“Thank you, honey,” Diana said, being careful of her nails as she hugged Eloise to her side. “You do too.”
Eloise gave her an intent look. “Yeah, butespeciallyyou,” she said. There was meaning in her tone, but before Diana could ask what it was, Eloise turned back to the television, which had auto-played to the next episode.
It was just before seven in the evening, which was when Anthony had promised to come pick up Eloise, that the little girl sat up sharply on the couch.
“I think I hear Daddy’s car,” she said.
Diana hadn’t heard anything, but her ears weren’t quite as acute as Eloise’s, she assumed.
“Oh yeah? Okay, let’s wrap things up, then, and go meet him?—”
“I have an idea,” Eloise said, interrupting her, which was very out of character. She normally had very nice manners. “Let’s go around the back and then surprise him. We can jump out. And he’ll besosurprised.”
“Um, yeah, okay,” Diana said, laughing a little. Eloise had been in such a determined mood all day, but her ideashadall been very fun. “Let’s do that.”
Diana put her long wool coat over the top of her Eloise-approved look, and helped the younger girl into her coat, as well. Eloise was giggling uncontrollably as they crept to the back door, and then stepped out onto Diana’s porch.
And then, Diana drew up short.
Because Anthonywasn’tat the front of her house. He was back here, straight-backed, hands folded in front of him, shifting his weight nervously.
And behind him was an enormous sign, illuminated by a floodlight.
Marry me?
Diana read the words on the large sign, which had some clear signs that Eloise had helped in the decoration, and pressed her hands over her mouth, feeling totally overwhelmed.
“Oh my gosh,” she said. “Oh my gosh.”
“This is why we had to get pretty,” Eloise said, the words rushing out of her like she had reached her absolute capacity of holding in secrets. “Because you had to look so beautiful!”
She darted over to her father and stole his phone directly out of his pocket. For once, Anthony didn’t protest. His eyes were fixed on Diana.
“Diana Madsen,” he said formally, looking as though he was so brimming with emotion that he was at risk of tears. “When I met you, I was starting a new life. I wanted a future for myself and for Eloise that let us get distance from the sadness of our pasts without losing any of those memories. I thought this town could provide that… and I was right.”
Diana felt the hot trail of tears course down her cheeks. That was probably messing up the makeup she and Eloise had spent so long carefully applying, but she couldn’t help it.
“Except,” Anthony went on, “I was actually wrong. Because I didn’t realize how good things could be, because I hadn’t met you yet. And Diana… I love you. You light up my life in ways that I thought I’d never experience again. You are so wonderful and thoughtful, and gosh, how you make me laugh!”
“And me!” Eloise chimed in, not to be ignored. It was perfect timing, however, because Diana was starting to feel as though she might pass out from all her happiness, and the laugh she and Anthony both released at his daughter’s contribution provided some much-needed levity.
“And Eloise,” Anthony amended dutifully. “It isn’t just me who is lucky to have you, Diana. It’s my daughter too. So I am hoping—we are hoping that you would make the three of us afamily. Officially.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. “What I’m trying to say is…”
He sunk down on one knee, and a happy sob hiccupped from Diana’s mouth.
“Diana Madsen, will you marry?—”
“Yes!” she exclaimed, unable to keep the word back any longer. Anthony froze, his grin taking over his face, and Diana reached for him, pulling him to his feet.
“Yes,” she repeated, this time not quite as loudly. “Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t wait. Yes. Yes! I will marry you!”
She tugged him in for a kiss while Eloise jumped around, cheering.
“We’re going to be a family! We’re going to be a family!”
Diana pulled back from the kiss to grab Eloise, so that they were all hugging together.
“I love both of you so much,” she said. “My life is a million times better than it was without you. I love every minute we spend together, and I am so happy to spend the rest of my life with you both.”
