Prologue
Stella sat cross-legged on the couch, a bowl of popcorn in her lap and the remote control next to her. She stared intently at the television as the suspense from her favorite show was being built.
Normally she'd be at practice. With the newbies, starting training was a must. The cheers and combinations could be difficult and if they had problems picking up on a routine or two then the entire squad would be affected. However, her mother had stressed the importance of tonight so there was no saying no to her.
The front door opened, and the distant sound of chatter and laughter filtered into the large house drifting to where Stella sat. The click-clack from her mother's heels echoed closer along with two different other heavier footsteps. Turning her head she watched her mother walk through the large archway into the living room, her heels sinking into the carpet.
"Hello darling" her mother's smooth silky voice slightly settled her nerves.
The truth was Stella was extremely nervous about what her mother wanted to talk about. The last time this had happened, her mother had told her about her father’s death which made her almost depressed for three months.
Biting her lip and playing with a few pieces of popcorn she eyed her mother who was giving her a nervous smile. It was easy to deduce that another person was coming through the entryway. Footsteps were coming from that angle. A man in his early forties showed up with dark hair he looked like someone she had seen but she could not recall where.
The man smiled at Stella. “Hello Stella,” he said as a form of greeting, and she gave a small tentative smile back unsure as to what was going on. Her mother stepped forward grabbing the man’s hand, intertwining their fingers together.
Stella stilled, her face was full of confusion as she tried to place where she'd heard that voice before.
Then it hit her. He had come over before, she'd never seen him, she'd only heard them talking downstairs and in her mother's bedroom late at night.
Her mouth slightly opened forming an O and she began to realize what was going on.
Her mother nodded, knowing Stella had put two and two together.
"Stella this is Alexander Reed, we've been seeing each other for a while now and I know you have not officially met him but we would like to make an announcement."
"I have asked your mother to marry me and she's said yes" Alexander Reed announced.
Stella fell back onto the couch, her body giving way to the surprise announcement. They all watched her, waiting for her reaction. She couldn't give them any other kind of reaction besides surprise. She was completely baffled.
"If it makes you happy" she whispered, her voice barely making a
