Chris' POV- August 2019
I had been cleared to start working out, and in two weeks I could join the guys in light workouts. My return date was actually two weeks earlier than the one that had been brought up last visit. Nora and the baby were doing well too so everything was going great. Even though my memories were all over the place, I thought now was the perfect time to...
"Hey" I greeted Cody as I knocked on his open bedroom door to get his attention.
"Hey, what's up?"
He set the parenting book he was reading down before sitting up.
"Can I get the ring back?" I asked.
His eyes widened a bit before a big smile appeared on his face.
"Of course you can"
I stuffed my hands into pockets and watched as he pulled a blue velvet box from his sock drawer.
"Here you go, man"
I took the box from him and bit my lip.
"When do you plan on asking?"
"Tonight" I answered.
He looked a bit surprised at my response.
"My dad is flying in tonight" I disclosed.
"That explains why both your mom and Noel stayed"
For an extra week, they'd head back to Virginia Beach this weekend.
"How do you plan on asking?"
"I'm making her dinner" I responded.
Nora had a craving, and I was going to help satisfy that craving.
"For just the two of you or the whole family?"
"Just us two, the families will come a little after" I replied.
He nodded.
"I'm not going to get all my memories back, but I do know that I want to make memories with her" I stated.
"She's going to say yes"
I sure hoped so.
"What are you making her?"
"You can't go wrong with Spaghetti and meatballs with homemade sauce" I answered.
His phone went off, and as he shut off the alarm he said,
"The chunky one?"
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Yum"
He took a seat and began to put on his shoes.
"Headed to practice?" I wondered.
"Yeah"
He stood up and smiled.
"I would say good luck, but you don't need it"
I stuffed the velvet box into my pocket and bit my lip.
"I'll see you later," I told him before making my way out of the room.
He followed me out and stopped dead on his track when he saw Ella and Theo making their way in.
"Don't you two think that's a bit too much?" I wondered.
Theo was holding a giant bouquet of roses.
"It was cheaper to just get the rose petals this way"
I slowly nodded.
"I'm going to go get the groceries from the car"
As Theo made his way out, I couldn't help but notice the glare Ella directed at Cody who scampered out.
"What was that?" I questioned.
She smiled.
"Nothing, so can I put a camera in every room?"
"Which rooms do you have in mind?" I wondered.
She scrunched up her nose.
"Since you two can't keep your hands off each other, I figured just the kitchen, living room and backyard"
I nodded.
"Okay" I agreed.
As she went to set up the cameras, Theo made his way inside with two grocery bags.
"You okay?"
"Just a bit nervous" I admitted.
He set the bags down on the kitchen counter.
"Well then, let's keep you busy so you can stop thinking nonsense"
And that's exactly what happened. I was so busy finishing up dinner that I did not notice when Nora got home until she was in the kitchen. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and the minimal makeup she had applied still looked flawless. She was not showing yet, but her skin was glowing.
"What's all this?"
I turned around to see Nora looking at the kitchen in slight awe.
"I wanted to show how much I appreciate you" I stated.
She smiled and made her way over.
"What are you making? It smells delicious"
"Well you mentioned to me that you were craving spaghetti and meatballs so I made it from scratched," I said.
"You're the best"
I shrugged.
"Seriously, thank you"
"Have a seat" I told her.
Once she was seated, I grabbed two plates.
"How was work?" I wondered.
"Slow"
She let out a tired sigh before looking at me.
"I'm going to have to extend that restraining order, just at least until my fellowship is over"
Wait, what?
"What happened?" I asked as I shut off the stove burners.
"Dean found out I'm pregnant"
"How?" I questioned.
"He followed you when Noel dropped you off"
Ugh.
"Are you okay?" I wondered.
"Yeah, he just got really angry and yelled"
She let out a shaky deep breath.
"But I thought he was going to hit me.
He never once laid a hand on her while they were dating, but when she caught him in bed with one of his interns he nearly hit her when she broke up with him. The reason she got a restraining order was that he got aggressive every time she refused to take him back. At one point he got into the gated community she lived in and just sat outside her place demanding she take him back.
"Were you alone?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"No, Eric was with me"
He was a childhood friend and also Nora's best friend's boyfriend.
