The next morning, I wake up before Josh. I want to stay in bed longer with him but I need to go pee so I slip out of the bed as quietly as I can and go to the bathroom. I brush my teeth after and wash my face before walking out. I look at Josh sleeping on my bed for a moment. This is what my future looks like. Waking up with him next to me every morning. The thought makes me smile.

I want to let him sleep so I walk out of the room quietly and head downstairs. I turn on the TV in the living room and decide to start making breakfast. After a few minutes, Savannah comes down.

"Hey," I say as I hand her a cup of coffee. "How are you feeling? Better?"

She nods. "Yeah. Sorry. I had a breakdown."

"It's alright." I ask leaning on the bar. "What happened?"

She shrugs. "He was just being an idiot. Whatever. I'm over it." She smiles. "So. Josh spent the night."

I smile then turn around to turn off the stove. Eggs are ready. "He's sleeping."

"Long night?"

"Would you stop it?" I laugh.

She laughs then looks down at my hand. "Oh my god. You said yes, didn't you?"

I nod with a smile.

"Oh my god, Natalie!" She squeals. "You're getting married?!"

"In a month."

She frowns. "In a month? That is way too soon!"

I shrug. "I don't know how we're gonna do it, Sav, but it's happening."

She smiles then hugs me. "I'm so happy for you! And Josh! You guys belong together."

I smile. "I'm so happy. I can't even explain it."

"Well, I can see it," she says looking at me. "I can't wait for you to make me an aunt."

I laugh then begin to serve us breakfast.

"We should go look for a dress today." She continues.

"It'll have to be later. Josh and I are going to speak with our parents."

"I guess that's more important." She decides and I laugh.

I look behind her at Josh who is walking down the stairs. He smiles when he sees me. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I say.

"Good morning." Savannah repeats making us laugh. "I heard the good news." She wiggles her eyebrows at Josh. "Congrats, brother."

He actually turns a bit red. He's so cute. "Thank you."

There is suddenly a knock on the door and I frown. "I'll get it," I say then head to open the door. Outside is a man I've never seen before. He's wearing black dressed pants with a tucked in white dressed shirt. He has black hair and dark brown eyes. He's also holding a big bouquet of red roses. "Hello," I say slowly.

"Hi," he looks around. "I'm sorry. I'm looking for Savannah? I think I have the right address?"

Hmm. Man on our doorstep holding apologetic roses?

"You're Kevin," I say.

He raises his eyebrows. "Uh, yes. You must be Savannah's sister."

"Natalie." I answer.

He offers me his hand and seems to relax a bit. "Pleasure to meet you."

I take his hand. "Can't say the same."

He frowns but before he can say anything, I hear my name behind me. I turn and see Savannah meet Kevin's eyes. Her shoulders tense a bit. "Kevin, what are you doing here?" She asks standing next to me.

"I'm so sorry, Savannah. I had to come and apologize for being an ass."

I take a few steps back then go back to the kitchen, knowing I have to give them some privacy. Josh looks at me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I roll my eyes. "I really don't like this Kevin guy."

He opens his arm for me and I go and sit on his leg. "Savannah is a smart girl. I'm sure she knows what she's doing."

"Nobody knows what we're doing when we're in love."

He frowns. "That is true."

I kiss his cheek.

"I spoke to my mother. They're on their way."

I look at him. "Do they know?"

"I'm pretty sure they imagine what this is about."

I bite my lip. "Okay." I stand up. "We can do this."

He looks at me, amused. "Yes, we can. I'd love to show you the house afterwards," He says as we have breakfast.

"I'd like that." I smile because now I have something to look forward to.

Savannah comes back in just to excuse herself. She's going out with Kevin. By the looks of it, she probably forgave him for whatever he did. I really do hope that she knows what she's doing. I'd hate for this Kevin to be the type of guy that messes up and apologizes every five seconds.

Josh runs to get his truck while I get in the shower. Then I get ready while he showers. I'm nervous but this is necessary. I just want to get it over with.

"Should I take my ring off?" I ask when we arrive to my parent's inn.

"Uh, I'll just hold your hand while we get it out. How's that?" Josh asks.

I nod. "Okay."

My parents probably wonder what is wrong with me when I have to hug them with my one free arm. My mom looks surprised when she sees us holding hands.

"Oh," she says looking at me then at Josh. "I didn't know that you two..." she moves her finger between us.

