(Val's POV)
I woke up with Chloe laying on my chest. I smiled and ran my fingers through her hair. I was so lucky to have her. I'm such a jerk and she still puts up with me.
A sharp pain ran through my other hand and I was reminded of yesterday. I heard the front door open and close and I jumped up forgetting Chloe was laying on me almost hitting her. I walked into the hallway to find Daniel with bagels and coffee
"Calm down. You don't want to kill the guy with breakfast, do you?" I just looked at him. I didn't want to talk to any one of them. "Oh come on Val, I couldn't tell you. Mom said not to."
"Fuck you." I said. I walked off and went into the bathroom to take a shower. When I got out Chloe was sitting on the couch eating.
"Good morning Sweetheart." I said kissing her on the cheek
"Good morning." She moved over so I could sit next to her
"Did he leave?"
"Yes Daniel left. Honey, I know you're mad, but you can't ignore your family. It was out of their control and you know that."
"Chloe, I can't go back. I can't see her like that. I can't remember her like that."
"You still have the necklace she gave you. You never took it back."
"Because I want you to have it. It means a lot to me and so do you. If anything ever happens to me, you'll have something to remember me by."
"What can happen to you?"
"You never know." She gave me a weak smile
"I guess I need to go get ready. Danny will be back soon to pick us up and take us to the hospital."
"Danny? When did you start calling him that?"
"He told me too."
"You know he has a crush on you right?"
"Yeah, but he also knows you are insane." She got up and went into the bathroom
While I was waiting, Daniel came back.
"Val, are you going to ignore me forever?"
"How would you feel if we didn't tell you mom had cancer? How would you feel after you just got back from being shot, stabbed and almost killed to find out your family has been lying to you about one of the most important people in your life dying?"
"You have every right to be angry but I had to respect moms wishes."
"I guess you're right. I don't know how I'm going to deal with loosing her. I know she doesn't have much time left."
"You're not alone."
"I know. I just wish you all had told me before. I just needed some time to process it. Now I don't have much time at all."
"Honey, your phone is ringing!" I heard Chloe yell from the room. I went to the room and it was Jenna.
"When were you going to tell me you were back home?"
"I just got here last night. So much has been happening."
"When are you coming over to see Valarie?"
"Tomorrow. I promise I'll be there."
"Ok and leave the candy home."
"I can't make any promises."
"Val I'm serious."
"Ok ok." I laughed
After getting of the phone with Jenna, I ate and then Danny took us to the hospital. When we reached my mom's room I didn't want to go in. I couldn't see her like that. I stood in the hallway for awhile until Vinnie came out.
"I know you may not want to talk to me but, mom wants to know why you're not in there." He said
"I can't see her like that. She not the same."
"I understand but unfortunately we don't know when her time will come and I'd rather see her like that then to miss the opportunity to say goodbye."
Well he was right. I didn't want to miss that. I took a deep breath and walked in.
"There you are." My mom said
"Hi ma." I said trying to hold back my tears
"How are you doing today?"
"Uh... Fine. I'm doing fine."
"That's great." I could tell she knew I was lying. "So when are you going back to Texas?"
"Next week. I wanted to have time to visit everyone and show Chloe around."
"That's nice and you have made a excellent choice when you picked this one. She is very sweet and really cares for you." I looked at Chloe and she smiled
"Yeah I love her." I said
"Hello everyone." A voice said. I turned around and it was Christina
"Hi love." Vinnies said kissing her the cheek
"How are you feeling Mrs. Dexter?" She asked
"I'm hanging in there. How are the girls?"
"They are fine. I would have brought them, but the hospital said children can't come see you at this time."
Before my mom could say anything some doctors came in and told us we had to leave. I kissed my mom and left with everyone else.
(Chloe's POV)
"Val, if you want you can take the car for the rest of the day. I know you want to take Chloe around the city." Daniel said
"No I'm good. The best way to experience New York is to walk the busy streets and to get on crowded buses and trains." Val answered
"Like the subway trains I see in movies?" I asked
"Yup. Trust me there is nothing magical about them."
"So you really go underground to get on a train?"
"You have a lot to learn." Daniel said
Both Val and Daniel laughed but I didn't know what was so funny. We went back to the house and Val told me I might want to put on some flatter shoes if I was going make it through the day. I did as she said and then we headed out for what I would call an adventure.
First, we waited for a bus that was extremely crowded. Everyone looked so mean but Val told me that that's just their face. She took me to a place called 5th street with the biggest buildings I've ever seen. I guess I looked amazed because I heard Val laugh
"What?" I asked
"You looked like you've never seen a building before."
"Val, you've been to Texas. We don't have all of this. Plus there are more people on this one street than there are in my home town."
"Great huh?'
"It's scary. Everyone is so mean."
"Its ok. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you."
She took me to a place called FAO Schwartz. It was a giant candy store with giant Lego statues and a giant piano. Everything g was just giant.
Next we got on a subway train. It was the most disgusting and unsanitary place I've ever been and I work with 7 yearl olds.
