Beautiful Goodbye

by Chandin Whitten

  "We have plans tonight. I'm taking my girls to dinner. Not to sound like a total douche but do you have a dress that fits?"

  I glared at him and angrily said, "Doodle dick, I do happen to have a fuckin dress that fits! So you can suck it!"

  Gage held his hands up in front of him in mock surrender. "Ok, just making sure. We have reservations at eight so be ready by seven thirty."

  I stuck my tongue out as he dropped his head and laughed, he was laughing still when he shut the front door. Asshole.

  I stomped back into my closet and riffled through my clothes. I was pretty sure I didn't have a dress that would fit but I wasn't about to tell Gage that. After finding nothing that would fit I sunk down to the floor and pulled my cell phone out, calling Sadie.

  "Hey hott mama,' Sadie answered.

  "Hey MILF," I giggled. “I have a question."

  "MILF? I like it. What's up?"

  "Gage said he wanted to take me out tonight but I don't have any dresses that fit, do you have one that I could borrow? I don't really have time to go shopping."

  Sadie squealed, "Yes! I have the perfect dress. I will be there in five."

  Before I could respond the line was dead. Not really sure why she was so excited, Gage and I went to dinner lots of times, sure it was Valentine's Day but it's not like we were that cute little couple going on a date before our baby comes.

  By the time I was off the floor and walking out of my closet Sadie was busting into my room with a huge smile on her face and her arms full of black and lace. Sadie was bouncing on her toes and held the dress up for me to see. It was a black strapless shell with black lace flowing over the top, the lace went a few inches past the shell and was off the shoulder, covering yours arms. There was a satin ribbon that fell just above my oversized baby bump. The dress was gorgeous.

  "Thank you. I love it," I gushed as I hugged her.

  "You’re welcome! I have no use for it, I got it to wear it for Christmas and have no plans of wearing it again, not that it would fit me now anyway."

  "Shut your mouth! You’re a MILF."

  Sadie laughed, "If you say so babe. Ok, I have to go, Tyler is taking me out tonight too, and he better propose or I swear I'm ripping his baby maker off!"

  Sadie turned to walk out as I said, "Good luck with that. Kisses."

  Not stopping Sadie flung her hands up and sarcastically said, "Yeah, I know. Kiss kiss bitch." Then Sadie was gone, I heard her shutting the front door as I picked the dress up from my bed, holding it up to me.

  I glanced at the clock, it was a little before six, I really should start getting ready. I went to my dresser to get my bra and panties. I feel damn good when I grabbed my strapless black lace bra and black lace thong. Even if no one would see them, I always felt like I have my life in total control when everything matches.

  After a long shower I put my pink fuzzy robe on and sat in front of my vanity. I had my hair down and was planning on letting it air dry into natural waves. Grabbing my makeup I set out to make myself look damn good for being a single mama. I could rock the single mama swag, bitch please. Hmm, where the hell did my inner ghetto mama come from?

  My makeup and hair were done when Gage got home. He walked into my bathroom and let out low and slow whistle. I ducked my head and said, "Whatever. Get your ass ready. Me and babygirl are getting hungry."

  Gage wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his hard body. "You look beautiful, Jenna. All the girls are going to be jealous of you tonight and all the guys are going to be hating me for having the most gorgeous date."

  I rolled my eyes before pulling away and asked, "Did you hit your head at the gym?"

  Smacking my ass Gage grabbed a towel and turned the shower on. "Shut the fuck up. You look amazing, even if you’re pregnant."

  "Ha. I'm going to get dressed and maybe have a snack. Have fun in the shower with PALM-ala and her five friends."

  "You wish, baby." Gage winked before shutting the bathroom door.

  After putting my dress on I rummaged through my shoes and finally settled on my silver pumps that were covered in sparkles. I was putting my diamond earrings in when Gage walked out of the bathroom.

  "Fuck," Gage growled.

  I spun around to find Gage standing in the doorway in nothing but a towel with water still sliding down his tight body. I had the sudden urge to lick him.

  "What?" I looked around a little lost.

  "I didn't know pregnant girl dresses could be so sexy. I thought they would look like a garbage bag or an oversized sack, not like...like that," Gage motioned up and down towards me.

