Chapter 5; Pleasant Surprises

Because we were officially boyfriend and girlfriend now, Cesar's family wanted to meet me.  I would have loved to have Cesar meet my family too, but I didn't really have any family left.  Both of my parents had passed away and my brothers were busy with their own lives.  I was more than excited to get to know his family though. 

His sister had greeted me almost as soon as I had arrived.
     "Hello Miranda, I've been so excited to finally meet you.  Cesar has told us so much about you!"
Aww, he talks about me I thought to myself, and then snapped back into reality.
     "It's nice to meet you too!" I replied happily.

We continued to talk for a while and she told me many things about Cesar that I didn't know, like his favorite recipe, his favorite music, and many other important things that a girlfriend needs to know about her boyfriend.  I had fun talking to her and I knew that we were going to be good friends eventually.

When I walked into the enormous house (he lived in a mansion) Cesar walked up to me almost immediately.
     "Miranda, I had no idea you were coming, what a pleasant surprise!" he said joyfully.
     "Well your sister invited me over."
He looked at Alana, she winked at him and then turned away giggling.

     "Oh, so this is the lovely Miranda we've heard so much about!  She's beautiful Cesar!  You two are bound to produce adorable little grandchildren for me to spoil," his mother cut him off.
     "Er, thank you," I laughed.
Cesar stood there awkwardly, shaking his head with a smile.  I loved his family already, they were quite a lively bunch of people.

His vampire father then approached me.
     "You take good care of our little boy alright?  And remember, the key to a man's heart is through his stomach, which should be no problem since I've heard you're quite the cook.  Isn't that right Cesar?" his dad said.
Cesar blushed and looked down.  I found it adorable how his family was embarrasing him.

I had a wonderful time hanging out with Cesar's family, but sadly I had to go to work.

I hugged Cesar goodbye, and his mother smiled at us.

     "Bye Cesar, I had a great time."

     "I'm glad, it was nice to see you Miranda."

With that I bid his family farewell and walked out the door.  I hated leaving, his family was amazing, it was easy to sense the love and closeness this family shared.

By the end of the week I had managed to master my athletic skills and I was given a certificate to prove it.  I was so proud of my accomplishment!  Now all that was left was mastering my logic skills, and I was already almost halfway done with that goal.  My life was slowly, but surely beginning to fall into place.

I was continuing to see Cesar as often as possible, but he had gotten a new job and was always having to leave.  I felt like we weren't able to see eachother enough, and there was only one solution to this problem.

During one of his visits I finally asked him.

     "Cesar, I feel like we hardly get to see eachother anymore with your new job and all.  I was wondering if maybe you'd like to move in?"

 

     "Oh, Miranda that's a big decision...  But sure, I'd love to," he smiled.

 

Now we were able to see eachother all the time, and it was great.  Asking him to move in with me was one of the best things I've ever done. 

Cesar had changed so much, and he was an amazing boyfriend.  He worked hard at work and brought home a lot of money too.  It was true what his father had said to me, Cesar adored my cooking and ate whatever I made.  My life living with Cesar was perfect.

But I was starting to get sick more and more often.  Cesar was concerned, but I knew what was wrong.  I was probably pregnant.

I went to the doctor's to confirm it, and it was true, I was pregnant.  I was so excited.  I'm gonna be a mom!  As soon as I got home after my appointment I told Cesar the great news.

    "Guess what!"

    "What?" he asked.

    "I'm pregnant!"

    "Oh Miranda that's fantastic!  I'm going to be a dad!" he announced proudly.

    "Yep!" I squealed, the happiness constricting my throat.

I couldn't believe that I was about to have a family of my own.

Cesar was very supportive of my pregnancy and he always drove me to the spa whenever my back was in pain.

 

I could tell that he was really happy about being a father, he was constantly feeling my stomach for kicks.

     "Miranda, I saw something quite interesting outside by the pond.  I think you should come check it out," he said.

     "Sure, but what is it?"

     "You'll have to come see for yourself."

He led me outside and then stopped by the pond, then he got down on one knee and pulled out a black box.

     "Miranda Grey, in the past, I never would have imagined proposing marriage but you were the only woman out there able to change me, Miranda I love you more than any words can describe.  Will you marry me?"

He opened the box, revealing a beautiful ring.

    "Oh Cesar, of course I'll marry you!"

He smiled the biggest smile I've ever seen and then took my hand and slipped the ring onto my finger.

I hugged him tigher than ever before, not wanting to ever let go.  Cesar was the right choice after all.

Cesar and I were at the beach preparing for our wedding party that would take place in an hour when I went into labor.

