Always and Forever

That after noon we decided to go over to Joe’s parent’s house and we invited my parents there so that we can announce to everyone about our engagement.

“Do you think my parents are going to be mad?” I asked Joe worriedly, “I mean, don’t you think they’ll say we’re too young?”

Joe sighed, “I don’t know, but I hope not,” he said as he watched the road as he drove, “I hope they understand how happy we are together and that’s all that really matters, you know?”

I nodded, “If my dad punches you, then I’m sorry,” I said as I laughed lightly.

“Not funny,” Joe said shaking his head.

“I think Nick is going to be very sad,” Lundyn said from the backseat.

“Well, Nick is just going to have to deal with it, now won’t he?” Joe asked as he looked at her through the mirror.

“Joe, that’s not nice,” I said to him as I shook my head.

“It’s true, once he finds out he’s going to throw a huge tantrum, just watch,” he said as if he knew it was going to happen, “I guarantee it.”

I sighed, “You two really need to get over this whole thing, it’s ridiculous,” I said to him truthfully, “You two are brothers and you need to start acting like it.”

“You think he’s acting like it by being all gung-ho in love with you?” Joe asked as he glanced at me, “That’s not very brotherly if you ask me.”

I just took a deep breath and looked out the window.

We reached Joe’s parents house, got out and Lundyn began to go inside but Joe stopped her, “Lund, don’t tell anyone yet, we’re going to announce it later,” he said to her as she nodded and went inside.

“I’m extremely nervous,” I said to him honestly.

He smiled and kissed me, “Don’t worry, baby,” he said to me, “Everything is going to work out smoothly.”

Once everyone was there, we socialized for awhile and then we gathered around the big table for lunch.

Half way through lunch Joe tapped his fork onto his glass as if he was going to make a toast, I turned to him as he stood up, “Everyone I have an announcement to make,” he said enthusiastically, he then looked down at me, smiled, grabbed my hand and pulled me up, “Well, we have an announcement to make.” Everyone’s eyes were glued on us and I couldn’t help but smile nervously.

“Oh, dear god, please don’t say that you’re pregnant, Jewel,” my mom said as she put her hand over her mouth. Her comment made Denise gasp and follow her reaction.

“Yes, mom,” Joe said in a serious tone, “She’s with child.”

“Oh my God, how can you two let this happen!” Denise said as she threw her hands up, “We talked about this before, what happened to you two using birth control!”

Our parents started scolding us all at once. We couldn’t understand a word that they were saying.

“I’m just joking, gosh,” Joe said as he laughed lightly which made everyone go quiet, “She’s not pregnant, not yet anyway.” No one laughed at his attempt at a joke, “The real news is….”

Everyone’s eyes were on us and I couldn’t help but connect eyes with Nick and his face was filled with sadness, “Spit it out, Joseph,” Paul said to Joe.

“We’re getting married,” Joe said proudly.

Everyone was in complete shock, except for Kevin and Nina because they already knew. But no one else said a word.

The silence was finally broken by, “You said you were going to wait a few years,” Paul said looking at Joe.

“That was just to get your approval on a ring,” Joe said to him honestly.

“You guys are joking right?” Nick asked as but was looking directly at me.

“No, Nick, we’re not,” Joe said holding up my left hand, “Does this look like a joke? Do you have a problem?”

Nick pushed his plate forward violently, causing it to hit the glass and break; he stood up, and stormed out of the dining room.

“What did I tell you,” Joe said to me which made me groan.

“Maybe we should go watch TV,” Frankie whispered to Lundyn and she nodded her head and the two of them walked out of the dining room as well.

“You two are rushing into this,” My dad said shaking his head and standing up, “You two are way too young to be engaged.”

“Daddy, no we’re not, we love each other,” I said to him.

“You love each other fine, but you can wait five years can’t you?” My dad said throwing his hands up frustration, “Getting married this young is irresponsible, and you two aren’t ready for that kind of commitment.”

“I don’t mean any disrespect, but I think we’re quite capable of making our own decision about this,” Joe said looking at my dad, “And really we’re adults, so you don’t have an authority over us anymore.”

