47

Lauren Hart
There is no better feeling than being back at home. No matter if you have gone out just for a walk, the home gives a sense of security and peace.
“Let’s go inside. I can’t wait to get back into my pajamas.” I sighed, removing the seatbelt from around me. It was already evening and all I wanted to do is to have a cup of coffee to wash away my exhaustion.
“You go first, I’ll follow after you shortly,” Sean said while drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, his gaze meeting Ryan’s at the backseat through the rearview mirror.
“Oh, alright.” I didn’t press much thinking he would have to park the car in the garage. “Ryan, come with me.” I opened the door but Sean’s sudden loud interruption caused me to flinch.
“No, I’ll bring him in. You go.”
“Yes, Lauren, I will come with dad,” Ryan spoke as well.
Frowning a little I flicked my eyes between the boys who seemed to be secretly conversing through their eyes. Something was brewing between them, I had to know about it.
“What’s with the stare game?” I raised my eyebrows. “What’s cooking between you two?”
Sean broke his gaze from Ryan and looked at me and again drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. “Nothing important, just man to man talks. Now go, Lauren.”
By now, I was sure something was certainly cooking between them because they had been doing a lot of man to man talks these days. I decided to leave the poor souls for now, but I would surely go deep into the matter.
“Alright. Have a nice private man to man talk.” I added sarcastically and slipped out of the car. Though outside, I saw their giggling faces which raised my suspicion.
I went inside and dropped myself on the couch in the living room. Removing my heels, I clutched my knee-length, floral sundress between my thighs and sprawled on the couch, and moaned in delight when my head hit the fluffy cushion. I only had one thing running in my head; coffee.
Please, someone, make coffee for me. I mentally spoke to practically no one.
I had only shut my eyes in relief when Ryan’s sweet voice caused me to open my eyes.
“Lauren?” He stood near me, peering at my resting self.
“Done with your private man to man talks already?” I queried. “And where’s your dad?” I asked while roaming my eyes in the room. Weren’t they supposed to enter together?
Ryan leaned forward on the couch, pressing it with his hands. “Uh, he’s still outside. Uh, can I say something to you?”
“You don’t have to ask, buddy. Say it.” I muttered as I forced myself into a sitting position.
He surprised me by jumping on my lap. He gazed deeply into my eyes with a tiny smile lingering on his lips.
“Thank you, Lauren.” He said and pecked my cheek.
I laughed at his heartwarming gesture. “For what, buddy?”
“For loving me with all your heart.” He was quick to reply. He stunned me by his reply, my heart melted like butter melts when kept outside the fridge.
I hadn’t even come out of the shock of Ryan’s confession when all the lights turned off automatically making it pitch dark, bringing me out of the shock.
“Now what happened to the lights?” I gently pushed Ryan off my lap onto the couch and stood up. “Sean, you there? Sean!” I called for him. When I didn’t receive any answer from him I decided to check on the lights myself.
I warned Ryan not to move from his place since he could end up hurting himself in the darkness and I carefully made my way through the darkness. Taking just one step I realized how much of a fool I was for not using the flashlight on my phone. Sighing dramatically, I made my way back to the couch to look for my phone. I even asked Ryan for help but before we could find the phone, the living room began to lit up with dim yellow lights. I halted the search party and slowly straightened myself. I hadn’t even registered the sudden change in the lightning of the room when someone grabbed my waist from behind, causing a squeak to escape my throat.
“Hey, hey, it’s just me.” Sean’s voice forced me to swirl and glare at him.
“God, you scared me!” I slapped his chest. He dramatically groaned, clutching the area I had hit.
“Stop being dramatic and tell me what’s going on? Why are the lights so dimly lit?” I asked, moving my gaze on the ceiling whose hidden lights drizzled the dim yellow rays down to the floor.
“To amplify the romantic feels.” He casually shrugged his shoulders and I gave him a weird look. Looking at my confused face he chuckled and grabbed my hands.
“I have something to say to you.” He spoke and I raised my eyebrows. First son and now the father…hmm, they definitely had cooked something and now they were serving it to me.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Thank you.” He smiled as he began to interweave his fingers with mine. I blinked, trying to decipher ‘why?’
“What’s up with you two? First Ryan and now you.” I huffed. “Now it’s your turn to tell me ‘thank you’ for exactly what?” I frowned.
He lifted his hand to cup my face, the smile still not leaving his lips. His blue eyes twinkled giving them the view of stars reflecting through the ocean.
“Let’s start from the beginning.” He gently brushed his thumb on my cheek. I didn’t know why but my heart picked up the pace-without any reason.
