-Chapter 3-

"I love you," Eddie said to himself. "I'm going to say it this time." He looked down at his tuxedo and dressy shoes. He was taking Alexis to the finest restaurant in town, and he wanted it to be very special.

Alexis came out of the bedroom wearing a royal blue mid-thigh-length dress and black stiletto heels. "Are you ready baby?"

"Yeah, let's get this date on a roll, ya know?" Eddie laughed. A car honked outside.

"Who is that?" Alexis asked, confused.

"That, my lady," Eddie explained, "is our ride."

"You rented a taxi?" Alexis questioned.

"Even better," he grinned. They walked outside where Alexis stood in shock to see a shiny white limo parked in the apartment complex's parking lot.

"Is that for us?" Alexis asked.

Eddie grinned, "Only the best for my baby."

They got in the back and drove to the Italian restaurant, named St. John's. They were seated in a private booth at the back of the restaurant, with already-lit candles and fine silverware. Eddie seated Alexis and slid in on the other side.

"So, how do you like it so far?" Eddie asked.

"I love it. You've never treated me like this before."

They ordered some fine wine and expensive food. Over the dinner, there was a little bit of silence. Alexis was wiping her face from the spaghetti sauce and reaching for a meatball from Eddie's plate. After that, she took a sip of her wine and smiled at him.

"Alexis, I wanted to tell you something the other day, but I was scared. I'm not scared anymore," he began. "We've been dating off and on for 2 years. Aside from the moments where we've needed some space, I really think I need to tell you something. Here it goes. I love you."

A tear fell down Alexis's right cheek. "You don't know how long I've waited for you to say that. I felt like you didn't care. Like I was the only one interested in the relationship. I have to tell you something too, Eddie." She tried to choke back her tears, but they kept coming back. "I've been seeing someone else. I wanted to see if he could make the move before you did."

"Alexis, I knew," a few tears came down his cheek as well. "And I wondered why. But now that I made the right move, you're coming back to me, right?"

"Eddie, you didn't make the move I wanted you to make. I'm 25, I want to get married. I want to start a family. I want to insure my future as a mother and a wife to a man I love."

"You wanted me to propose?"

"Yes," she sobbed.

Eddie thought for a minute. He grabbed a napkin, took out a pen, and wrote a few words on it. Then, he got down on one knee and looked into her brown eyes. He held out the napkin and said, "Alexis, will you marry me?"

She squealed and read the napkin. It said, "I. O. U. a very expensive ring."

She jumped up from the booth and hugged Eddie. He got up off his knee and picked her up. "Yes," she squealed. "Yes! I will marry you!"

Eddie was the most happy he had ever been that night. As he carried Alexis out to the limo and played her favorite CD, while he went back in to pay the bill. When he came back to the limousine, she poured the wine into some glasses and offered some to Eddie.

"To the happiest night of my life, so far!" Alexis cheered, as she clinked glasses with Eddie.

He just laughed and smiled, knowing he made the right decision.

Raven woke up the next morning, recognizing the date, and squealed. She ran into the kitchen to find Devon. He was sitting at the table with Cory, and being very sensitive while Cory cried.

"Hey y'all, sorry to break up the cry-fest but I am 4 months pregnant! Yes, yes, I am almost half-way through and can't wait to see my baby," Raven said happily.

"That's great, baby!" Devon got up to hug his sister.

"Raven, I am so happy for you. I can't believe that even though you're probably in pain right now, you can be so happy," Cory said, admiringly.

"Cory, things will work out for you," Raven said as she gently hugged her younger brother. He patted her belly tenderly and laughed.

"Hey Ray, do you want to make a coffee run for us?" Devon asked, handing her his credit card.

"Yeah, just let me get dressed." She hurriedly put on a t-shirt and jeans and headed out the door for the nearest coffee shop.

She walked in and stood in line to order. A woman behind her began to laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Raven asked as she turned around.

"Nothing," the woman giggled. "Except for the fact that that's the reason why I don't want to get pregnant." She pointed towards Raven's t-shirt.

"What's wrong with my shirt?"

"It's an ugly maternity shirt. You have to shop at old-women stores and (giggle) carry extra fat around you. Even after you have the baby you're still fat." She continued laughing.

"I made this shirt," Raven laughed.

"You, an old woman make a shirt?"

"Oh, I'm not old honey, just a year ago, I was Donna Cabonna's personal assistant. I'm starting my own business now, though. And this is just the start of my maternity line. And clothes and weight shouldn't be the reason not to start a family. Being a mother is such a wonderful feeling, and I haven't even had my kid yet. And having a husband to support me and tell me that I'm the thinnest I've ever been, is the best feeling. I treasure every moment with my baby."

The younger woman blinked. "I'm sorry," she said. "My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for about a year now."

"Here's my number," Raven said. "Talk to me anytime." And then she ordered her coffee and left. She found out the woman's name was Lisa. When she came home to Cory, she found out that Devon has talked Cory into finding someone else and starting over in the relationship. Hannah was long gone, and it was over.