should have waited longer but once they were together and making plans for their future, they couldn't really see a reason to delay. In their minds, they'd already waited twelve years. They hadn't been in a hurry, either, but they'd somehow managed it the first month they'd tried. She hoped it boded well for the future as they'd discussed having at least two and maybe three kids.
They'd told their families a few days ago and Ryan wanted to tell his friends today. He'd been bouncing around like a Labrador puppy all morning, grinning from ear to ear. His friends didn't know what was going on but they'd been teasing him about love making him giddy since they'd arrived.
They chatted while demolishing several large pizzas. Mariah had been lucky and hadn't experienced any morning sickness so she ate her share. When everyone was done eating, he gave her a wink and stood, holding up his glass.
"I'd like to make a toast," he said. "To my soon to be wife, Mariah. I love you more than anything in the world and I can't wait for our baby to be born in six months."
Pandemonium. Hugs, tears, and congratulations.
Mariah had grown close to Ryan's friends and their significant others, although Knox would always have a special place in her heart.
When a guy puts his body between you and a knife, you know he's a good person.
"We didn't even know you were trying," Ella said, her hand on her own baby bump. She was married to Ryan's co-worker Chris Marks and due in about a month. They already had a daughter from Chris's first marriage who was adorable and incredibly intelligent. Annalise was going to rule the world someday. "It's so exciting. Do you want a boy or a girl?"
"It doesn't matter to me," Mariah replied. "Ryan might want a boy, though."
He shook his head. "Doesn't matter to me either. I just want them to be healthy and happy."
Luke reached over and grabbed his fiancée Shaw's hand. "What do you say, babe? Should we start trying right away?"
Shaw rolled her eyes. "That would be a no, handsome. We still have to get through our wedding in the summer. Then we can talk about it. How about you two? Are you moving the date up?"
Mariah shook her head. "We talked about it but the plans are set for next year and I don't want to mess with them."
"I already feel married," Ryan said with a shrug. "Honestly, we could go down to the courthouse and get married. It would be fine with me."
Mariah shot her beloved a look. "Your sister would kill us both. So would our mothers. Now, your dad and my dad might defend us but I can't promise that."
Ryan's relationship with his family had improved about a thousand percent in the last months. He understood there were things that his father simply couldn't say out loud, but that didn't mean that he didn't feel them. But a funny thing...now that Ryan didn't expect his parents to show much affection, they seemed to be trying to do just that. Last time they'd left Chicago, Jack had given his son a hug. It was awkward but it was progress.
There was more talk about babies and weddings as they folded up and bagged the empty pizza boxes. They started working on Mariah's kitchen items and with so many hands it was done and organized in a few hours.
"It would have been faster if you didn't use shelf paper," Knox complained good-naturedly. "Is that a female thing? I've never used shelf paper. Am I missing out? Do I need shelf paper in my life?"
Shaw nodded solemnly. "You need shelf paper."
"And drawer organizers," Luke added with a laugh. "At least that's what my mother and sister said. I didn't argue. Just go with it."
Knox sighed dramatically. "I guess I need to get right on that then."
Chris popped open a can of soda. "I hate to bring the conversation down but I have to ask how it went."
They all knew what "it" was.
Two days ago, Sebastian Harrington had pled guilty to a single manslaughter charge in exchange for no jail time. He would, however, have ten years’ probation and be required to do community service.
Ryan had flown back for the court date but Mariah stayed in Seattle since he only planned to be gone a few days. She needed to finish a commission and couldn't get away.
"He had to tell the whole story to the judge," Ryan replied. "It