“Thank you for saving me from grandma’s wrath by helping me come out of the blunder I created. Thank you for agreeing to help me when I had no one to rely on. Thank you for motivating me to take the right decision for Ryan. Thank you for standing up for him, for me-beside me. Thank you for fighting for us. Thank you for giving me the chance to conquer your heart. Thank you for bringing the ‘real me’ back. Thank you for reuniting me with my parents. Thank you for filling my life with fun.”
He paused and pulled me closer to him. He inched his face closer then whispered, “And most importantly, thank you for making my days brighter and nights extra hotter.” He winked before pecking the corner of my mouth.
All this while I had my breath caught in my throat, my gaze fixed to his love-filled gaze. Everything around me disappeared from my line of vision, only Sean was the one I could see. Every word he spoke sounded unfeigned.
“Ten times.” I found myself speaking while lost in the affection radiating through the blue eyes.
“Ten times what?” I saw the curl that began to form on his eyebrows.
“Thank you. You said that ten times.”
He laughed and pinched my cheek. “That’s what I love about you; your weirdness. You are a sassy, crazy, and uniquely coded creation of all time.”
His unique compliment caused me to laugh as well.
“You know, I kinda feel stupid… These days I think about why I never noticed you for four years? What was I blinded with?” He tilted his head and chuckled. “I am literally gonna keep the car that you scrapped in my precious collection. Thanks to the car you are in my life now.”
“Now you are thanking the car.” I laughed and crossed my arms. “I get it that you wanted to thank me, but why? Is the father and son duo is out on thanking spree today?”
“Oh, you will know it soon.” He winked and took two steps back. “Ryan, come, it’s the time.” Sean waved at Ryan to come over to him. Ryan jumped off the couch and stood beside Sean. I couldn’t help but flick my eyes between them; they looked good standing together. But what were they up to? I wondered.
“Ready, champ?” Sean asked him, looking down at him. Ryan craned his neck up to look at his father and nodded his head, he then moved his head to look at me.
“What’s going on?” I asked. Bemusement overtook my face yet the smile never left.
“Lauren…” Ryan started, looking at me with a gaze full of hope. “Please don’t say no.”
What? No for what? I couldn’t understand. I wanted to ask but before I could do so, Ryan went on his knees causing me to step back in surprise. The smile on my face began to fade gradually.
“Would you accept to be my mother?”
My jaw dropped to the ground, my breath hitched, and my heart skipped a beat. No, he did not just ask me- No he did not. My ears were undoubtedly playing tricks with me.
My sense raised the white flags and to confirm whether I was dreaming or not, I dragged my gaze to Sean only to know that a bigger shock was waiting for me.
Sean dropped himself on his knee and extended his hand with a ring box clutched between his fingers.
“Will you marry me? Will you be my soulmate, my life partner? Would you like to become the mother of my child whom you already love? Would you give me the opportunity to become a family man?”
I had no idea when I began to cry, I only got to know when the salty water reached my lips, trying to slip inside my mouth.
I was freaking out inside because why not? They both proposed to me! The man I never thought would ever even glance at me, proposed me to be his wife. The kid I cared for and loved unconditionally even though he wasn’t blood-related to me, proposed me to be his mother.
That was all too much to process. I wiped my face and turned around when I felt that my tears didn’t have the intention to stop, my legs felt like jelly. Shakily and slowly I made my way to the couch and plopped on it, the tears still flowing down.
“Lauren.” Both of my boys hurried to me. Ryan jumped on the couch and Sean crouched before me. Ryan wiped my face with his tiny hands.
“Don’t cry, Lauren. It’s okay if you don’t want to be my mother.”
I immediately pulled him on my lap and clutched him in my arms. “Don’t say that sweetheart. Don’t.” I whispered.
Sean cupped my face and made me look at him. “Don’t cry Lauren, tears don’t suit you.” He wiped my face. “There’s no pressure, Lauren. Take your time to think. But remember one thing, we both love you with all our heart and will try our best not to give you a chance to complain. We both will be on our best behavior, right Ryan?”
“Huh?” Ryan looked at him, puzzled.
“Ryan, don’t you remember your lines?” Sean whispered to him and I let out a teary-eyed laugh.
“Uh, I forgot.” He mumbled as he formed a pout.
“Someone forgot to memorize the script, huh?” I sniffed while trying not to laugh out loud as I pinched Ryan’s cheek. I switched my gaze back at Sean and raised my eyebrows.
“So this was the man to man talk you two have been doing secretly?” I asked him playfully.
