or negative. Till then, no one would have a slight clue she's been calling in for appointments other than being out doing 'errands'. It was something she didn't want everyone to get all hyped about. Tori wanted to be the one bringing in the good news. She just hopes it brings a smile on Hunter's face and make him happy--or at least it should. But with or without one, Hunter was already ecstatic. It was just a week ago when they received a phone call from the hospital confirming Tori's complete cure from leukemia. After long months of suffering and going through numerous of tests, chemotherapy paid off. The malignant cells reduced miraculously, it was a dream come true.
While getting out from her blue van, Hunter closes the curtains and faces the rest of the Hanson family with anxious nerves. He could feel sweat trickling down his back, and the rapid beating of his heart. Mr. Hanson plasters an amusing smirk due to Hunter's odd behavior as he walks over to him from across the living room. "Nervous, son?"
Hunter looks up at the old man, forcing a smile. "Well...yes--I mean no, not really." He scratches his head uneasily as Mr. Hanson smiles. Hunter slowly turns to him and groans. His look was beginning to imidate him; it was as if Tori's father could read his mind. "Okay, maybe just a little--but how can I not be nervous? I never thought in my whole life I would be doing this and it's the kind of thing that happens only once and I don't want to ruin--"
"Listen..." Mr. Hanson cuts him off, placing an arm around the nervous wreck. "I was like you around your age, and commitment is something that doesn't happen everyday, believe me...I know. It's a bit scary, but in the end you know it's worth it." He says, winking to his wife. She smiles sweetly from across the room in return. "But Hunter, if you know deep down in your heart that you love my daughter...then what is there to lose?" The dirty blonde looks down, deep in thought. "She loves you, Hunter." He says with a warm, gentle smile. "Do what you feel is right. We're all family now either way."
He nods, gratefully thankful to be welcomed as part of the family. Nevertheless, it felt even more overwhelming to have the father's consent and his everlasting support. "Thanks, Mr. Hanson. You have know idea how much this means to me, especially coming from you."
He forms a smile as the two shared a quick, genuine hug. Suddenly Tori walks in, shutting the door behind. All eyes turn to her as she give Hunter and her loving family quizzical stares. "Uh...am I interrupting something?" She asks sincerely as Hunter and Mr. Hanson parted. "Because If I am, I can just leave."
"Oh no, sweetie." Her father releases a sudden chuckle. "I was just wishing Hunter good luck."
Tori arches her brow suspiciously. "Luck? For what?" She asks, flashing a smile at the both of them. It was certainly a dream come true for the blonde to see the two of them together, interacting and getting along just fine. Mr. Hanson bit his lip as he and Hunter exchange quick glances.
"Well, I think I said enough." He grunts, patting on his back. "It's all up to you now, son." Mr. Hanson whispers, slightly kneeling against him. "I'll be in the kitchen." He turns around and joins up with his wife and elder daughter in the other room. Tori and Hunter were now alone as she faces him, puzzled.
"What was that all about?" She asks, chuckling. Hunter looks away as he stuffs his hands nervously into his crimson jacket. Just when it could get harder, facing the beautiful Tori made it even nerve racking than it was before. She was downright gorgeous, no questions ask. Her face was no longer pale, her sea blue eyes showed beautifully--revealing her true colors of elegance and delicacy. Hunter had no idea if he could get through this without feeling so weak...so lost staring at her. But then again, the feeling of possibly getting rejected was still ringing in the back of his head. "Hunter?" The blonde waves a hand in front of him, giggling during the process. "Hello? You there?"
He shook his head and looks at her. "Oh sorry." Hunter forced a smile as he pulls her in for a hug. "I missed you." Tori smiles back as he bent down slightly, their lips met in a sweet, gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss into a passionate one as their tongues slowly intertwined. They could feel themselves going rampant as he releases his hold on her lips, and leaves a trail of kisses down her neck. A soft moan escape from her lips as she stops and unzips Hunter's jacket. Tori stares at him carefully, removing the article of clothing off his shoulders. He forms a smile and captures her lips once again with his. Tori could feel his hands go under her baby blue tee and pulling it up, as she raises her arms to make it go off easily. They both smiled at each other, knowing what was on their minds. With that, Tori pulled Hunter along, as they headed upstairs to her room.
Just moments later, Mr. Hanson and the rest of his family slowly walked inside the living room, finding it completely deserted. They situated themselves on the couch, wondering where Tori and Hunter have gone. Suddenly, a knock on the door lost their train of thought as Voni rises up and volunteered to open it. "Who is it?" She asks, looking through the peephole.
