"What? Huh?" I said drowsily as I sat up in the bed.
"Come on. Get up. It's 4:30pm. We're going out to dinner." Taylor ordered me up.
"Ugh. I'm so tired. Can't we just eat here?" I asked, laying back down.
"Sophia!" Taylor said in exasperation. "Come on!"
I obeyingly got up and headed for the bathroom to take a shower. Alright, I thought. If Taylor wants to take me to dinner, I guess I will be grateful. We haven't spent any time together since he got out of the hospital, so I guess this is good.
"You look gorgeous." he said as I walked towards him.
I smiled shyly. "Thanks. So do you."
"Thanks." he blushed.
My mind was racing. Oh my god! We're acting like teenagers on their first date. So shy. For heaven's sake, we've lived together for almost a year and we have a child together. Why are we being so shy?
"Let's go." Taylor began to lead the way towards the car as I followed. We climbed in and began the drive to The Olive Garden, our favorite restaurant.
"Mom, I know what I want to do. Why can't you accept it?" Tara said.
"Because I think you are making the wrong decision. You are only 16, honey. You are in no position to raise a child. You have school, church, and Zac right now. You don't need a child." Mrs. Miller's voice was firm.
"Mom, I will not kill a child simply because Ashton made a mistake. It's not the baby's fault. It shouldn't have to die because of Ashton." Tara retorted.
"But Tara, he raped you. This child will grow up being teased for being a "bastard" child. You wouldn't want that, now would you?"
"I'd much rather that than him never experiencing the joy and wonder of life. Mother, I've made up my mind." Tara said firmly.
"Fine!" Mrs. Miller said angrily. "I think you are making the biggest mistake of your life. When the baby is crying at three o'clock in the morning, don't come crying to me."
"Don't worry, I won't!" Tara yelled as her mother slammed the door, exiting the room.
"Yep, it sure is." he agreed.
We sat there for a few more minutes, before Taylor spoke up again. "Sophia..."
"Yes?" I looked up and smiled.
Taylor rolled his wheelchair around to my side of the table and lowered himself to the floor. "Taylor! What are you doing?" I asked, confused. "You're going to hurt yourself."
"No, I'm not. Shhh." he said. He used his hands to pull one knee up and rest his body on it. "Sophia, I've realized these past few months how much you mean to me. I never could've gotten through that accident without your love and support. I never want to lose you. You are the reason I wake up every morning. I love more than I've ever loved anyone or anything. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Tears came to my eyes at his words. The restaurant was watching in anticipation. Taylor getting out of his wheelchair had sorta caught everyone's attention.
I smiled at him. "I love you too Taylor. Yes, I'll marry you."
Everyone clapped. Taylor pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to me. "Open it." he said, grinning from ear to ear.
I gasped as I opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful, unique ring I'd ever seen. It was a silver band with white and black diamonds across the front.
I leaned down and kissed Taylor as he slipped the ring onto my finger. "I love you." he whispered.
----------------------------------------------------(Stay tuned! more coming soon!)
