Chapter 1 - Darcy says Yes!
Everyone at Gloria and Flash’s baby shower had been so surprised when Clara not only showed up but they had all been downright shocked when she had been so pleasant and friendly. It had really floored them when Noah and Matty had taken to her right away. Even Toby let her carry him for a little while.
Clara had been on cloud nine having babies to play with. She wished she had known about them because she would have brought small gifts for them. She was very sad to know that Noah and Matty were orphans but Tori told her, when the children were out of earshot, that there was a couple that wanted to adopt the two kids. They just had to meet CPS’s criteria and they should be hearing from Martha soon.
Apollo also arranged with their lawyer for Darcy to adopt Toby. His case was a little bit different since Darcy already had custody of Toby and the fact that Buster “could not be found”. The only stumbling blocks in her case was that she was single and so young.
Darcy is only 22, doesn’t have a job and is not considered “rich” or even “well to do” despite the fact that she has over $9000 in her bank account.
Apollo and Monitor both agreed that they did not like that it was going to pressure Darcy to accept a proposal from Monitor now, just so that she could keep Toby. Monitor asked him to wait, to give him a chance to propose to her without that stipulation involved.
Apollo agreed but he told him, “I can only delay this for a little while, Monitor. If we take too long, Martha is going to have to step in.”
“Can’t we have the therapist say that it would traumatize Toby unnecessarily to remove him from Darcy’s care?” Monitor asked.
“I’ve already played that card. She said she could only delay it for 30 days. Darcy cleared everything else except that we still haven’t gotten his birth certificate and being single is frowned on if the person is not blood family.
If you guys are at least engaged, then she could extend it but if you guys don’t get married, Darcy’s chance of keeping him will not exist any more and her hands will be tied if another eligible couple expresses a desire to adopt him.
If Darcy tries to take him and run, they will hunt her down and she’ll go to jail for kidnapping and the court could refuse her access to Toby all together.” Apollo warned him.
“Don’t worry. If she says she will marry me, I’m going to move mountains to make it happen as fast as she can get her dress!” Monitor said.
They had been sitting in the shade of the trees at the edge of the yard, just watching the reveal party and talking.
Nicole was visiting with some of the other women when Billy came over to where Apollo was sitting and Apollo thought he knew what Billy was going to ask before Billy said anything.
“I know what you are going to ask, Billy. Yes, you will be working on the diner during the build and even after it’s done. We’re talking about going forward with expanding up into Haven but that might take a little while. But with all that’s been going on with Nicole, I want at least one representative of the AAMC up there. Riggs is talking about building a house on his land too so you will have some back up.” Apollo told him.
When Apollo stopped to think about it, if things kept going the way they were, before long, half his club was going to be wanting to move to Haven. So many of them had grown up there, so to them, that was home!
“Well, that’s great but that’s not what I was going to ask. I wanted to know if anyone was planning to go to the mall in the next day or two? Not taking the women shopping but just at least one man going?” Billy asked.
“I’m going tomorrow morning. Where are you wanting to go?” Monitor asked.
“I want to go to the jewelry store in the mall. I want to get Nicole a promise ring.” Billy pulled out his phone and showed them the ring that he knew Nicole wanted. She’d had it on her phone screen one day at the diner and had commented about how pretty it was.
“But that’s not her birthstone. Her’s is purple. That’s red.” Apollo said.
“I know. It’s mine. I was hoping to find one that was heart shaped but the ones they have were kind of ugly, not to mention too expensive.” Billy said.
“Well, I wish I could come up with a reason for you to go today but the women would shoot me if I send anyone anywhere today.” Apollo said.
“Think there’s a chance we could say we’re going to pick up a surprise?” Billy asked.
“Yeah, that would work but what? If you come back empty handed, the women are going to be pissed unless you plan on giving it to them tonight?” Apollo asked.
“So long as I don’t have to do it in front of everyone, I can and want to, once I have the ring. Nicole and I already know we are going to eventually marry. We just have to be patient and wait for another year and 4 months. We are planning on graduating in January. They give the test on the 15th and my birthday is on the 28th.
We both want to work for Aunt Nita so that we can be together. So long as she’s living at home and I’m living with Aunt Nita or in one of her units, then we don’t have to worry about rent or utilities or even food expenses. We’re planning on putting all of our money into a savings account so that when we turn 18, we can get married and have a really nice honeymoon and we’ll have start-up expenses.” Billy told them about his and Nicole’s plans.
“And what about after that?” Apollo asked. He wasn’t really amazed that Billy was thinking about the future. He’s smart and he knows what he wants. Apollo remembered when he was that age. All he had wanted was to run the club and to get laid, like most boys his age. But Billy is more mature than most boys his age. He had been through a lot and had been forced to grow up fast, plus he’s not stupid and rushing into anything but planning ahead. That realization gave Apollo another idea for a road name for Billy, who was proving to be a challenge to come up with a suitable name for him.
