"I guess Christie won," Rob said to Danny. "You want to come with us and take Lenny for a walk, and we'll tell you some news?"
Both Danny and Lenny were eager for an outing. While Rob helped Danny with his jacket and his shoes, Christie gave them questioning glances.
"We'll be back soon," Rob told her with a wink. "Then you might hear some news too."
"Why do I have to wait?" they heard her asking as they went back outside.
"She can't come with us?" Danny asked.
"She has to wait her turn," Rob told him. "We want to tell you and Lenny first."
"OK," Danny said, but he wasn't as impatient to find out as Christie was.
"You're going to be in trouble with your sister," Julian predicted keeping his voice low as he put his arm through Rob's and they followed Danny and Lenny down the path.
"She gave me a hard time. She deserves it."
After letting Danny and Lenny roam around for a while, Rob led the way back to the orchard. Julian had to stop him though. He pointed at the sign. "Dogs aren't allowed in there. Sorry. We can leave Lenny here."
Danny got down to hug his little dog. "No Lenny?"
"I'll carry him," Rob said, and he had Lenny in his arms while he took Danny by the hand.
Julian was pretty sure that wasn't allowed either. "I don't think... Oh, all right," he said, giving up.
As he followed them, Julian found himself in the same spot where Rob proposed. It was still incredible to him that such a thing really happened, and now Rob was telling Danny about it.
"We brought you here because this is a really important place," Rob said to him then he turned to Julian. "You want to tell him what's going to happen here."
Julian nodded while he tried to find his voice. It wasn't easy. He felt so choked up and his heart felt like it would burst. "This spot right here is where Rob and I are going to get married."
Danny looked all around. "Here? With me and Lenny?"
"Yes, with you two guys right beside us and everyone else too," Rob told him.
"OK," Danny said, but it was clear he didn't grasp how momentous this was.
Rob tried to explain it. "When Julian and I are married, you and me will be family."
"Like me and Julian?" Danny asked.
"Yes. We'll all be a happy family. Everyone is going to come here and celebrate with us," Rob said and smiled at Julian.
"All the kids?" Danny said, thinking of the most important people first.
"Yes, all the kids. And there will be cake," Rob said.
"Yay! Cake!" Danny said, finally getting excited.
Rob and Julian smiled at each other and kissed while Lenny looked up at them from Rob's arms.
"I love you," Julian said.
"I love you too," Rob told him.
Hearing them say that, Danny spoke up as well. "Me too. I love Julian and Rob." Then he added, "And Lenny."
"And Lenny of course," Julian said and picked up Danny to hug him. Rob brought Lenny closer and now everyone was in on the hug.
