AN: I am sorry for falling off the face of the earth. **Hand over Heart** I promise that I will continue to update this story and Why Can't We Let Each Other Go more regularly. I am ashamed and promise not to disappear for so long again. Let me know what you all think of it.

Chapter 18

Previously…

"Let me be specific. Marry me tomorrow?"

Karen couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What brought this on, not that I mind."

"I want to be your husband before the spawn is born."

Karen pulled away from him. "That was really romantic. 'I want to marry you cause I don't wanna call you my baby's mama."

Shannon rubbed a hand down his face. "That's not what I meant. I want us to be legal before this kid is born."

"Want a shovel," Karen asked as Shannon looked at her puzzled. "so you can dig a bigger hole for yourself."

Shannon watch as Karen grabbed her purse and waddled out of the office. He stood there mouth open, trying to figure out what he did wrong.

…Now on with the story…

At Jeff and Beth's house…

Jeff and Beth were startled as there door slammed open. "Your friend is an ass," Karen stated as she wandered into their living room. Jeff and Beth looked at each other confused.

"Why is he an ass," Jeff asked as Karen lowered herself into a chair.

"He just asked me to marry him," Karen held up her hand before they could talk. "tomorrow. He asked me to marry him tomorrow so we can be "legal" before the baby comes." Karen rolled her eyes as she used air quotes around legal.

"With the risk of getting yelled at," Jeff began slowly. "What's wrong with that? You already said you were going to marry him, why not tomorrow?"

Karen let out a strangled scream and Beth laughed. "I know why," Beth said in a sing song voice. "Someone doesn't want to look like a whale walking down the aisle. Vain much Bane?"

Karen glared at Beth who kept staring at her as Jeff tried not to laugh now getting it. "I hate you Beth."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do," Karen said trying to get up. Freaking kid. "It's not that I'm vain." She rolled her eyes as Beth smirked at her. "Okay, maybe a little vain. But he could have said it in a better way. Why rush now. We were engaged for a while before the little one was known and we never picked a date."

"I want you taken care of just in case something ever happened to me," Shannon said softly as he walked into the room. The moment she left the shop he knew exactly where she was headed. "I'm back in the ring. What if I get hurt or worse? I want you legally taken care of. In my heart you are already my wife. I just want the rest of the world to agree with me."

Karen looked at the love of her life while resting her hands on her moving middle. Tears began to slowly stream down her face. "Why didn't you say that before?"

Shannon moved to where she was still sitting, after being unable to stand up, he lowered himself until he was kneeling in front of her. "You didn't give me a chance Bane."

Karen started sobbing. Jeff looked at Beth unsure of if they should do something until Beth shook her head no.

"I fucked up," Karen sobbed as Shannon pulled her forward into his arms and began stroking her back. "I don't know why you want to marry me."

Shannon pulled back and lifted Karen's chin so he could look into her eyes. "You don't know why I want to marry you? I love you Karen. I wanted to marry you before the baby. I want to marry you now because I love you and want you protected. You didn't fuck up. Let's blame the hormones and move on." Shannon reached up and wiped the tears from the tracks on her cheeks. Beth sighed as she rested her head on Jeff's shoulder.

"If you want," Karen sniffled. "We can get married tomorrow. Let's just go to town hall."

"Only if you want to baby," Shannon said kissing her softly. "If you want to wait until after the baby, that's fine too."

Karen looked at Shannon then to Jeff and Beth. "My heart is yours let's make it legal." She reached up and pulled him into a searing kiss.

When they finally came up for air, Shannon looked at Jeff and Beth. "So…you two interested in going to a wedding tomorrow?"

"Hellz yeah," Jeff yelled reaching out to hi-five Shannon as Beth and Karen laughed.

"Bane," Shannon said looking back at her. "You make me happy."

"Same can be said for you reject," Karen said kissing him again.