“Well, how about I just say that you are working on personal surprises and didn’t tell me what it was? If you hurry, they might not even notice you are gone.” Apollo said.
“Billy, meet me out front in about 10 minutes? We’ll take an SUV so they won’t even hear us leave.” Monitor said.
“Deal. Meet you there.” Billy said with a big smile.
Billy went first and walked around the side of the building, keeping an eye on Nicole the whole time. She was visiting with Misty and Kalehua and had her back to him.
Darcy was busy with Toby and visiting with Clara and Nita, who were enjoying playing with the kids. Monitor went into the clubhouse as if he was going to the bathroom but as soon as he was through the dining room, he turned and hurried to the front door just as Billy pulled up in an SUV.
Billy drove as fast as possible to the mall and they both hurried inside. Billy showed the picture of the ring Nicole wanted to the lady behind the counter and he tried on the ring sizer to the place on his little finger where Nicole’s ring should fit. She had taken her
rings off to help Nita with some pie dough one day and Billy had slipped the ring on to his finger to find out what size she wore.
The lady came up with a size 6 and Billy smiled and pulled out his debit card to pay for it. When she handed him the little bag with the ring box inside, he had a huge smile on his face. Then he turned to look at Monitor who was looking thoroughly confused standing in front of the engagement ring display.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
“I have no clue what to get for Darcy! I don’t know her size or her taste in jewelry. She doesn’t have any so I don’t know what she will like.” Monitor said.
The sales lady that was helping him said “Well, if you can describe her to me, maybe I can help you choose. Is she tall or short? Slender or heavy set? Homebody or party girl? Down to earth or flashy? Low key or high maintenance?” Sarah asked.
“She’s 5 ft 2 in, 95 lbs. Definitely more of a down to earth homebody. Definitely not flashy or a party girl but is the most beautiful woman in the world.” Monitor told her.
“Well, then based on what you’ve said and falling back on my experience of having worked here for a long time, I’d say she’d like something more simple and delicate looking but sturdy enough that it will stand the test of time.
After all, it’s the one piece of jewelry that she will wear for the rest of her life, unless you decide to upgrade for an anniversary later in life. I suggest something like one of these.” Sarah said and stuck her hand into the display case and pointed out a kind of ring that she has always liked on smaller women.
The one that attracted Monitor had a ¾ karat round diamond set on top of an infinity symbol of tiny diamond chips set in white gold. The matching band was engraved with infinity symbols linked together to form a circle on a band of a contrasting color.
Then she said “If she doesn’t like it, then you can bring her to choose something else or if she needs a different size, we have a 90 day exchange or refund policy so long as you keep the receipt.”
“That one is beautiful. What do you think, Billy? Should I get that one?” Monitor asked. He had never even thought about buying an engagement ring before and since he barely knew Darcy, he had no clue as to which one to get.
“I think that one is very nice, Monitor. It will look good on her.” Billy smiled at him. “Since Darcy is not as big as Nicole, I’d say get her a size 5. If it doesn’t fit, you can exchange it for a different size, right?” Billy asked.
“Of course.” Sarah told him.
“Does it come with the wedding band part?” Monitor asked.
“Yes. When you buy the engagement ring, this band will come with it. (she pointed to the wedding band next to it) We also have matching rings for you over there.” Sarah said, pointing to a display case that had men’s rings.
The men’s matching ring had infinity symbols deeply engraved into a wide flat band. She brought out the ring that was a perfect match for the ring that he was considering for Darcy and Monitor was glad that it didn’t have stones in it like some of the men’s rings had. “Oh, I like that! Can I try it on?” Monitor asked.
“Sure. What size do you wear?” Sarah asked and Monitor just stared at her until she smiled and produced a ring sizer. Monitor tried on different ones until he found the size he would need.
Once he had made up his mind, he paid for them all and pulled out his credit card. “Man, having a woman in your life is expensive!” He muttered as he signed the charge slip.
“Oh but so worth it for what you get in return and yours comes with a son!” Billy told him.
Monitor just grinned at him as they left the store and hurried back to their SUV. As Billy drove them back to the compound, he asked Monitor, “Are you going to propose to her tonight?”
“I’d like to but we need to talk first. We’ve only known each other for a little while now and she’s still so nervous about what is going to happen with Toby. Apollo told me it would make her adopting Toby easier if we are at least engaged and even easier if we get married.
But I don’t want him to be the reason we do it. I want her to say yes to me because she loves me as much as I love her, not because she may have to give him up if we don’t.” Monitor replied and then realized that he was already in love with Darcy. Would telling her that make a difference?
