Chapter 10: Surprise!*

“So who are we telling first?” Lulu asked as he and Shelby got into the car.

“I don't know. We have to tell your mom, my mom and dad, your dad, my nana, and Nana and Papa:” Shelby replied.

“Nana and Papa will be easiest.”

“My nana will be hardest.”

“And moms will be happy.” Lulu replied with a smile. He remembered when Shelby came over his house years ago to help with the living room. They were taking a break so they went upstairs..

Lulu's mom was laying on his bed, so he and Shelby joined her. Lulu lied down, and Shelby laid in between his legs. As he played with Shelby's hair, Kathy smiled and said they looked cute together.

Shelby and Lulu got out of the car and walked up to the house. They opened the gate and walked up the stairs. “”You ready?” Lulu asked as Shelby sat on the railing.

“Yup.” She replied taking his hand. He smiled and rang the bell. It was a minute before someone finally answered the door.

“Hi.” Grace, Lulu's younger cousin, said opening the door,

“Hey Grace. Nana and Papa home?”

“Duh—Where the hell else would they be?” She asked walking upstairs. Lulu and Shelby followed. “It's Lulu and Shelby!” Grace yelled sitting at the kitchen table.

“Lulu? Shelby?” Nana asked walking into the kitchen, where Lulu was standing, holding Shelby's hand. He was sweating; a sign that he was nervous. “What brings you two here?”

“Ummm...I..I mean we...have something to tell you.” Lulu said stumbling over his words.

“What is it sweetie?” Nana asked as Papa walked out of the pantry into the kitchen.

“Me and Shelby are...getting married.”

“Really?” Grace asked, a little surprised.

“Yeah.” Lulu said as Nana gave each of the a kiss.

“Congratulations sweetie.” Nana said as they all sat at the kitchen table.

“Well that was fun.” Shelby said as she and Lulu walked up Harbor View street.

“It was.” He replied putting his arm around her. The thought of them actually getting married was exciting yet scary at the same them. No doubt that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. But actually bringing the family together for what is supposed to be a special day could easily turn out to be a nightmare.

“Ready?” Shelby asked standing on the front porch of her parents house.

“As ready as I'll ever be.” Lulu replied as Shelby rang the bell. They waited for a few seconds before someone opened the door,

“Shelby?” Grapie asked, surprised.

“Mummy and Daddy home?” Shelby asked taking Lu's hand and walking up the stairs.

“Yup—They're in their room.” Grapie walked into the front room and shut the door, locking it.

“I remember when that was your room.” Lulu said as they walked up the hallway.

“You and I both.” Shelby said knocking on her parents door.

“Grace—Go away!” Her dad said. Shelby opened the door and smiled. She knew her parents would be surprised to see her. Since Shelby moved out 3 years ago, she only came back on holidays.

“Come here!” Dee, Shelby's mom, said opening her arms for a hug. Shelby looked at her dad and smiled. He smiled back and stared at Lulu.

“What are you doing here?” Rodney asked, looking from Shelby to Lulu.

“We had something to tell you.” Shelby said as Lulu took her hand. “We're getting married.” Shelby said with a smile.

“Really?” Dee asked with a smile on her face.

“Really Mummy.”

“I still can't get over the fact that my dad said you had to beat him at Stratego before her accepted you into the family.” Shelby said laughing.

“Yeah. It took me 7 tried but I did it.” Lulu replied pulling up in front of his dads house.

“And I love you for it.” She replied kissing him.

Once they got out of the car, Lulu's dad walked out of his house. “Pops!” Lulu called jogging up to his father. He gave Lulu a weird look and stopped walking.

“Yeah.”

“You remember Shelby?” Lulu asked as Shelby walked up to them. She smiled, but didn't get one back.

“Yeah sure.”

“We're getting married.”

“Muy bien. Now I have to go. I have somewhere to be.” Without another word he walked away. Before he got into his car, Lulu walked up to him and started yelling.

“This should be fun.” Lulu said pulling up in front of his moms house. Shelby was quiet most of the ride. “You sure you wanna do this?”

“Yeah, but can we save my nana for another day? I really just want to go home.” Shelby replied getting out of the car. Lulu followed and they walked up the steps.

He looked back at Shelby and he could tell that she was hurt by his fathers reaction. “It'll be okay. We don't need him.” Lulu whispered hugging Shelby. Kathy's friend Carol opened the door and greeted them with a smile.

“Who is it?” Kathy asked from her recliner in the living room. Lulu and Shelby walked in and her face lite up. “Oh come here. Come here!” She said putting her foot rest down.

“Hey mom.” Lulu said hugging and kissing her.

“Hey...” Shelby said, not sure if she should call her mom or Aunty Kathy. Shelby gave her a hug and kiss then walked to Lulu's side, as he put his arm around her.

“Ma; we're getting married.” Lulu said. This was by far the easiest person to tell.

“Oh, oh, oh. Congrats.” Carol said as Kathy got up.

“I'm so happy for you Luisto. I knew one day you'd find the right one. And that one being Shelby is just perfect.” Kathy said , tears forming in her eyes. She was happy for them. She was truly happy. And that brought tears to Shelby's eyes.