To say Other was nervous was a bit of an understatement. On the plus side she wasn't sick today, which actually surprised her quite a bit. She'd gotten a call the day before asking if she had a night free to have dinner with Val at his apartment, and for once her next free night was well the next night so she jumped at that opportunity. Not only did she get to have dinner with Val again and enjoy his company but she...she also had to tell him something that may or may not ruin everything. She kept her spirits as high as she could but it was a little hard to when he'd sounded so nervous. Was it her imagination? He'd sounded a little nervous, not extremely so but just enough to cause her stomach to twist with worry. Other smiled weakly as she walked up the single flight of stairs to Val's apartment, placing her hands lightly over her stomach. How silly! Why should she worry? It was nothing! He...he was just fine; her imagination was getting to her again.
...Oh...oh god...what if he knew? What if he'd figured it out and this dinner was his way to break it off?! Other's eyes widened at that and she froze in midstep, her fingers grasping desperately at the off-white dress she was wearing. It was a bit light for this weather but it was the only thing currently stretchy enough to fit over her breasts. They'd gotten too large for her regular clothes right now! She swallowed hard and resumed her trek up the stairs, reaching the top quickly and standing in front of his door. Other frowned for a moment, sighing deeply and putting a hand over her eyes.
She had to tell him. She just had to...but she didn't want to yet...ugh!
After a few more moments of trying to calm herself she felt alright enough to brighten up and smile. She'd enjoy this! No matter what happened, right? This was Val! He loved her! And she loved him! People who love each other don't just break up like this, right? That thought cheered her up a bit more, snuggling into her coat and closing it tighter over her chest. She couldn't button it, she'd tried but it was too tight across her chest. Darn. Other closed her eyes and breathed, then opened them again as she smiled and knocked tentatively on Val's door, waiting patiently for an answer. Or as patiently as one can wait when preparing to tell their boyfriend she's having his baby.
Valeri was in his own little world of nerves and uncertainty. She was acting funny so maybe she was getting ready to break up with him or something else. Then again she had been sick a lot as of late and so Val began to reverently hope that it was the sickness and not anything he had done or said. He was chopping up some vegetables for a salad. Valeri had chosen vegetables and fruits for tonight's dinner for whatever reason other than the fact that he was craving it and it also seemed a much healthier choice for Other's consumption than steak or anything else he could have thought up.
So much to his chagrin he startled a bit when he heard the knock and almost cut into his own hand with his knife, "s**t!" he dropped the knife and yanked his hand away and stared down at the offending blade before he took up his cane and limped off toward the door to open it up. He took a deep breath and put on a smile before he opened the door to greet the equally nervous woman on the other side.
"Hello dearest~!" he chirped cheerfully, "come in and get comfortable," Valeri continued on as he moved a bit to the side so that Other could move in and start removing her coat.
Other clutched nervously at the skirt of her dress, blushing until the door opened and Val greeted her so happily. He didn't sound nervous at all! It really had been her imagination then! Her face lit up and she smiled widely. "Hi!" She stepped in as he moved aside, already shrugging out of her coat and hanging it up by the door, smoothing out her dress after. That was weird, she didn't smell anything cooking. Were they not eating dinner after all or something? She hopped up on her tiptoes to press a light kiss to his cheek, holding his free hand after.
"Thank you for inviting me over, Val~!" She squeezed his hand, tucking her hair behind her ear and looking around. Other was half expecting to greet Miranda as well but then she remembered she was staying with her aunt tonight...that seemed a bit odd to her. While he had given a reason, and she was more than happy to enjoy his company alone, she did miss seeing the girl and...and it would be nice to see her in case this would be her last chance to. "Um..how're you? You...you sounded a little nervous on the phone...I think. Is everything okay?" Probably not the best thing to ask, but she just wanted to be sure it was her imagination.
He leaned lightly into the kiss on the cheek and gripped her hand, "No problem," he said happily as he moved to lead her into the kitchen where he had a small dinette set with the plates and glasses all set up for them. "I'm fine, better now that you're here. O..Oh that...It is nothing to be worried about," he promised quietly. Valeri had a couple of gifts to give her before dinner and something to give her after dinner with the hope that something unseen doesn't happen. The thought about that third gift brought the nervous thoughts back though he tried very hard not to let it show.
"Here sit, I hope salad and fruit is okay for dinner. Seeing as you have been kind of sick," he said with his brow knitting slightly to show his concern, "are you feeling any better at all?" Valeri waited until she seated herself before he moved anywhere else. "What would you like to drink, Other?"
"You're just saying that to make me blush." Other puffed out her cheeks and pouted up at him, blushing anyway. Nothing to be worried about? Well if he said so, but shouldn't she be worried if he was nervous? They were dating, after all! She was supposed to comfort him when he was nervous. How odd. Other followed him to the kitchen, looking up at Val as he told her what was for dinner and why. Awww! He was so thoughtful! Gosh, she really loved this man. "Thank you, Val. That's very sweet of you." She said with honest appreciation, taking a seat as she was asked if she was better.
...Well that was a loaded question.
"I...I am. A little." Other fidgeted in her seat nervously for a moment. Should she tell him now? Or after dinner? Oooh this was so much harder than she thought it would be! "Um...do you have iced tea?" If he didn't she'd just ask for something else! But iced tea sounded delicious...even if it was associated with something potentially horrible right now. "A-actually I...I found out why I was sick." Other said quietly, poiting her fingers together for a moment. Wait! What was she doing? N-no! She...she had to wait! If she told him now she'd ruin dinner! "It...it was nothing. It's silly. It'll go away though, so I'll be better soon." By soon she meant in nine months but hey! Details, eh?
He laughed a bit and shook his head, "No I really mean it, the blushing is just a bonus," he teased at her slightly amused by her pout. After she had sat down he nodded a bit and smiled as he moved to get a small gift back that was sitting on a counter by its lonesome and moved to offer it to her, "First a gift, then we'll eat," he said cheerfully. Valeri was very confident that she'd like these presents after all they had talked about it fairly recently when they conversed about the types of tea they enjoy.
Valeri tilted his head at her words and seemed to be waiting for her to explain why she was sick only to have her dismiss it. A faint frown appeared over his lips but he did not press the issue and smiled at her in spite of that, "Well, alright, just if you start to feel sick again you can lay down in my bed or something," he said with a small nod and then fell silent to watch her reaction to the gifts he had gotten her.
Should he propose to her during dinner? After dinner? He kept the ring in a box in his pocket so that he'd always have it on hand. Val could think of many more romantic places to propose to her in other than at his dinette set but really it wasn't the place it was the thought, right?
Other blinked. A gift? A-another one?! He was spoiling her! She would just have to think of more things to get him in return then! Hmph! But this was a good sign. If Val was giving her another present then it couldn't possibly mean he knew already and had brought her here to break up with her! She felt very noticeably better, taking the gift and setting it on her lap. Other was about to open it when Val said something more, smiling up at him and nodding. "Alright, thank you Val." And then in a moment of bravery that she had no idea she even had. "Will you lay with me~?" She asked with a cheeky smile and a little wink, giggling a bit. For once she did mean...that, but it was just a joke for now. Other never came here expecting or even thinking about stuff like that. She was here to enjoy being with Val, and that was easy to do without making love.
