Intrigue

We walked back into our apartment. My mom and dad were already there, waiting for us. The minute I walked through the door she squealed and took Madison out of my arms. I resisted the urge to tell her off, she had annoyed me earlier by questioning us so harshly, especially Alex. I wasn’t thrilled with her. I though Alex had more than proven her loyalty and how much she cared about me.

Alex went upstairs to get changed and I told my mom what I thought. “I think you were rude this morning to Alex and I think you owe her an apology. She has done nothing but run around and get things done for me and Madison the past two weeks. She sacrifices every spare minute on me. If she wasn’t ready for the responsibility of a kid I think she would have been gone a week ago.” My mom nodded quietly and I continued on.

“I plan on asking her to marry me shortly mom. If you have a problem with it, tough. You were fine with her at Christmas and now all of a sudden you have issues. I don’t get it.”

“I just don’t want to see you get too invested Brent. The relationship is new. She is a lawyer for god sakes. She doesn’t want a family. If you asked her today, she wouldn’t be happy having to stay home and raise kids all day. Is that the kind of mother you want for your child?” she asked and I could feel Alex’s presence at the top of the steps.

I looked at my dad for help. He just walked away looking annoyed at my mom. “Mom, you don’t know the first thing about what I want and what is good for me. I want someone who will love me unconditionally and she does. I want someone who will be around for me, no matter what time it is and what is going on around us. Alexa gives me all of that. I can’t believe you mom. It’s really unfortunate because I know how much you liked her at Christmas time. Honestly Mom, I really just want you to leave. Go, I don’t need you here. My soon to be fiancée is here with me, that is all of the support I need." My mom got up and stormed out the door.

My dad sat in the kitchen with his cup of coffee. “Sorry son, she is upset she feels like she is losing you. But it doesn’t give her the right to attack the one person who is there for you.” Alex walked into the kitchen and held out her arms, taking Madison.

“Come here princess, you ready for a bottle. You have had a long day so far.” She filled up a bottle and fed it to her, teaching Madison where to hold the bottle so she could hold it herself. After feeding her, she put her down in the crib for a nap and came downstairs.

I was laying on the couch, waiting for her. My dad was still sitting in the kitchen and as soon as he saw her he called her out to him and apologized about my mom. She gave him a hug and explained that today was rough on everyone and she understood she was just trying to look out for me.

My dad came out and asked me to run to the store with him, he was going to cook a big dinner for us. I agreed after Alex had nodded that she was ok with it. I looked questioningly at him. The man never cooked a meal beside breakfast. Alex said she would just be working on some of her case load while we were gone. We walked out the front door and my dad laughed. “We can pick up dinner somewhere. Let’s go shopping, get the girls something.” I just shook my head.

We were in a jewelry store and it dawned on me why my dad wanted me to go shopping. “Son, I adore her, I know you do too. She is going to be your daughter’s mother, you should at least give her the promise of marrying her.” I laughed.

“I gave her a promise ring at Christmas Dad. It wasn’t that long ago.” We browsed everything in the store and none of it caught my eyes. We went into the next jewelry store and the first ring I looked at was clearly the one. It was older looking, done in white gold and had an antique feel to it. It was a nice size. The lady at the counter said it was about five carats total, three and a half in the center. It was expensive, but worth every penny. I paid for it and waited for them to place it in a bag. My hands shook and all. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was. The lady gave me an idea of how to propose. My dad and I hit one more store before grabbing food at the Japanese restaurant close to us and heading back to the apartment.

My dad headed back to the hotel, trying to give me space. I wasn’t this nervous playing in the finals. I had to laugh at myself. When I got back into the apartment, I had to smile. Alex and Madison were laying on the floor on the play mat, batting the toys. I put dinner on the kitchen table and picked Madi up, slipping a bib around her neck and putting these puff things on a tray. They kind of resembled cereal but they were made by a baby company. She pushed them all around the tray but never got any into her mouth. They kept her busy while we ate.

After dinner I told Alex I was going to bath her and that she should relax for a little. I was so nervous bathing her. I mean the kid was naked and I felt rather funny cleaning her. I actually ended up calling Alex for help. She laughed coming up the steps. “It’s a girl thing Daddy, just like you need to remember to wipe front to back.” I shook my head remembering that conversation from last week. We finally wrapped a towel around her and took her into her room, where I had laid out her clothes.

Alex slid the onesie over her head, never taking notice of the words on it. She slid the nightgown over it. I literally had to tell her to look at the onesie. She read it and cracked up. “That is so freaking cute. Of course I will marry your Daddy Madi, he is too cute not too” she said giving me a kiss. I slid the ring on her finger and kissed her again.

Madison started to cry and we both laughed. “The first of many interruptions.” She said smiling.

“Ok, let’s give Mommy some time to do her work. We can go visit Uncle Duncan and probably some of your other Uncles.” I took Madison next door. Duncan, Kane, Toews and Corey were there hanging out.

Kaner and Jon fought over who got her first and Kaner won. She promptly screamed as soon as I handed her off, he handed her to Jon and she stopped. “No fair, I thought she would like me. I wanted to be the favorite. Just wait until I can buy her attention.” Kaner yelled. Jon just smiled as she laid in his lap staring at him.

After an hour, Madison started to fuss. I took her back next door. Alex had fallen asleep on the couch, file open on the table. I covered her with a blanket and took a bottle upstairs with me. I laid Madi on the bed with me and fed her the bottle. Once I was done burping her, I laid her down on my chest. “My beautiful princess. You may not have come from Mommy, but I am sure that you will turn out as good as she did. I love you pumpkin.” I said, kissing her head. She was soon asleep and I followed quickly behind her.

Notes

Thoughts?