Life with You

Fahmeen's POV:

"Have you decided on baby names yet?"
"Is it a girl? I bet it's a girl."

Me and Rolf weren't entirely prepared for the questions but I was delighted. They were showing just how much they cared and wanted to be in our lives, all of our lives. Rolf looks at me then amidst their conversations and his eyes are a little misty.
"What's wrong?" I hold his hand and he just strokes it. He takes a deep breath and tells me we'll talk later. I trust him that it's not too serious.

I try not to worry and remember everyone will be wanting answers.
"Willow, and we think it's a girl." I answer for us. Suddenly, Sam squeals so high, poor Adrian gets startled as he's right next to her.

"Alright auntie, calm down." As he places his hand on her shoulder, I watch their interaction with interest. Sam stares into his eyes then and I feel as if Adrian doesn't know what to do with himself at this point. It's the first time she's ever looked at him, like really looked at him. His body involuntarily leans closer to her and she doesn't move away. Adrian tucks some hair behind her ear and her eyes widen. My inner fan girl is screaming.
She looks as if she's about to say something.
"I am going to be an aunt, aren't I?"

His shoulders sag and Adrian looks back at me hopelessly. I give him a sorry smile. So much for their moment.

...

I volunteer to help mum with the dishes.
"It's a nice name. Like the tree." She says, staring outside the window. Her garden is looking better.
"Like the tree, yes. I'm happy you like it. I wandered maybe you'd find it too cliche or something."
She chuckles, dropping the scrubber in the sink. She cleans her hands and turns to me. Her eyes then go to my stomach.
"You're small." They're wanting to release her tears.
"Just as you were."
Our eyes meet and faces beam. I hug her again, tighter this time.

"How are you doing, Susan?"
I see Rolf over her shoulder and he's happy watching us from the doorway. He then brings his hand from behind his back, as if to reveal something. Mum stands besides me now, waiting like me.
"Better, Rolf."

Rolf holds a sculpture. He walks towards us, bringing it closer to view and I can finally make it out. I hear my mum gasp and sigh. Rolf is enjoying her reaction and he looks at me and I can tell he's feeling emotional. Tears well in my eyes as I stare back at what's in his hand.
It's a handcrafted willow tree. One he must've made some time ago, as it's polished to perfection and made to such an extraordinary standard.

"For my mother in law." He says but then I suddenly notice his other hand reaching into his pocket.
Oh my God. This can't be.
"And for my wife."

It's a ring.

My mouth stays open as I stare at it.
"Oh Fahmeen." My mother cries and she holds onto me as I just stare.
"It's not wood, I thought I'd leave this to the professionals." He goes down on one knee and I watch a few tears fall down his face. My mother rushes off, I'm guessing to tell the others.

"This is real?" I whisper and I join him on the floor. I take his hand into mine and kiss them. He's watching me and I feel his lips on my forehead.
"Will you marry me?"
I can only look into his eyes, I cup his face and he leans into it.
"I will." My voice holds no doubt like my heart with this man.

An eternity band, with three gems slides onto my finger.
"Like the three of us." I watch where his eyes go and they're showing me those three little stones, symbolising our family.
"You did this beautifully."
He breathes a sigh of relief and I wipe away a stray tear on his face.
"I knew you wouldn't like an over the top gesture, so I settled for family." Rolf pulls me close so that our noses touch.
"Family's perfect."

...

Fahmeen's POV:

I can't stop giggling, I feel delirious with happiness as I stare back at my fiancé.
"Okay stop laughing so I can kiss you." Rolf says, bringing my face close. As we kiss, it's different. So much more fulfilling and of love. My mouth kept turning up into a smile so he nibbles on my lips instead.

"Is this what you wanted to talk about?" I remember he was looking emotional earlier.
"Kind of."
"You guys!" Sam interrupts us and she rushes into the kitchen, her face spilling with excitement.

Me and Rolf are still sitting on the floor and I crawl into him. He hugs me, kissing me again. I think he's happy he can finally do that in front of everyone, because I know I am. Mum watches us from the back, her face serene. She's happy.

"You're getting married, Fahmeen!" Sam gasps, she then searches for the ring on my hand. Her eyes gleam as she spots it, and understanding dawns on her with the significant gems.
"I am. Here, look." I stand up, letting her have a good look as my sister was obsessed with the finer things. I know she'll be studying it with eagerness over the next couple of weeks.

