He was Singing our Song

Chapter 7: The Engagement Party

The Sunday dinner came faster than I had expected. Tye and my parents thought it best to throw a small party at the farm where I wouldn't be on my own in facing Tye's mother. His father was never in the picture so I didn't have to worry about him too much, but his mom was my worse nightmare. Dad cleaned out the old barn where we stored all the heavy equipment and him and mom decorated it in a country theme, mom said this was my engagement party and she only wanted the best. What she didn't tell me was that she had invited half the town, and they all wanted to meet the town's sweetheart couple.

I hid out in the horse barn as I watched the cars pull in one by one and park in the field in front of the old barn. Mom had the music blaring and she stood at the huge door greeting them all one by one, dad was no doubt manning the grill on the backside, I could almost taste his burgers from here. I couldn't help but second guess myself standing there alone, Tye was destined for great things, and I had no doubt he was going somewhere with his good looks and talent. I on the other hand was just the mediocre girl next door who would never turn a head for a second glance. Did I really deserve all this, was this all just a dream and I would wake up tomorrow only to find myself back in that first week of high school, long before I knew that Tyler Macon had his eye on me.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as two arms snaked around my waist from behind pulling me into a warm, solid chest. He rested his chin on my shoulder and softly kissed my cheek. "Penny for your thoughts future Mrs. Macon." He whispered softly.

"Just wondering if this is all real, thinking I am just going to wake up tomorrow and I am still in high school, and you aren't looking at me at all." I choked the last part out, one thing I wasn't afraid of was to show all my insecurities to him, he always made me want to tell him everything, and he seemed to do the same for me.

He turned me slowly in his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck before placing his hands back on my waist, I peered into those beautiful sea green eyes and got lost in that smile. "Lizzy, I assure you this is all real baby. I love you and I have always been looking at you, it just took me forever to catch your attention." He pecked my lips causing me to giggle. "Now let's do this. My mother just arrived."

Tye took my hand in his and placed a soft kiss against my knuckles, giving me one last wink as he led me up the drive to the old barn. The butterflies in my stomach were flapping and flopping around but I didn't feel near as scared as I had with him at my side and holding my hand showing the world, I was his.

"Here's our lovebirds of the hour now." My mom announced as we stepped into the old barn and was met with thousands of eyes staring intently at us.

I looked up into Tye's eyes and he smiled leaning down and whispering in my ear. "You and me sweetheart, we got this." He kissed my cheek and we walked hand in hand through the crowd to the table mom and dad had set up near the front where they would join us, as well as his mother. What I didn't expect as Tye pulled my seat out for me, was to look up and see Raina sitting next to Mrs. Macon. "Mom, what is she doing here?" Tyler all but growled at his mother.

His mom took Raina's hand in hers and rolled her eyes at her son. "Son, you know how close Raina and I are, she came to keep me company."

"Hi Tye," Raina batted her eyes and smiled seductively at him. I wanted to punch her lights out, no one called him Tye but me, that was ours and she was trying to take it away.

Tyler took a seat next to me and pulled me over into his lap as he peered over my shoulder at her, "It's Tyler, Raina. Only person allowed to call me Tye is my sweetheart here." He kissed my cheek and wrapped his arms around me pulling me closer.

"Save it for the honeymoon," my mom teased as she took a seat on the other side of Tye. I looked at her pleadingly and when she looked across the table to see who was sitting with us, she smiled sarcastically at them before leaning over to the two of us. "You know what, you love birds enjoy each other." She gave me a wink and I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"So why exactly have you called this little get together?" Mrs. Macon asked from across the room, and I was ready to sink in the floor under the table and hide until the evening was over.

"Seems my girl has caught the eye of your son and we couldn't be happier for her." My dad chimed in as he pulled the seat out next my mom. "Why don't you tell her son?" My dad smiled at Tye, opening the door wide open for him.

"Now's as good a time as any," Tye answered dad back with a smile as he slid me over into my chair and stood up. "Excuse me, can I have everyone's attention please?" The room quieted down, and everyone turned to face us. I turned my eyes up to Tye, I could only be strong enough to face this with him standing there. "As everyone knows this beauty sitting beside me has been my sweetheart with out even knowing it for years. I finally got her to notice me not even a year ago and we have been inseparable for since then, but to me it feels like a lifetime." He reached down wrapping one arm around my waist and pulling me to stand next to him, while his arm only held me closer. "Not wanting to spend my life without her, I asked Ms. Lizzy Anderson to be my wife, and she has said yes. We wanted to announce the news to all of you together."

The crowd clapped and whistled as Tye kissed my lips softly right there in front of everyone. Looking around the room, everyone seemed happy for us, that was until my eyes met those of Mrs. Macon, she was seething and glaring daggers at me, I looked over to Raina and she was rolling hers. I wanted to run and hide but Tye sensing my inner turmoil only held me tighter and more possessively as we shook hands and listened to all the congratulations one by one while the towns people came by our table.

Everyone was now starting to make their way to the buffet style dinner mom and dad had set up when Tye turned to me. "Darling, want something to eat?"

"Tye I can go myself," I whispered.

He kissed my cheek, "Nonsense, let me take care of you. I want to."

"Fine, but not a whole lot, okay."

"Got it. And Lizzy," he smiled as I turned my head to look in those eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too Tye."

I watched as he walked away into the crowd, I was smiling like a fool, but it didn't last long when the clearing of a throat caught my attention and I suddenly realized I was sitting alone at the table with Mrs. Macon and Raina. Raina was watching Tye and Mrs. Macon was shooting daggers at me, "Are you pregnant?"

I swallowed my smile and just looked at her, was she serious, "Excuse me?"

She waved her hand in the air, "Well that would be the only reason my son would do something so stupid just before he is getting ready to catch his big break."

"With all do respect ma'am, but if I am or if I am not, isn't really your concern at this time. And what Tye and I have is something that is special." I cleared my throat, "And for the record, no I am not pregnant, and before you continue on these crazy scenarios, I hope you know, I only loved your son from afar for as long as I could remember, he is the one that came after me. I love him Mrs. Macon."

She laughed and pulled out her billfold, "I know girls like you, so tell me how much?"

"Do what?" I squeaked.

"Tell me how much will it take to turn your head the other direction. No amount is too great for my son."

"Mrs. Macon there is no amount of money that would make me leave Tye. Did you not hear me when I said I love him, he asked me to marry him and I plan on spending the rest of my life with him." I could feel my blood pressure rising, and I knew I had to try and keep my cool, this was the love of my life's mother and whether I liked it or not, she was part of the package and we had to get along.

"Very well then, momma I will take care of it." Raina cooed to Mrs. Macon as she patted her hand. She turned to me, "Enjoy it for now, it will all change soon and you will watch it all crumble and burn before your eyes." Raina hissed as she stood and left the table with Mrs. Macon hot on her heels.

I spent the rest of the evening in my own head, not even really being able to comprehend everything. Tye had tried to raise my spirits but he couldn't even seem to pull me out of my own mind. I loved him I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, but could I really fight this battle.