"It's Dustin and the rest of the gang!" He answers with Blake, carrying baby Nathan, Kelly, Cam, Shane, Kapri, and Marah standing behind him. Voni stood back and opens the door, letting each and everyone one of them enter the house. It felt like a party. "So what's the deal, Mr. Hanson?" The goofball grins, nudging his shoulder playfully. "Did he do it yet?"
He shrugs. "I have no clue, Waldo."
"It's Dustin, dude--" He opens his eyes wide. "I mean...Mr. Hanson." He coughs, correcting his mistake. The old man nods.
"I apologize. But no, Dustin...they were here just awhile ago and now they're gone." Everyone exchange quizzical stares. Seconds later, they found themselves going off topic as all eyes turn to Blake and Nathan.
"So...how's it going with you and Natalie, son?" Mr. Hanson asks, very curious to know. It's been a month since any of them have seen or heard from her.
Blake smiles. "We're doing good. Yesterday we went out to celebrate Nathan's 6 month birthday."
Everyone smiled warmly in awed. "That's great, Blake. Your son is growing up to be one handsome boy." Mrs. Hanson adds sincerely.
"Well thank you."
Dustin arches his brow with a thought in mind. "Hmm...maybe there's still hope for you and Natalie afterall."
Blake shot a glance at him. "Uh...I don't think so, bro." He chuckles. "As far as I know, I'm pretty sure Natalie is still hung over with Hunter. And besides, I think I found myself a new eye candy." He grins.
Shane snaps his fingers, knowing who he was talking about. "Ah, don't tell me. It's that hot doctor isn't it?!"
Blake nods with a smile. "Oh yeah!"
"Well?" He smirks. "Aren't you gonna ask her out or something?"
Blake shrugs. "I don't know. I'm thinking about it."
Cam rolls his eyes. "Anyways..." He turns to the others, wondering what the hold up was for. "So what's going on now? Where is Tori and Hunter?"
Mr. Hanson sighs. It wasn't long ago when he invited their friends to come over and celebrate the couple's engagement. However, he wasn't so sure anymore since neither Tori nor Hunter were around.
"Dudes..." The common, everyday word slip off from Dustin's lips as everyone turn to him. He looks down on the floor and picks up a familiar crimson jacket along with one of Tori's shirt he recognized. The goofball looks up and faces the others. "So...any guesses with what they would be doing right now?" He questions, grinning.
They all exchange looks and smiles.
Tori flutter her eyes open as the beaming sunrays sinks through the curtains, providing light to the room. The night has already turned into morning as she noticed a warm, familiar touch wrapped around her bare chest. She turns around on her other side, and watches Hunter sleep peacefully. Smiling, Tori leans forward and plants a soft kiss on his lips before getting out from bed and wrapping a blue robe around her. Last night was incredible. It has been so long since the last time they've shared passionate love, nor have a privacy of their own. While thinking back on it, she slowly walks out of the room and shuts the door behind. After a quick trip to the bathroom, Tori creeps down the stairs and finds the living room filled with people she knows, crashing on the floor and couches. I wonder why they're all here, she thought out of curiosity. Without trying to wake them, she tiptoed towards the kitchen when suddenly she tripped over a familiar figure along the way. Tori covers her mouth from gasping too loud as Dustin rolled over to his other side, and continued snoring with Marah sleeping next to him. She releases a slight chuckle, entering the kitchen. Just moments later, Dustin and the rest of the people opened their eyes and turn to him.
"Dustin!" Shane hisses from across the room, throwing a pillow at him to get his attention. Dustin immediately turns around with a dirty look. "So did you find out whether he did it or not?"
The goofball scratches his head, grinning. "Oh by the looks of it...they did it alright, if you know what I mean." He adds with a wink.
Shane nods his head in dismay, plastering a disgusting look. "No, you airhead! I mean...you know...did you see anything around Tori's fingers?"
Dustin wrinkles his forehead. He had no idea what he was talking about. "Like what?"
Shane rolls his eyes, groaning. "Never mind."
Suddenly, Hunter comes running down the stairs, half dressed. All eyes turn to him as he stares at each and everyone in the room weirdly. Their unexpected appearance surprised him. "Uhh...morning." He greeted while putting on his crimson shirt.
Blake and the rest of the gang arched their brows curiously. "Well, bro? Did you do it yet?"
Hunter smiles at him as he takes out a small black box from the back pockets of his loose jeans. "No, but I'm doing it now." He says, heading to the kitchen with nervous determination. Everyone exchange smiles of excitement as they all ran to the wall in unison and placed their ears against it to listen.