After her teasing she turned her attention down to the gift again, opening it and just staring. Tins? Were...these tea? She lifted one of the tins and looked at it, smiling brightly when she spotted a label that stated this one was Oolong tea. Wow! Her favorite! Other opened it to find there was actual powder inside and not just little bags. "W-wow, Val!" She was at a bit of a loss for words, sniffing it with a little giggle. It smelled so good! Were they both just Oolong? Other closed the lid and set the Oolong aside to pick up the other, gasping at what she saw on the label. "White..?" And this one was powder too! "V-Val I...how did you..." But white was so pricey! He really got this for her? That was...that was incredible! How did he even find white tea? "Thank you so much!" Other's spirits were way much better, not because he had spoiled her but simply because he thought about her like this. He was amazing! She..she didn't want him to leave her! Other couldn't do it now. No. She couldn't do this to Val. Not yet. Ugh.
"Thank you so much, Val! You..you're amazing!" She said sincerely, reaching up to pull him down for a sweet kiss. "I love you so much." Other murmured against his lips, stealing another kiss before letting him go, another light blush dusting her cheeks.
He blinked a bit at her teasing and even blushed a bit at that, "Ahaha, only if you want to and if you feel well enough for it," he responded and shifted his shoulders a bit. Valeri had known what she meant by her words just by reading her face and then settled down and watched her react to his present. He smiled pleased that he had delighted her with not one gift but two, especially the white tea it seemed. He Reached up his free hand and rubbed the side of his neck and shrugged, "I have my ways," he replied humbly. Valeri gave a small surprised, but pleased sound when she pulled him down for the kiss and returned it once and then the second time as he straightened up a bit with a small blush of his own, "Your welcome, maybe I should get you tea more often," he teased lightly with a small chuckle. "I love you, too. Very much," maybe she wasn't going to break up with him, right? Okay so maybe it was all because she was sick. He could sort of relax now!
Valeri turned and went to the counter and finished up the salad by tossing in the last of the vegetables he had been chopping before she arrived and placed it on the table and placed a serving of salad on her plate and then some on his. He had already gotten all the salad dressing out either of them could ever want. There was a small pause as he seemed to recall something that slipped his mind, "O..Oh yeah you wanted iced tea! I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'll go get you some..." Valeri put the serving bowl of salad down on the table and began to go get the jug of iced tea. He had totally forgotten to even acknowledge her question about the drink in the first place, even though he had asked beforehand if she wanted anything at all.
His reaction made her laugh, shrugging a little. Maybe? Who knows. She didn't feel sick or anything today but it was still something she wasn't used to thinking about or doing. She smiled at his humbleness, giggling at his tease. "You don't have to do that. This will last me a long time before you'll have to!" Other said happily. An expensive necklace was a one-time purchase, but if he bought her these teas over and over it would be too much! She'd use the white wisely, make it last as long as she possibly could. Her heart fluttered as he told her he loved her, smiling warmly up at him and very nearly tugging him back down to kiss him again. He got away too fast for her.
"Huh? Oh! Don't worry, it's perfectly alright! We got distracted." Though now that she had it she was rather tempted to have the white tea instead! She'd save it though. Val was already getting her iced tea. "Thank you, Val." She said in regards to the iced tea, sipping at it whenever it was set down for her to drink. Hm, he'd said something earlier that now she finally had the chance to wonder about. Better now that she was here? Well that could mean a number of things! Either he was just saying it in teasing, or something had been wrong!
"Um, you said you were better now that I'm here. Is something the matter?" He'd said she didn't need to worry, but she couldn't help it.
"Aww, but I wanted more kisses," he continued to tease as he got out the tea, poured it in a glass, and then brought the glass to Other with a small laugh. "I am glad you like your gifts though," he said happily. He was wondering how to bring up the whole engagement thing in general. Should he start with a large speech about how happy she makes him? Should he just ask her to marry him during dinner? Maybe he should just wait until after dinner after all. He internally struggled with the thought as he nodded at her comment about them being distracted.
If only she knew...
At her question he simply leaned and stole a kiss from her lips before he moved to his chair and sat upon it and leaned his cane against the table as he came up with a small quick fib, "Oh a client has been driving me up the wall is all," he said with a small laugh and shrugged. Well it wasn't as much of a fib as he would have liked it to have been. There was a certain client driving him up the wall constantly changing their minds about certain parts of the project or completely rejecting whatever he brought up even though it was exactly what they had asked for.
Other laughed, blushing as she did. "That's silly! You don't need to bribe me for those!" This felt nice. Just playing around and teasing each other, this definitely wasn't something she saw herself doing a year ago. Wait...what...what was today? Other blinked and stared thoughtfully at her glass as it was set down in front of her, jumping a little at Val's comment and smiling. "I do! I love them!" She said with all honestly, picking up her glass and taking a sip as she watched him. How silly, she couldn't believe she'd forgotten. It was either coincidence or..she was a really bad girlfriend and had forgotten their anniversary. Crap! Was that why he got her the presents?! Oh no! She had been so distracted by this whole pregnancy thing she'd forgotten all about it!
Her panicked thoughts fluttered away as he kissed her, returning the little kiss and completely buying his little white lie. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry." Other smiled, apologizing on behalf of this idiot who was bothering her boyfriend. "O-oh! This'll cheer you up, I think!" She smiled brightly, reaching out to hold his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb lightly over the back of his hand. "Today's a year since you spanked me on the butt and stole my first kiss!" Other said teasingly, intentionally using the finer points of their first meeting to pretty much say they'd met a year ago today. She leaned in and stole a kiss from his lips just like he had done, giving his hand a squeeze as she sat back in her chair, looking at him adoringly. Now that she had this to think about she was very happily distracted from what she really had to tell him; thinking about them being together for a year was much nicer than thinking about something that could keep it at just the year. They hadn't become..'official' until after that, but they'd gone on a date that night! And he'd kissed her. Other would like to think that counted. "Happy anniversary, Val~." She would make it up to him for not having a present like he had given her. She definitely would no matter how the night turned out good or bad.
"But it's so much fun to bribe you~," he continued on with a small laugh. Valeri knew he never had to bribe Other for kisses or hugs or anything that showed affection toward him. He was glad that she loved her gifts and nodded at her appreciation with a small smile. He began to put some dressing on his portion of salad with a bit of a thoughtful hum. Val chuckled when she apologized on behalf of his client, "It is fine," he assured her happily and then put the salad dressing down and stared at her curiously when she offered a point that would cheer him up.
..Huh! So it was. He was so caught up in everything as of late he hadn't even thought about it to be quite honest. Now he felt a small ounce of guilt.
