The Baby-Sitters Club belongs to Ann M. Martin

I was with my boyfriend, Bart Taylor, at a mall. My best friend, Mary Anne Spier, was down from Maine. We're in college. I'm in my third year. I'm Kristy Thomas and I'm 21. I currently live in Stoneybrook, Connectiut.

Mary Anne moved to Maine when we were still teenagers because her father, who's a lawyer, was promoted and transferred. I was glad when she came back for college. Her son, Cameron Richard, was with us. He's four years old. Mary Anne got pregnant at 16 and gave birth to him at age 17. She's a great mother. Her grandmother died just after she found out she was pregnant.

We all attend Stoneybrook Community College. I plan to continue to coach my softball team after college, which I'm studying for. I love sports. Mary Anne choose to study to be a fashion designer. She also works at Portland Public Library as a librarian when she's not in school. She goes back during school vacations. She plans to quit once she gets a job at Stamford Repair Shop. That's her dream job.

Mary Anne hasn't been feeling well lately. She's a brittle diabetic, but she can handle it just fine. Her blood sugar has been too crazy.

"I would like to ask you something later," said Bart.

"Okay," I said.

We were heading to shop for some more school stuff. We needed more notebooks for our Spring classes. We just got our schedules. We'd be doing three classes each. Bart attends the same college as us. He also wants to coach his softball team. My team is the Krushers and Bart coaches Bashers.

Later, we were at Mary Anne's apartment. She was doing homework when her blood sugar is low, but felt better after she used insulin. She takes taking care of her diabetes.

"Do you want to join us for dinner, Mary Anne? You should be done with your homework, right?" asked Bart.

"I would like to, but I have to study," said Mary Anne.

"That's okay," said Bart.

"Thanks for the offer though," said Mary Anne.

"No problem. Do you want us to take Cameron while you study?" I asked.

"That would be great, thanks," said Mary Anne.

That night, Mary Anne was about to study while we left with Cameron. We were going to my house to have dinner anyway.

At dinner, after we ate, Bart took out a gift.

"Happy anniversary," said Bart, giving me a jewelry box.

"Wow. You remembered," I said with a grin.

When I opened it, it was a diamond ring.

"It's an engagement ring," said Bart.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes, what I want to ask you is will you marry me and become Kristy Taylor?" asked Bart.

"Of course," I replied as we kissed.

That was perfect. I put the ring on.

The rest of my family were applauding. This was a nice surprise.

"What we can do is we can wait until next summer so we can still continue with our education before we get married," said Bart.

"Sounds like a perfect plan to me," I said. "What about July?"

"Or we can do it on your birthday," said Bart.

"Sounds good," I said.

When we went back, Mary Anne was done studying. I was carrying Cameron while he was asleep on me.

"I had just finished studying before you came," said Mary Anne.

"That's good. I'll go put Cameron to bed. He fell asleep on the way home in the car," I said.

"Okay. Thank you," said Mary Anne.

"Not a problem," I said.

That's what I did and changed Cameron into his pjs before putting him in bed. I came back out after that.

"Bart and I have news to give you," I said.

"Spill the beans," joked Mary Anne.

"We're engaged," I said.

"Wow," said Mary Anne. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks," I grinned.

"Since we have one more year of college left, we decided to wait until next summer to get married," said Bart.

"That sounds like a good plan for you both," said Mary Anne.

"I know," I agreed. "We're thinking of July or my birthday."

"That would be cool," said Mary Anne.