Dad chuckles. “C’mon, Stacey. I’m no doctor, but have you seen yourself lately?” he cries out. “Sorry,” he adds, apologizing in advance for my hurt feelings. But I don’t really mind.
It’s kind of a relief really.
“How am I gonna tell him, dad?” I ask, feeling myself tearing up, fidgeting to get the test out of my pocket, showing him, which he says politely with his hands that I can keep to myself for now.
“You didn’t know?” he asks. “Ben doesn’t know?”
I shake my head and watch his eyes roll, thinking he’s upset but he only seems more delighted by the second.
“This is great news, honey. Oooohhh, I’m so proud of you!” he adds, leaning over to plant a wet kiss on my cheek.
“Your mom… she’d be so proud,” he adds, his own eyes misting up.
I gasp, wiping my own eyes as I see Ben coming back to the truck so soon.
He opens his driver side door, fishing his wallet from the console. “Can’t buy much without this… Baby, what is it?” he asks, noting my tears and glancing back at my dad.
“Is everything alright? I mean, clearly, it’s not… What’s going on here?” he asks defiantly, giving my dad a firm look, angry that he might have upset me somehow.
“You may as well show him honey, coz I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut,” Dad says, beaming again, but still with tears in his eyes.
I hold out the test for Ben to see, letting him take a moment to piece together what’s actually happening.
“I didn’t pee in the car, Ben,” I tell him. “This is what I was doing when you were honking for us to leave. Before dad…” I start to say, but his look says it all.
It almost feels like Ben and my dad knew all along, with me the last one to figure it out, even though I’m the one carrying our child.
“Oh, Stacey,” Ben says, moving over to open my door, hugging me, his own voice breaking with emotion.
“This is the happiest moment of my life. I’m so proud of you.”
My dad clearing his throat after a few moments interrupts us, and for a second I even forgot he was even there.
“Well, this settles it,” he announces.
Ben and I look over at him.
“No daughter of mine is having a child out of wedlock. Your permission for my daughter’s hand, Ben is well and truly granted,” he says with a smile, but he can’t wait to free himself from the truck and hug us both.
“I’m so proud too, darling,” he gushes. “And I guess you played your part, Ben,” he adds.
“I guess this doesn’t have to hide any longer either,” Ben murmurs, pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket.
“I was gonna ask you once we got home,” he explains, slowly opening it, my dad taking a good step back so Ben can have his moment as he gets on one knee.
“This ring belonged to my great, great grandmother, Stacey. It’s been in the family for over two hundred years, and it’s the closest thing I have to a family seal. A promise. And I promise to love you, and our baby, every second of every day, but like your dad says, I can only do that if you’ll promise to be my wife.”
It’s a shock, a surprise, but I can see Ben’s been planning this for some time and I half-wonder if he asked my dad up just for the occasion, but he shakes his head briefly to let me know.
“No, I didn’t ask your dad up, but I can’t stop a dad from his own instincts either… Just say yes, baby. Say you’ll be my wife. Be mine forever, officially.”
“Of course I will, Ben. Yes, oh, yes!”
I say yes, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Our history, but really our future. Our family’s future.
Daddy Ben and Mommy Stacey, with Grandpa Greg showing his face at the most inappropriate moments.
I guess this is what true family is all about.
Extended Epilogue
One Year Later
Ben
“Okay boss,” I sigh. “But I’ll need to run it past the real boss,” I tell him signing off and pushing my chair back from my desk.
The bank of computer screens and radio equipment in our basement reminds me of the years I spent at the old Ranger station.
It’s the same setup, just at home now, and I can do most of my work remotely, using satellites and radio technology.
All while being within shouting distance of the nearest baby when needed, which is usually every hour or so, even on a good day.
“Ben,” Stacey calls, letting me know when I’m needed, and I smile.
It’s most likely diaper duty, or it might be an early lunch, but I don’t mind.
Not ever.
Every second I get to spend with these guys is my life now. It’s what makes me tick.