| ~ Chapter Thirty-Six ~ |
| Ryann was up in the chair, and Jeff was right at her side. Lexi examined Ryann, and determined that she was about five weeks along in her pregnancy. She told the happy parents-to-be that everything looked very normal so far, and that there were no complications. Lexi scheduled another appointment for Ryann the following month, and then the three of them left the office and drove back to Jeff and Ryann�s house. When they arrived, Matt greeted them outside. �Jeff,� Matt said. �Dad called and said he was going to have a barbeque.� �That sounds like fun!� Ryann said. �Ok. Do we need to bring anything?� Jeff asked. �No, I guess Dad has invited a bunch of the family over. He said to just bring ourselves. I didn�t tell him that you were home though; I figured we could surprise him.� �What time do we need to be there?� Jeff inquired. �Anytime, he said that a few people were there already. He just saw that my car was in the driveway, so he�d try to call and see if Lexi and I were here. So what do ya say?� �We can go.� Jeff said. �Ryann and I will just have to pull dad aside and tell him the good news.� �I take it all went well at the office?� �Everything looks great.� Lexi said. �Well let me go inside and change my clothes, and we can go.� Ryann replied, and she walked inside. She went to her room and put on some shorts and a spaghetti strap tank top. She brushed her hair up into a ponytail, and went back outside. �How do I look?� She asked Jeff. �You look wonderful darling. Just as wonderful as you did before you changed. I have no idea why you changed, but you look great. Are we ready to go?� �Sure.� Matt and Lexi said at the same time. �I�ll drive.� Matt finished, and jumped into the driver�s seat of Lexi�s Passport. The rest of them got in and they drove less than a mile down the road to Gilbert�s house. Gilbert saw the vehicle pull into the driveway, and walked over to greet them. As Jeff and Ryann climbed out of the back seat, Gilbert walked over and gave them both a hug. �I thought the two of you were in Vermont until Sunday?� He said. �We were supposed to be Dad, but some things changed, and we came home early.� �So who is coming Dad?� Matt asked. �Your aunts and uncles and cousins. Some friends of the family too.� �Cool.� Matt said. �So Dad, do you have a couple of minutes? Ryann and I would like to talk to you inside.� Jeff stated. �Is everything ok Jeffrey?� Gilbert inquired. �Can we just talk inside?� �Sure.� Matt and Lexi went over to say hello to the family. Gilbert walked into the house followed by Jeff and Ryann. They went into the living room, and Jeff sat down on the couch with Ryann. Gilbert sat in his armchair. �I am starting to worry about you Jeff.� �Dad, Ryann and I are both fine. We just have some news.� �News?� Gilbert asked. �Dad,� Jeff said as he took Ryann�s hand in his. �Ryann and I are completely in love with each other, so I asked her to be my wife.� Ryann and Jeff stared at Gilbert, who was just staring back at the two of them. �And�?� Gilbert asked. �And what?� Jeff inquired. �What did she say?� �Oh, she said yes.� Jeff replied. Jeff held Ryann�s hand out so his father could see her ring. He got out of the chair and came over to examine it. �That�s a gorgeous ring. Congratulations you two.� Gilbert said as he gave both of them a hug. �I knew it was only a matter of time before the two of you got engaged. So have you picked a date yet?� �No Gilbert, not yet. But Jeff only asked me two days ago, and we haven�t really talked about it.� Ryann said. �Ryann, you can call me Dad now, since you will be my daughter-in-law soon.� �Ok, Dad.� Ryann said. �That sounds so weird.� �Dad, you may want to sit back down, because there is more.� Jeff said. �More?� Gilbert inquired. �What more could there possibly be?� �Well, Ryann and I are expecting your first grandchild at the end of December.� Again, there was silence, and they all just stared at each other. Finally, Gilbert had a huge smile across his face, and said, �The two of you are going to have a baby?� �Yes Gilbert, we are. I am five weeks pregnant.� Ryann said. �Congratulations you two!� Gilbert told them. �Wait, what about wrestling? You can�t wrestle if you�re pregnant Ryann.� �I know, so I am going to have to call Vince McMahon and tell him. I hope he understands.� �Vince will be fine with this Ryann.� Jeff assured his fianc�e. �So you�re not mad Dad?� �Why would I be mad Jeff? The two of you are adults, and I can see how much you love each other. I am so happy for the two of you, and I am going to be a grandfather. Your mother would have loved to be here to see you so grown up Jeffrey. She�d be so proud of you.� �I know she�s watching over us Dad.� �Well ok, let�s go tell the rest of the world the good news.� Gilbert said, as he headed out the door. Ryann and Jeff followed him to the back yard, where all of the family was hanging out. Gilbert stood up on a chair and yelled, �Can I have everybody�s attention?� Everybody stopped what he or she was doing and turned to look at the eldest Hardy, and hear what he had to say. �Ok. As you all know, my youngest boy Jeffrey has been dating Ryann Kensington for some time now. The two of them have decided to get married, and my first grandchild is on the way.� All of Jeff�s family started congratulating both Ryann and Jeff, and the two of them were the center of attention for the remainder of the gathering. Ryann, Jeff, Matt, and Lexi left Gilbert�s home around five o�clock and drove back to their home just around the corner. Ryann was feeling tired, so she and Lexi went into the house to relax, and Jeff and Matt jumped on their motocross bikes and drove them around the front yard. �Lex, I have a question.� Ryann said. �Ask away�� Lexi replied, not taking her eyes off the television. �Will you be my matron of honor when Jeff and I get married?� �Are you serious?� Lexi asked as she whipped her head around and looked at Ryann. �I am completely serious. You�re my best friend, and I wouldn�t want anyone else to stand up for me.� �Well of course I will Ry. But you�ve got to promise me that you will be mine if and when the day comes that I get married.� �Sure I will.� �Ok. Just promise me that you won�t put me in one of those frilly dresses from the early 80�s.� �I promise. In fact, I�ve been thinking about it for the past two days, and I don�t even want a big ceremony.� �You don�t?� �No. I mean, normally I would, but this whole thing with Chris is crazy. And if he hears about it, you can bet anything that he will make an appearance and try to stop it. I don�t want that on my wedding day, and I don�t want to put Jeff through that.� �I see your point. So have you picked a date?� �Nope. I wanted to wait until after I have the baby, but not so much anymore. I figure the quicker Jeff and I get married, the sooner I won�t have to worry about Chris. Do you think it�s wrong of me to think like that Lexi?� �Not at all. Jeff loves you Ryann, and he�s marry you right now if you went out there and told him to. You should�ve seen the look on his face when he showed me your ring. He was so happy.� �I just don�t want to pressure him into anything.� �You�re not. Why don�t you go out and talk to him. I�ll keep Matt busy for awhile.� �Are you sure?� �Let�s go already.� Ryann and Lexi headed out the door, in search of Jeff and Matt. |
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