
Nick looked down at Alex and his mouth dropped open, "You can't be serious."
Alex grinned, "I guess you don't want to marry me that bad."
"Aleeeexxxx...." Nick moaned, "I don't want to talk to your father.."
"Okay, that's fine."
"Really?" he asked relieved
"Really, now take this back and let's go." She said handing him the ring and walking off.
Nick watched her walk off shocked. His mouth moved but nothing came out..."HEY!" He finally yelled and ran after her.
Alex was almost to the truck and had a smirk on her face when nick came running out the door, "What do you think you are doing?!?", He demanded standing over her.
Alex tried really hard to keep the smile off of her face, "I'm getting in the truck."
"Oh no you are not." Nick said stomping his foot
"Don't give me attitude Nickolas Carter!" She said stomping her foot back
"Give me your hand."
Alex put up her right hand up, "No, you’re other one!"
"Don't yell at me!" Alex said and held her left hand up. He took it and put the ring back on her finger, "I will talk to you father, hell, I’d talk to Elvis just as long as you don't even think about taking that ring off.", with that he stomped around to the drivers side and climbed in. Alex grinned and got in and admired her ring.
When Nick pulled up into the driveway Alex just sat there and looked at him with a blank look, "What?" he asked
"Are you going to do it?"
"...Lex..your dad is kinda a scary guy, and I'm gonna ask him if I can marry his daughter and then if he kills me that will ruin my life."
"If he kills you, you will have no life."
"I guess that would be true..."
Alex got out of the truck and walked in the house without saying a word. Nick looked at the house and tried to get rid of the knot in his stomach. Finally, he got out of the truck and walked up to the front door, just as he was about to knock Alex opened it, "He's in his study, I’ll be out back, let me know what happens." with that she walked off and Nick just stood their. He slowly made his way to the study and knocked on the door. "Come in" came a voice from inside.
Nick slowly opened the door and stepped in to the study, "Ah, Nick, what can I do for you?" Mr. Paine asked taking off his reading glasses.
"I needed to talk to you about something....I mean ask permission." Nick stammered. Mr. Paine was a big man and Nick could just see Mr. Paine strangle him to death and then hiding his body. He was a lawyer and Nick was sure that no one would ever find his body.
"And what would you need permission for?" Mr. Paine asked reaching into his desk drawer for a pen.
'He's reaching for the gun to kill me.' Nick thought. After he saw the pen he sighed with relief and then stammered.." I asked..I mean..can we...I mean can I," Nick huffed and the just got it all out, "I want to ask permission to marry Alex." He cringed and waited for an answer
Mr. Paine sat there and looked at Nick for a long time. After what seemed like forever Mr. Paine asked, "Do you love my daughter?" Nick nodded "Do you plan to take care of my daughter?" Nick nodded again "Is this going to change her plans for college?"
Nick shook his head, "Alex wants to wait until next summer to get married."
Mr. Paine nodded, "I see. Well, Nickolas, I see no reason why you can't marry my daughter."
Nick looked at him for a minute and thought he was going to wet his pants, "oh thank you sir, thank you very much." with that he hurried out of the room.
Mr. Paine sat there for a minute before calling his to break the news to her, that their baby was getting married.
*************************
Alex was in the back with Jason and had talked him into letting her throw a couple balls, "Are you sure you won't get in trouble?" Jason asked
"nahh, everybody's inside. Just a couple..."
"Okay." Jason answered getting into his crouched position. Alex wound up and threw the ball, it didn't hurt, but it wasn't that fast either. Jason tossed the ball back and she threw it again, just as Jason caught it he stood up, "Hey Alex you want to play catch?"
Alex looked at him funny and then she saw Nick, "Ah, I can't Jason...I don't think my arm could handle it." She turned to Nick and said, "Oh Nicky, there you are, so, how did it go?"
Nick didn’t even seem to notice what had just taken place. He grinned at her, "Looks like pretty soon you will be changing your name."
"What are you guys talking about?", Jason asked
Nick grinned at Jason, "Looks to me like we will be related pretty soon."
Jason looked at his sister and then at Nick, "You guys are getting married?"
Nick nodded
"Oh way cool! Me and Aaron will be related!
"It's Aaron and I." Alex corrected him
"Gee, thanks MOM!"
As nick and Jason talked Alex was deep in thought. She could never let Nick know that she had been using her arm, or that she had been practicing with the coach for the season that was coming up.