Are You The One?

In fact, they had not had passionate s*x for several months despite Brit’s efforts. Cliff was content to make love, and while she wasn’t exactly complaining, she missed the raw s*xual energy they had at the beginning of their relationship. The months passed and they grew closer. Brit fell more and more in love with Cliff but she was afraid to let him know.

*****

Brit had her seven-month checkup and decided to go to Cliff’s to give him an update. It was the first one he had missed but there was a big deal taking place. She wanted to reschedule but he insisted she go.  As she was waiting for Cliff to get home her phone rang. Brit recognized Holly’s number so she picked up. “Hi Holly,” Brit said happily.

“Brit! Hi. How are you? How is my niece?” Holly gushed,

“We’re both fine. How are you and Jeff?” Brit asked.

“Oh we’re fine,” Holly exclaimed. “Is my brother around? I just need to tell him… something,” she added cryptically.

“He should be…ah here he is now.”

“Holly,” Brit mouthed holding the phone out to him.

She went back to the living room to wait but she couldn’t help but overhear snippets of the conversation.

“Did I hear you say you’ll see her tomorrow?” Brit asked. “Sorry,” she added as an afterthought.

“Yes. She’s coming into town tomorrow,” Cliff explained.

“That’s weird she never said anything to me,” Brit replied.

“Well it’s a surprise,” Cliff said.

“Oh,” Brit mustered.

“Look I know you didn’t want to make a big deal out of it but we’re throwing you a baby shower birthday party on Saturday,” he said with a grin.

“What? No I look hideous. I look like a bloated hippo.”

“Brit everything is already set up and everyone has already been invited. Your parents get in tomorrow.”

“But I told you I hate surprises. That’s why I wanted to know the s*x of the baby and you didn’t,” she exclaimed.

“I know and I was thrilled and surprised that we were having a girl. Brittany please. It’s really important to me,” Cliff pleaded, his face showed his excitement.

“Okay fine. But only because there’s cake. There is cake right?” she asked teasingly.

“Of course there is,” he said kissing her forehead.

 She was happy to see her parents and had spent the past two days with them but was a little sad to find out they had to return the morning after the party. She was grateful to Cliff for flying them in but she was exhausted and didn’t feel up to the baby shower.

Soon enough Saturday arrived. Brit wore the designer dress Cliff had bought her but still felt bloated and sick. She didn’t feel like being there but she put on a happy face for her guests. The entire house was an explosion of pink and purple down to the cake. Cliff or the party planners had definitely gone overboard. His furniture had been moved and stored and in its place glittery pink and purple tables and chairs were placed strategically. There was enough food to feed twice as many guests as they had and Brit stared wistfully at the open bar. Meeting Cliff’s friends and family she could have definitely used a drink. She instead settled for visiting the extensive candy bar with every imaginable candy in pink and purple and white colors, from rock candy lollipops to chocolate kisses, cotton candy and gumballs.  He had even hired a DJ for the event.

The party was in full swing by the time George Sr. arrived. He said a brief hello to Brittany and then followed Cliff to his office. With Cliff gone Brit suddenly felt alone amongst his friends and went in search of a familiar face.

Holly was having a good time chatting with Tara and Eric when Brit approached.

“Brit there you are,” Holly exclaimed.

“Hi guys. That looks delicious,” she said pointing at the drinks in their hands.

“Here have a sip. There’s no alcohol in this,” Tara said holding out her glass.

“Brit have you seen Cliff? The caterer needs him,” Jeff said appearing out of nowhere. 

“Yes I’ll go get him,” she smiled and made her way to his office.

The door was slightly open. As Brit raised her hand to knock she couldn’t help but overhear the conversation.

“Your mother would have liked Brittany. She’s a lovely girl. And I think she would approve of the marriage,” George Sr. said.

“I never thought I would get married but she’s about to have my kid. I want Dylan to have my last name. It’s the right thing to do,” Cliff replied.

Brit’s eyes welled up with tears. She knew it. It was all about the baby. Here she was falling madly in love with Cliff and he just wanted to ‘do the right thing’. She couldn’t marry Cliff. She would always feel like an obligation to him. She wanted him to marry her because he loved her not because they had made a mistake after one night of giving into their lust. Brit hurried away, her eyes filling rapidly and threatening to overflow. She didn’t hear the remainder of Cliff’s sentence.

“The truth though Dad is she’s the one. I am so deeply in love with her. She is my perfect match. Even if she wasn’t pregnant I would want to spend the rest of my life with her. I’m hoping this time she’ll say yes. This pregnancy just brought us together. It was the best mistake I ever made and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Cliff gushed.

Brit approached the group again, her face expressing her sadness. Tara pulled her aside.

“Brit is everything okay?” she asked.

Before she could reply she was distracted by the appearance of a smiling George and a positively beaming Cliff.

“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Cliff said gesturing to the DJ to turn down the music.

“As you know we are here to celebrate the pregnancy of Brit and I’s first baby. It’s also Brittany’s birthday in a couple of weeks. I just wanted to say that although the idea scared me at first I have fallen completely in love with my child. And so I spoke to her father and received his blessings. As you all know Brit is due in two months and I would like to ask Dylan’s mommy to please be my wife. Brit will you marry me?” Cliff asked pulling a box from his pocket and getting on one knee.

The little group of friends and family that gathered cheered disorientating Brit. Her eyes were focused on the stunning diamond engagement ring that Cliff held out to her.

She hesitated only briefly before shaking her head.

“No Cliff. I’m sorry. I can’t marry you.”

She saw his face crumple and her heart broke in a million pieces.