ENTRY 11
DIVA DAWN

"Its the most wonderful time of the year. When the leaves are a fallin', the winds start a howlin' a breeze of cool air! Its the most, wonderful time of the year!"

I listen as my tone deaf girlfriend, Bella, sings her version of the classic carol that we all know and love.

And Autumn is her favorite time of the year. Second only to Black Cat Appreciation Day, which she celebrates for at least a month and in turn spoils our little golden eyed black cat Diva Dawn.

Who am I kidding, Diva Dawn is spoiled 24/7/365.

So spoiled that I know if I don't include her in my marriage proposal, my Bella will say no.

And possibly break up with me.

There are so many ways that I want to do this, but I want it to include her love of autumn.

DD doesn't like collars and since she is usually an indoor only kitty, we have never pushed the issue.

So, while I was debating what to do, a leaf fell off one of the trees outside.

Which gave me an idea.

DD loves leaves. The few times she has gone outside, was to play in them.

Which was where Bella found her when she was a kitten. Thankfully, Bella heard her little cries and called for me to find the little kitten who took over our hearts.

The daughter of sorts that I thought I'd have to wait to have.

That got me thinking. What about a DD photoshoot in the leaves with a Mommy marry Daddy sign?

I smile as I think of how it will turn out, knowing that Bella would love it. Maybe I can get her to help and we can make it our Halloween card.

Yes. That's the angle we will go!

Running to Bella, I wrap my arms around her and slowly sway with her as she dances to the music in her head.

"I have an idea of what we can do for our Halloween card, Love…I think our Diva will love it." This makes her stop her singing and dancing and look at me.

"I'm listening." She says with a smile.

So I explain what I am thinking and she goes and gets her camera.

I get a pumpkin from the front porch and get it in a pile of leaves and a log. I even get leaves in a pile on the back porch so I can take a picture with my phone with a heart.

Bella and I spend the next thirty minutes taking pictures, there are a ton of pictures. Honestly, this is the most fun that we have had as a family in a long time. It makes me really happy that Bella was able to be a part of this.

So, she gets tired and goes in the house, leaving DD to play some more.

Once I am sure she is inside, I get the heart ready to take a picture. Once it is made, I bring Diva Dawn and ask her to sit down. She does and I smile when I get the final picture.

I take several pictures and print them out. Seems that Bella has the same idea, leaving me with a note to go pick up some pictures for her at the store.

I smile getting my keys and making my way to the store.

Jessica is waiting at the counter when I get there. A smile on her face like she knows something.

"It seems as though you and Bella are both plotting something." I laugh and take the pictures that were waiting for me.

"Hopefully, it will be a night weekend. See ya later, Jess." She waves and thankful that she got over her crush with me.

There is an envelope for each of us. I look at the pictures in mine and smile as I look at what Diva and I did with Bella and without her. I can't wait to get a photocolage of our girl for our Halloween card.

I take my great-grandmother's engagement ring from the glove compartment and put it in my pocket.

When I get home, I hear the sound of puking from upstairs. What the hell is going on?

I run up the stairs and notice the bathroom door is locked. This will not do.

Going to find the key, I unlock the door and see Bella sitting next to the toilet looking worse than I've almost ever seen her.

The paleness of her already pale skin worries me as I put my hand against her forehead to take her temp.

"I'm fine. You don't need to see this…" I get up, grabbing a washcloth and a cup and after rinsing each, I fill the cup and bring them to her. She takes the cup after I wipe her face and takes small sips.

"Love, what's wrong? We agreed, in sickness and in health. It's my job to take care of you." I carefully pull her into a hug. Trying to figure out if it was something she could have eaten.

No. we both had chicken salad for lunch. I feel fine.

That's when I see a small stick in her hand. A pregnancy test.

"Love…is that a…" She looks down and gives me a small smile.

"This was not how I wanted you to find out. I had a big plan that involved pictures of Diva and a small gift…" This makes me smile. Until I notice that the ring that was in my pocket is now on the floor, touching Bella's foot. She notices it and gives it a confused look.

"Well, I have a small gift for you too that Diva was going to help me give you. The pictures we took together were supposed to be for your gift. But, I think this might be better, my Love." I pick up the box and open it for her. Still holding her close.

"Isabella Marie Swan, my Love. My Life. My children's mother. Would you do me the honor of marrying me and making us a true family?" She smiles as she sees the oval ring with small diamonds throughout the piece. While not something that I normally would have given her, it was my Nana's wish Bella would have it. It was the favorite of all the jewelry that my family owns.

The look of awe and happiness fills my loves face. She starts to cry and I know these are happy tears.

"YES! A million times YES!" she shouts.

I put the ring on her finger and kiss her forehead.

We sit on the toilet floor basking in the moment. I'm not only getting married, but I'm going to be a Daddy.

"Can we have a quick wedding? I want to wear your greatgrandma's dress and you have a tux. We can get married at your parents and just have a few friends and family with the Lodge catering it." This is some of the best news.

"Let's not tell anyone it's a wedding, but an engagement party. If we say it's a wedding, Alice and my Mom will go way over the top."

She nods and goes to get up. "I want to give you the gift I have."

And with that we get to our pictures and trade. The pictures she took of Diva are adorable trying to read a book. Some you can tell she's over it, but the one I love best I put aside.

"This is for our Halloween card." She laughs and picks one from my pile.

"I love the heart and Diva. So adorable! She is going to be an awesome big sister!"

We make our plans for a quick wedding. Knowing we have two weeks you would think it would be stressful, but it really wasn't.

We didn't have a theme or colors, just wear semi-decent clothes.

Charlie wore a penguin suit willingly. My parents were dressed to the nines. Renee wouldn't come. She thought we were too young to be engaged.

Fine by us, we don't want that negative energy surrounding us.

Flowers were ordered, florists picked, and they did an amazing job. It looked like an autumn wonderland.

Some were even in Mason jars which I thought was awesome.

Even if the trend is overdone.

Bella was beyond beautiful in my great-grandmother's dress.

Everything about the day was perfect, even family members upset that they didn't know it was a wedding. We'll be the talk of the town for a good long while.

Needless to say, this was probably the best autumn of our lives.

Hell, Bella decided that she wants to name our daughter Autumn Rose if we have a girl.

And I want nothing more than a princess named Autumn Rose.

Until we know either way, I will spoil their Mama with everything I have. Which means I took several carols and made them Autumn themed. Hopefully she will enjoy her Halloween gift.

#HALLOWEEN3MEGA

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