15 – the ring
Fresh out of the shower, Sam made his way downstairs, his steps light on the hardwood floor. Jules was napping on the recliner when he went to take his shower and after such a grueling day at work, he wanted her get some rest. Fortunately, no Scorpio had to be shot today, but it was still an emotionally taxing day especially for Jules as the lead negotiator.
And of course, there's that one little reason that had begun to make her feel tired easier and earlier than usual.
At the thought of their baby - still as small as a cranberry bean now according to an ultrasound photo on the fridge - a goofy grin appeared on his face. He couldn't wait to meet this baby, with ten perfect little toes and perfect little everything, just like mom. He knew regardless of the gender, their baby would be absolutely immaculate.
Halfway down, he found the living room empty and his newly roused fiancée -fiancée!- already busy puttering in the kitchen. There were pan and pots on the stove and assortments of greens and a plate of what looked like frozen chicken breasts on the counter. Jules herself was standing in front of the sink, holding a handful of lettuce under the running water.
They'd talked about ordering in tonight on their way home as Jules was in the mood for pizza, and if the baby wanted pizza, even the gross kind of pizza with anchovy and pineapple, then who was he to argue? Besides, didn't she say she was tired? He frowned and was about to comment when Jules lifted her left hand to (admire) look at the ring he'd slipped on her finger. Princess cut, with two smaller diamonds on each side on a white gold band. It was simple to suit Jules' preferences and stunningly elegant that even Natalie who only had eyes for anything flashy couldn't stop gushing about it, muttering how she couldn't believe he had picked it out and at the same time trying to convince Jules to let her try it on - for luck. 'Sammy, you should totally talk to my boyfriend when I, well, uh, have one. Who knew you had such a good taste!'
He had been nervous about proposing. Had spent many nights awake staring at the ceiling wondering whether Jules would accept his proposal or not, whether she would think he proposed only because there was a baby on the way, whether she would give him the 'I'd think about it' speech, whether she would love the ring or suspect his sister had chosen it because it was totally not her style… the list was endless.
He shouldn't have needed to worry, however. Mouth slightly agape, her damp brown eyes darted between his face and the ring in his hand. He had a feeling she was grateful that she was sitting down because otherwise her suddenly unsteady legs would have failed her. Her expression reminded him of himself that time when Jules presented the positive pregnancy test to him. It was like he knew what the white stick she was holding was, and yet his brain couldn't completely wrap itself around the fact that it belonged to her, that Jules was pregnant, that the insignificant piece of stick positively confirmed something so significant: the pending arrival of Baby Braddock.
(So it was the doctor's visit that had really confirmed it two days later, but five positive tests didn't lie.)
Sam knew Jules adored her ring -she said so, appeared so, and he believed her- but it still thrilled him to catch her secretly gazing at it. The hand still absently holding the leafy vegetable must be freezing cold and wrinkly now, but she didn't seem to notice as she minutely shifted her left hand so her ring could catch the overhead light better. When she sighed, it sounded like a happy sigh and he simply couldn't wait for the day when he could introduce her as his wife, couldn't stop thinking how in just a few days their lives would be officially, forever intertwined. This time it was his turn to exhale a happy sigh.
Wife. It definitely had a nice ring to it, no pun intended.
"Babe, careful or you'll flood the kitchen." His grin had seemingly been etched to his face permanently.
Jules colored visibly and closed the tap. She cleared her throat, waving her left hand dismissively, her ponytail swaying. "I was just thinking if I should take it off before chopping the onions."
"Hmm? Take what off?"
"Don't try to be cute, Sam."
God, he really couldn't wait.
It's been forever since I last updated and I'm so sorry. I hope you liked this one and still reading. I think it's the first time I really touched on the wedding subject. I have another idea in mind, so I promise it won't be another 3 months till I update again. Thanks for the reviews – they always make my day.