As soon as Hunter walks in, he finds Tori cooking up delicious breakfast. The room smelt like eggs, bacon, and baked pancakes. Hunter was beginning to feel hungry as he slowly wraps his arms around her waist. Smiling, Tori turns around and faces him. "Morning, handsome."
He bents down slightly and kiss her sweetly on the lips. "Morning..."
"Listen," Tori brushes his arms off her and goes back to work. Hunter frowns with her sudden change of mood, but he knew she was being extremely careful with the activities going on in the kitchen. "Do you have any idea why Dustin, Shane, and them are all here?" She asks, taking the pan off the stove and placing the cooked sausages on a separate plate. Tori forms a smile on her face, knowing she didn't overcook them this time. They looked perfect.
Hunter shrugs, scratching the back of his head. "Uh...no." His nerves were now getting to him again. "Listen, Tor...there's something I need to ask you." The blonde looks at him as she turns off the stove and toaster nearby.
"What's up?" She asks, pulling out a chair from underneath the table. Hunter averts from her gaze as he takes out a chair as well to drag it on. The two sat there in complete silence as Tori waits for him to speak. "Wow...this must be something big." She thought, carefully staring at him. Hunter catches her eyes as he slowly slides his hands up against the table and takes her hand in.
"Tori, I love you." He says, stroking the back of her hand.
She smiles weirdly at him. "Uh...I love you too, Hunter."
He looks down and takes another of his deep breaths. "Oh come on," Mr. Hanson whispers from the other room as he and the rest continued to listen carefully. "You can do it."
"Hunter?" He snaps out of a trance and looks up at a puzzled Tori. "What is it?"
He licks his lips nervously and faces her in a moment of silence. It was just the two of them in a room, with no one else around to distract them. Although they've been in a familiar situation before, Hunter felt as if he's putting their love on the line, which made it feel so hard for him to go down on one knee and ask for her hand. They've gone this far together; from going through the stages of past relationships to near death and the end to their wonderful love life. They've survived difficult hardships, proving to fulfill a reassurance of true love and a lifetime of complete happiness under any circumstances. What is there to lose really? With love like this, anything can happen.
After a moment of reminiscing, Hunter tightens his grip on Tori's hand, ready and eager to tell her. She sat there, looking at him in utter confusion. Tori had no idea what to expect as his mouth slowly struggles to speak. "Will you do...something f-for me?" Hunter finally asks with a serious, but yet relief tone.
Tori smiles at him. "Anything..." She whispers, tracing his arm with her fingertips.
"Well, in that case..." He smirks, taking something out from his back pocket. Tori wrinkles her forehead as he reveals to her a small black box. Her eyes glistens in amazement once he opens it. "Will you marry me?"
Dead silence filled in the other room as they hold their breaths and listened carefully for her answer. "Dude, what did she say?"
"SHHH!!!" Shane hushes the goofball up. "We won't be able to know if you keep talking."
Dustin beams coldy at his direction. "Don't SHHH me, dofus!"
"Hey! Shut up."
"Guys! Come on."
"I can't even hear anything."
"And I guess that's my fault."
"Well yeah, dude!"
"Dad?"
"SILENCE!"
Mr. Hanson shouted from the top of his lungs, feeling extremely irritated to be sharing the same space as everyone else. He's been waiting for this moment; waiting for Tori's wish to be finally granted, and yet witnessing the moment was already being ruined by impatience and disturbance. But who could blame them really? They were waiting anxiously for the moment as well. With that, neither of them were aware nor paying attention to the door opening before them.
"Guys?"
Everyone gasps as soon as they recognized the voice. Caught and defeated, they turned around in unison, facing the couple. "What's going on here?" Tori asks with her arms folded.
"Yeah. Looks like you were all spying on us?" Hunter had a weird and curious look on his face.
Dustin and Shane exchange glances. "Well no...we were just getting...ummm...getting uhh..."
"Breakfast!"
"Yeah! There you go." Dustin pats Shane's back for saving their butts. "And believe me, I am totally full! I mean...starved."
"All of you?" Tori and Hunter plaster evil grins.
Cam couldn't help, but roll his eyes. He knew what they were doing. "Oh stop it already." He smirks. "We've been here since last night. So…do we hear wedding bells any time soon?"
All eyes were focused on the couple, as they watch them exchange romantic smiles and flirty glances.
They all smiled in return, knowing what the answer was.
"We take that as a yes."
A/N: Now that Hunter and Tori are engaged, how will Natalie take it when she finds out? And how far will she go to prevent the man she loves from getting married? Also, what is the deal with Tori calling in for appointments and saving it to surprise Hunter?
It's almost over you guys! Just 2 more chapters! Yay! lol. Don't forget to leave a review on your way out. Thanks and have a good day.