The Only Exception

Book 2 Part 2

I sit in the living room and wait for Noah. I take out my iPod and listen to some music. I have my eyes closed and I’m singing along to the music and Noah appears next to me and is singing along with me.

“Babe, you are really good at singing. Why won’t you try to get yourself out there in the music industry? You’ve never answered that question.”

“Noah, I don’t really want to be famous. All I want is a happy family and I find that you are the person that can make it real for me. Don’t get me wrong, I want a career, but I want a family.” I smile at him and he smiled really wide. We get some last minute things together and then get ready to go back to Chicago, our hometown. We hold each other’s hand and we just talk for a while until we pull into my parent’s driveway.

My younger siblings all run outside and crowd around the car, excited to see us. Leah realized that I had a ring on my finger, but didn’t say anything to the others. We got out of the car and gave everyone hugs. We walk inside and everyone flocked to the living room. We sat own and Mom started the conversation with school, and eventually led to the announcement.

“Okay, Noah and I have something to tell you guys-” I started, getting interrupted by Mallory.

“Celeste, I hope you aren’t pregnant.” She said in her usual snotty brat tone.

“Mallory, she’s not pregnant, right?” Mom questioned.

“No! Of course not! Now back to our announcement; Noah and I are engaged! We’re getting married in March.”

The room was quiet for a brief second and Dad was the first to speak, “Well, this is a surprise. But, I knew this was going to happen sooner or later,” He said, smiling, “Congratulations, to the both of you.”

The room then roared with excitement. Later in the day, Leah came up to me and asked, “Celeste, am I going to be in the wedding?”

“Of course, you are going to be my bridesmaid, Leah. Mallory is going to be a bridesmaid, as well.” I smiled as I replied.

Leah’s face glowed and squealed in excitement, “Oh my, I am going to be in a wedding! I hope I will be pretty enough.”

“Leah, I think you will be a perfect bridesmaid. After all, you are her sister.” Noah said, as he took the words out of my mouth. Leah walked away satisfied and I turn to Noah.

“So, how have you been handling? After all, you are surrounded by all of my younger siblings.” I say and Noah’s face flows into an expression of happiness.

“You know how you said earlier that you wanted a family most of all, and that you pictured me being the one to make it real for you?”

“Yeah, why? What’s your point?”

“Well, I can only picture being the perfect wife with my children. I can see us having children. Plus, I work as a pediatrician. It is all falling into place. And yes, I am holding up just fine.” He smiled at me and pecks me on the lips.

Dinner was served at six, like my mom said, and we didn’t leave until ten-thirty, because I had to get up for work in the morning. The drive home was quick and when I walked in the front door, I unwound my scarf and hung up my jacket while Noah shut the door and wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my jaw and worked his way down my neck. I turned around and let him pick me up and take us to our room. I kissed him and we just laid there kissing each other.

“Baby, you are the most beautiful thing in this world. I love you with all my heart and soul, I will go to any lengths to protect you and love you for all of eternity. You brighten up my life in so many ways that I can’t even count them all. You are definitely the one for me, Celeste Nichole.” Noah whispered in my ear as we were just laying there.