Lucky and Nikolas looked at me suspiciously as I sat across from them at a table at the Quartermaines. "There is something I need to tell you both," I said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
Nikolas smiled cautiously. "Is everything okay with the baby?"
"The baby is fine," I reassured him. "I actually have some really good news."
"What is it, Lu?" Lucky asked impatiently.
"Dillon asked me to marry him. He bought our old house, Lucky," I explained. "We're going to get married in two weeks. I am hoping that you will both be there. I'd like Cam to be the ring bearer."
Lucky reached across the table, covering his hand with mine. "Are you sure you know what you're doing? I don't want you to rush into something just because of the situation. Do you really love Dillon Quartermaine?"
"You don't have to do this," Nikolas told me, echoing our brother's sentiment. "You have options. I will help you with anything you need. You can come live with me; I'll take care of everything."
You were able to admit every mistake that you've ever made and all I could do was just stand there.
"This is what I want," I declared confidently. "I love Dillon, and he loves me. We're going to be parents. He is my family now."
"Then, I am happy for you," Nikolas said with a smile.
I looked at Lucky expectantly. Out of everyone in the world, his opinion mattered most to me. He had been there with me through everything. "What do you say, Big Brother?"
"You will always have my support," he emphasized, squeezing my hand tightly. "You are my little sister, and I am so proud of the woman you have become. If there is anything you ever need, you know that I will be there. I love you, Sis."
Jumping up, I wrapped my arms around Lucky and hugged him tightly. Nikolas smiled at me over his shoulder. "What about me?"
"We both know she loves be more," Lucky taunted.
"I love you both equally," I giggled, reaching over to hug Nikolas. "I just have one more favor to ask."
You deserve the life that you've always dreamed of.
"And what is that?" Lucky grinned.
"I'd like you to have dinner with me at the Quartermaines. We are going to announce it to Dillon's family, and I wanted to have a dinner with you all there. I wanted to tell you ahead of time because I didn't want to spring it on you there. I thought if my side presented a united front, it might help Dillon."
Nikolas laughed. "Dinner at the Quartermaines? Well, my life has been boring lately, and everything about that situation is entertaining. You can count me in."
"He just wants to see Emily," I told Lucky. "What do you say, Cowboy?"
"Ugh, okay, Dad. I'm in, I wouldn't miss this for the world. What do you think the old man is going to say?"
"Well, we actually already have Tracy's blessing, so he might not be so bad. And besides, Emily won't let him get too out of hand," I replied. "Especially if Aunt Bobbie and Grandma Lesley are there. Edward won't misbehave in front of company."
I think she's stronger than a lot of people think.
"Does Dad know?" Lucky asked finally.
"Get this! Dillon actually asked for Dad's permission."
"I bet Luke loved that," Nikolas chuckled.
"You'd be surprised. He actually was pretty supportive. He knows how much Dillon means to me. He knows how much I want this baby. Underneath the brooding bad boy, I think Dad just wants us to be happy," I chirped.
"I'm really happy for you then," Nikolas said. "May you have all the happiness you've ever dreamed of."
"Having your blessing makes this that much better," I told them both. "Lucky, do you think Elizabeth will come with you? I know that this isn't the easiest thing to ask of you, but she is my sister. I don't want to do this without her there. I want her to stand up with me."
Lucky looked down at his hands. Things hadn't been perfect between them, but he loved his wife. "Elizabeth will love that, Lulu. Thank you for asking."
It's just hard when you love someone and they love someone else.
"Who else are you going to ask?" Nikolas inquired.
"Well, we talked about that briefly. Dillon is going to ask Ned to be his best man. We're only going to have one person stand up with us. Neither of us are formal people. We want to keep it simple, family and close friends only."
"You really are happy," Lucky observed.
I nodded thoughtfully. "I am," I agreed as my cell phone rang. Dillon's name flashed across the screen. "Speaking of which, that is my fiancée. I'll be back in a moment," I excused myself before stepping away from the table. "Hey."
"Hi, how's it going there?"
"We have their blessing!"
"That's great," he responded. "What about the dinner?"
"They agreed to come. Lucky is going to invite Elizabeth, and I'll call my aunt and grandmother later to make sure they'll be there. What about the Qs?"
"Everyone is in as far as I know. Jason even agreed to come. I think it's more for you than it is for me."
It just kind of feels like I'm losing something. I guess I'm just one of those people who is never satisfied.
"Carly and I have become pretty close. She really helped me out when I didn't know what to do. Jason would do anything for Carly, and he knows that she'd cut into him if he wasn't there to support me. In fact, I should probably invite her. She loves anything to stick it to your family."
"Another Spencer-Quartermaine marriage," he sighed. "Grandfather hates everything that your family name symbolizes."
"But you idolize it," I laughed. "You should just take my name. It carries more weight in some circles."
"I don't think those circles are exactly the ones I'd go around touting."
"You're just jealous," I snapped jokingly. "I'm a Spencer. I could survive anything on my wits alone. We live by our own rules."
"Oh, yeah, what rules?"
"Family secret," I smiled.
"When am I going to see you?"
"I'll see you in a few minutes. Just let me say goodbye to my brothers, and I'll be home."
"I'll be waiting for you."
"I love that," I growled. "Say it again."
"I'll be waiting for you. And I love you."
"Damn, you're good."
I'll miss you, too.