  I looked down and stated, "I borrowed it from Sadie. You like?" I did a little twirl so he could see the entire dress, the back was my favorite. The top was just a small piece of lace running from one shoulder to another, the back was almost completely open.

  Gage shook his head and a smile formed on his face. "Of course, you could be in a garbage bag or a sack and still look good."

  I smiled back before turning back to putting my earrings in and making my way out and into the living room, halfway out I stopped and looked at Gage. "By the way they’re called maternity clothes not pregnant people clothes, dude." Gage just laughed.

  When Gage walked out he looked damn good. He was in a black tailored suit with a dark grey shirt and silver tie. "Wow, Gage you look hot."

  Looking down at himself he smirked, "Babe, I always look hot."

  Rolling my eyes I scoffed, "Well are we just a sweet little lollipop triple dipped in ego."

  "Nothing about me is little, babe." Gage's voice grew into a deep, sexy rasp.

  My eyes went wide and my breath left me, after a few seconds I regained my composure and squared my shoulders, "That’s what all the centimeter peters says and honey, I have heels bigger than your dick."

  Gage threw his arms around my shoulders fighting his laugh, "Smartass."

  Shrugging my shoulders I smiled and said, "I wouldn't be such a smartass if you didn't give me so much to work with."

  Gage looked at me with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Now that’s something I've been told before."

  I smacked at his chest which earned me a deep rolling laugh from Gage and I said, "Let's go, don't want to be late for dinner."

  We got to Martini Modern Italian just in time. We were seated right away and placed our drink order.

  "Thank you Gage, seriously you have no idea how much this means to me. I don't know what I would do without you. You have always been there when I needed you. I love you more than you will ever know."

  Gage looked into my eyes saying, "You know I will always be here. You and babygirl mean everything to me. I love you, too."

  The waitress came back with our drinks and took our order. She couldn't take her eyes off Gage. I wanted to claw her eyes out, but at the same time I wanted to gloat that he was mine, all mine and she couldn't have him. Wait, what? Gage wasn't mine, what the hell is going on in my head?

  After getting one last eye full our waitress sauntered away, shaking her ass a little more than needed, if you ask me. I looked back at Gage who wasn't paying any attention to the ogling waitress. I smiled at him and asked, "What?"

  Gage dropped his gaze to his hands. "Jenna, you and I have been best friends ever since I can remember.” Bringing his eyes back to mine he continued, “I don't have one memory that you’re not in, you and I have been through so much and now with you having a baby I don't want you to think I'm going to turn around and run. I would never leave you or babygirl."

  Gage lowered his baby blues to my hands before bringing them back to my sea green eyes. Getting out of his seat and coming around the table to stand in front of me Gage grabbed both my hands with one of his. Other patrons were looking at us and I started getting a nervous. I wasn't sure what Gage was planning. "What’s going on, Gage?"

  Gage dropped to one knee and I heard numerous gasp around the restaurant. "Jenna Penelope Reylan I love you and I love babygirl. I want our baby to have a family.
I want to be her dad and watch her grow with you by my side. You have been my best friend, my girl for twenty years. I want to make you my girl for the rest of our lives. Jenna, will you marry me?" Gage pulled out a small black box and opened it, revealing a large princess cut diamond with two smaller diamonds and the platinum band was covered in tiny diamonds. It was perfect.

  I felt my tears spilling over as Gage pulled the ring from the box, I nodded my head. "Yes! Of course. I love you Gage and I want to be a family with you and our little girl."

  I heard ohhs and ahs as Gage planted a sweet kiss to my lips, the first kiss we had ever shared. I couldn't help but stare at my ring and smile. Gage was my comfort, my strength, my home. I knew I was always safe with him and I didn't have to worry about being hurt. Gage returned to his seat and I looked up at him. "Gage, you are the most amazing man on this planet. I promise we will be happy."

  Gage grabbed my hand and ran his finger over my new engagement ring and said, "I'm nowhere close to amazing, but I try to be for you and our baby. You two deserve everything and I plan on giving it to you, no matter what that takes. The Jets and I settled earlier today and I will be getting a four year, seventeen million dollar contract with a six million signing bonus. If you still want to go to NYU I will get us a place in the city and we can find a nanny for the baby. I know how bad you want to go into advertising and I swear I will do everything I can to make all your dreams come true."