Right. She didn't know that Josh had come looking for me. Why didn't I tell her? The last thing she knew was that we broke up. Now a year later, we show up to tell them that we're getting married.

"Yes," I say quickly. "I'm sorry. Josh and I-" I look at him and he offers me an encouraging smile. "-have been seeing each other again."

"Mr. and Mrs. Garcia," Josh says looking at my parents. "I would just like to apologize for everything that happened. I know I'm a year late but-"

"We're getting married." I blurt out.

"What?" My dad asks at the same time someone else does.

We turn around and see Clint and Louisa walking into the inn. Great. We're all here. Perfect timing.

"We're getting married." I repeat looking at the four of them. "And we really hope that all of you are okay with it because Josh and I love each other very much and we're going to get married regardless so-" I shrug.

There is a moment of silence as they all assimilate the news. God. What did I just say? Why didn't I just let Josh speak?

"Oh! I am so happy for you two!" Louisa finally breaks the silence and then she's hugging both of us.

I sigh in relief. "Thank you."

She smiles at me. "It's so good to see you, Natalie. I know we never got the chance to talk after what happened with Brad."

I nod. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Aren't you tired of apologies?"

I laugh. "Yes, actually, I am."

"No more apologies everyone," She says to all of us then looks at me. "I know you make my son very happy and I wouldn't object to happiness. You two belong together and deserve it."

"Thank you so much, Louisa." I smile at her, feeling grateful.

Clint steps up and looks at Josh. "I'm so proud of you." He looks at me. "Natalie, I'd say welcome to the family but you've been a part of it for a long time now."

I smile at him trying to fight back the tears. The room is then filled with hugs and smiles and some tears, mostly from my mom and I. Like mother, like daughter.

"Have you picked a date?" My mom asks me after our little crying session.

I nod, cleaning the tears on my cheeks. "October 23rd."

"October 23rd?" Louisa repeats. "My, that's very soon."

"Are you pregnant?" My mother asks looking at my stomach.

"Mom, no." I laugh. "Even if I was, that wouldn't change anything. I would still get married in a month."

"There's no reason to wait," Josh says putting his arm around me.

"It's going to be a small wedding, obviously." I continue. "Just us, and close friends."

Louisa looks at Clint. "Honey, I think I'm going to be spending a lot of time in Newport for the next few weeks."

"Oh! Yes! You can stay here, free of charge of course," my mom says.

I look up at Josh as they carry on their conversation and he smiles at me. "I told you it was going to be okay," he says softly.

"I can't believe my mom thought I was pregnant."

He half smiles. "Kind of wish you were."

I laugh and look around nervously. My dad and Clint are outside in the porch and my mom and Louisa are in deep conversation about the planning of the wedding

I reach out and steal a quick kiss. "Me too." I admit. "This is crazy right?"

He chuckles. "A little but I love it." He places his hand under my chin. "I'm eager to start our family."

"We're already a family." I tease.

He half smiles. "I'm eager to have a baby with you." He corrects himself.

I laugh. "That's very cute."

"Cute is what our baby is going to be."

"That is very true."

He grins then looks around us. "Should we go?"

I nod. "I don't think they're interested in us anymore." I laugh.

"Come on."

We say a quick goodbye and head out. I'm so happy that's over. Louisa was right. It's time to move on from apologies and everything that happened. It's been a year and Brad has moved on, it's time we move on as well.

The house Josh wants to buy is not that far from the inn. It's almost oceanside and I love that. It's absolutely beautiful and perfect. I can't hide my excitement as we look at it. We can't go inside because we would need the realtor to come but it's not really necessary. I would live with Josh anywhere so the fact that he thought to get a house means everything.

Josh has his arm around me as we look at it and I can really picture us inside. I can see ourselves starting a new life with our future kids in there. Josh said he has made an offer. It's all up to getting the approval for the mortgage loan. I hope it all works out. Even if it doesn't though, I know we'll be alright. Home is not the place, it's the people. It's Josh and I.

"I love you so much," I say to him.

He grins as he stands in front of me. I press my back against his truck. "I love you more."

He kisses me before I can object.

"I'm going to be the luckiest man alive the moment you say 'I do' and I get to call you my wife," he says holding my cheeks with his hands.

"I won't answer to anything else." I warn and he laughs.

I smile at the sound of his laugh.

October 23rd can't get here fast enough.

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