He squeezed her hand back gently and returned the kiss before retreated and smiled at her, "Happy anniversary, Other," he returned quietly and in that moment now was as good a time as any other. It must have been fate even though he had, up until a few moments ago, forgotten it. Valeri moved his hand from going to the fork to the pocket that had the box that the very important ring was contained and brought it out and gently opened it with a flip of his thumb against the lid and placed it on the table between them for her to see.
"Other, will you marry me?" It was simple, it was blunt. He didn't need a damn speech.
Val didn't seem surprised by her words, so now she really must have been the bad girlfriend and forgotten it was their anniversary. Darn! Well, at least she had a very good reason to lose track of the date. It wasn't that she forgot it was coming, she just wasn't sure what day it was sometimes. Other didn't let go of his hand just yet, she didn't want to. It felt right whenever she held his hand it felt nice, it felt right. She loved it. She really did fantasize that one day they could just do it all the time without having to wait for a day they were both free, and without having to send poor Miranda away.
Wh-what? Other blinked and watched Val reach under the table for something else, tilting her head and looking very curious. Did he have an itch or something? His hand came back into view but it wasn't empty. It had something...a...box? Other's eyes widened and the hand that was holding Val's tightened anxiously, expectantly. Was that a--a ring?! A gorgeous ring! It..it even looked like it was inspired by a violin! It couldn't be what rings usually meant! It just had to be something to go along with her necklace! Her heart raced and her eyes widened, gasping softly as Val asked The Question.
Marry him? He really wanted her to...that was...that was incredible! He wanted to marry her! "Yes!" She cried happily without needing even a moment's thought, letting go of Val's hand to move her chair closer and lean in and throw her arms around him in a hug. Yes, yes, a thousand times she would say yes! Other wanted nothing more than to marry Val and live happily with him for the rest of their lives! Nothing could make her happier! Well...almost nothing.
"Yes, Val!" Other repeated, sniffing and leaning back to wipe at her eyes. She was crying? Ohhh but she was just so happy! He wanted her, he wanted only her! She leaned in again to give him an excited kiss, her hands moving to cup his face as she kissed him. "I love you so, so much."
Valeri was pretending to not be surprised but then again he was using that as a lead in to his proposal and it worked. They had been together a year, a whole year. If they could survive a year then they could survive anything, right? Sure people waited much longer than a year but he really, really didn't see a point in dragging it along. He watched her anxiously and gave her time to take it in and react and when she did react he was relieved, so relieved, that it had been a pleasing reaction. A good reaction. Not one in which she got up and walked out on him or various other scenarios that ended in a very resounding and heartbreaking 'no'.
His arms moved to hug around her and he gave her a kiss upon the corner of her lips and smiled very much happy, "You've made me very happy. You have made our life very special. Miranda and I want you to be a part of it permanently," he said with a small blush dusting across his freckled cheeks. "I love you, too," he said with a small smile. Valeri reached and took the ring out of the case and waited for her to offer up the appropriate hand. Might as well do this somewhat right.
He wanted nothing more than to be married to Other. The idea of waking up next to her made him almost giddy. He remembered waking up next to her on the couch and felt an odd sense of supreme contentment and wanted nothing more than to repeat each day waking up next to her - not on the couch necessarily, but next to her every day. He wanted to see her face first thing each day when he wakes up.
Val had to be completely out of his mind if he honestly thought Other would say no to him asking her to marry him. Marrying him sounded like the best idea she'd heard in forever! She returned the kiss he gave her, nuzzling her face into his cheek with a happy little noise. Val, Val, her Val, all hers. All hers forever and ever. "You make me happy too. Very, very happy." She murmured happily, pressing a kiss to his cheek and turning her head to watch him take the ring out. Her heart fluttered and she couldn't help the excited giggle of glee that bubbled up as she let him go to hold up her left hand for him. Once he got it on her finger she stared at it in awe, turning her hand this way and that to see the ring on her finger from every possible angle. "It's so gorgeous, Val..." She breathed, giggling and looking up at him. "You spoil me." Other teased, still staring down at the ring. Honestly, she'd be reacting the same way if it was just a simple as a silly plastic mood ring, it was more the thought and meaning behind it that garnered this reaction from her. It was just a bonus that it was a beautiful ring that had a violin theme to it! This was it though! She really could spend her life with him! And with Miranda too. She'd really be her 'Mami' now, wouldn't she?
...Oh...
"Um..." Other blushed, grasping Val's hand gently with both of hers and holding it against her cheek. She closed her eyes, but even still it was obvious that she was getting serious. That was right. She would be Miranda's Mami, but also...they also had their own baby on the way. If it was alright with Val. "There's...something I need to tell you first." Other said quietly, nervously. She opened her eyes and looked up at him with a tiny smile. Now was as good a time as any, right? She didn't want to put a damper on the excitement over getting engaged, but since they were so happy then maybe it would be easier for him to handle this? "I'm...w-well that is we...and...well it's like...we..." There were so many ways to hint at it. They didn't have to wait for a family, but he had Miranda so they'd already be a family. There were other things she could have said as well, but for his sake it would probably be easier for her to just...say it outright...
"I, um, I'm well...I'm pregnant."
He slipped the ring onto the appropriate finger and was felt so deliriously happy. Valeri was also glad that he made her happy too. The freckled man gave a small chuckle in response to her glee and the way she behaved about the ring. It was like he had given her the best, most glorious gift ever, and he was glad that she behaved this way. He was very happy that she seemed to adore the ring as he was nervous about how she'd receive the ring in the first place, "It's my pleasure to spoil you," it was odd the feeling he felt that he was now engaged to Other. It was a very happy feeling but it was also a slight need in adjustment of thinking and how he would introduce the woman across from him now. My intended? Too formal. My fiancée? Seemed lacking somehow and he wasn't sure why. He was also excited to tell Miranda that Other had said yes!
Suddenly he was dragged from his thoughts. Wait there was something she needed to tell him? What was it? He knew she wasn't actually a man, he'd seen her naked! He stared at her as she went about explaining whatever it was that was on her mind and when it finally came out for some reason his mind didn't make the connection, "Oh, that's alright then." He chirped happily, "I'm so excited to tell Miranda that--..." There was a pause and a long silence and suddenly it seemed the full definition of the word 'pregnant' seemed to illuminate in his mind as the synapses suddenly snapped and...
"What?!" he breathed out in surprise. It wasn't a displeased reaction but more shocked. He had worried about this outcome but somehow all the worrying and self-preparation still made the whole thing seem surreal.
Other swallowed hard and watched Val cautiously, a dark blush creeping over her cheeks. Oh god, she'd done it. She'd told him. She just went ahead and just said it! She didn't say anything more; she would wait patiently for his answer. Or she could try and be patient about it, at least. It was actually pretty agonizing waiting for him to say something, do something, just react somehow. She was expecting some kind of outburst, good or bad, but she didn't...get that? He was so calm about it! Other blinked and stared at Val when he just said it was alright and didn't seem to react anymore than that. He was even excited to tell Miranda? That was...good! It was very unexpected but she liked this response! It was like he was okay with it! It was way better than any scenario that had gone through her head. He was okay with it! And he was excited to tell Miranda! Other brightened up considerably and seemed to calm down at this pleasant turn of events, her smile growing until he suddenly got quiet.
