Waiting For You

Do you want me to leave?

My phone rings its Dre'.
D: Tour starts next month, man.
A: No, next year.
D: They added one last week.
A: Cancel it not going to happen.
D: Bring her with you if you want.
A: I'm not going to tour right now Dre'

I hung up. He calls back.
I walk outside.

A: I will talk more tomorrow, but cancel it.
D: You're throwing it all away for a piece of ass?
A: I'm going to be here through every step of this pregnancy. I don't care.
D: You better get a DNA test done.
A: I don't need one. That is my baby. I know when it was conceived. I wanted to get her pregnant.
D: You have it bad.  I'll cancel, but we need to talk.

I hung up and went back inside.

C: Are you ok?
A: I am now.

Everyone slowly went upstairs to sleep. We stayed back and cleaned.
I led her upstairs.

A: Before you read it anywhere, they threw a last-minute tour together. I already canceled it.  I am not leaving your side, and the road is not the best place for you two right now.
C: I don't want you to ruin your career.
A: This is more important.

I place my hand on her stomach.

A: Besides. I can work on finishing my album.  I might need you to help me with one song.  It's a collaboration.  I need to hear a female voice on it.
C: I'm not a singer, but I will do anything for you.

She fell asleep. 
I text Pat.
Things I need you to do tomorrow.
Pick up the ring.
Set up the backyard as we talked about.
Pick up Charlotte's family from the airport.

I went to sleep. The following day I woke up to Charlotte vomiting.
I held her hair back.

A: Did you take your meds?
C: I'm sorry I woke you up.  I just woke up and had to run in here.  I need to set the alarm for the night. So, I can take them.
I grab her meds and a bottle of water. She takes it.
A: Don't apologize for being sick.
I held her in my lap.
A: Come on.  We have a big day.
I help her off the floor, and we get dressed.
Pat shows up with Charlotte's family.
C: Oh my God.  When did you?  Thank you for coming.
Claire: Thank Austin.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I spun her around.
C: Thank you.
A: I want to introduce everyone.
After everyone was introduced.
R: Who taught her to drive a stick?
Charlotte's dad Glen stepped up.
G: She loved cars so much I wasn't going to make it easy on a boy.
R: That is the best thing I have heard.
G: You like cars?
R: Yes.  We are going to the garage.
Mom got up.
N: Claire, I love your daughter. 
Claire: Nicole, you raised a gentleman. Thank you.

They walked outside.

C: Thank you.
A: You're welcome.
C: My brother didn't come?
A: He did. He told Pat he was going to drive from the airport.  He rented something.
We heard a loud engine.
C: That's J.

We walked outside. He was driving a Harley.  Bobby Lee was on the back.
She jumped up and hugged me.
J got off the bike and walked up to us.
Charlotte, we need to talk.
I watched as they walked around the steps.  I stayed close.  I knew he wouldn't hurt her. I wasn't sure of the news and wanted to be there.

C: What? No way.  I have a sister.

I walked back over towards the steps.

C: Austin, I know you're there. Come on.

I walked back.

C: J and Bobby are married.
A: Congratulations!
A: J, can we talk?
A: I wasn't trying to overhear. I didn't know what you told her, and I wanted to be there if she got upset.
J: I understand.  I want you to know she is more brutal than she looks, trust me.

I laughed.

A: She is 5 feet tall. Petite, she needs to be protected.
J: Pull her underwater. She beat the shit out of our 7'3'' cousin.
A: No way.
J: I don't know why, but she is terrified.

We walked back inside.
I couldn't find Charlotte.

I bet she is at the fish pond.  Even though it's all family, she has to have a few minutes. I make sure she is there.  She is sitting on the bench feeding the fish.

C: What do we do with them during the winter?
A: I'm not sure.  Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were out here.
C: Sit with me.

We sat in silence.
After a while, we went back inside.
I grabbed her a hat. Pat pulled up with enough TVs for everyone. He drove the one with drinks and food.

C: Thank you, Pat.
P: You're welcome. 

Pat came over to me.

P: She thanked me?  The first one to do so. She hasn't asked me to do anything. I'm sure she will, but she seems different.
A: She is different. She might ask eventually.  She hasn't asked me for anything. I can't quit buying her stuff. She doesn't like it.
P: Maybe with time.

We started to drive off.

C: Austin I need my meds.
A: In my pocket
C: Do you know how amazing you are?
A: You're the amazing one.
We drove to an overlook. Pat sat everything up for a cookout.
A: Pat, is the back done?
P: Yes.
A: After everyone ate.
I slipped off.
P: Austin would like for everyone to come around back.
I watch as he grabs Charlotte's hand. She pulls back.
P: I was told to lead you in front and make sure you do not fall.  If you do, I'm fired.
She followed him.
I watched as he put the blindfold on her.
C: Pat, you are pushing it. J!
J: I'll walk on your other side Sis.
They led her around and stopped at the spot.
I took her blindfold off.
A: Hey.
C: Hey.
A: The first time I saw you in those black leather leggings and the shirt, I knew you were beautiful. When you looked away from me, I knew I wanted to speak to you. After I spoke to you, I couldn't be without you.  The last two months have been a whirlwind.  I want to keep you forever.  I want to spoil you and our children.  Even though I know, you will fight me.  I want to make sure you know how wonderful you are every day for the rest of your lives. I want you. I would be the happiest man on earth if you would marry me.
C: Yes, I will marry you.

Everyone circled and looked at her ring.
I pulled her to the side.

A: Hey.
C: Hey.
A: Are you ok?
C: Never better.  Are you ok?
A: Never better.
C: When did you get this?
A: I ordered it the day I picked up your promise ring.  It took a while to finish, but Pat picked it up today.
C: Before the baby?
A: Yes. Before the sex too.

She smiled and hid her head in my chest.

A: I love you.  All of you.  Never be embarrassed or shy. It's me, baby.
I heard someone pull up.
It was Dre'
D: We need to talk.  You're doing this tour.
A: I'm not.
D: Your contract says.
A: That you must give me a 3-month notice before a tour. It also says that I can cancel at any time.
D: Are you doing this for her?
A: Us Dre'.  I'm doing this for us.  I am going to be here for her and our baby. My fiancé deserves that and more.
D: You're going to marry her.
A: Yes.
D: Why? You had no trouble pushing Kris away.
A: Not my baby.  Not my girl.  You may stay if you can be nice. If not, Leave. This is a personal event for friends and family.  The way you are acting I'm not sure if you are either.

I walked away holding her hand.

Dre' left.

C: I'm sorry. I don't want to cause problems.
A: How are you causing problems?
C: You and Dre'.
A: Do you want me to leave?
C: I do not. I want you to stay.
A: Then I'll stay.
C: Thank you.