"I feel bad because they might fire him"
"He should have thought about that before doing what he did" I noted.
"That's exactly what Eric said"
She smiled.
"But I would much rather forget that happened for the night and eat the dinner my very handsome boyfriend made me"
I bit the inside of my cheek before nodding. Dean was not going to ruin this night, not on my watch.
"Let's eat then," I told her.
Once dinner was served, I took a seat next to her and we dug into our food.
"This is delicious"
"Glad you think so" I said as I poured up two drinks of water.
She could technically have a glass of wine, but I wasn't allowed to consume any alcohol just yet.
"How was your day?"
"I took Honey for a walk this morning," I told her.
Before it got warm outside.
"Alone?"
I shook my head.
"Noel went with me" I disclosed.
"Where is she now?"
"Dinner with your family" I answered.
She smiled.
"I like that our family gets along so well, and can actually hang out without us"
Ella and Theo had made sure to make Noel feel included while she was here. Same goes to Nora's parents who always invited my mom over and mailed food and baked goods to my dad.
"We should get them all together before your mom and Noel head back"
"We should" I agreed.
Nora asked for seconds, and I was happy to oblige because it made her and the baby content.
"How much do you love me?"
Lots.
"More than you can imagine" I answered.
"Rub my feet?"
I chuckled and nodded.
"Go settle in the living room while I clean up," I told her.
She smiled and kissed my cheek before giving me a smooch.
"Will do"
Once she was in the living room, I clean up and put everything in the dishwasher.
"Actually, can you come outside, there's something I want to show you," I said as I pulled the velvet box from my pocket and opened it.
"Chris, I just took my shoes off"
"Just come out like that" I stated.
I smiled as she made her way over to the kitchen.
"What do you want to show me?"
"Close your eyes" I instructed.
I laughed as she scrunched up her nose.
"Please?" I asked.
"Okay"
She closed her eyes and when she did that I pulled the curtains open revealing the set up in the backyard. I opened the sliding door open and walked around her before taking her hand.
"This way," I said leading her outside.
I pulled my phone and pressed play so her favorite song could play in the background.
"Okay, open them," I told her as I stood behind her.
Noel and Ella had set up 8 light up letters that spelled up M A R R Y M E ? surrounded by rose petals. As she gasped, I got down on one knee and waited for her to turn around.
"Oh my god"
I smiled up at her.
"Nora" I started.
"Yes"
I chuckled and continued with my question.
"Will you marry me?" I asked.
She nodded her head.
"Yes, of course, a million times yes"
I stood up and before I could even slip the ring onto her finger she had jumped on me.
"I love you"
"I love you too," I told her.
She turned her head and connected our lips together. When we both pulled away to catch our breath.
"Can I put the ring on your finger?" I questioned.
She laughed and nodded.
"Yes, of course"
I took her hand as she sniffled, and slipped the ring on. Nora was a doctor, so I knew she would not want an over the top ring.
"It's perfect"
She pressed her palm against her chest before smiling up at me. I took that time to lean down and give her a quick kiss before pulling out my phone.
"Let me send out a family text," I told her.
She laughed as she heard many chimes come from in front of the house.
"I guess they're up front"
I nodded and wrapped my arms around her as we waited for our families to make their way to the backyard. A wave of emotion hit me when I locked eyes with my dad. Nora gasped when she noticed him making his way over. He was the first to reach us and joined the hug. Everyone joined in on the hug, and by the time we all pulled away all of us were a snotty mess. Dad pulled me into a tight hug.
"You look so much better"
I smiled and nodded as he lightly patted my cheek.
"Thanks for coming," I told him as I used the back of my hand to wipe some tears from my face.
"I wouldn't have missed this"
I looked away from him when Nora hugged my waist.
"I'm so happy!"
As mom joined in on the hug, I glanced at Nora to see she was being hugged by her dad who was an absolute mess. I did not remember asking him for her hand, so I had done so two nights ago. He just laughed and told me his response had not changed and that I was the only person he'd want for his daughter.
Nora suddenly hissed.
"Why are you not wearing shoes?"
"My fault," I told them.
"Chris was supposed to give me a foot rub"
"Let's go inside so I can do just that" I said.
Nora squeaked as I picked her up.
A/N: Looks like they're engaged.