The phone rang. I raced across the room to answer it. "Hello? Can you hang on a sec?" I covered the receiver and spoke loudly so Maddy could hear me over the stereo. "Turn the volume down, Sweetie."
My daugher had discovered the Hanson CDs in my CD rack. Upon learning there was a song with her name as the title, she insisted playing it continuously.
"Hello?" I said to the mystery caller.
I heard a familiar laugh. "Is that 'Madeline' I hear playing in the background?"
"Yeah. Maddy's so excited that there's a song with her name in it. What's up, Tay?"
"Well, I'm glad she likes it. Must be genetic. Anyway, I was wondering what you're up to."
"Not much. Just hanging with Maddy."
"Well, there's something I need to talk to you about. Mind if I come over?"
"No, not at all," I said, swallowing hard. I had seen the article in the tabloid, and my body had overflowed with fears.
"Good. I'll be over in a half-hour. Love ya. Bye."
"Love ya, too. Bye." I hung up the phone, contemplating what Taylor could possibly want to discuss.
Ding-Dong.
"I'll get it!"
"Oh, no, you don't!" Breaking Maddy of her habit of answering the door without checking to see who was on the other side was next to impossible. She sat back down on the couch and I opened the door. "Hey, Taylor," I greeted him.
He responded by kissing my lips gently. He then grabbed my hand and began to lead me through the house towards the back door.
"Just a sec," I said to him. "Mom?!"
"Yeah!?!" she shouted from the laundry room.
"Can you watch Maddy, please? I'll be out by the pond with Taylor."
"Okay."
I didn't expect her to say no. I had, after all, said the magic word: Taylor. Satisfied, the two of us walked towards our favorite spot. And as we sat down on the bench, I feared the possible topic of conversation. Finally, I broke the silence. "I saw the tabloid."
Taylor nodded his head.
"I'm really sorry. I hope this doesn't affect the tour, or anything."
"Laura, PLEASE, stop saying you're sorry. You have nothing to be sorry for." He took a deep breath. "That article doesn't change anything. I love you, and Madeline. Forget about the press. The public's just going to have to accept that Taylor Hanson is no longer an eligible bachelor."
With a mixture of relief and happiness, I began to cry. Taylor enveloped me in his arms and rubbed my back, trying to calm me. "Come on. Come on. No tears. That's not what I came here for."
"I'm..." but I caught myself before I said 'sorry.' I sighed. "You said on the phone you needed to speak to me."
Taylor nodded his head.
"Well?"
He closed his eyes. After what felt like eternity, he spoke. "Originally, I was going to ask you and Maddy to tour with us. I was pretty sure you'd say no because of work and all, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask, either. Anyway, Zac, Ike, and I discussed it and decided it's in yours and Maddy's best interest to stay in Tulsa."
I nodded my head. He came over just to tell me he'd changed his mind about offering an invitation I'd only decline anyway? "Taylor, it's okay. I understand. Go on your tour. I'll be right here when you come back." I bit my lip, wishing I hadn't made that last statement. It wasn't that I didn't mean it. It's just that my track record wasn't exactly the best when it came to these farwells. "Don't worry about it. Besides, you're not leaving for a couple of months yet," I added.
"Yeah, I know," he said softly. "It's just... you see..." He wiped his palms on his jeans.
"Taylor, what is it? You can tell me. You know that." His nervous behavior was sending chills up my spine.
"Well, you see, I know you said you'd be here when I got back and all... I just want to insure that you will be."
"How?"
"Marry me," he said matter-of-factly.
"MARRY YOU!?!"
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
Taylor rolled his eyes. "I didn't think you'd make it this difficult. I guess I'll have to be official and all." He removed a small, black velvet box from his jean's pocket. Opening it revealed a gorgeous, yet simple, engagement ring. "Laura DiGiacamo, will you marry me?"
I sat there, stunned. I DID NOT expect this. "I don't know what to say!"
"Well, how about 'yes' for starters?"
I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. "YES! Of course I'll marry you!" I looked deep into his eyes. "I love you," I added softly.
"I love you too," he said, slipping the ring onto my left ring finger.