“Not a bad idea,” Andrea says.
Anu is still looking at me, shocked.
“Andy, I think we need to let them discuss, but dude, you just got engaged.” His tone chastises me.
“I like him,” Andrea says to Anu. “But I’ll leave you two to talk.” She gets to the door. “I can have a dress and everything ready like that.” She snaps her fingers.
“Let’s go, Andy,” Jordan reminds her. She pouts at him before leaving.
I turn to Anu, who is still quiet. I sit next to her on the bed.
“I love you, Anu, and I don’t want to wait to be your husband. I also don’t want to be listed as baby daddy or fiancée when you go for your doctor’s visit. We can plan a wedding however long it takes, but I would love to marry you now.” I hope, I’m making a case for our quick marriage.
“Basically, you don’t want me to run away again.”
“There’s nowhere that you will run to that I won’t find you. I just desire very much to call you my wife and don’t want to wait”
“Did you miss all the parts where I mentioned that anyone planning to marry me is stupid?”
“I’d call it smart, not stupid.”
“I’m not sure getting married without my dad and brother is a good idea.” Her voice is low. And I don’t like her feeling sad or questioning us. I turn to her and take her right hand in mine, kissing her palm. I bring her hand to my chest.
“I’m old enough to know what I want, and I really want to be your husband. I understand the family, but this is something we do for us before all the wedding noise. I promise I will still ask your dad for your hand. Please, grant me this wish to be your husband.”
“Are you sure about this? A semi long engagement can give you a chance to bail if you want to.”
“Marrying you is the one thing I’m most certain about in my life, and I have no plans to bail.”
“Okay. Guess I will take a bold step with you.”
“Yes, Princess,” I happily agree and pull her into my arms. My dearest Anu Kuti, soon to be Wyler,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
“You will be messing up my signature. MAK to MAW. Not as cool.” She rolls her eyes.
“What if I promise that you can keep MAK as your stage or professional name only?”
“Good of you to promise, but I wasn’t going to change it.”
I laugh, pulling back from her. I get off the bed and reach for her hand.
“Come on. Let’s give Andrea something to do.”
She laughs.
“You know, she’s going to be an overachiever on this, right?”
“Yep, exactly why you get to relax and let her do what she loves to do best.”
She’s now on her feet. I cup her face
“How are you feeling?” I love her and I also know how good she can be at smiling through pain, which is never pleasant.
“I’m fine. No pain, and not feeling anything with the pregnancy, just my emotional fear.”
“We’re in this together, Princess,” I reassure her.
“I know. So, let’s go and plan our supersonic wedding.”
