a/n: Last chapter. Thank you everyone who read this story and reviewed. I'm working on the sequel to this and hopefully should have something up in the next week or so.
Chapter 27
The next morning Josh turned over and smiled at the sight of Avery. The morning sun was shining through the blinds casting a soft glow on her body. She was curled up beside him: her back facing him with the covers bundled up under her chin, and one leg intertwined with his. No matter how she fell asleep, she always ended up next to him like this in the morning. He softly chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him. Tenderly, he placed a kiss on her shoulder.
Avery stirred slightly and looked up, a grin forming on her lips.
"Good morning." Josh said as his lips grazed her shoulder once again.
She sighed happily and greeted him, "Good morning, fiancé."
Avery adjusted her body, her head resting on his chest as she kissed it softly. "I can't believe I can call you that now." She giggled from how strange the sound of their new titles felt, and from the ticklish feeling she felt from his hand running along her waist.
Josh had now pulled her into his embrace with her body fitting perfectly against his. "Don't get too used to it, honey." He kissed the top of her head. "Soon enough you'll be calling me your husband... and I can call you my wife."
"I can't wait," she said with a smile.
They silently lay there for a while, both thinking of the events from the night before. What started as a surprise for Joshua actually turned into the biggest surprise of Avery's life. One neither of them would ever forget. Their relationship was strong and long lasting... but this just made the idea of forever so real.
"Honey?" Avery asked quietly.
"Yeah?" Josh replied.
She raised her head from his chest and propped herself on her elbow to ask, "What about our parents?"
Josh grinned slightly. "I think your parents are expecting this announcement." He shrugged his shoulders and then continued, "Now mine... well, mom is anticipating it. Dad, on the other hand, is a completely different story."
She furrowed her brow curiously. "What do you mean my parents are expecting this?"
Josh, too, turned on his side to face her. "I know this might sound old fashioned or even corny," he began. "But during Christmas Eve I had a talk with your dad, in the kitchen, and asked him in a round about way for your hand."
Avery looked at him both surprised and touched. "You did?"
"Yeah... I mean I know he's never liked me very much, but I wanted to do this for a long time and I just wanted us to have our parents' full support. In my eyes, your father was my biggest obstacle. Having his approval means a lot to you--I know that. It does to me, too. And if getting it meant throwing myself at the mercy of your dad," he smiled, "then it was a chance I was willing and glad to take."
Avery ran her fingers along his jaw line. "I can't believe you did that." She smiled. "What did he say? Obviously you wouldn't be so calm if he'd disapproved."
"Well... he said that he and your mother had raised a smart, independent woman who knows exactly what she wants. And whatever decision you made they would back it up 100, because they know, that you know, what's best for you."
Avery smiled. Had her father really said that? He had made such a huge change, and she was thankful for it.
"Of course he also said he 'reserved the right to kill me if I hurt you,'" Josh added wryly.
Avery laughed whole heartedly. Now that was more like her father. "Of course, he does. I'm his baby girl and first born." She smiled. "But he also knows he has nothing to worry about if he let you off the hook that easily."
"If that's the case then we can share the news with them today," Josh said as he sat up and leaned against the head board of the bed.
"Tonight is that dinner with the Prime minister of England and we were all meeting before hand. It's a great opportunity to tell them all together." he suggested.
Avery thought it over and nodded her head. "Good idea. We'll tell them tonight."
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During the day Avery was fortunate enough to avoid seeing most of her family. She wanted to stay away from them as much as possible because she knew if she had enough time alone with any of them she would let her secret out. She spent most of the afternoon in her bedroom getting ready for the dinner that night. It would be the usual White House dinner with the same stuffy crowd, but it meant a lot for her mother that they all be there. Most of the Calloway family was already assembled in the family room along with Kate and the Templetons. Now they were just waiting on Mac and Avery. Avery came out discretely hiding her left hand behind her back. She greeted Joshua with a kiss and a wink as she then moved over to his parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. Templeton it's great to see you again. Mrs. Templeton you look lovely"
"Thank you, dear, you look stunning as well." Sara hugged the younger woman she had become so fond of. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me 'Sara.'"
Avery smiled, "Sorry, Sara. I'll try to remember from now on." She glanced at Nathan who just gave her a polite and knowing nod. He was always quiet with her, especially in the presence of her family.
Soon Mac walked out to join everyone.
"Sara, Nathan, thank you for joining us tonight. It's always a pleasure."
"Like wise, Madame President... and thank you for asking us to join you and your family," Nathan stated politely.
Mac smiled and gave him a small nod. Then she turned her attention to Joshua, whom she had become very fond of over the course of his courtship with her daughter.
"How did your conference go?" she asked him.
"Very well ma'am, thank you. I learned a lot from the other doctors who were there."
Mac smiled. "I'm glad... but it's good to have you home. Avery has been over the moon all day."
Josh blushed. "Well, she might have another reason other than my presence making her happy."
He moved his arm around Avery's back and gave her a knowing look. "Want to tell them?"
Avery smiled and nodded. "Well, you know I'm thrilled he's home but the reason we're both happy is ..."
She pulled out her left hand from behind her back and placed it on Joshua's arm in full view to everyone.
Mac and Rebecca both caught the sparkle of the diamond against the light and gasped.
"Oh my God," Rebecca spoke up first.
Avery grinned at her sister and nodded to her mother, "We're engaged!"
A huge grin played across all of the women in the room and even Horace. They all gave the couple their congratulations.
Nathan, on the other hand, chose the quiet road and shook his son's hand and gave his future daughter-in-law a kiss on the cheek. He knew better than to voice his disappointment and kept his concerns to himself.
Avery looked over at Rod who hadn't said anything. "Dad, what do you think?" she asked confused. Josh had said he was okay but he wasn't even smiling.
Rod walked over to his daughter as a grin began to form on his lips, he hugged her tenderly and kissed her cheek. "Congratulation, honey. I'm really happy for you."
He then looked at Josh, "I told you I'd kill you if you hurt her and I meant it, but all I have to say right now is... It's about damn time, son." He pulled the young man into the traditional "male hug" that included a half embrace and a pat on the back.
Nathan took in the display before him feeling a rouse of emotions. A bit of shock and even a twinge of sadness. Had Calloway really addressed his only son as his own? He wondered to himself. Even though he knew it was likely nothing, the idea of Calloway and his son having a close relationship infuriated Nathan. And he knew at that moment that the legal union between Joshua and Avery would prove more damaging to him than he had imagined, it no longer was on a professional competitive level, but now it was personal. Calloway wasn't taking his son.
Josh on the other hand laughed. Did Rod just call him "son?" he shook his head and didn't question it. Why ruin a good thing?
"This calls for a champagne." Kate called out.
She quickly went to gather some glasses and champagne for a toast. As she served everyone a glass, the younger children receiving a glass of ginger ale. Kate thought how six months before this vision would never have been dreamed of between this group of people and now it was only the beginning of moments shared between the two families in the future.
