radicalducati Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Our grandpas had dragged us to dinner again. They still had no idea Catherine and I were engaged. Four months in, and we were still keeping it a secret just to get back at them for the chaos they put us through.
Catherine tucked her engagement ring into her purse as we sat down. I could already see the wheels turning in Tim’s head.
“You two have to get married soon,” Tim said as he picked at his salad. “She’s going to get pregnant, if she’s not already.”
Catherine gave him a wide-eyed look. “We used protection.” We didn’t. We hadn’t used any protection since we got engaged, and the truth? I hoped it would happen. I wanted it to happen.
“But still,” Joseph chimed in, “you’ve been… active. You better make it official.” I’d had enough.
“We’re not getting married,” I said, feigning frustration. “You two have to stop pushing this.”
“We don’t love each other,” Catherine added with a dramatic sigh. “It’s just a fling.” I could hardly keep a straight face watching the horror on their expressions.
Tim gasped. “I’ll drag you both to the church if I have to! It’s a sin to fool around like this—”
“Actually,” Catherine interrupted, “I’m planning to move to Europe. Find a cute British guy.” That nearly killed Tim.
“I’m dying already,” Joseph said, dramatically clutching his chest. I bit back a laugh. Catherine was really laying it on thick.
“I’m pregnant,” she said suddenly.
Silence and then Tim’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “What?!”
I blinked at her. “Wait—what?!”
“You’re pregnant?” I asked again, my heart racing. She nodded, grinning ear to ear.
“Eight weeks,” she whispered.
I stood and pulled her into a hug right there, grinning like a fool. “That’s… that’s amazing.” The room swelled with emotion, but our grandpas? They were speechless for about two seconds.
“You see? I told you she’d get pregnant!” Joe pointed at me triumphantly. Catherine sat down and casually slipped her ring back on, raising her hand like a trophy. The old men squinted, leaning forward.
“You’re what?!” Tim gasped. “How long?!”
“Four months,” I said simply.
Tim turned to Catherine. “How could you hide this from me?”
“You faked being sick for months just to force us to marry,” she said. “We figured you earned it.”
Joseph laughed and wiped a tear. “Well played. But now it’s wedding time!”
Catherine leaned into me. “We’re getting married next month.” Joseph and Tim practically jumped out of their seats to hug each other like they’d won the lottery.
Tim sobbed. “At last!”
“We’re moving to New York too,” Catherine said, and Tim turned to me.
“She said she wanted to be near me,” I joked.
Tim gave us his blessing. “As long as you’re happy.” Later that night, after we got home, Catherine curled up beside me on the couch.
“I’m so excited for this baby,” she said.
“Me too. I already love them more than anything.”
She looked at me. “Sorry for not telling you earlier.”
“I’m just glad you told me at dinner. You made me the happiest man alive.” She told me she’d figured it out the day before, after some brutal morning sickness and five pregnancy tests. I should’ve known. We'd been playing roulette with fate for months. We were building our dream home now. It was still under construction, but we’d poured our hearts into every detail.
Back in the kitchen, I watched her pour a glass of water. “Careful,” I said.
“I’m just drinking water, Jacob.”
“You’re pregnant.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re overreacting.”
“You’re pregnant with our baby,” I corrected.
She walked over and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Why are you so cute?” she whispered.
“I know that look,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What look?” she asked, all innocence.
“No, Catherine. You’re pregnant.”
“You’re overreacting,” she pouted.
I sighed, cupping her face. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered.
I kissed her, long and slow, with everything I had and what happened next? Well, let’s just say Catherine got what she wanted.
Jacob Williams. Catherine Williams.
Forever starts now.