Chapter 43
Matt is still lost in thought.
That brings me back to Melina. Damn. We didn't bring protection. We really didn't think we'd be doing anything. Plus, we didn't think about it. A couple weeks went by, and Melina started getting sick. It wasn't anything major, but the school lunches made her greener than usual. She blew it off as nothing. But then, she quit drinking and smoking. She didn't hang out at the cave anymore. But, one day last week, she met Lanny and me at the Matt Cave….
SEQUENCE BEGINS
Lanny and Matt are hanging out in the cave, playing Beeropoly. Melina appears at the entrance of the cave.
Matt: Melina, honey. Why don't you come join us?
Melina: No thanks.
Lanny: Blinks.
Melina: No, I don't wanna drag. You can have it.
Lanny: Blinks again.
Melina: You made fresh brew? Lanny nods quickly and smiles. It sounds tempting, but I'd better not. Matt, can we talk, alone?
Lanny blinks and leaves the cave, leaving the couple alone.
Matt: Sure. What is it?
Melina: Uhh, you remember that night we snuck out and spent the night here together, alone?
Matt: Yeah. That was awesome! He smiles.
Melina: Yeah. It was good. But, there's been a little lasting reminder of that night.
Matt: Furrows his brow. What's that supposed to mean?
Melina: Matt, I'm pregnant.
Matt: Sits on the floor, stunned. Uh, uh, uh. He begins stammering. Are you, uh, sure?
Melina: Yes. That's why the sight of lunch makes me queasy.
Matt: Interrupting, with a joke. It makes me queasy too.
Melina: I'm serious! She stomps her foot. Matt, this is serious! She begins to cry. This isn't the way I wanted to spend our Senior year.
Matt: Me either. Couldn't you just have an abortion? I've got enough money. I'll pay for it, if you'd like.
Melina: Matthew McGuire! I won't kill this baby just because it's an inconvenience. I also won't give it away; I want to keep it.
Matt: What do you want me to do?
Melina: If you ever want to see this baby or me again, you'll clean up your act.
Matt: Clean up?
Melina: Yes. Clean up. That means no brew, no pot, no meth, and no coke! And you'll quit getting detention.
Matt: No detention?
Melina: I mean it!
Matt: Fine. I'll do it.
Melina: Gets excited. Her face brightens. You will? Matt nods. Matt, I love you! She wraps her arms around his neck.
Matt: I love you too. We're having a baby. He grins from ear to ear. Melina nods. Matt McGuire's gonna be a father! I love you!
SEQUENCE ENDS
Melina's two months along. We decided to wait a week until we told our folks. Yesterday, we went to the doctor for an ultrasound. It was amazing seeing the baby on screen. I didn't think I could love someone so much, but I love this little baby on the screen, and I love the woman that's having my baby. I wanna marry her. I sold off my stash, so I've got enough money for an engagement ring, and to start a savings account for us. I'm gonna ask her to marry me, but first, we had to face our parents. Melina's folks were easy; they were upset, but glad we cleaned up our act and decided to go to college after graduation. My parents were a different story. Dad went ballistic….
SEQUENCE BEGINS
Matt is helping Jo cook dinner.
Matt: Mom, Melina's coming over for dinner.
Jo: Do you have a school project?
Matt: Yeah, but it's not that. We need to talk to you and dad.
Jo: Raises an eyebrow. Matt, are you in trouble?
Matt: No. It's not that.
Jo: Well, what is it?
Matt: Just wait until after dinner, okay?
Jo: Mmmkay. She states skeptically.
Melina comes over shortly after, and she and the McGuires sit down to dinner. Melina picks at her food, eating hardly anything. Jo notices.
Jo: Is everything okay, honey?
Melina: Yeah. I'm just not that hungry.
Jo: Are you sure? You look a little pale. Are you allright?
Melina: I'm fine.
After dinner is finished, Sam and Jo and Matt and Melina move to the living room. Marin and the twins play in her room.
Sam: What did you want to talk to us about? He frowns. You're not in trouble, are you?
Matt: No! Looks at his parents. What? Why do you think I'm in trouble? Can't we just talk?
Jo: Well, given your recent history, we can't help but suspect trouble. Sorry.
Melina: Mr. and Mrs. McGuire, you know we've been dating for some time.
Jo: Yes?
Matt: And we love each other.
Jo: Matt, where is this going?
Matt: Takes his girlfriend's hand. Melina puts their hands on her abdomen. We're uhh, uhh.
Melina: I'm pregnant.
Matt: I'm the father.
Jo, shocked, does not say a word.
Sam: Explodes. Matthew Dylan McGuire! I can't believe it!
Matt: Sorry! But we are.
Sam: How irresponsible can you get? First drugs, then dealing and lying, now this! He inhales and continues. What are you going to do?