Oh, it was one of those things. A doubletake. Great. At least he didn't sound mad, right? He was just surprised. This wasn't so bad. Other, you can handle this, just..say it again. "Um, well...I...I'm pregnant." She repeated quietly, feeling extremely shy and nervous about this. "It's why I've been sick. A-after our last date I called my mom and she...she got me some pregnancy tests, a lot of them. And all of them were positive." She didn't think she'd have to go over the more personal details like missing her period or anything. Her hands, still holding Val's, dropped to her lap and she rubbed them nervously. "I would have told you sooner but I was really scared you would be mad o-or that you'd...leave." She bit down on her lip, watching Val quietly for a moment. She wanted to have it, especially because it was with Val.
He just stared at her with wide eyes brimming over the edges of his glasses. He let her continue to hold onto his hands, which was a good sign, and just stared at her. At the moment nothing could come to him that he could say he just listened to her talk and then the last bits of her words seem to strike up a response, "W..What?! Leave you? Be mad? Never. Never! O..Other you're the love of my life I wouldn't leave you because you're pregnant. You're silly for even thinking that."
Get mad at her? Leave her? Never! Not even in a million lifetimes! He would stay by her side through this even if they weren't going to get married in the first place. He lifted up her hands with his and gently kissed them over and over and then pressed his cheek against the knuckles lightly.
"I..I figured this was going to happen," he almost apologized but it was pointless to do so, "I'm glad it's with you. It might be a bit earlier than either of us wanted but it'll be our family and we'll be together, it'll be okay," he said finally not sure what brought it out of him but every bit of it was sincere. It was really his fault for not using a condom even if he had there was a small chance that she still could have gotten pregnant but even then maybe she wouldn't have had to apparently go through this torture she put on herself. If anything he felt bad for what she put herself through.
"The pregnancy changes nothing. I still want to marry you," he said clearly to make sure that there was no misunderstanding.
His words made her smile sheepishly, ducking her head a bit and looking to the side. "I know, I tried to remind myself that you're not like that, but I couldn't help it." It was the truth. It wasn't something she liked to admit but it was still the truth, and Other didn't like to lie. Her breath caught as he lifted her hands, giggling softly at the way he kissed them over and over, squeezing his hand affectionately. She was the love of his life? His whole life? No one had ever said that to her before, and whenever she heard anyone say that it was usually in a story or a movie. It felt incredible to have it said to her by Val. She never thought she'd hear that! She wanted to hear it again.
"I-I'm sorry. If I hadn't...just...brought it up we might have been more prepared." Other giggled, turning to look at Val again with a soft smile. He was glad it was her? Aw.. "I'm glad it's with you too." She said sincerely, leaning in to steal a gentle kiss from his lips. If Val said anything about blaming himself she would free her hands and swat him for being silly. It wasn't his fault, she was to blame as well. But at least now they could call this a 'happy accident'? But there was still the worry that he--oh! Haha!
Other sniffed, moving in a way that she could wipe her eyes on her wrist as the tears that had been threatening to escape since the moment she'd seen the ring and understood what it meant. She couldn't help it, she was just...so happy. Val loved her, he'd called her the love of his life, and he still wanted to marry her. He wasn't angry in the slightest that she was pregnant, and it was his baby. Their baby. "I still want to marry you, too!" Other said happily, pulling her hands away from Val's to instead hug him a little more tenderly than she had before, kissing the corner of his mouth and then nuzzling her face into his cheek with a very happy sigh. God, she loved him so much. Other cupped his chin in her hands, kissing him again then resting her forehead against his, looking into his eyes over the top of his glasses.
"Val, I love you so much. So, so much." She murmured lovingly, kissing him again. "I want nothing more than to marry you and have our happy family together." Other said with a gentle smile, stealing yet another soft kiss.
Valeri chuckled slightly, "I'll admit that it is a lot to take in," he smiled a bit, "but I would be a fool to run away from you and our child. I'd be a selfish fool," he said quietly as he planted at least one more kiss upon her knuckles and squeezed her hands back reassuringly. If it had been him the way he used to be he would have run. Run like a coward, he also wouldn't have Miranda right now either. She'd have been handed off to the closest person he could have found. No he was different now and he would stay by her side no matter what.
The ginger haired man laughed a bit at the mention of being 'prepared' he shook his head, "Other, there is no way you could have prepared me for that," he said simply and shifted his shoulders slightly and returned the kiss upon the lips lightly. "I even tried to prepare myself for the possibility since that night...Since I ... forgot to use a condom that night," he mumbled a bit grudgingly with a bit of a sigh. It wasn't entirely his fault it was true but he still couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but he was happy that she was happy at least now he could only imagine how she felt prior and he didn't like what his imagination was doing.
He wrapped his arms around her as he let her hands go and hugged her to him happily and affectionately. Valeri quietly kissed the corner of her mouth in return and against the side of her face that he could reach, "Good, because I got you that ring and I had no intention of taking it back," he laughed slightly, "besides you're stuck with me now." He stared back into her eyes and kissed her back again. Valeri found that his 'quota' for kisses was being filled to the brim tonight.
"I love you, too." He smiled happily as he kept kissing her back and even initiated a couple of kisses of his own in between all of this. "I ... suppose I should tell Miranda we'll be moving soon...?"
"Ha. It really is." It'd been a lot for her to take in just staring at the tests! For a moment she'd thought they were all incorrect! Other nodded in agreement to Val's words, smiling gratefully. Yes, it wouldn't be fair if he ran away. It would be right. She was so happy he was okay with it. Other giggled as he kissed her hand one more time. It tickled!
Other smiled when he laughed, shaking her head a bit and pouting as brattily as she could. "Uh uh! I...I could've...um...j-just warned you ahead of...time...?" But how do you tell someone you want to come over to have sex? Was that even a good reason to call someone? Oh, come over I want to sleep with you. That sounded...awkward. Why would anyone do that? She blushed when Val reminded her he didn't use a condom or anything that night. "A-and I'm not..taking anything so..." By anything she naturally meant birth control. "It's not your fault, silly." She assured him, since it really was the truth! Though it was fairly comforting that Val didn't have one on him now that she thought about it, it meant he didn't see her expecting sex anytime. He liked being with her just normally!
As he returned her hug she scooted her chair closer and cuddled up close to him with a blissful sigh, closing her eyes. This felt so nice. And now he wasn't just her boyfriend, he was her fiancé. That meant someday very soon he'd be her husband. Other Stark...hey! It..it got rid of the P! Other gasped with delight and stared up at Val. Her initials! "It changes my initials!" She cheered, hugging him tighter. It took so little to please her, but it was better than her being high maintenance, right? "I'm fine with being stuck with you, I suppose." Other giggled. Though now it made it sound like she was staying with him just because of her name...but it was a joke! She hadn't even thought of it until just now! She returned every kiss happily, having completely forgotten about their dinner for now in favor of continuing to rejoice and celebrate being engaged to the man she loved now.
