It's you.

Chapter 19

"Dally why are you marrying me?" I asked suddenly. We were alone at home, my home, and my mind had been wandering.

"What are you talking about?" He asked in reference to my question. I shrugged and looked away. I'm not sure why but something inside me was starting to get scared. Scared of Dally changing his mind. Scared of Dally not wanting me.

"Lydia you know I love you. And I want to marry you because I can't imagine doing anything else." His answer was simple, but made me happy. That was all I needed. To be happy.

I grinned at my fiancé and laid my head in his lap. He ran his fingers through my long blonde hair until I fell asleep. It was only 6:00, but I slept through the night.

I woke up the next morning to racket in the kitchen. I knew what was going on. I laughed and looked at the clock. It read 5:25 a.m. I rolled my eyes and pretended to go back to sleep as they finished. When my regular alarm went off at 6:00, I got out of bed. Still acting like I suspected nothing.

I began walking to the kitchen when I heard my seven favorite people scream.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They yelled in unison. I threw my hand to my mouth and pretended to be overwhelmed with shock. Dallas ran to me spinning me around and kissing me. Darry picked me up next.

"Happy Birthday baby girl!" Darry hugged me and they all took turns throwing me around.

"I love you guys so much." Was my response to all of them.

"Presents! Let's go!" Soda was always excited to see my face as he gave me gifts. He was thoughtful like that.

I got a new switchblade from Steve. It had my initials carved into in dance curly writing. Sodapop got me new black high top converse. Ponyboy got me a nice jacket. And Johnny and Two-bit got together to by me roller skates. Which I adored. I put them on and started attempting to skate but was awful. It was quite comedic. Darrel went above and beyond as always. He got me the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen. I was soft blue and cut off at my knees in a skater skirt fashion. I was so excited and ran to put it in right away.

"Geez Darrel you made my fiancé look like a soc." Dallas replied taking a drag of his cigarette.

"A hot soc." He finished making everyone laugh.

I twirled in my new dress. It fit perfectly and I couldn't have asked for a better present.

"Dal, where's your gift?" Steve asked. We all looked at him. I figured he just didn't get me anything. And that was okay. He had bought me an engagement ring a few weeks ago, I'm sure he's low on cash.

"Alright my turn. Your gift is the fact that I'm not gonna hate in your soc friends." He said calmly.

"Really?" I laughed.

He got off the couch and walked to the door opening it. Cherry stood there smiling. I ran toward her hugging her as tight as I could while we both laughed. The boys all laughed as well at Dally's kindness. She walked in and Ponyboy and Johnny greeted her as well.

"I decided that red can't be that bad if you love her so much." He took another drag and then walked over and put his arm around me. Cherry day down next to Ponyboy.

"I love you Dallas Winston." I said looking into his dangerous eyes.

"Yeah, well, I'm pretty fond of you too Lydia Mae." He replied in his thick New York accent kissing me on the forehead.

"I'll tell you what Dallas Winston," Cherry started. "You sure as hell are not the heartless criminal I once thought you were."

"Yeah that's for sure!" Two-but chimed in. "He's an ole softy now!" He laughed at his truthful insult.

"Hey now, look I'm still Dally. It's not like I'm turning into some business man, or a father or something." His response made me loose my smile.

"But you want kids, right?" I asked hopefull with a tint of fear hiding at the back of my throat.

"Hell no." He laughed. The gang started laughing, but only for a split second before they realized I wasn't laughing and neither was Cherry.

Cherry jumped in saving the awkward conversation that was about to occur. "Lydia it's time for us to go. I made reservations, that's my gift to you." She grabbed my hand and pulled me away while my broken eyes stayed glued on Dallas. He was confused, and then I think he realized, why I looked so devastated. But before he could say anything Cherry had in the car driving away.

"He doesn't want kids..." I spoke softly. Cherry only looked at me broken hearted.

"I know what will cheer you up, let's go visit Mrs. Jones." I faked a smile. He doesn't want kids. I kept repeating in my head. What am I going to do?

~Dallas's POV~

"Damn it!" I threw my bottle against the wall of the Curtis home after Lydia and Cherry left.

"Dal, take it easy." Darrel said standing up.

"No Darrel I just fucked up! I didn't even think about how much Lydia wants kids! For Christ sake she practically raised us!" I ran my fingers through my hair in panic.

"Dally come on man. You know she loves you. You two will be fine." Johnny spoke in his typical soft manner.

"No it won't Johnny!" I snapped viciously. The whole gang got quiet. I never snapped at Johnny. Ever. Before I could apologize Darrel stood up.

"Dallas get outside. Now." His voice was calm, but a strong and tough calm.

I walked outside with Darrel behind me. I stood beside the gate and lit a cigarette. Darrel shut the front door and then walked up to me.
He ripped the cigarette from my teeth and threw it to the ground and stepped on it.

"Listen to me. That girl means everything to me. And I will do whatever I have to to protect her. Do you understand that?" His tone remained calm. But now slightly venomous. I nodded my head. "Good. Because she's going to be a mother someday. And if you aren't willing to step up and be the kind of father your dad never was, then you tell her now. So I can help heal what you broke. Do you understand me Dallas?" He was now closer to my face.

"Yes." I responded through closed teeth.

"So what the hell are you going to do?" He asked angrily. I looked down at the ashes from the cigarette he had taken.

"I'm going to marry the woman I love. And I'm going to have a family with her. That's what I'm going to do." I said looking him in the eyes. We looked like two pit bulls, both ready at any moment to pull each other's throats out. But we wouldn't. Because we both had one thing that we loved far too much to hurt. Lydia.