Melina: I'm keeping it.
Matt: I'm going to help raise it.
Jo: Begins crying. How? You can't even take care of yourself!
Matt: I'm getting a job.
Sam: What kind of job? A real one?
Matt: Yes, dad. A real one.
Melina: My dad's offered him a job.
Jo: How are you gonna keep down a job? You're in school. Pauses, and then continues. Are you clean?
Matt: Yes!
Sam: Prove it.
Matt: Fine. I'll take a test tonight.
Sam: And whenever I say you will.
Matt: Fine.
Jo: Matt, I love you. All I want is for you to be okay.
Matt: I love you too, mom. I will be okay. Puts his arm around Melina. We'll be okay. I love this woman, and I love this baby. He hands an ultrasound picture to his mother.
Jo: Begins crying. I can't believe I'm gonna be a, gonna be, uh, a grandma! Sam, my baby's growing up! He's a daddy; he's graduating this year, going to college. Soon they'll be married.
Melina: Holds her hands up, palms facing the McGuires. Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Wait a minute! We haven't talked anything about marriage!
Matt: Maybe we should.
Sam: You're not getting married.
Jo: One thing at a time, Matt.
SEQUENCE ENDS
Melina left not too long after our conversation. Mom and dad were so steamed, they couldn't think straight. I called Melina and we talked the rest of the night. While we were talking, I was planning on how I was gonna propose.
The next weekend, Lanny and I went shopping for a ring. I found one that was absolutely perfect. It was a marquis cut one-half karat diamond. I also found the perfect wedding ring for her. It was a ring guard, which had her birthstones; marquis cut on either side of the solitaire, with triangular cut diamonds on the outside of her birthstones. I wish Lizzie were here; I know she would've helped me ring shop. I know Melina's ring size, so I knew I'd get a perfect fit. Still, I wish Lizzie were here to help. She would've been so excited.
Matt proposes to Melina
I did it. I asked Melina to marry me, and she said yes! I am the happiest man in the world. I took her out for dinner, at Luigi's, and then we went to the park and sat under the stars. I packed a picnic snack, complete with sparkling grapejuice. She looked absolutely beautiful. She was five months along, so she was starting to show some. She thinks she looks like a whale, but I think she looks gorgeous.
SEQUENCE BEGINS
Matt: It's beautiful out here.
Melina: It is a beautiful night. The stars are great.
Matt: No, I'm talking about you. You're beautiful.
Melina: Blushes. I'm huge!
Matt: No, you're not. You're the most beautiful thing I've seen in my entire life. He takes her hands in his. Melina, you're my life. I love you.
Melina: I love you too.
Matt: I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. I can't imagine spending one more day without you. He gets on one knee, takes a box out of his jacket and opens it. Melina, would you marry me?
Melina: Yes! She embraces and pulls him into a deep kiss.
SEQUENCE ENDS
We went straight over to my house to tell my folks. Melina's folks were out of town, so we told them the next day. Mom and dad were watching TV. Marin and the twins were in bed, so we decided to deliver the news. We entered the house, hand in hand. I think mom knew something was up….
SEQUENCE BEGINS
Matt: Mom, dad, we've got something to tell you.
Jo: What is it, sweetie?
Matt: I asked Melina to marry me….
Melina: …and I said yes! She shows off her ring.
Sam sits in stunned silence.
Jo: My baby's getting married. She squeals and wraps her son in a tight hug. Congratulations!
Matt: Thanks, mom!
Jo: Welcome to the family, Melina! She hugs her future daughter-in-law.
Sam: Are you sure about this?
Matt: Dad, I've never been sure about anything in my entire life ever before. But now, I know what I want in my life. I want to marry this beautiful woman who is by my side, and raise our child together.
Sam: You're too young.
Matt: I've experienced a lot for someone my age. I've lost a sister. My mother's had cancer. I've gotten three new siblings. My parents nearly divorced. I got on drugs, and got off too. Yes, dad, I'm clean.
Melina: Continues. I told him if he ever wanted to see his baby, he would have to quit the drugs.
Matt: Melina and the baby are worth it.
Sam: Are you sure?
Matt: Yes, I am.
Sam: We'll support you.
Jo: Tears well in his eyes. My baby's getting married!
SEQUENCE ENDS
I am the happiest man in the world. I've got a beautiful fiancée and baby on the way. I've got a good job, which doesn't include selling drugs. We'll graduate at the end of May, and we've filled out our college applications. My life is good.
Lizzie killed herself a little over four years ago, then mom got cancer. I thought my life was over. I never thought I would ever be happy again, but I am. Melina's my light. She completes me. I fell in love with her the day I met her in Intermediate School. Now, I know I really love her. If this baby's a girl, I want to name her after the three women I admire most: Melina Elizabeth JoAnn McGuire.