It's been so long again! I find it so hard to stay motivated and actually write, even when I have an idea... sorry about that :S This is just a filler chapter really, a bit of fluff and not much going on! It isn't the best thing I've ever written, but I wanted to get it posted, so I can start on the next chapter.

Tom's Point of View

On Monday morning, it was Nicki's turn to drive us to work. I still felt a flutter in my heart whenever I saw the ring flashing on her finger. After weeks of agonising over the proposal, worrying that it would somehow go wrong, or that she wouldn't like the ring, it was strange to be worry-free- and, above all, it was strange, yet completely magical, to be engaged. We'd already had a discussion about the wedding, and decided on a possible date, but of course, we had a long way to go, and a lot to plan, before the big day actually took place.

When we arrived in the car park, we grabbed our stuff from the car, chatting about random things as we headed into school. Once in the staffroom, we said hi to everyone, checking our pigeon holes, making ourselves a drink and sitting down in our usual seats.
"Morning!" Sian sat opposite us. "How was your weekend?"
"Great, thanks." Nicki replied, taking a sip of her coffee. Sian, who had been doing the same thing, nearly spat her own mouthful out in surprise.
"Nicki Boston, is that an engagement ring?!" She exclaimed, once she was able to speak.

Those within earshot immediately became quiet, looking at Nicki with interest.
"Yes, it is." She smiled.
"Oh, wow! Congratulations, you two!" Sian grinned, leaping up and hugging her first, and then me. Soon, we were surrounded by people congratulating us, and asking to see the ring. By the time we had to go to our classrooms, I'd been told at least a dozen times that the ring was beautiful and a very good choice, and we'd been given best wishes by pretty much everyone.

"Everyone seems so happy for us!" Nicki grinned, her face flushed with excitement.
"Why, were you expecting them to disapprove?" I asked, and she rolled her eyes.
"No, but... you know what I mean!"
"Yes, I suppose I do."

Over the course of the day, the news of our engagement, like any gossip, spread through the school like wildfire, and it seemed like everybody from the smallest Year 7 to the oldest Year 13 knew. In every class we had wedding-related digressions, due to some students seeing it as a good opportunity to waste lesson time by asking questions, and others having a genuine interest on the subject. By the time we left school in the afternoon, it felt as though we had been engaged for months rather than a couple of days- and it also felt like the students knew more about our wedding plans than we did.

"We'll have them trying to plan it for us at this rate," Nicki laughed, as we sat in the car, and she told me of how she'd overheard a few girls arguing over whether she'd suit blue or pink better.
"I also heard some people debating when you'd be going on maternity leave."
"Wow... that's a bit forward. It definitely won't be happening for a while."
"No. Besides, we've already got Josh... oh, speaking of him, I think that's him now."

"Hi." Josh said, as he flung his back across the back seat and climbed in after it.
"Afternoon. Did you have a good day?" I asked, starting the car.
"Yeah, I guess." There was silence for a bit, before Josh spoke again. "Actually, there's something I want to ask you."
"Oh, what?"
"Well, I've been thinking, and I decided that I... I want to change my name."

Nicki and I exchanged a look, bewildered. "But... Josh is a perfectly good name!"
"No, not my first name." Josh laughed at our faces. "My last name. Now you two are getting married, I want the same surname as you both... I want to be Josh Clarkson."
"Oh, Josh!" I exclaimed, absolutely thrilled, but not wanting to act too soppy. "Well, of course, we'll have to speak to your mother about it... but if it's really what you want to do, then I'm sure it can be arranged."
"Cool. Thanks." Josh busied himself with his phone, acting as if it wasn't a big deal- but to us, it was. It was a sign that Josh was okay with everything that was going on, that he really did want to be part of a family with Nicki and I. He was happy, Nicki was happy, and with both of them contented, I was on top of the world.