BROOKSWhen we pulled into my mom's driveway, Ray was getting out of his truck and Jonah was standing on the porch. I asked Jonah where mom was and he said she went to the store but should be back any minute. I walked inside with Ray and began taking my bed apart and helped him get my dresser out of the house and loaded up. As we were heading back in to get my bed frame and mattress, My mom pulled into the driveway and got out. She opened the trunk and told Jonah to help her unload the groceries and put them in the back of my explorer. I asked her what she was doing and she told me to hush and said she bought me some food and supplies to start me off. I smiled and told my mom thank you but I didn't need her to do that. She told me to shut it or she would come organize my house and clean it. I laughed and said, fine mom. You win. Thank you for getting me all that. My mom closed the back of my car and walked up to the porch and smiled at Crystal. I said mom, this is Crystal. Crystal thi

BROOKSWhen we left Crystal's dads, Crystal fell asleep in the car. The ride back to my house was quiet except for Crystal snoring. When we pulled up at the house, I woke her up and she asked where we were. I said we are at home babe. She laid her head back on the seat and went back to sleep. I laughed and got out. I walked over to the passenger side and got her out. I carried her inside and laid her down on the bed. I went into the kitchen and got a glass of water and some aspirin. I went back into the bedroom and set it on the table next to the bed. I leaned down and kissed her forehead and before I walked out of the room, I heard her mumble something. I walked back over to the bed and asked her what she said. She turned her head with her eyes closed and said,"I love you so much and I can't wait until we have a baby."I stood there not sure what to say to her because I know she is not in her right mind. I finally said just get some sleep baby. We will talk tomorrow. I went into the

BROOKSSo far today has been a pretty easy day. It's 4:30 and I know I get to go home and see the most beautiful girl in the world soon. I am thankful her dad doesn't mind her spending my birthday with me. I thought about cooking on the grill tonight but I'm not sure what time Crystal will be getting home so I figured ordering take-out would be better. Jonah called as soon as he got off the bus to tell me Happy Birthday and my mom has been blowing my phone up with baby pictures and memories all day. I love my momma and thank goodness she hasn't shown any to Crystal yet. I was such a cute kid but all my poses are very weird. When I locked up the shop, I headed home to take a shower. I pulled into the driveway and headed inside. When I walked into the house, I saw a gift sitting on the island. I walked up to it and looked around to see if Crystal was hiding in the kitchen. I smiled as I read the tag on it. [HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! I LOVE YOU!]I decided to wait to open it until I

BROOKS 3 months laterIt's been months since I touched a bottle of liquor. I have kept my promise to Crystal and I have talked to her when I get the urge to drink. It definitely helps. Crystal graduates in 2 days. I am so proud of her for all the hard work she did to get here. My mom, Jonah, and Ray were invited to the graduation and she even invited Viola. A month ago, Crystal's dad had me come to the house so he could talk to Crystal. He knew this talk was going to be a big one and knew she would probably take it better if I was there. When he sat her down, He told her he was ready to take the next step with Viola and ask her to marry him. Crystal freaked out at first but after I calmed her down she told her dad it was ok. Since then she has been trying to spend a little more time getting to know her soon-to-be stepmom and I have been able to spend more time with Jonah and even spend time with my mom and Ray. Every time I take my shirt off and see the birthday gifts Crystal had don

BROOKSI got a text from Viola saying crystal was on her way. I knew I had to hurry and finish putting everything up. When I finished hanging everything, I heard her car pull up. I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself. I saw the light in the foyer turn on and I knew I was seconds away from either being the happiest man alive or being turned down. I made sure all the baby pictures were in order and I made sure all of our pictures were in order. Jonah was hiding off to the side of the yard to capture the face Crystal was going to make when she saw all of this. I could hear footsteps so I got down on one knee and had the ring box opened and ready. When the door opened she began to cry. I said, Crystal Lynn Martini, I never thought I would ever find someone that I would fall in love with but there you were. You opened my heart to the idea of loving someone and giving them a piece of me that I had never been willing to give to anyone. You made me want to be a better person and be a be