⭐ Zachary's POV ⭐

"Zach, what do you think of this?" Rachel asked as she pointed to a vintage dark brown black metal frame cocktail coffee table with lower shelf.

"Hmm, not bad.." I said as we walked towards the coffee table.

"You said 'not bad' for the last 3 ones we'd seen," Rachel commented with a small frown.

"I like all of them, but I have yet seen one that I love."

"Hmm.. Why not we try another store? We've seen almost all of the design here anyways."

"Alright. But are you hungry? If you're, we can have our dinner first."

"Nope, c'mon let's go find a coffee table for you."

The both of us went up 2 levels to another home furniture store. As soon as we stepped into the store, one of the salesman came up to us with a smile.

"Welcome to Dream Style, how may I help you?"

I opened my mouth to give a reply but Rachel cleared her throat. "We're finding a coffee table and this is how the living room looks like.. Do you have any recommendations?"

The salesman looked at the photo and politely told us to wait while he get someone else to assist us.

"You know I prefer to shop without someone following us around," I said, tucking a stray tendril of her hair behind her ear.

"Yes, I know. There's no harm in asking. Besides, we need a replacement asap. Your parents are flying in next week," Rachel responded with a chuckle.

"When are you going to tell your parents about us?"

"We are going to Skype them this weekend," Rachel declared.

"Seems like you've got it all planned out."

"Of course, don't you dare leave the announcing job to me only. You're the one who asked me to join you in welcoming your parents at the airport."

A saleswoman greeted us and our conversation was interrupted.

"Hi, I'm Blayke. May I take a look of the photo?"

"Yeah sure," Rachel replied and proceeded to unlock her smartphone.

"Ah, I believe we have something to match your living room."

"I gotta warn you, this man here is really hard to please," Rachel said cheekily. I gave her a nudge as Blayke chuckled in response.

Blayke took the lead and we walked past several sofa and dining table displays before she stopped in front of a modern black oak coffee table with a matte finish. It included a black glass table top. Rounded corners on the wooden rectangular coffee table helped create a safer living environment while the open shelf provided extra storage space.

"Well, what do you think of this?" Blayke turned to us with a smile.

"It's amazing!" Rachel exclaimed. After that, both of them looked expectantly at me for my answer.

"I love it."

"Finally! Thank you so much for your help Blayke, or else we'll still be searching for a coffee table."

"You're welcome, I'm glad I could be of help."

At last, we could fill our rumbling tummies with food after settling the payment and delivery date for my new coffee table. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Rachel who mentioned she'd be waiting for me near the exit. I spotted her looking at the TV console displays. With a smile that danced across my lips, I walked over to where Rachel was standing.

"Hey beautiful, are you ready to go?" I snaked an arm around her waist.

"Of course, c'mon I'm starving," her gray eyes glittering in amusement.

"I thought you said you weren't hungry?" I questioned with a mischievous smirk.

"That was 30 minutes ago," Rachel pointed out with an eye roll.

We're having our dinner at one of those brightly lit diner with plastic tables and chairs like patio furniture. The dinner crowd was starting to dwindle by the time we got there. As Rachel sat across from me, I couldn't help but wonder, what would happen if we had survived the long distance relationship. Would we have started a family by now? How many kids would we have?

Perhaps, the break up was actually what we needed at that time. Before we broke up, we'd quarreled numerous times.

On top of the issue that we're unable to see each other, lack of communication was another problem. As our schedules have never aligned and we're so far away from each other. We were frustrated with the situation and we honestly tried our best to resolve the problems. Subsequently, we started to fight over small things like not answering the phone or replying to text messages.

Our arguments would always end with Rachel crying. I absolutely hated the fact that I was the reason behind her tears. Eventually, we stopped talking to each other as we're both tired of the fights.

One day, I decided that Rachel deserved better than this and picked up the phone. I panicked when Rachel answered the call, as I couldn't find the right words to tell her. I simply told her that I didn't know how to say it. But, she knew exactly what I was referring to.

"Zach, why are you staring at me like that?" Rachel was waving her hands in front of my face.

"Just thinking about us."

"Oh really, what were you thinking about?"

"Hmm, let's see what's on the menu," I deliberately changed the topic.

Obviously Rachel wanted to steer our conversation back to her question. However, she was distracted by the waiter who came to take our order. Lucky for me, she had already forgotten about her question.

After we stepped out of the diner, Rachel told me she needed to use the bathroom. We've agreed to meet outside the movie theatre and I would go over to purchase the tickets first. I was about to pass by the departmental store when I saw Eva walked out from there. I froze in my tracks and my jaw went slack with dumbfounded, slightly-resigned surprise.