Cesar began to freak out.

     "What about the wedding!?"

     "We'll have to reschedule, quick take me to the hospital!" I shrieked in pain.

This time it was me walking out of the hospital.  With the love of my life standing beside me, and my new baby boy Damien in my arms, I knew that my life was about to get even better.  I wished my parents could have been here, they would have been so proud of me and so excited to meet Damien.

As soon as we got home Cesar began to call of the guests at the party and reschedule.  I felt bad that we had never showed up, but I hoped that they would understand.  I marched right up the stairs and introduced Damien to his new home.  I snuggled him close and whispered softly into his ear, "Welcome home baby boy."

Chapter 4; Smooth Sailing Ahead

I was able to replace my old treadmill in no time, but it did cost a lot and it didn't have the same amount of sentimental value my old one did.  I also made sure to install a burglar alarm, and a fire alarm just in case.  I hated learning things the hard way.

Even after the fight with Cesar a few weeks ago, we still weren't talking to eachother.  That is, until one day Cesar was 'oh-so obliviously reading his book' outside of the bookstore while I was leaving after my shift.  It was obvious why he was here, especially since I had never seen him hanging around here before.

I made no hesitation to approach him and see what was up. 

     "Cesar what the hell are you doing here I told you to stay away from me.  This isn't staying away!" I growled.

     "Sit down Miranda," he said calmly, gesturing towards the empty spot next to him on the bench.

Sitting down next to him was the absolute last thing that I wanted to do.

I sat down and he put his book away.

     "Listen Miranda, I know that you told me to stay away, and I completely respect that decision, but well, I uhhh.  Are you even listening to me?" he asked.

I didn't look at him, I just nodded to let him know that I was indeed listening to whatever his excuse was this time.

He tried to look at my face, but I kept moving my head so he couldn't.  I didn't want him to see the hurt on my face, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

     "What I'm trying to say is I'm sorry Miranda.  Sorry for everything.  I was wondering if maybe we could just forget everything and start over?"

     "Ha, no chance.  There's no way I'm forgetting that." I replied sharply.

     "Alright, well maybe not forget everything but..." with that we were aprubtly interrupted.

 

One of the women that was standing nearby suddenly went into labor and everyone started freaking out.  Except for me of course.  I did the right thing and instead of just standing around there I took her to the hospital.  I couldn't wait to get away from that awkward conversation with Cesar after all.

She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and I couldn't help but want a family of my own after seeing how happy this lady was.  But I still had to meet the right guy, I wasn't thoroughly convinced that Cesar was 'the one'.  But what if he is?  I never got to hear the rest of his apology I thought to myself.

A few days had passed and soon it was my birthday.  Cesar of course dropped by.

     "Cesar," I choked out when I answered the door.

     "Miranda, I came to say happy birthday.  You didn't have any plans did you?"

     "No, why?"

He slightly blushed and then turned away.

     "Well I have a cake in the car for you, I was wondering if maybe I could stay, I'd hate it for you to have to spend your birthday alone," he said nervously.

     "I'm begging you, I know I don't deserve it but Miranda I love you and I'm so sorry for how stupid I've been, please give me a second chance?" he asked, taking my hands into his.
     "You can stay, but just for a little bit," I sternly replied, still utterly shocked at what he had said.
     "Thanks, I promise you won't regret this," he said with an indescribable sincerity.
     "I better not," I added, cautiously looking him over for any signs of dishonesty.

As much as I hated to admit it, I did have a wonderful night with Cesar.  In fact it was probably one of the best birthdays I've ever had before.  I hadn't even realized how much I had missed him until now.  We're smiling but we're close to tears, even after all these years the song lyrics played through my head We just now got the feeling that we're meeting, for the first time.

We ended the night by hanging out in the hot tub, but it was getting late and Cesar had to go.
     "I promise I'll come back tomorrow!" he yelled while he was running towards his car.
     "I'd like that," I whispered secretly to myself.

Cesar stayed true to his word and came to visit the next morning.  I despised the fact that I was actually falling for him all over again, I still wasn't 100% sure I could trust him.  I needed proof that he had changed and actually wanted to stay with me.

     "Cesar, I need you to prove to me that you actually want to be with me.  I need you to commit to me, will you be my boyfriend?" I tested him.
     "Yes Miranda, of course I will." he replied without hesitaion and had a genuine happy smile planted on his face.
Maybe he really had changed after all.

     "Then spend the night," I purred seductively as I leaned into kiss him.
     "Of course."

We 'made the night last' and had a fantastic time together.

