Song: "Faithfully" by Journey

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I woke up to wonderful smells on February 1. I was surprised that I hadn't heard Anne puttering around in the kitchen before then, but as soon as I was awake enough to realize what was going on, I cuddled close to Harry and whispered, "Wake up, birthday boy."

"Mmmrmrr." His standard morning response.

"Happy Birthday, love," I said, kissing his cheek.

"Thank you," he mumbled in his gruff morning voice.

"Oh, so he speaks," I teased.

"I'm not a morning person," he chuckled. "You don't know this by now?"

"Well, it smells like your mum is making something yummy. I can't wait to see what a full English breakfast involves." Anne and I had gone shopping the day before so she could get the necessary foods to make Harry's birthday breakfast. I wasn't entirely sure about pork and beans on the breakfast menu, but I would try it in honor of the special day.

"I thought I heard voices," Anne said, walking over to where we slept. "Can I get you some coffee or tea?"

"Tea would be wonderful, mum," Harry said, groaning with a stretch.

"I'd love some coffee, but first I need to eat something," I said.

Harry popped up saying, "I'll get it." We had done enough research to understand that morning sickness was often caused by low blood sugar, understandably so since the night-time period was the longest time I usually went without food. Before I even got out of bed, Harry usually brought me a glass of juice for quick blood sugar and some cheese or a cup of yogurt for longer-lasting protein.

He went to the kitchen area, chatting with his mom while I sat up slowly, hoping to avoid dizziness. After my pre-breakfast ritual, the next thing was to get a large glass of water so I wouldn't get dehydrated. After all of that, I enjoyed a cup of coffee. Even though experts were now saying that caffeine might be bad for the baby, I remembered my mom saying at various times that she drank coffee when she was pregnant with all of us. I wasn't planning to overdo it - I bought the half-caff stuff - but I needed at least a taste of my joe in the  morning.

Breakfast was something else; even I was stuffed by the time we finished, a situation that probably wouldn't last too long since I seemed to be hungry all the time lately. Funny that a tiny little baby could require so much sustenance. We ate eggs, sausage, beans, toast, tomatoes and mushrooms. Anne told me about something called black pudding that they regularly ate with the meal as well, but since Harry wasn't fond of it, she skipped trying to find the unusual ingredients. It was a good thing since it sounded rather disgusting, being made from pork fat or beef suet, pork blood, and oatmeal. I was fairly sure I would never be convinced to eat something made from blood. Ever.

With the first round of Happy Birthdays exchanged, we all set about getting dressed for the day. My parents were going to come over early for reasons still unknown to them, but we had a lot to cover today, in addition to celebrating my love's birthday. My parents had no knowledge of the engagement, wedding, baby or Harry's house project. The morning after they had arrive, we had told Harry's parents we wanted to get married while they were here. They were thrilled and seemed just fine with the suddenness of it all. I hoped my family wasn't too blindsided, and that everyone would be free on Valentine's Day. Cliché, I know, but the date worked out quite well, so why not?

I had told my parents only this: to please arrive early on Harry's birthday and to set aside all of Valentine's Day for an event to be disclosed. I also asked her to run the Valentine's date by my siblings.

Around one in the afternoon, my folks arrived with gifts and Happy Birthdays and Nice to meet you's exchanged with Harry's parents. My mom and Harry's mum actually bore some resemblance to each other with their youthful appearance, loving personalities and sweet smiles. Dad and Robin were as different as night and day but it seemed everyone got on well.

"First things first," I announced and Harry was fully on board with the plan, even if it meant sharing his birthday. "Everyone sit down because Harry and I have some announcements to make."

Both my parents revealed curious and excited grins. I could tell they knew what was coming; some of it, at least. Anne and Robin looked as if they would burst from excitement as my parents awaited the news.

"Mr. Flannery," Harry began, "I apologize that I didn't ask for your daughter's hand before this." My mom suppressed a scream. "Things happened rather suddenly." Harry's face was flushed but his stellar smile never faded. "I asked Regan to marry me. She said yes." He shrugged modestly.