"Zachary?" Eva asked as a spark of recognition filled her eyes.

"Hi Eva," I greeted her. "How have y-" I stopped talking as soon as my gaze landed on her tummy.

Eva tittered at my shocked and befuddled expression. "I'm doing great, and yes, I'm pregnant. How are you?"

Seeing that I was staring blankly at her, Eva stepped forward and tapped my arm which snapped me out of my reverie. I belatedly responded, "Yeah me too.. By the way, congratulations! How many weeks until your baby arrives?"

"5 more weeks!" Eva answered as she glance lovingly at her baby bump, a small smile touching her lips.

"I'm really surprised that I've bumped into you, Eva. But, I'm truly happy that you've found your happiness."

She sniffled quietly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "Thank you, Zach. It means a lot coming from you. So are you seeing somebody now?"

"Yes I am and it's someone you know," I said and waved to Rachel who was heading our way.

Eva turned around to see who I was waving to. Rachel spotted us and a look of surprise was etched on her face. Eva and Rachel shared a hug and Rachel was asking Eva the same questions I've asked before.

Eva smiled, then laughed. "It's kind of a surprise yet not surprising that you both are together. Well I suppose me being pregnant is more surprising, am I right, Zach?"

"I have to agree, back then you weren't the biggest fan of having kids," I nodded my head and interlocked my fingers with Rachel's.

"I've gotta give the credit to my amazing husband, Jayden. He really changed my way of thinking and I'm just blessed to have him in my life." The corners of her mouth tipped up into a small grin. We chatted for a couple more minutes until Eva's husband called and said our goodbyes before parting ways.

I have always thought it'd be awkward to run into your ex, especially when you're with your girlfriend. It's like the kind of situation you'd do anything to avoid. Fortunately, we were able to have a friendly conversation without letting what happened in the past affect us. Maybe it's because we're all grown ups and hence we're able to handle the situation with maturity.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Zach! Are you ready??" Rachel shouted from the living room.

"Yes you can start the video call now," I replied while pouring out 2 cups of lemonade.

Rachel's mum appeared on the laptop screen as I took a seat beside Rachel. She murmured her thanks before taking a sip of her cold drink.

"Oh hi there, Zachary," Aunt Rebecca started. "What are you doing at Rachel's house?"

Before any of us could answer, Aunt Rebecca gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. A knowing smile spread upon Aunt Rebecca's lips. Rachel ignored her mum's reaction and asked, "Mum, where's dad?"

"Jeff, honey! Come here right now!" Aunt Rebecca yelled.

"I'm here I'm here, geez what's the rush?" Uncle Jeff muttered but his annoyance evaporated at the sight of his daughter. "Hi sweetheart, what is it that you want to tell us?"

"Isn't it obvious enough?" Aunt Rebecca asked with an eye roll.

"What?" Uncle Jeff's brows drew together in confusion.

"Mum, dad," Rachel paused to gain their attention, "Zach and I are officially a couple now."

After Rachel's announcement, silence fell around us like a blanket. Both Rachel's parents reacted to the news very differently. Aunt Rebecca was grinning form ear to ear whereas Uncle Jeff didn't look thrilled with the news.

"Dad?" Rachel nervously bit her lower lip.

"I don't know what to think of this.. You were pretty hurt by the breakup, sweetheart."

"Uncle Jeff, please give me a chance to prove it to you that I love your daughter more than she loves me," I said. Rachel turned to look at me and gave my hand a squeeze.

"C'mon Jeff, you should be happy for them and not doubting their love for each other!"

"I'm not!" Uncle Jeff protested.

"Does your parents know about this, Zach?" Aunt Rebecca questioned.

"Not yet, we planned to tell them when they come over next week," I responded.

"Zach, listen, I know you meant what you said," Uncle Jeff told me.

"The most important thing is that you both are happy," he continued with a smile.

"About damn time," Aunt Rebecca mumbled under her breath and caused the four of us to laugh out loud.

"But, if you dare to hurt my daughter again.." Uncle Jeff warned.

"Never again," I reassured him.

One down, one more to go.

Author's note:

Hi!! I know I took forever to get this chapter done! 😅 I just couldn't think of anything to write ☹️ I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter though! 🙂

A special shoutout to @candylandy8! Thank you so much for your support!! 😘

Vote, comment or share this story if you like it! ❤️ I really can't thank you guys enough for your support and amazing patience! ♥️