I loved him more than anything else, and for the first time in a long time I was happy.  Maybe Cesar was 'the one' after all.

Note- Yes for some reason Cesar must have had a change of heart.  I found it hilarious though that the next day Cesar did the Stride of Pride all the way to his house which wasn't the closest to Miranda's.  In fact I have a picture of when he was leaving her house.

Gotta love the Stride of Pride!  Also I forgot to post another picture of when Miranda and Cesar first met, but I think it's really cute so I'll post it here.

Yes, he had wedding bells in his thought bubble the first time he talked to her.  Awww <3
But I'm finally on Spring Break now so I expect to get more updates out next week.  Happy Easter!!

Chapter 3: Stormy Seas



I had been quite busy between work, achieving my dream, and spending time with my friends.  I had been doing well in work though and earning a lot of raises.  I kept my highschool job as a bookstore clerk, Blake begged me to stay and work with him and Mitch.

I spent most of my nights looking up at the beautiful starry sky.  I could see all of the constellations from my new telescope.

Cesar and I had become great friends over the years as well.  We had enjoyed spending time together.  But I was starting to feel something a little stronger than friendship towards him, and on one night in particular I had finally decided to let him know how I was feeling.

We were at a small park alongside a quiet pond and underneath the beautiful night sky.  The moment seemed so perfect, and I just leaned in and kissed him out of the blue.  He was caught by surprise there was no doubt about that, but he didn't oblige or anything so I figured he had similar feelings.

There weren't words to explain the look in his eyes afterwards.  He looked almost sad.
     "Miranda I don't want to hurt you, you're my best friend, it's just I can't do this," he said, looking me right in the eyes.
     "What do you mean?" I asked, trying not to sound too hurt.
     "Miranda, I'm not the type of guy that can stay in a committed relationship.  I want to be your friend because I don't want to hurt you so I'm being honest.  Yes, I admit that I'm attracted to you but I wouldn't want to 'stay' with you either.  Miranda, staying with one woman gets boring.  I'm not the only one that's like this you know," he explained, quite jerk-like.
How dare he say that!

     "So basically you use girls?  You lead them on to get what you want and then you just ditch them for another?" I hissed at him furiously.
     "Miranda, don't be like that.  I mean it's not really like that, it's um complicated well I don't know...." he rambled.
     "Leave Cesar, get out of my face.  I don't even want to look at you right now!" I shrieked.

He ran out of there faster than a speeding car.  I could tell he didn't expect that kind of reaction out of me.  It felt like our whole friendship had been a lie.  I had no idea he was really like this.

Cesar came over a few nights later.  I had gotten over most of the anger and I was just feeling sadness by that point.
     "Why are you here Cesar?" I asked, refusing to even look at him.
     "Miranda I'm sorry," he apologized. "I still want to be your friend.  Can we at least be friends?"

     "I don't know Cesar, I'm confused.  You're not the person I thought you were."
     "I know Miranda, and I don't know how to make it up to you, but I'm sorry I really am."
I didn't know if I could believe him.  It was likely that he was lying.  More lies I thought just what I need.

Before I knew it he had grabbed me and pulled me in for a kiss.  Why was he doing this to me?  He knew I couldn't resist kissing him back, I mean I still had strong feelings for him after all.  But eventually I pulled away, quite upset.  I got the idea that maybe he was trying to use me, which wasn't going to fly.

     "What the heck Cesar!"  I yelled at him.
     "Oh please Miranda don't act like you didn't like it!"  he countered.
     "I am not going to be a poor victim involved in your stupid game.  I thought you were better than this but I know what you were trying to do all along.  From the moment you first talked to me, it was probably all part of your stupid scheme.  Love them and leave them.  I see all of your intentions now!"  I was doing everything I could to keep myself from crying.
     "Miranda who was there for you when your mom passed away!   Don't you remember?  I was the one that you talked to about it for hours, I let you cry on my shoulder, I helped you move on and this is how you repay me!?"
     "Every bit of it was probably just part of your plan to get me into your bed!!  Well I've got news for you, I'm not a pathetic idiot like the other girls you're probably used to.  You're not going to trick me!" I screamed.
     "You know what, I don't have to take this Miranda." he calmly said.

With that, he turned around and ran off, just like he had by the pond.
      "Yeah that's right, run off you coward.  Never come back if you know what's good for you!" I screamed at the top of my lungs proudly.
I was actually quite happy with myself, I was too smart to be a victim and I didn't fall into his trap.  Well, not completely.  But I had still fallen for him...

To make matters even worse, I was robbed that night.  And they took my mother's last gift to me, my treadmill.  Perfect, just fricken perfect.