"Move..? Oh, yes!" Oh thank goodness! She'd go anywhere with him but she really wanted to stay in a house. And Miranda and the baby could have their own rooms this way! "You can move in whenever you'd like!" She chirped happily, kissing him one more time just because she could. "...Wait...I-I don't have to move furniture again, do I?"
...Oh...oh god...what if he knew? What if he'd figured it out and this dinner was his way to break it off?! Other's eyes widened at that and she froze in midstep, her fingers grasping desperately at the off-white dress she was wearing. It was a bit light for this weather but it was the only thing currently stretchy enough to fit over her breasts. They'd gotten too large for her regular clothes right now! She swallowed hard and resumed her trek up the stairs, reaching the top quickly and standing in front of his door. Other frowned for a moment, sighing deeply and putting a hand over her eyes.
She had to tell him. She just had to...but she didn't want to yet...ugh!
After a few more moments of trying to calm herself she felt alright enough to brighten up and smile. She'd enjoy this! No matter what happened, right? This was Val! He loved her! And she loved him! People who love each other don't just break up like this, right? That thought cheered her up a bit more, snuggling into her coat and closing it tighter over her chest. She couldn't button it, she'd tried but it was too tight across her chest. Darn. Other closed her eyes and breathed, then opened them again as she smiled and knocked tentatively on Val's door, waiting patiently for an answer. Or as patiently as one can wait when preparing to tell their boyfriend she's having his baby.
Valeri was in his own little world of nerves and uncertainty. She was acting funny so maybe she was getting ready to break up with him or something else. Then again she had been sick a lot as of late and so Val began to reverently hope that it was the sickness and not anything he had done or said. He was chopping up some vegetables for a salad. Valeri had chosen vegetables and fruits for tonight's dinner for whatever reason other than the fact that he was craving it and it also seemed a much healthier choice for Other's consumption than steak or anything else he could have thought up.
So much to his chagrin he startled a bit when he heard the knock and almost cut into his own hand with his knife, "s**t!" he dropped the knife and yanked his hand away and stared down at the offending blade before he took up his cane and limped off toward the door to open it up. He took a deep breath and put on a smile before he opened the door to greet the equally nervous woman on the other side.
"Hello dearest~!" he chirped cheerfully, "come in and get comfortable," Valeri continued on as he moved a bit to the side so that Other could move in and start removing her coat.
Other clutched nervously at the skirt of her dress, blushing until the door opened and Val greeted her so happily. He didn't sound nervous at all! It really had been her imagination then! Her face lit up and she smiled widely. "Hi!" She stepped in as he moved aside, already shrugging out of her coat and hanging it up by the door, smoothing out her dress after. That was weird, she didn't smell anything cooking. Were they not eating dinner after all or something? She hopped up on her tiptoes to press a light kiss to his cheek, holding his free hand after.
"Thank you for inviting me over, Val~!" She squeezed his hand, tucking her hair behind her ear and looking around. Other was half expecting to greet Miranda as well but then she remembered she was staying with her aunt tonight...that seemed a bit odd to her. While he had given a reason, and she was more than happy to enjoy his company alone, she did miss seeing the girl and...and it would be nice to see her in case this would be her last chance to. "Um..how're you? You...you sounded a little nervous on the phone...I think. Is everything okay?" Probably not the best thing to ask, but she just wanted to be sure it was her imagination.
He leaned lightly into the kiss on the cheek and gripped her hand, "No problem," he said happily as he moved to lead her into the kitchen where he had a small dinette set with the plates and glasses all set up for them. "I'm fine, better now that you're here. O..Oh that...It is nothing to be worried about," he promised quietly. Valeri had a couple of gifts to give her before dinner and something to give her after dinner with the hope that something unseen doesn't happen. The thought about that third gift brought the nervous thoughts back though he tried very hard not to let it show.
"Here sit, I hope salad and fruit is okay for dinner. Seeing as you have been kind of sick," he said with his brow knitting slightly to show his concern, "are you feeling any better at all?" Valeri waited until she seated herself before he moved anywhere else. "What would you like to drink, Other?"
"You're just saying that to make me blush." Other puffed out her cheeks and pouted up at him, blushing anyway. Nothing to be worried about? Well if he said so, but shouldn't she be worried if he was nervous? They were dating, after all! She was supposed to comfort him when he was nervous. How odd. Other followed him to the kitchen, looking up at Val as he told her what was for dinner and why. Awww! He was so thoughtful! Gosh, she really loved this man. "Thank you, Val. That's very sweet of you." She said with honest appreciation, taking a seat as she was asked if she was better.
...Well that was a loaded question.
"I...I am. A little." Other fidgeted in her seat nervously for a moment. Should she tell him now? Or after dinner? Oooh this was so much harder than she thought it would be! "Um...do you have iced tea?" If he didn't she'd just ask for something else! But iced tea sounded delicious...even if it was associated with something potentially horrible right now. "A-actually I...I found out why I was sick." Other said quietly, poiting her fingers together for a moment. Wait! What was she doing? N-no! She...she had to wait! If she told him now she'd ruin dinner! "It...it was nothing. It's silly. It'll go away though, so I'll be better soon." By soon she meant in nine months but hey! Details, eh?
He laughed a bit and shook his head, "No I really mean it, the blushing is just a bonus," he teased at her slightly amused by her pout. After she had sat down he nodded a bit and smiled as he moved to get a small gift back that was sitting on a counter by its lonesome and moved to offer it to her, "First a gift, then we'll eat," he said cheerfully. Valeri was very confident that she'd like these presents after all they had talked about it fairly recently when they conversed about the types of tea they enjoy.
Valeri tilted his head at her words and seemed to be waiting for her to explain why she was sick only to have her dismiss it. A faint frown appeared over his lips but he did not press the issue and smiled at her in spite of that, "Well, alright, just if you start to feel sick again you can lay down in my bed or something," he said with a small nod and then fell silent to watch her reaction to the gifts he had gotten her.
Should he propose to her during dinner? After dinner? He kept the ring in a box in his pocket so that he'd always have it on hand. Val could think of many more romantic places to propose to her in other than at his dinette set but really it wasn't the place it was the thought, right?
Other blinked. A gift? A-another one?! He was spoiling her! She would just have to think of more things to get him in return then! Hmph! But this was a good sign. If Val was giving her another present then it couldn't possibly mean he knew already and had brought her here to break up with her! She felt very noticeably better, taking the gift and setting it on her lap. Other was about to open it when Val said something more, smiling up at him and nodding. "Alright, thank you Val." And then in a moment of bravery that she had no idea she even had. "Will you lay with me~?" She asked with a cheeky smile and a little wink, giggling a bit. For once she did mean...that, but it was just a joke for now. Other never came here expecting or even thinking about stuff like that. She was here to enjoy being with Val, and that was easy to do without making love.
