“Charlotte Bay, I want to say the words out loud. Right here in front of the birds and the flowers. Let them be our witnesses.”
He holds the tiny box up to me in an offering.
“Tell me again. Will you be my wife?”
He opens the lid. The most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen sits waiting. It’s a diamond stunner. But I can’t hold back. I let my enthusiasm be my answer. I knock him over as I wrap my arms around his neck and throw my body against his. We both go to the ground, laughing. I’m covering him with kisses. All the while he’s trying to keep the ring in the box, safe from my attack.
“Wait! Let me put it on your finger!”
He rolls me over and pins me to the ground. I see the twigs and leaves stuck to his clothes.
“Now give me your hand before I have to spank your ass and pull your hair,” he orders.
My hand stays where it is, but my eyebrow lifts.
“Ohhh. That can be arranged.”
I roll myself over and sit on top of him. “Another day.”
I hold out my left hand. He reaches in the box and removes the ring. When he looks up into my eyes, I slide off and lie by his side. We face each other, and he slips the ring on my waiting finger. I raise my arm in the air, admiring the symbol of our love.
He reaches up and brings my hand to his heart. “Yours,” he whispers.
I bring his to mine. “Yours,” I say softly.
* * *
As we walkout of the forest and back onto the soft lawn, we’re both wearing smiles that can’t be adequately described, except to say we look like kids who just discovered kissing. It’s an unforgettable moment. Something has changed between us. I don’t think it’s just my perception. He’s as giddy as I am, and we can’t stop looking at each other’s faces. And the ring.
As we get halfway across the lawn, I notice his family coming out the doors and onto the tiled patio. It seems like they’re taking their places for a photo. They face us, and everyone holds a white square of paper in their hands.
“What’s this?” I ask.
But he doesn’t answer. There’s only a big smile in response.
Then I see Mallory come out and walk toward us on the lawn. I think she’s both teary and happy at the same time. She must know.
My hand flies to my mouth and I feel the lump rise in my throat. We meet in an embrace. Then she looks at Atticus and he takes her hands.
“Mallory, I want you to know I consider you my daughter. That’s how much I’ve grown to love you. I remember when you told me last year not to act like a father. I’m afraid I can’t accept anything less. How do you feel about that?”
A tear runs down her cheek. And so it is with me.
“I feel good about that, Dad.”
Now Atticus’s eyes are misty.
“Your mother has just accepted my marriage proposal, but it wouldn’t be right to leave you out of the decision. Do you think we can become a family? You’d make me the happiest man alive if you say yes.”
She takes my hand and his. “Yes.”
Now the floodgates open. All three of us are hugging and crying and laughing our joy.
Suddenly The Colonel starts barking, making sure we pay attention. When we look up the entire group’s holding signs that spell outCharlotte and Mallory, will you marry us?
We join arms and walk together toward our family, each of us content in the knowledge we’ve finally reached home.
The End