  I placed my hand he wasn't holding on his cheek and said, "Gage all my dreams are coming true. Yes, I want to go into advertising but having a family means so much more. You have no idea what you’re giving me."

  Gage pulled my hand to his lips and softly kissed it. "I love you."

  "I love you too."

  CHAPTER 25

  We finished our dinner and were on our way back to the apartment when Gage's phone started ringing.

  "Hey, mom." Gage turned to look at me and smile, "Yes, I did." Gage laughed, "Yes, of course, mom." Another pause then Gage broke into a face splitting grin, "Mom, relax, she said yes."

  I sucked in my breath as Gage went on and on with his mom. His mom had known his plan? How long had he been planning this?

  No sooner than Gage hung up my phone was ringing, my mom calling this time.

  "Hey, mom."

  Ah!" Jenna Penelope, when were you going to call me and tell me you and Gage are getting married? I have been waiting and waiting with Tamra and we finally ran out of patience. I can't believe you weren't going to call me!"

  "Mom, chill. I was going to call. We literally just left the restaurant." My mom was silent for a moment before I heard her sniffing, she was crying, "Mom, don't cry. I promise I was going to call as soon as we got home."

  "Sweetie, these are happy tears. After everything you have been through you deserve this happiness with Gage. He loves you and he loves your baby."

  "I know mom," I turned to look at Gage, the streetlights bouncing off his face, he looked peaceful, "I'm lucky."

  Finally getting my mom off the phone we pulled into our complex and walked to our apartment. When Gage opened the door there was a loud "SURPRISE!"

  "Oh shit!" I jumped back into Gage, "What the hell?"

  I looked around and saw all of our friends and most of the football team clapping and cheering. Sadie, Libby, and Megan were at my side grabbing my hand, "We want to see the ring!" Libby practically yelled.

  I was more than happy to show off my new gorgeous ring. There was lots of hugs and congratulations tossed around before people started filtering out. It was only Libby, Trent, Tyler, and Sadie left. Sadie was in the kitchen and I figured now would be a good time to talk to her.

  "Sadie?"

  She spun around to look at me as she closed to fridge door, "Well look at the newly engaged mama lookin all hott."

  I rolled my eyes, "How long did you know?"

  "He came over to our apartment last week. That dress was never mine, he asked me to get you a dress since he knew you wouldn't have anything."

  "Hmm. What about the party?"

  "Tyler and I had told everybody what Gage was planning to do tonight and we planned this kinda last minute. I was going to just be our gang but then Tyler opened it to just about anyone and everyone."

  Not everyone. Larkin wasn't here. Larkin? What the fuck was I doing thinking about him? "Well that was very sweet of you. I hope that didn't ruin your Valentine's day plans."

  "Valentine's day? What's that?" Sadie laughed as she pulled me into a hug. "You’re so lucky to have someone like Gage."

  Sadie was right, I couldn't find a more perfect guy in the world if I tried, but for some reason Larkin's face kept flashing in my head.

  Gage wrapped his arms around my waist and rubbed my belly, "What are you two talking about in here?"

  Sadie giggled, "What a MILF your future wife is."

  "That is true. She is rockin’ the MILF status." Gage winked at me.

  My mouth dropped open but before I could say anything Tyler was yelling for Sadie. She kissed me cheek on her way out and squeezed my hand, like she knew what was going on in my head.

  Gage hugged me and kissed the top of my head, "Everything is going to be ok, just trust me."

  Looking into Gage's chocolate brown eyes I felt relief, "I know. I trust you more than anyone."

  "Future Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, your presence is requested in the living room, please," Tyler called out.

  Gage and I sat on the couch next to Trent and a very smiley Libby who was sitting on his lap. They were really cute together. Tyler led Sadie to the chair and sat her down and handed her a box wrapped in red paper.

  Sadie looked confused but opened the box. She pulled out a New York Jet's jersey and held it up. She couldn't see the back but everyone else could, above the number it said Mrs. Hampton. She slowly lowered the jersey and looked dumbfounded at Tyler. "Um, thanks?" It came out more of a question than statement.