Monitor was quiet for a while as he thought about Darcy and Toby and he realized that it wouldn’t only be hard for Darcy if they had to give up Toby but he would feel it too. In the short amount of time that he had been around the little boy, he had already touched Monitor’s heart. Maybe not as deeply as Darcy’s yet but still, he cares about him.
“What about you? Are you going to give Nicole her ring tonight?” Monitor asked, distracted by his thoughts.
“Yeah if we can find some time alone. That’s always a challenge for me and Nicole, especially if her mother is around.” Billy grinned at him.
That comment made Monitor wonder about Darcy’s family. She had never mentioned anything about them. Are her parents still alive? Does she have any siblings? If so, where are they? Why didn’t she call them for help?
Monitor realized that there was a lot they didn’t know about each other and it sucked that they couldn’t really take their time and suddenly he became determined to learn as much as he could from her tonight and then realized that if she agreed to become his, they would have the rest of their lives to learn about each other He knew without an ounce of doubt that no matter what, he loved Darcy O’Shay and wanted her for his woman!
As they pulled up into the yard, they were both glad to see that Darcy and Nicole were not waiting on the front porch for them. “Do you think they realized we were gone?” Billy asked.
“They might have but since Apollo is the only one that knows where we went, at least no one can give away our surprise.” Monitor grinned at him. He knew Apollo would never tell!
“Damn, I just thought of something. We should have stopped and got them flowers! Don’t men usually give flowers when they do this?” Monitor said, feeling a sense of panic starting to settle in.
“Are you really willing to walk out in front of the whole club holding a bouquet of flowers? I think I’d rather take my chances with a bear!” Billy said and Monitor laughed.
“You’re right. At least we can hide the rings in our pockets until we can get our women alone and do our asking in private.” Monitor agreed and they got out of the SUV laughing.
They made it into the clubhouse and both headed for their rooms to clean up, comb their hair, brush their teeth and for Monitor, he wanted to put away the wedding band and his ring, which came in one box. He opened the box with Darcy’s engagement ring and stood just looking down at it for a moment, praying that she would like it.
“What am I supposed to say? What if I say the wrong thing?” Monitor stood, beginning to sweat as he tried to think of the right words but then realized he would just have to talk to her, tell her what he was feeling for not only her but for Toby too. What he hoped for with them then all he could do was pray. He stood and said a small prayer that she would say yes!
He was just about to leave his room when a soft knock sounded at his door. He opened his door to find the very person he had just been thinking about standing there, looking worried.
“Hi! I was just thinking about you.” Monitor smiled at her, hoping to wipe the worried look off of her face.
“Where did you go? You didn’t say anything and I got worried. Is everything okay?” Darcy said worriedly.
Monitor put out his hand and without hesitation, Darcy put her hand in his and let him pull her into his room. She quickly looked around and noticed that his room was just like hers except for the decor and she liked his room better. It showed more of his personality instead of being like a guest room, like hers.
“Everything is fine! I just had to run a quick errand with Billy. Have you been having fun at the party? Where’s Toby?” Monitor asked, feeling very nervous but trying not to show it.
“He went down for a nap. He was worn out from playing with the other children. He’s loving making friends with them and just being a little boy who doesn’t have to be afraid of everything. Thank you, Monitor. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you guys have done for us.” Darcy said with feeling.
“Well, I’m glad we got you guys out of there but let me tell you, when I saw you for the first time, I swear, my heart jumped up and then stopped, like it was holding its breath or something then it started racing like it had been shot out of a cannon but was trying to dance some weird jungle beat at the same time.
Everytime I see you for the first time each day, it dances that same jungle beat for a minute then it just swells, like someone is pumping it full of I don’t know what.
When I’m away from you, you are all I can think about and I miss you so much that I can’t concentrate. I worry if you guys are okay. I dream about you at night and you fill my thoughts during the day. I want so much to explain what it is I’m feeling and what I want for us but I’m not a poet and I’m talking in circles I know but what I’m trying to say is I love you, Darcy. Please, won’t you say you will marry me?” Monitor said, holding the ring in its little box out to her in a hand that was shaking slightly.
He hadn’t planned on doing this this fast or standing in the middle of his bedroom and he forgot he was supposed to go down on one knee but knew if he moved his feet right now, he’d probably fall flat on his face because his knees felt like jello and he was afraid he would chicken out if he waited.
As soon as he had begun to speak, Darcy’s heart had begun to race, going faster and faster the more he said. When he had brought the box out of his pocket and opened it then asked her to marry him, Darcy felt like she was going to faint then she looked down at the ring. It was perfect and at first she just stared at it and then when she looked at him, she knew without a doubt that no matter what happened with Toby, Monitor would always be there for her and she wanted him by her side.