After her teasing she turned her attention down to the gift again, opening it and just staring. Tins? Were...these tea? She lifted one of the tins and looked at it, smiling brightly when she spotted a label that stated this one was Oolong tea. Wow! Her favorite! Other opened it to find there was actual powder inside and not just little bags. "W-wow, Val!" She was at a bit of a loss for words, sniffing it with a little giggle. It smelled so good! Were they both just Oolong? Other closed the lid and set the Oolong aside to pick up the other, gasping at what she saw on the label. "White..?" And this one was powder too! "V-Val I...how did you..." But white was so pricey! He really got this for her? That was...that was incredible! How did he even find white tea? "Thank you so much!" Other's spirits were way much better, not because he had spoiled her but simply because he thought about her like this. He was amazing! She..she didn't want him to leave her! Other couldn't do it now. No. She couldn't do this to Val. Not yet. Ugh.
"Thank you so much, Val! You..you're amazing!" She said sincerely, reaching up to pull him down for a sweet kiss. "I love you so much." Other murmured against his lips, stealing another kiss before letting him go, another light blush dusting her cheeks.
He blinked a bit at her teasing and even blushed a bit at that, "Ahaha, only if you want to and if you feel well enough for it," he responded and shifted his shoulders a bit. Valeri had known what she meant by her words just by reading her face and then settled down and watched her react to his present. He smiled pleased that he had delighted her with not one gift but two, especially the white tea it seemed. He Reached up his free hand and rubbed the side of his neck and shrugged, "I have my ways," he replied humbly. Valeri gave a small surprised, but pleased sound when she pulled him down for the kiss and returned it once and then the second time as he straightened up a bit with a small blush of his own, "Your welcome, maybe I should get you tea more often," he teased lightly with a small chuckle. "I love you, too. Very much," maybe she wasn't going to break up with him, right? Okay so maybe it was all because she was sick. He could sort of relax now!
Valeri turned and went to the counter and finished up the salad by tossing in the last of the vegetables he had been chopping before she arrived and placed it on the table and placed a serving of salad on her plate and then some on his. He had already gotten all the salad dressing out either of them could ever want. There was a small pause as he seemed to recall something that slipped his mind, "O..Oh yeah you wanted iced tea! I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'll go get you some..." Valeri put the serving bowl of salad down on the table and began to go get the jug of iced tea. He had totally forgotten to even acknowledge her question about the drink in the first place, even though he had asked beforehand if she wanted anything at all.
His reaction made her laugh, shrugging a little. Maybe? Who knows. She didn't feel sick or anything today but it was still something she wasn't used to thinking about or doing. She smiled at his humbleness, giggling at his tease. "You don't have to do that. This will last me a long time before you'll have to!" Other said happily. An expensive necklace was a one-time purchase, but if he bought her these teas over and over it would be too much! She'd use the white wisely, make it last as long as she possibly could. Her heart fluttered as he told her he loved her, smiling warmly up at him and very nearly tugging him back down to kiss him again. He got away too fast for her.
"Huh? Oh! Don't worry, it's perfectly alright! We got distracted." Though now that she had it she was rather tempted to have the white tea instead! She'd save it though. Val was already getting her iced tea. "Thank you, Val." She said in regards to the iced tea, sipping at it whenever it was set down for her to drink. Hm, he'd said something earlier that now she finally had the chance to wonder about. Better now that she was here? Well that could mean a number of things! Either he was just saying it in teasing, or something had been wrong!
"Um, you said you were better now that I'm here. Is something the matter?" He'd said she didn't need to worry, but she couldn't help it.
"Aww, but I wanted more kisses," he continued to tease as he got out the tea, poured it in a glass, and then brought the glass to Other with a small laugh. "I am glad you like your gifts though," he said happily. He was wondering how to bring up the whole engagement thing in general. Should he start with a large speech about how happy she makes him? Should he just ask her to marry him during dinner? Maybe he should just wait until after dinner after all. He internally struggled with the thought as he nodded at her comment about them being distracted.
If only she knew...
At her question he simply leaned and stole a kiss from her lips before he moved to his chair and sat upon it and leaned his cane against the table as he came up with a small quick fib, "Oh a client has been driving me up the wall is all," he said with a small laugh and shrugged. Well it wasn't as much of a fib as he would have liked it to have been. There was a certain client driving him up the wall constantly changing their minds about certain parts of the project or completely rejecting whatever he brought up even though it was exactly what they had asked for.
Other laughed, blushing as she did. "That's silly! You don't need to bribe me for those!" This felt nice. Just playing around and teasing each other, this definitely wasn't something she saw herself doing a year ago. Wait...what...what was today? Other blinked and stared thoughtfully at her glass as it was set down in front of her, jumping a little at Val's comment and smiling. "I do! I love them!" She said with all honestly, picking up her glass and taking a sip as she watched him. How silly, she couldn't believe she'd forgotten. It was either coincidence or..she was a really bad girlfriend and had forgotten their anniversary. Crap! Was that why he got her the presents?! Oh no! She had been so distracted by this whole pregnancy thing she'd forgotten all about it!
Her panicked thoughts fluttered away as he kissed her, returning the little kiss and completely buying his little white lie. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry." Other smiled, apologizing on behalf of this idiot who was bothering her boyfriend. "O-oh! This'll cheer you up, I think!" She smiled brightly, reaching out to hold his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb lightly over the back of his hand. "Today's a year since you spanked me on the butt and stole my first kiss!" Other said teasingly, intentionally using the finer points of their first meeting to pretty much say they'd met a year ago today. She leaned in and stole a kiss from his lips just like he had done, giving his hand a squeeze as she sat back in her chair, looking at him adoringly. Now that she had this to think about she was very happily distracted from what she really had to tell him; thinking about them being together for a year was much nicer than thinking about something that could keep it at just the year. They hadn't become..'official' until after that, but they'd gone on a date that night! And he'd kissed her. Other would like to think that counted. "Happy anniversary, Val~." She would make it up to him for not having a present like he had given her. She definitely would no matter how the night turned out good or bad.
"But it's so much fun to bribe you~," he continued on with a small laugh. Valeri knew he never had to bribe Other for kisses or hugs or anything that showed affection toward him. He was glad that she loved her gifts and nodded at her appreciation with a small smile. He began to put some dressing on his portion of salad with a bit of a thoughtful hum. Val chuckled when she apologized on behalf of his client, "It is fine," he assured her happily and then put the salad dressing down and stared at her curiously when she offered a point that would cheer him up.
..Huh! So it was. He was so caught up in everything as of late he hadn't even thought about it to be quite honest. Now he felt a small ounce of guilt.
He squeezed her hand back gently and returned the kiss before retreated and smiled at her, "Happy anniversary, Other," he returned quietly and in that moment now was as good a time as any other. It must have been fate even though he had, up until a few moments ago, forgotten it. Valeri moved his hand from going to the fork to the pocket that had the box that the very important ring was contained and brought it out and gently opened it with a flip of his thumb against the lid and placed it on the table between them for her to see.
"Other, will you marry me?" It was simple, it was blunt. He didn't need a damn speech.