"Not as magical as you thought huh?" Val asked
"Nope. Val is that a rat?" I said pointing yo the tracks
"Yup. We're underground." I cringed and she laughed.
2 trains and a bus later we were at a times square. Everything was so beautiful and so much was going on I got overwhelmed and had to sit down.
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah. I just got a little dizzy."
"Here." She handed me a hotdog
"Where the hell did you get that?"
"Hotdog cart." She pointed to a man and a silver cart
"New york is weird."
"You call it weird we call it convienent." Now come on there's a lot to see. We walked around and I learned that even in the summer New York still gets a little chilly. Our last place for the day is a pizza place. Val said she used to come here all the time butbshe hasn't been here in years because of her work schedule and then she moved to Texas.
"Whats so great about New York pizza?" I asked walking in. A couple of people looked at me confused
"Its ok everyone. She's from Texas she doesn't know any better." Val said. They all nodded and then a big sweaty man covered in flour came out from behind the counter.
"Valentine!" He yelled as he walked over to us
"Frankie!! How are you man?" She said hugging him
"I'm doing great. I see you have yourself a little lady."
"This is my girlfriend Chloe, Chloe this is my long time friend Frankie Benozo."
"Its nice to meet you." I said reaching my hand out for hand shake
"You didn't say she was a southern belle."
"Well, she's mine so back off." Val said jokingly
"Hey no problem over here. You've been gone so long you missed a lot." He went to the back and a lady carrying a little boy on her hip came out with him. "Meet my wife Gloria Benozo and little Frankie junior."
"Hello." I said.
"You have beautiful family." Val said
"Hey Frank. The young lady said she doesn't know what's so great about New York pizza." A man said
"You have a lot to learn my friend." Frankie said
"I've been told." I said
"Sit right there I will give you each a slice for free." Frankie said
"Come on." Val said grabbing my hand pulling me over to a table
"Here you go. 2 slices of cheese pizza." Gloria said. Frankie later came with our drinks. Everyone stared at me while I took a bite of the pizza.
"Well?" A lady said behind me
"Do you like it?" Frankie asked
"Everyone give her a minute. Its her first slice." Val said
"Honestly, this is the best pizza ive ever had." I said. The place was filled with cheers and whistles.
"Ok. I have to get back to work. If you need anything I'm in the kitchen." Val nodded her head and Frankie walked off.
"So we're back at square on huh?" Val said
"What do you mean?" I asked
"As I recall, our first and only date was in a pizza place."
"Yeah. It was that was one of many memories I will never forget. We'll tell our kids that our first date was at a pizza parlor and that it was a magical night."
"You can tell them about today too."
"Oh yeah. My first time in the big city. All the places I saw and the people I've met."
"You can also tell them that you had your first slice of New York pizza and got engaged in the same place."
"Wait what?" I asked almost choking on my drink. Val got up and kneeled down on one knee in front of me. My heart started beating fast and my eyes started watering.
"Chloe Ellison, you have been with me through just about everything. You have put up with a lot of my bullshit these past 9 months and I can't express how much I love you. I want you to know that I will always be here for you and I love every part of you and your crazy family. You have showed me that I shouldn't give up on love and I don't think I would be here right now if I didn't have you in my life. So I'm asking you will you marry me?"
I was speechless. I couldn't do anything but shake my head yes. She took my shaking hand and put the gorgeous ring on my finger. She stood up and I hugged her almost knocking her over. I cried as I held on to her. Everyone cheered and congratulated us
"That is just beautiful." Frankie said
"Thank you. We will take 2 slices to go please." Val said still holding on to me
"No problem. Hey I need 2 slices of cheese pizza!" Franki yelled to the cook. Val paid for the pizza and we left and took a cab home.
When we got inside. Everyone was sitting in the living room
"So I'm guessing she said yes." Vinnie said
"They knew?" I asked
"I told them weeks ago." Val said
"I'm so happy for you guys." Danny said. He was sitting next to a girl I've never seen before. "Oh, this is Haley."
"Its nice to meet you." I said. She said the same.
"I have had a very eventful day and I am exhausted. I'm going to bed." I said
"Ok. I'll be there in a minute." Val said kissing me on the forehead. I went to the back, took a shower, and laid down. Before I knew it I was sleep. I was awaken by Val wrapping her arms around me. I turned over to face her.
"Val, you know you just proposed to me?'
"Yes."
"And you know that this means we're in this forever?"
"Yes."
"There's no going back now and-" Val cut me off
"I knew what I was doing when I proposed. I want to be with you forever. We were just talking about our future kids right before I proposed."
"Yeah but I didn't think you would actually still like me after all this time." Val laughed
"Sweetheart I love you. Even my family loves you."
"I love you too and so does my family. My mom probably loves you a little more." We both laughed. I laid there staring into her hazel eyes.
"I guess we should get some sleep. We've been up since early." Val said
"Goodnight soldier."
"Goodnight Sweetheart." She kissed me on the forehead and I fell asleep