  Tyler smiled sweetly at her, "Turn it around."

  Sadie turned the jersey around and read it out loud, "Mrs. Hampton." It took Sadie a minute to comprehend what was going on, "Oh my God! Tyler..."

  Tyler dropped to one knee and held up a ring, "Sadie, I love you and our little Franchesca so much. Will you marry me?"

  Sadie had tears streaming down her face, "Tyler, I love you. Yes!"

  Tyler slipped the ring on her finger before wrapping her up in a hug and kissing her senseless.

  Libby and I rushed Sadie to see her ring. It was very Sadie, a single round diamond surrounded by diamonds on a white gold band. I was so happy for Sadie. She was marrying the love of her life and starting a family. But wasn't I marrying the man I loved and having a family? Well I was marrying Gage, who I loved very much and I was getting a miracle baby. I should be the happiest girl in the world right now, but I wasn't. Sure, I was happy that Gage would stand beside me and wanted to be a family. I knew he loved me and my little peanut but did I want to settle?

  The following week our group was in the student union for lunch when Larkin walked in with some leggy blonde. My stomach was in knots and my heart ached. After months he still got to me. I tried to look away, but I couldn't take my eyes off him. Sadie was sitting to my left and Gage to my right. I felt a squeeze on the left leg jerking me back to reality. I looked over to Sadie and she gave me a small sympathetic but understanding smile.

  I looked down at my lap and when I looked up I was met with blank brown eyes. "Hey Jenna."

  "Hi, Larkin." I brought my left hand up and sat it on the table so Larkin could see my large ring. I knew he saw it when I heard his large intake of air and saw his eyes go large. Thankfully, the table hid my belly so he couldn't see it. If he saw how big I was he would automatically know I was pregnant, and that he was the father.

  "Nice seeing you." Larkin said, sounding deflated.

  It took everything I had not to throw myself at him and keep my tears from falling. "You too, you look well."

  "I guess. You still look be
autiful." That caused the blonde beside him to humph and glare at him.

  She turned her stony glare to me and without taking her eyes off me she purred with a honey sweet voice, "Larky, are you ready? Holly is waiting for us."

  The sudden nausea I was feeling had nothing to do with the baby flipping in my belly but everything to do with the man standing in front of me. I dropped my hand back under the table and instantly Sadie's hand was gripping mine. Gage was holding my other and I'm sure he felt my palm getting sweaty. I wasn't sure what to say so I dropped my eyes to my salad. "Well I umm, I guess you should get going. Don't want Holly waiting. Goodbye, Larkin." I brought my eyes back to Larkin's incredibly dark ones.

  "Goodbye, Jenna." Larkin turned and was gone.

  Sadie leaned over whispering, "Want to leave?"

  I nodded and kissed Gage on the cheek. "I need to leave. I will see you at home, ok?"

  Gage looked at me, his eyes full of understanding. He knew I loved him but he also knew it wasn't like I loved Larkin, but Gage was willing to accept that fact and become a family. "Sure, babe," Gage answered.

  I knew I couldn't just walk out without Larkin noticing my belly. Thankfully, Tyler had brought in his winter coat and I asked, "Hey, Ty do you mind if I borrow your coat. I forgot mine and ugh I'm kinda cold."

  Tyler never looked up at me but I could see the confusion on his face. The last few weeks I had been complaining I was hot and now I was asking for his coat claiming I was cold. Then I could see his face relaxing as he was understanding what I was asking. "Of course. Don't worry about it."

  "Thank you so much Ty." Sadie grabbed the coat from the back of his chair and handed it to me.

  I awkwardly slipped into it before standing and grabbing my purse, putting my purse in front of my belly and Sadie to my side. Larkin was watching as we walked out and much to my relief he didn't notice my belly.

  Before pushing through the doors I turned my head and found Larkin staring at me with sadness in his eyes. I gave a soft half smile and a small wave. I got a small smile back from him before he turned his head back towards his friends. We both knew those smiles and waves meant more than just a 'see ya around', they were our goodbyes, our closure.