Val didn't seem surprised by her words, so now she really must have been the bad girlfriend and forgotten it was their anniversary. Darn! Well, at least she had a very good reason to lose track of the date. It wasn't that she forgot it was coming, she just wasn't sure what day it was sometimes. Other didn't let go of his hand just yet, she didn't want to. It felt right whenever she held his hand it felt nice, it felt right. She loved it. She really did fantasize that one day they could just do it all the time without having to wait for a day they were both free, and without having to send poor Miranda away.
Wh-what? Other blinked and watched Val reach under the table for something else, tilting her head and looking very curious. Did he have an itch or something? His hand came back into view but it wasn't empty. It had something...a...box? Other's eyes widened and the hand that was holding Val's tightened anxiously, expectantly. Was that a--a ring?! A gorgeous ring! It..it even looked like it was inspired by a violin! It couldn't be what rings usually meant! It just had to be something to go along with her necklace! Her heart raced and her eyes widened, gasping softly as Val asked The Question.
Marry him? He really wanted her to...that was...that was incredible! He wanted to marry her! "Yes!" She cried happily without needing even a moment's thought, letting go of Val's hand to move her chair closer and lean in and throw her arms around him in a hug. Yes, yes, a thousand times she would say yes! Other wanted nothing more than to marry Val and live happily with him for the rest of their lives! Nothing could make her happier! Well...almost nothing.
"Yes, Val!" Other repeated, sniffing and leaning back to wipe at her eyes. She was crying? Ohhh but she was just so happy! He wanted her, he wanted only her! She leaned in again to give him an excited kiss, her hands moving to cup his face as she kissed him. "I love you so, so much."
Valeri was pretending to not be surprised but then again he was using that as a lead in to his proposal and it worked. They had been together a year, a whole year. If they could survive a year then they could survive anything, right? Sure people waited much longer than a year but he really, really didn't see a point in dragging it along. He watched her anxiously and gave her time to take it in and react and when she did react he was relieved, so relieved, that it had been a pleasing reaction. A good reaction. Not one in which she got up and walked out on him or various other scenarios that ended in a very resounding and heartbreaking 'no'.
His arms moved to hug around her and he gave her a kiss upon the corner of her lips and smiled very much happy, "You've made me very happy. You have made our life very special. Miranda and I want you to be a part of it permanently," he said with a small blush dusting across his freckled cheeks. "I love you, too," he said with a small smile. Valeri reached and took the ring out of the case and waited for her to offer up the appropriate hand. Might as well do this somewhat right.
He wanted nothing more than to be married to Other. The idea of waking up next to her made him almost giddy. He remembered waking up next to her on the couch and felt an odd sense of supreme contentment and wanted nothing more than to repeat each day waking up next to her - not on the couch necessarily, but next to her every day. He wanted to see her face first thing each day when he wakes up.
Val had to be completely out of his mind if he honestly thought Other would say no to him asking her to marry him. Marrying him sounded like the best idea she'd heard in forever! She returned the kiss he gave her, nuzzling her face into his cheek with a happy little noise. Val, Val, her Val, all hers. All hers forever and ever. "You make me happy too. Very, very happy." She murmured happily, pressing a kiss to his cheek and turning her head to watch him take the ring out. Her heart fluttered and she couldn't help the excited giggle of glee that bubbled up as she let him go to hold up her left hand for him. Once he got it on her finger she stared at it in awe, turning her hand this way and that to see the ring on her finger from every possible angle. "It's so gorgeous, Val..." She breathed, giggling and looking up at him. "You spoil me." Other teased, still staring down at the ring. Honestly, she'd be reacting the same way if it was just a simple as a silly plastic mood ring, it was more the thought and meaning behind it that garnered this reaction from her. It was just a bonus that it was a beautiful ring that had a violin theme to it! This was it though! She really could spend her life with him! And with Miranda too. She'd really be her 'Mami' now, wouldn't she?
...Oh...
"Um..." Other blushed, grasping Val's hand gently with both of hers and holding it against her cheek. She closed her eyes, but even still it was obvious that she was getting serious. That was right. She would be Miranda's Mami, but also...they also had their own baby on the way. If it was alright with Val. "There's...something I need to tell you first." Other said quietly, nervously. She opened her eyes and looked up at him with a tiny smile. Now was as good a time as any, right? She didn't want to put a damper on the excitement over getting engaged, but since they were so happy then maybe it would be easier for him to handle this? "I'm...w-well that is we...and...well it's like...we..." There were so many ways to hint at it. They didn't have to wait for a family, but he had Miranda so they'd already be a family. There were other things she could have said as well, but for his sake it would probably be easier for her to just...say it outright...
"I, um, I'm well...I'm pregnant."
He slipped the ring onto the appropriate finger and was felt so deliriously happy. Valeri was also glad that he made her happy too. The freckled man gave a small chuckle in response to her glee and the way she behaved about the ring. It was like he had given her the best, most glorious gift ever, and he was glad that she behaved this way. He was very happy that she seemed to adore the ring as he was nervous about how she'd receive the ring in the first place, "It's my pleasure to spoil you," it was odd the feeling he felt that he was now engaged to Other. It was a very happy feeling but it was also a slight need in adjustment of thinking and how he would introduce the woman across from him now. My intended? Too formal. My fiancée? Seemed lacking somehow and he wasn't sure why. He was also excited to tell Miranda that Other had said yes!
Suddenly he was dragged from his thoughts. Wait there was something she needed to tell him? What was it? He knew she wasn't actually a man, he'd seen her naked! He stared at her as she went about explaining whatever it was that was on her mind and when it finally came out for some reason his mind didn't make the connection, "Oh, that's alright then." He chirped happily, "I'm so excited to tell Miranda that--..." There was a pause and a long silence and suddenly it seemed the full definition of the word 'pregnant' seemed to illuminate in his mind as the synapses suddenly snapped and...
"What?!" he breathed out in surprise. It wasn't a displeased reaction but more shocked. He had worried about this outcome but somehow all the worrying and self-preparation still made the whole thing seem surreal.
Other swallowed hard and watched Val cautiously, a dark blush creeping over her cheeks. Oh god, she'd done it. She'd told him. She just went ahead and just said it! She didn't say anything more; she would wait patiently for his answer. Or she could try and be patient about it, at least. It was actually pretty agonizing waiting for him to say something, do something, just react somehow. She was expecting some kind of outburst, good or bad, but she didn't...get that? He was so calm about it! Other blinked and stared at Val when he just said it was alright and didn't seem to react anymore than that. He was even excited to tell Miranda? That was...good! It was very unexpected but she liked this response! It was like he was okay with it! It was way better than any scenario that had gone through her head. He was okay with it! And he was excited to tell Miranda! Other brightened up considerably and seemed to calm down at this pleasant turn of events, her smile growing until he suddenly got quiet.