"Rolf, can I talk to you?"
My mother waits for him to reply and our eyes meet, wandering what she'd want to say. "Sure."
I watch them go into the living room as Adrian, me and Sam are here in the kitchen.

"I'm happy for you guys." Adrian smiles, watching me and Sam. Well, Sam. He seems amused at her reaction to my ring as her eyes refuse to leave it.
"Thanks Adrian."
I gasp, suddenly remembering my brother.
"I need to tell Jay."
"He'll be home soon." Adrian quickly tells me and I try not to think about the hidden smirk on his face. Where was my brother?
Or who was he with rather?

...

Georgia's POV:

"Thank you for being here, with me Jay."
I stare at the stars as it's night now. It's been getting bad with Aston. I didn't know who to call other than Jay. He responded quickly and I was so grateful. I was also thankful he didn't ask too many questions and drove us out to the beach instead.
"Don't thank me, I'll always be there when you call."
I wasn't prepared to hear such sentimental words from the brooding brother of my best friend. It's hard not to look so deep into his eyes. They look almost black in this darkness. I'm not scared but I'm wander at how I've missed it. My mind dispels those thoughts before I venture too deep into them.

He's careful with me, careful not to touch me so much so that he stills even if it's an accident. I don't know how much of that is because of my current situation or maybe if he feels something for me. I know Jay and I know he's never been seen with a girl. I've heard of his crushes; so he's not gay. Nor is he short of female attention. He's just not the type to play around, I guess. I find myself wanting to get closer to him, so I scoot over. I see him watch me from the side and he doesn't move closer or further.

"You should leave him."
I hear his words above the gentle winds. My hair messy as I've been brushing it away constantly, just to see ahead of me.
"It's not that simple." I sigh, tense and frustrated. Being with Aston was a rollercoaster. Sometimes I feel euphoric in his company, happy in his arms. Other times, he scares me. There's a look he gives only to me. It keeps me in line.

Jay shakes his head, I sense his own frustration.
"He should keep you safe, love you." He turns to me.
"That's what a man does."
I swallow hard, I can feel my heart flutter. How have I missed this?

...

Fahmeen's POV:

"Seriously though. I know how much you want to tell him, but please wait till he comes home." I walk with Adrian back to the living room. Sam's making everyone hot drinks.
"Okay but what's going on? Where is he?"
He shrugs but that doesn't fool me. Fine, if I'm not supposed to know that's fine. I trust my brother.

"I know who'll be looking forward to the wedding planning." He says, eyes looking behind at her humming away. I don't miss the adoring smile he displays only at her. His grey eyes twinkle and his mouth stretches into a smile.
"Ask her out. Make your feelings known." I challenge him, desperate for them to start their inevitable future. Adrian sighs and looks at me, a longing in those eyes.
"That would just scare her away. I'd need to be more subtle."

I agree, my sister wouldn't know how to react and she'd probably refuse him out of sick nervousness. Don't let her flamboyant nature fool you.
"That's not exactly easy for an Italian, Bella." He winks.
Yikes, I'm already dreaming of their babies.

"Okay, I'll help you."
He stops and holds me by the arms, expectant eyes staring at me.
"Really? You'd do that?"
"Pssht. If only you knew." I suggestively point to my head. He has no idea.

...

"Alright baby. Let's go home." Rolf stands up and stretches, a yawn escaping his lips. It triggers one from me and I can't help but agree.

"We'll see you all soon." I say as Rolf drapes his arm across my back, leading us to the door.
My mother watches and follows us to the door, with Sam and Adrian in tow.
"Get some sleep please. I'm sure my grandchild keeps you awake plenty."
My heart is melting as this is the first time she's called Willow her grandchild.
I feel Rolf stroking my back.
"She's a heavy sleeper."
"Like her mum?" Sam chimes in. She's standing next to Adrian and they look so cute together!
"Ha Ha." I give her the silliest face I can muster and we say our goodbyes.

As we sit in the car, making our journey home we both are silent, contemplating today's events. I stare at my ring, it's shining in the dark. My eyes focus on the middle stone.
"I love you so much." I tell him. He gives me a quick one over and returns to the road. Rolf is keeping his face neutral, but he swallows hard. Eyes twinkle in the dark. He says nothing but holds my hand, resting it on my thigh. I love him so much.

"And I love you.
Beyond words, trouble."