My eyes widened, “Joseph, you may be an adult but you will always be our child,” Denise said looking at him, “And no matter how old you are we are always going to look out for your best interest.”

Joe then sighed, “I appreciate that mom, I really do, but can’t you all see that we are each other’s best interest?” he said looking at our parents, “We want to spend the rest of our lives together and we would really appreciate it if you guys were behind us on this one hundred percent.”

I tried to focus on our parents and what Joe was saying but all I could think about was Nick and him being upset about all of this. It hurt me to know that I was hurting him this much by being with Joe. I didn’t want that at all.

“Do you guys realize the example that you’re setting to all of the people that look up to you?” my mom asked, “It’s not a very good one.”

“Marrying the person that you love the most in the entire world is a bad example?” Joe asked in a sarcastic tone as he wrapped his arm around me, “Since when?”

“No, but marrying at your age is,” Paul pointed out, “Do you know for sure that you want to spend the rest of your lives together? Are you one hundred percent certain about that? Because if you’re not then I suggest you two hold off getting married.”

“Dad, I’ve never been more sure about anything in my entire life,” Joe said to Paul.

I grinned and pressed my lips against Joe’s cheek, “And I love Joe with every cell in body,” I said to everyone with a content smile.

“What about your brother?” Denise pointed out, “Do you two realize how hurt he is already?”

I sighed and looked down at my feet, “Nick really needs to get over it, that might sound harsh but it’s true,” Joe said to his mom, “I understand that he cares about Jewel a little too much but he needs to realize she’s not his, she’s mine, and he’s going to have to accept that we’re going to be together forever.”

After a moment of an uncomfortable silence Paul said, “Well, if you two are one hundred percent certain about this then you have my blessing.”

“I swear on my life Joe, if you hurt my daughter you will wish you weren’t ever born,” my dad said to Joe making him laugh lightly, “You have my blessing as well.”

Just then Denise and my mom walked over to us and gave us massive hugs, “We love you both, and wish you the best of luck,” Denise said to us, “We’re behind you one hundred percent.”

I was so happy that we had everyone’s approval. It worried me so much that everyone was going to go against it.

“Thank you,” I said to everyone, “It really means a lot to us.”

Joe nodded, “So, we’re thinking the wedding will be next week,” he said in a serious tone.

Everyone became rowdy once again until Joe laughed, “I’m joking,” he said as everyone sighed in relief.

He wrapped his arms around my body and pressed his lips against mine, “What did I say? I told you that you wouldn’t have anything to worry about,” he said kissing me again, “I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too,” I said in a sad tone as I kissed him back.

He groaned and looked at me, “Go check on him,” he said, “As much as it aggravates me, I know he’s your best friend and you care about him.”

I smiled at him and pecked his lips, “Thank you,” I said to him as I made my way up the stairs and into Nick’s room.

He was laying down on his bed face down, “You done with the temper tantrum?” I asked as I closed his door.

“Just leave me alone okay,” he mumbled into his pillow.

I walked over to his bed, sat on his back, and hugged him from behind, “I know you don’t really want me to leave you alone,” I said as I dug my face into his neck, “Right?”

“….No,” he said softly into his pillow again, “Why do you have to marry him?”

I sighed and kissed his cheek, “I love him, Nick,” I said resting my head against his.

He groaned, “So, that doesn’t mean you have to marry him,” he said as he turned his head to look at me.

Why must he make this so difficult?

I sighed again, “Do you love me, Nick?” I asked him.

He nodded, “Of course, I love you,” he said to me in a sure tone, “With all of my heart.”

Did he have to go and say it like that?

“Then please don’t make this hard, okay?” I said to him, “You’re my best friend, I love you, and I don’t want any hostility between you and your brother.”

“Why don’t I just get emancipated and then we can run away and elope?” he said to me in a hopeful tone, “I like that idea much better than yours.”

“Please don’t make this harder for me,” I said looking at him, “What can I do to make you happy?”

He grinned, “Well…” he said brightly, “You can start by breaking up with Joe.”

I frowned at him, “Nick…” I said in a warning tone.

He sighed, “Fine, I’ll try,” he said making me smile, I kissed his cheek thankfully, “But I’m telling you know I’m not making any promises.”