pregnant pause

Sarah stared at the velvety box in Jill's hand. She had imagined being proposed to a thousand times in a thousand ways, but this was never one of them, but then she never imagined she would love a girl either. Jill stared up at Sarah, anxiously waiting for her answer when Sarah began to cry.

"What's wrong?" she stood, her heart in her throat.

"I just didn't expect this." Sarah smiled sweetly as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Can you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Can you...ask my dad?" Jill was stunned, "I know it seems silly, but I always dreamed that the ma..the person I loved would ask my daddy and he would say yes and then marry us."

"It's not silly if that's what you want. I'll do it."

Sarah squealed and hugged Jill. "I knew you would understand! I love you!"

"I love you too."

The next day the hatchback was fixed and they were back on the road. Despite not getting a definitive yes, Jill allowed Sarah to wear the ring. Sarah, meanwhile admired the ring, more than the symbol of love that it was, it was a symbol of hope for her. Jill's mother gave her blessing and acceptance. Something she hoped her only family would give.

Jill drove on as some old country song played that she wasn't even paying half attention too. She was lost in thought. She knew they would tell them about their relationship eventually, but she didn't expect it to be like this. Her momma always did get on to her for not planning ahead.

Another day's drive was ahead of the girls and they both tried to put what waited for them out of their minds and focus on the positive. They were young and in love and they were to be married. Sarah wanted to tell everyone, but she always imagined she would tell her mother first. So as hard as it was she resisted the temptation to tell every random clerk and waitress she was engaged!

They managed to make it to Wisconsin before nightfall and Sarah's hometown town an hour later. This time they decided to get a hotel, Jill told her it was so they wouldn't impose, but really she knew first hand not every parent reacts warmly to their child coming out.

Now it was Sarah's turn to be anxious as she stood at the door to her family home. "If you don't want to do this we can wait." Jill offered softly.

"No. I-I need too. I love you and I want everyone to know, especially them." Before Sarah could knock a car pulled up in the driveway playing music loud enough to wake the dead.

"You guys are a riot!" Tara laughed as she climbed out of the back of the car. "See you bitches next time!" She slammed the door and stumbled up the drive as the car peeled out. "Hey!" she shouted when she saw Sarah and Jill before popping a couple of breath mints. "How's my breath?" She blew on Jill.

"Like a minty fresh brewery."

"Perfect!" she pulled a piece of mint gum out with her teeth and began chewing on it wrapping and all.

"Tara, are you drunk?"

"Me? No. Never touch the stuff." she winked, opening the door. "Hey look who I found." she shouted to the house. Sarah's mother and father both stood excitedly seeing their eldest.

"What a surprise!" her mother cheered, pulling her into a hug. Martin squeezed both his wife and daughter in one big hug. It wasn't lost on Jill that Tara was nowhere to be found in the hug, having slipped out while their attention was on Sarah.

Their hug broke and martin having finally noticed Jill shook her hand. "To what do we owe this surprise visit?"

"We just, well, I just wanted to tel-see you." Sarah was a god awful liar. Good thing she didn't do it often.

"We're just pleased as punch you dropped by." Leslie pulled Jill into her hug with Sarah. "We were just about to have dinner so I hope you brought your appetite."

"I bet that's why they're here. Some good home cooking is better than top ramen I suspect." martin smiled.

"Daddy!" Sarah groaned. "We eat more than top Ramen."

A few minutes later, Jill and Sarah were in her room, on her bed. Sarah trying desperately to stop her entire body from shaking. She would settle for just her hands. Jill did her best to comfort her as she held her tight. "Whatever happens, we'll always have each other."

Tara practically fell into Sarah's room. "It's the love birds." Tara was now dressed more conservatively than before, but still obviously a little drunk.

"Hey slick." Jill teased.

Tara stuck her tongue out at Jill before she noticed the sparkling gem on Sarah's finger. "Oh my god!" Sarah gasped and covered her hand a little too late. "Are you two-"

Sarah snapped her hand around Tara's mouth "Shh!" Tara nodded behind Sarah's hand.

"Does this mean you two are-"

"Yes. Jill asked me to marry her."Tara squealed, Sarah quickly shut her hand around her mouth once again. "Jill's going to ask daddy-"

"WUHT!"she shouted behind Sarah's hand. "Why?"she whispered after finally being released.

"It's what I want."

"You okay with this?" She asked Jill, who waved her off.

"I'm from Texas." As if that was an answer.

"Just don't say anything yet, okay?" Sarah begged.

"It's not my secret to tell."

"Dinner's ready!" Leslie shouted down the hall.

"Better hide that." Jill held the sparkling ring on Sarah's hand once more. "She has great taste I must say."