Mom jumped up and practically tackled us and Dad followed, encircling the three of us as best he could. "Congratulations both of you. We're so happy for you."

First round of news successful.

After the excitement died down, Mom noticed Robin and Anne smiling and then they all congratulated each other. "They must have already told you," Mom commented and Anne confirmed it with a tip of her head.

"Now," I took over. "There's more to this news. We're not going to spend time and money planning a big wedding. In fact, we're going to get married while Harry's parents are here." I gauged their stunned reaction. "In two weeks."

My mom gasped and Dad just stared in shock. "Wha...what? Two weeks?" Mom stuttered. "Are you sure, sweetie?"

I nodded vigorously. "I'm sure, Mom. As long as you two are free on Valentine's Day."

They both nodded in bewilderment.

"You know I always wanted a small wedding," I continued. "We just need to ask Reverend Thomas or Father Bernard from Harry's church. We can have a simple reception here." I could see Mom's hesitation; I knew she was very traditional, looking forward to helping her daughters plan big weddings. "Mom, this is what I really want. And you know you'll get to help Lauren and Charlotte plan their $50,000 weddings." I bit my lip, waiting and hoping for her to accept my decision.

She finally showed an acquiescent smile. "Of course, honey. I just want you to be happy."

"I'm happy, Mom." I glanced at Harry. "We're both very happy."

"Well," she said with an enormous sigh. "I guess we'll have to start planning then won't we?"

I shot her an excited grin. "Now, onto Harry's first present," I announced and left the room, coming back with a small wrapped box. My parents had sat back down and were chatting with Harry's parents. "Mom and Dad, this is kind of a gift for you, too," I said to my parents, who looked at each other and mouthed out, What? even more confused than before.

Harry began to pull off the wrapping paper so I sat next to him and watched. "This is one of the reasons we're not going to spend money on a big wedding," I informed my parents. "Aside from the fact that we wanted it simple."

The gift itself was a surprise for Harry, too, but I had told him I would lead in with our baby news so this is how I had chosen to do it. He opened the box and stared at the contents, beaming like the sun before he held them up for my parents to see.

First was a simple black t-shirt with gray lettering that read Promoted to Daddy; beneath the writing were a baby's footprints. The second item was attached to it - a pin labeling him as The Man Behind the Belly. My parents regarded the message as the news sunk in. Mom's jaw slowly fell open while Dad's eyes opened just as wide. For a long, uncomfortable moment they were speechless.

"Well?" I prompted them, hoping their reaction was going to be a positive one. If I had thought it wouldn't be, I wouldn't have chosen to tell them like this. 

In the next moment, Mom's face was wet with tears as she lunged towards me, capturing me in another hug. "Congratulations, honey" was all she managed.

Dad appeared behind us and once again embracing the two of us. A terse "Congratulations" fell from his lips and I knew he wasn't as thrilled as I wanted him to be. Hopefully it was just the shock more than anything, but that remained to be seen.

When my parents finally let go, they sat down, still with eyes and mouths hanging open. "I just...wow." My mother articulated. "Wow!"

"I hope that's a good wow," I said nervously, glancing at Harry and then at his parents who were quietly hanging back, letting my parents digest the news.

"Of course, honey," Mom assured us. "It's just a big surprise. You kind of surprised us but it's really wonderful. Well, it's more like you shocked the hell out of us!" Even Harry's parents laughed, having had a similar experience when we'd told them.

But then my dad blurted out, "You don't have to get married."

I shook my head from the sting of his comment and asked, "What?"

He sat forward, elbows on his knees, and he rubbed his hands over his face. "I said you don't have to get married. I apologize if I'm making anyone uncomfortable." He looked around the room. "But I assume that the baby is the reason you're rushing this marriage thing."

I scrambled for the right words. "No, Dad, that's not the reason we're rushing into this marriage thing. You knew Harry and I were serious before this, didn't you?" He could tell I was hurt; I noticed the subtle change in his expression.