“Yeah.” Sean rubbed the back of his head. “Err, see, Ryan may have forgotten his lines but I assure you he will be on his best behavior. Uh, just don’t take much time to make a decision or we both will grow old waiting for your answer since there is no way we are letting you go.”
I laughed. How could I not say ‘yes’ to these adorable boys? MY BOYS.
I gently stroked Ryan’s hair, my gaze still fixed with Sean. “Mr. Peterson, I come with baggage; baggage of craziness, troubles, and annoyance. Will you able to cope with it?” I asked.
He let out a hearty laugh. “Lauren, you are not yourself if craziness and troubles aren’t around you. And about annoyance…yes, you annoy me a lot; you stir my peace yet you bring a strange sense of equilibrium to me.”
“Means you agree to deal with my stupidity till the last breath we take?” I asked, trying to intensify his impatience which was clearly visible on his face.
“Yes.” He responded almost immediately.
“You mean I am stupid?” I raised an eyebrow. He clearly didn’t listen to what words I used.
“What, no! You are not stupid, not at all. You are the smartest woman I have ever met.” He looked startled.
I laughed. “No need to do buttering-”
“I am not.” His eyes bulged out in shock. I was loving it. “Lauren, I swear whatever I said is true. I truly want to spend the rest of my life with you. I-”
“Yes!” I said, cutting him off in between.
He paused. His eyes wide, his jaw reaching the ground. I held the urge to burst out laughing. He looked as if I said something he wasn’t expecting.
“Y…yes?” His voice came out in a whisper. I smiled and slid Ryan off my lap, and held Sean’s hands.
“Yes, I will marry you. You are someone I have always desired to spend my life with. Because unlike other men and my parents, you never tried to change me, you never felt ashamed to have me by your side. You accepted me the way I am.”
He stunned me by abruptly crashing his lips on mine. “Thank you.” He said after a short kiss, his eyes brimming with moisture.
“The ring.” I reminded him, wiggling my eyebrows. He hastily took the ring out of the box and slipped it on my finger.
“I love you, Lauren.” He kissed the ring on my finger. “And soon to be Mrs. Peterson, brace yourself for what’s coming for you as you have sealed your fate with me.”
“I am eagerly looking forward to it.” I grinned and shifted to look at Ryan who had been observing us sitting quietly. I guess he didn’t get it that I agreed to be his mother. Aww, Ryan’s mom… sounds so amazing.
“Ryan, do you know what I said to father?” I asked. He shook his head in denial. I knew it!
“I told him that I don’t want you to call me Lauren anymore.” I pouted, showing fake hurt.
I saw him coming to alert mode as he flicked his eyes to his father. I had no idea what they conversed through their eyes but I regretted playing with him when his eyes began to fill up with tears.
“You don’t want to be my friend? Is it because I asked…” He sniffed, almost on the verge of crying.
“Oh no, no, no, buddy, don’t cry.” I embraced him in my arms and kissed the top of his head. I then cupped his face. “I don’t want you to call me Lauren because from now on I want you to call me mom.”
His eyes too turned big like saucers.
“Yes, buddy, I accept to be your mother.” I grinned and in no second I was pulled in a hug by him. He cried by nuzzling his face in my neck. I soothingly stroked his back and kept him closer to me, giving the love of mother he had been craving for all this while.
“Mom.” I heard him whisper which made my eyes glistened up again. I never imagined hearing someone call me mother would be so damn emotional.
I held him tighter and kissed his head repeatedly. “Yes buddy, your mom,” I whispered back. I felt two big arms come around both of us, holding us tightly.
“Now I have a complete family. You both complete my world.” Sean whispered and placed kisses on both our heads.
Three of us cherishing our first family moment when suddenly a loud sound of blast pulled us apart.
“Congratulations.” The living room lighted up completely giving me a clear view of all the people coming out of different places, even my parents were there. They had been here all the time?
“What-I thought you all already left,” I asked in surprise as I stood up from the couch. Ariana, Trish, Eloise, and my sister squealed and jumped on me.
“Told ya she would be next.” Eloise’s voice reached my ears.
“I am so happy.” Ariana chirped.
“Okay, okay, please let me breathe.” I cried out. They all had me wrapped tightly, even my face was being pressed against someone’s shoulder. I breathed in relief when they all gave me space to breathe. But it wasn’t enough, Daniel and Xavier approached me too.
“Thank you, thank you so very much for brightening up Sean’s gloomy soul. I knew that only a bold woman like you will give him some sense. Now, we won’t have to deal with his grumpy nature.” Daniel grinned and I laughed.
“The special treatment is just for Lauren. You will be dealing with the same Sean you have known since college.” Sean slapped the back of Daniel’s head.
