CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

By nine o'clock the next morning, all their friends and family had heard the news. Everyone was happy for them and all the girls were excited about the upcoming wedding. Martha and Jack had decided to go to the diner for breakfast and when they got there, Beth, Sally and Leah were there; already organizing an engagement party for them.

"God, you guys are quick," Martha laughed.

"Yeah, well we thought we'd better have one as soon as possible; what with the baby coming soon and all," Beth explained. "So, we we're thinking Friday night. Does that sound okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, that's fine," Jack nodded.

"Ok, well you two go and sit down and order some breakfast. We've got everything under control," Leah smiled.

Martha and Jack made their way over to a booth and sat down. "I really like the idea of people running around and doing everything for us," Martha laughed. "Maybe we can palm the baby off to them aswell," she joked.

"No way, it's our baby. We're keeping it to ourselves," Jack smiled.

"You say that now, but when it starts crying you'll probably be the first one to hand it over," Martha pointed out.

Jack kept smiling as he looked at Martha. He was so happy right now. She had agreed to marry him and the baby would be arriving soon; everything was perfect and he couldn't wait until they could start their lives together as a family.

"I can't wait until the baby comes," Jack placed his hand on her stomach. "Our lives are going to change so much. It's pretty exciting," he said.

"I'm scared actually," Martha said truthfully. "I've never had to look after anybody else except for myself, and now I'm going to have a baby to look after. I just hope I do it right," she continued.

"Of course you will," Jack assured her. "You're going to be a great mother. And you'll have me there aswell," he said before kissing her.

Martha smiled. "There's also the fact that I know giving birth is going to hurt like hell. It freaks me out just thinking about it," she said.

"I'll be there holding your hand all the way through. It's going to be fine," Jack promised.

Martha nodded. "Now, can we order some food, coz I'm starving," she laughed.

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"That ring is gorgeous," Tasha exclaimed as she looked at Martha's engagement ring.

"I know," Martha nodded. "I love it," she said.

"So, you had no idea that he was going to propose?" Tasha asked.

Martha shook her head. "Nope, I thought he just wanted to make me a nice dinner because we hadn't really done anything together in a while. I was in shock when I realised what he was doing. For a while there I thought I was going to have a heart attack; my heart was beating so fast," she explained.

"Well, I'm glad you said yes. This wedding is going to be great," Tasha said.

"I'm so excited," Martha smiled. "A year ago, I never thought that I could be this happy. But here I am; about to have a baby. And now I'm getting married. I just wish that my mum and dad were both alive to see it," she continued.

"They'll be there; watching over you. Don't you worry about that," Tasha told her. "You may not be able to see them, but they'll be there," she smiled softly.

Martha sighed. "Sometimes I feel like such a jerk," she stated. "Dad hasn't been gone that long, and here I am all happy. Sometimes I feel so angry with myself," she told Tasha.

"Ray would want you to be happy. He wouldn't want you to mope around all day feeling sad," Tasha said.

"I know," Martha agreed.

"Good," Tasha said excitedly as she stood up. "I have some bridal magazines in my room, so why don't we look though some now. You can get some ideas for your dress," she smiled.

Martha stood up and followed Tasha into the room. She'd always dreamed of the day she would get married and the dress was always the thing that excited her most. Okay, so the best part was the guy that you were marrying, but the dress was a close second.

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"So once again, I'd like to say congratulations," Tony finished his speech. "Now, will you all raise your glasses and join me in a toast to Jack and Martha," he said.

"To Jack and Martha," the whole room called out.

It was the night of Jack and Martha's engagement party, and they were having it at Noah's. The place looked great. The girls had done a great job in setting the place up.

"It all feels so real now," Martha looked up at Jack. "We're getting married," she laughed.

"And I can't wait," Jack smiled and kissed her on the lips.

"Me too," Martha kissed him again.

"All right you two; knock it off," Robbie exclaimed as he walked over with Tasha. "You'll frighten all the little kiddies," he joked.

"But it's alright for you to kiss Tash in public?" Martha pointed out.

"Of course it alright for me to do it," Robbie laughed. "It's me, and I can do what I want," he added.

Tasha groaned. "Shut up," she laughed. "Now, you promised you'd dance with me, so let's go," she pulled him away.

Martha took Jack's hand and they walked over to the bar; were Beth was standing. "Thanks for organizing this," Martha said to Beth. "We really appreciate it," she continued.

"No worries sweet. It was the least I could do," Beth smiled.

Jack got Martha another juice and they went and sat down. They'd been sitting for about half an hour; chatting happily to anybody who came and spoke to them. But now they were sitting alone.

Jack leaned over to Martha. "How much longer before we can go home?" he asked her in a low voice.

"Why?" Martha looked at him confused.

Jack smirked. "Because I want to get you home and into bed," he whispered teasingly in her ear as he rubbed her thigh.

"Jack," Martha scolded with a laugh. "I'm due to have a baby sometime in the next three weeks, and you want to have sex?" she kept laughing.

"What?" Jack pouted. "That didn't stop you the other night. And if I recall correctly you were the one who instigated it," he pointed out.

Martha smiled at him. "Look, we can't go home yet. This is our engagement party. It would be rude if we just got up and left. But if you be good for the rest of the night, I might give you a little something when we get home," she teased. "Now let's stop talking about naughty things because grandad's on his way over," she told him.

Martha gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before moving over so that Alf could sit down next to her.

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