Oh, it was one of those things. A doubletake. Great. At least he didn't sound mad, right? He was just surprised. This wasn't so bad. Other, you can handle this, just..say it again. "Um, well...I...I'm pregnant." She repeated quietly, feeling extremely shy and nervous about this. "It's why I've been sick. A-after our last date I called my mom and she...she got me some pregnancy tests, a lot of them. And all of them were positive." She didn't think she'd have to go over the more personal details like missing her period or anything. Her hands, still holding Val's, dropped to her lap and she rubbed them nervously. "I would have told you sooner but I was really scared you would be mad o-or that you'd...leave." She bit down on her lip, watching Val quietly for a moment. She wanted to have it, especially because it was with Val.
He just stared at her with wide eyes brimming over the edges of his glasses. He let her continue to hold onto his hands, which was a good sign, and just stared at her. At the moment nothing could come to him that he could say he just listened to her talk and then the last bits of her words seem to strike up a response, "W..What?! Leave you? Be mad? Never. Never! O..Other you're the love of my life I wouldn't leave you because you're pregnant. You're silly for even thinking that."
Get mad at her? Leave her? Never! Not even in a million lifetimes! He would stay by her side through this even if they weren't going to get married in the first place. He lifted up her hands with his and gently kissed them over and over and then pressed his cheek against the knuckles lightly.
"I..I figured this was going to happen," he almost apologized but it was pointless to do so, "I'm glad it's with you. It might be a bit earlier than either of us wanted but it'll be our family and we'll be together, it'll be okay," he said finally not sure what brought it out of him but every bit of it was sincere. It was really his fault for not using a condom even if he had there was a small chance that she still could have gotten pregnant but even then maybe she wouldn't have had to apparently go through this torture she put on herself. If anything he felt bad for what she put herself through.
"The pregnancy changes nothing. I still want to marry you," he said clearly to make sure that there was no misunderstanding.
His words made her smile sheepishly, ducking her head a bit and looking to the side. "I know, I tried to remind myself that you're not like that, but I couldn't help it." It was the truth. It wasn't something she liked to admit but it was still the truth, and Other didn't like to lie. Her breath caught as he lifted her hands, giggling softly at the way he kissed them over and over, squeezing his hand affectionately. She was the love of his life? His whole life? No one had ever said that to her before, and whenever she heard anyone say that it was usually in a story or a movie. It felt incredible to have it said to her by Val. She never thought she'd hear that! She wanted to hear it again.
"I-I'm sorry. If I hadn't...just...brought it up we might have been more prepared." Other giggled, turning to look at Val again with a soft smile. He was glad it was her? Aw.. "I'm glad it's with you too." She said sincerely, leaning in to steal a gentle kiss from his lips. If Val said anything about blaming himself she would free her hands and swat him for being silly. It wasn't his fault, she was to blame as well. But at least now they could call this a 'happy accident'? But there was still the worry that he--oh! Haha!
Other sniffed, moving in a way that she could wipe her eyes on her wrist as the tears that had been threatening to escape since the moment she'd seen the ring and understood what it meant. She couldn't help it, she was just...so happy. Val loved her, he'd called her the love of his life, and he still wanted to marry her. He wasn't angry in the slightest that she was pregnant, and it was his baby. Their baby. "I still want to marry you, too!" Other said happily, pulling her hands away from Val's to instead hug him a little more tenderly than she had before, kissing the corner of his mouth and then nuzzling her face into his cheek with a very happy sigh. God, she loved him so much. Other cupped his chin in her hands, kissing him again then resting her forehead against his, looking into his eyes over the top of his glasses.
"Val, I love you so much. So, so much." She murmured lovingly, kissing him again. "I want nothing more than to marry you and have our happy family together." Other said with a gentle smile, stealing yet another soft kiss.
Valeri chuckled slightly, "I'll admit that it is a lot to take in," he smiled a bit, "but I would be a fool to run away from you and our child. I'd be a selfish fool," he said quietly as he planted at least one more kiss upon her knuckles and squeezed her hands back reassuringly. If it had been him the way he used to be he would have run. Run like a coward, he also wouldn't have Miranda right now either. She'd have been handed off to the closest person he could have found. No he was different now and he would stay by her side no matter what.
The ginger haired man laughed a bit at the mention of being 'prepared' he shook his head, "Other, there is no way you could have prepared me for that," he said simply and shifted his shoulders slightly and returned the kiss upon the lips lightly. "I even tried to prepare myself for the possibility since that night...Since I ... forgot to use a condom that night," he mumbled a bit grudgingly with a bit of a sigh. It wasn't entirely his fault it was true but he still couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but he was happy that she was happy at least now he could only imagine how she felt prior and he didn't like what his imagination was doing.
He wrapped his arms around her as he let her hands go and hugged her to him happily and affectionately. Valeri quietly kissed the corner of her mouth in return and against the side of her face that he could reach, "Good, because I got you that ring and I had no intention of taking it back," he laughed slightly, "besides you're stuck with me now." He stared back into her eyes and kissed her back again. Valeri found that his 'quota' for kisses was being filled to the brim tonight.
"I love you, too." He smiled happily as he kept kissing her back and even initiated a couple of kisses of his own in between all of this. "I ... suppose I should tell Miranda we'll be moving soon...?"
"Ha. It really is." It'd been a lot for her to take in just staring at the tests! For a moment she'd thought they were all incorrect! Other nodded in agreement to Val's words, smiling gratefully. Yes, it wouldn't be fair if he ran away. It would be right. She was so happy he was okay with it. Other giggled as he kissed her hand one more time. It tickled!
Other smiled when he laughed, shaking her head a bit and pouting as brattily as she could. "Uh uh! I...I could've...um...j-just warned you ahead of...time...?" But how do you tell someone you want to come over to have sex? Was that even a good reason to call someone? Oh, come over I want to sleep with you. That sounded...awkward. Why would anyone do that? She blushed when Val reminded her he didn't use a condom or anything that night. "A-and I'm not..taking anything so..." By anything she naturally meant birth control. "It's not your fault, silly." She assured him, since it really was the truth! Though it was fairly comforting that Val didn't have one on him now that she thought about it, it meant he didn't see her expecting sex anytime. He liked being with her just normally!
As he returned her hug she scooted her chair closer and cuddled up close to him with a blissful sigh, closing her eyes. This felt so nice. And now he wasn't just her boyfriend, he was her fiancé. That meant someday very soon he'd be her husband. Other Stark...hey! It..it got rid of the P! Other gasped with delight and stared up at Val. Her initials! "It changes my initials!" She cheered, hugging him tighter. It took so little to please her, but it was better than her being high maintenance, right? "I'm fine with being stuck with you, I suppose." Other giggled. Though now it made it sound like she was staying with him just because of her name...but it was a joke! She hadn't even thought of it until just now! She returned every kiss happily, having completely forgotten about their dinner for now in favor of continuing to rejoice and celebrate being engaged to the man she loved now.
"Move..? Oh, yes!" Oh thank goodness! She'd go anywhere with him but she really wanted to stay in a house. And Miranda and the baby could have their own rooms this way! "You can move in whenever you'd like!" She chirped happily, kissing him one more time just because she could. "...Wait...I-I don't have to move furniture again, do I?"