"That's not what I meant," he said. "I mean it's the 21st century; you don't have to get married right away just because you're pregnant. Why not wait a while? Take some time to plan it and do it right."

"So we're not doing it right?" I felt a lump form in my throat.

"That's not what I mean," he answered and looked around the room apologetically. "I just don't want you to feel pressured. I'm sure Harry's parents feel the same way." He looked to them for confirmation. "None of us would force you into getting married if you weren't ready, baby or no baby."

Harry's parents nodded in agreement but Harry didn't give them time to speak. "I understand your concern, Mr. Flannery. Regan and I have known each other just shy of five months, but I assure you that after knowing her for only a month, I knew I wanted to marry her." He looked down at me lovingly and I smiled, believing every word. "I told her this already but I didn't want her to think I was rushing things only because I was lonely after my first wife's death. Which I was, of course, but I wasn't looking for someone to fill the void at all. When Regan came into my life, she was a message to me that there was hope for the future." He started to choke up at this point and he sat down to grab my hand. "You know a big part of me died when my wife was killed in the accident. Regan was the one who helped me feel like I could live again."

I could see that Harry's words made an impact on my dad. "It's true, Dad," I continued. "Harry and I both felt a strong connection when we hadn't known each other very long. I know it seems like we're rushing everything and yes, the baby was a surprise, but we both want this. We want to be married and a big wedding doesn't matter to either of us." I smirked at Harry and said to him, "I'm guessing you had a huge wedding the first time around," knowing the Metlers. He nodded aggressively. Returning my focus to my dad, I finished, "Harry has a new business endeavor that he needs to focus on, and he's going to return to law school next fall. We'd rather get married now and turn our attention to making a home for our baby instead of spending the time and money to plan a wedding."

Dad agreed with the nod of his head. "I get it, I do. And Harry, I want you to know that I think very highly of you and I believe you have a good head on your shoulders." He stood up and walked directly to Harry and held out his hand. "I'm honored to have you as part of Regan's life and part of our family."

"Thank you." Harry stood and received a genuine hug from my dad, and we all relaxed, letting go of that momentary tension. I repeated Harry's sentiment as I stood to hug him again as well. "Thank you, Dad."

"So, tell me about the new business venture," Dad said, sitting back down next to my mom.

Harry's parents already knew that he had bought the house because he had been talking to them about it all along, getting their input on the potential investment. He then told my parents about his dream for the house and he was careful to explain his plan for stepping back or walking away if it became too much of an undertaking, or if we began to lose too much money on it. He ended by telling them about what he had left of Cathryn's inheritance and that he'd make some money when the sale of his house was final as well. I was sure that helped them relax in terms of feeling like he could provide for me, even though I'd been taking care of myself pretty well all along.

The day was a whirlwind, just like our lives had been for the past month or so. It was understandable that my parents were blindsided, but Harry and I were firm in our decisions, regardless of how impulsive they seemed.

Harry's parents gave him a table saw, which I helped them pick out in the days since they arrived, along with some other tools that were all ready to be delivered to the house. I never imagined him as much of a handyman, but from the look on his face, he was more than eager to get started with sawing and hammering and building.

I gave him a black and sterling silver ring, not intended to be a wedding ring, but one that I thought fit his personality. On the inside, I had inscribed, All my love, Regan. My gifts to him didn't seem like much but I knew he appreciated them, and he knew he had my heart.

It was Harry's birthday, but I kept thinking about how much I was celebrating right along with him. For the rest of the afternoon, we spent time making our modest wedding plans, and then we went out for dinner at Harry's favorite restaurant. It was the perfect day, marking the beginning of the next few weeks, which would also be a whirlwind. We all looked forward to it since our lives were going to be joined together, surrounded by the people we loved.

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YOU GUYS! We're almost at 50K reads!!! <3 THANK YOU!

One more chapter and then an epilogue. Oh, and I'll include the news about my next story.

For you Finding Niall fans, I have 2 chapters almost ready to go ;)