Darcy looked up at Monitor with her eyes filled with tears and for a moment, Monitor thought she was going to say no and run away but when she nodded her head and whispered “Yes. I love you too but I have just one question. What is your real name?”
Monitor didn’t hesitate to pull her to him before he kissed her then held her close as he whispered “Jeremy. Jeremy James Sawyer. And I love you so much, Darcy. You just made me the happiest man on earth.” Monitor said as he slipped the ring on her finger. He was surprised that it fit because he had been guessing at the size.
“How did you know what size I wear?” Darcy said as she stood looking down at what was, in her opinion, the most beautiful engagement ring ever made.
“A guess and pure luck! Do you like it? The lady said we have 90 days to exchange or return it if you don’t like it.” Monitor said.
“No! It’s perfect. I love it!” Darcy said and went up on her toes to kiss him again. Soon their kisses turned heated and their hands began to move. When Monitor caught her side with his hand, Darcy couldn’t help but gasp when he hit where her injury was most sensitive.
Monitor jerked his hand away and immediately began apologizing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never want to hurt you.”
“I know. We just have to be careful of my left side.” Darcy said as she boldly ran her hands inside his cut and pulled him closer. “I do want to be with you, Monitor but unfortunately, I’m on my cycle right now.” She hated that she had to tell him that and then giggled when he moaned as if he was in pain and judging by the large bump behind the zipper of his jeans that was rubbing against her stomach, she imagined that he was definitely uncomfortable.
Monitor had never been with a woman on her cycle, and while he was tempted to find out if the rumors he had heard were true that it would make her even tighter, he wasn’t going to chance it now but not because of that. He was too worried about hurting her ribs.
“I wasn’t planning on this and I don’t have your cut yet but can I announce you as my ole’ lady at dinner?” Monitor asked.
“Yes. Can I show off my ring or do I have to wait?” Darcy wanted to know. She wanted to rush out and show everyone her beautiful ring.
They left Monitor’s room and hand in hand, with huge smiles on their faces, walked down to the dining room. Chopper and Evan were just putting out the pans with the food for dinner into the warmers.
“Hey, you two. What has you smiling like a couple of Cheshire cats?” Chopper asked, then his eyes got huge when Monitor held
up Darcy’s left hand and said “She said YES!”
“Well, congratulations! Darcy, if he gives you any trouble, you just let me know and I’ll box his ears for you. Monitor, you better take good care of this little woman or I’ll steal her away from you!” Chopper teased.
Evan came out of the kitchen, carrying another pan of food and they shared their news with him. “Wow! Congratulations! You guys sure don’t waste any time, do you?” He said.
“When you know you’ve found the one, why waste time?” Monitor said. He was so happy he felt like he was going to bust. He couldn’t wait to announce their engagement to the world.
Darcy, earlier …………..
Darcy was sitting with Nita, Clara and some of the other women of the club. They were all fawning over Toby, Noah and Matty. Matty was soaking up the attention like a sponge. Noah was beginning to look like he wanted to slap her hands away every time Clara pinched his cheeks and called him cutie. Thankfully, she had not tried to carry Toby too much, who seemed to be content sitting on Nita’s lap and Nita and Darcy were enjoying visiting.
She didn’t even notice when Monitor disappeared. The last time she had seen him, he had been sitting on the edge of the yard, in the shade with Apollo. The next time she looked, they were both gone! She had looked around for him, trying to be discreet, but the only one she had spotted after that was Apollo. He was playing horseshoes with Atlas, Thunder and Trapper in the shade near the treeline.
She knew there was really no reason to be concerned but still, something told her something was up. When Toby began to sag on Aunt Nita’s lap, she told Aunt Nita. “I think this little man is ready for a nap. I think I’m going to go wipe him down and put him down for a little while. Playing in the sun has wiped him out.” Darcy said.
“Do you want some help getting him down?” Nita asked.
“If you wouldn’t mind helping me get him into his crib? I still can’t lift him without hurting my ribs.” Darcy said. She hated having to ask for help but Nita had offered.
After they put Toby down, they went to visit with Tori again, who got Doc to let her join the party for a while but she had gone back to lay down after lunch but now she was feeling better again. The three of them were walking back down the hall when Darcy made the excuse that she wanted to check on Toby and to use the restroom again. Darcy wondered where Monitor had gone and wondered if maybe he was just in his office? Or maybe he had just gotten tired and decided to lay down for a while?
Darcy did check on Toby again and as soon as she made sure Toby was okay, she made a quick stop in the bathroom, where she confirmed that she was still on her cycle but it was going to be over soon, then she left her room again. She walked down to Monitor’s door and knocked lightly. If he was napping, she didn’t want to wake him if he was trying to rest. She was surprised when he opened his door but very happy when he smiled at her.