“Yeah, yeah, our value has now reduced to nothing since you have got someone to love dearly,” Xavier commented making me blush.
“Yeah, this lovey-dovey Sean is the same who used to resent the idea of marriage. See him now.” Evan, Trish’s boyfriend commented playfully.
“Exactly!” Daniel got overly excited. “Now, you won’t say I can’t deal with the tantrums of a woman all my life? Where has that Sean was gone?” He crossed his arms across his chest as he raised his brows at Sean. Sean decided to reply to him with just a glare.
“What, cat got your tongue?” He smirked.
Xavier came closer to me and wrapped his arms around my shoulder “Our Sean has now given his strings in Lauren’s hands. He only speaks when she orders him to do. Well, you kinda deserve this. Well done, Lauren.” He praised me, making me dip in a red tint.
“Yes, well done Lauren. At least now I know whose door to knock to complain about my Sean babe.” Daniel grinned at me. “Uh, you don’t mind me calling your to-be husband babe, do you?” He asked.
I laughed. “No, I don’t. And even if I did you would not stop. My relationship with him is totally different from yours, I will not come between your bromance.” I held my hands in the air, making everyone roar in laughter except Sean, who shot me deathly glares. Uh oh, I was in trouble.
“I will deal with you later in our room.” He mouthed and my heart almost came out of my chest when Daniel voiced Sean’s words.
“She is all yours to deal with in your room, Sean babe. For now, let us thank her properly.”
Oh god! Embarrassment level infinity. Where do I hide my face?
Xavier and Daniel stood in front of my blushing self and spoke in unison, “Welcome to the family, Lauren.” They both inched forward and kissed the sides of my head.
“Okay, you have said enough. Leave her alone.” Sean grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him, but this time grandma dragged me to her.
I was being tossed between people like a tennis ball-from one court to another.
“Oh darling, I am incredibly happy today.” She cupped my face-squeezing it to make it look like the face of a fish. “Thank you for accepting my boys. I don’t have to worry about my boys as they are now in your safe hands.”
I passed her a gentle smile and pulled her in a hug. “I knew it from the start that he will end up choosing you otherwise who would take a name of a random woman when in trouble?” She whispered in my ear, making me frown. She pulled away and gently patted my face. “I knew that he was fooling me when I brought Ryan here. I mean, do you think I would believe his stupid theory of why his P. A was living with him?”
She knew it from the start! Someone, please guide me to the island of most indigenous species on earth, I would like to plead with them to accept me in their community, or I would die of embarrassment.
I had a deep red tint on my face when I was tossed again, and this time to my mother. “I am glad you found someone ready to tolerate your craziness.” She said. What else could I accept from her? Yet I smiled.
Then my father hugged me and congratulated me. Then Mr. And Mrs. Peterson came in front of me; yes they were there as well.
“We are extremely happy to welcome you in our family.” Mrs. Peterson patted my face.
I guess I was going to have a flat cheek by the morning because everybody had been patting the same damn cheek as though petting their favorite pet.
Jokes apart, her words again made me an emotional freak. They seemed to be hard to please yet they accepted me so easily.
“This is for you.” Mrs. Peterson placed a rectangular black velvet box in my hands, which I knew was a jewelry box.
“No, I can’t -” I tried to give it back to her but Mr. Peterson stopped me by placing his hand on the box.
“Keep it, Lauren. You deserve it. When we heard about Sean’s plan, we personally went to the best jewelry shop and picked the best one for you… because you are special. Welcome to our family.” He smiled genuinely.
Now he again had me in tears. I would have filled a swimming pool with my tears if Sean hadn’t come to me and embraced me in his warmth.
I love Sean so much. Just because of him I was receiving the love of so many people. I never thought that a crazy woman like me would ever be showered with so much love. I was so lucky.
After more teasing, laughter, giggles, and chats, all of them left for their respective homes. I tucked Ryan in bed in his room. Yes, he had learned to sleep alone.
“Goodnight my son.” I kissed his forehead. Ugh, the sound of calling him my son felt phenomenal.
“Goodnight mom.” He smiled before surrendering to sleep.
I stroked his hair for a while then went out of his room only to bump into Sean. He circled his arm around my waist and yanked me closer to him.
“Finally, I have you all for myself. Let’s celebrate the special occasion, shall we?” He placed a feathery kiss over my shoulder blade. “And I have to punish you for taking Daniel’s side.”
There and then I knew no magical, invisible powers of earth could save me from the beast. And the most hilarious thing was I didn’t want to be saved. I would kill anybody who dares to come between us.