Page 54 of Forever Flustered

“That hussy was cray-cray…”

“I happen to think she’s incredible,” he whispered. “And guess what?”

Maureen was about to respond, but then she heard something – another voice. A flurry of other voices, just as confused as she felt… and nearby.

“What are they doing?”

“I think it’s sweet.”

“My brother has sunk low… get it? He’s on the ground floor.”

“She misses him…”

“She loves him – and we all know what that feels like…”

“You do not love Archangel…”

“Oh heck no! Are you insane? She! She! She – being Maureen… not me.”

“He loves her…”

“Madly…”

“I freakin’ love these moments, Pookie.”

“I know you do, Snickerdoodle – which is why I’m recording it.”

Maureen opened her eyes and immediately met soft, gray ones that were so full of hope and love that she sighed – and sniffed. “We have are surrounded by a very nosy audience.”

“We are,” Eli responded tenderly. “So you love me?”

“I might like you…”

“I like you a lot too…”

“Enough to psp-psp-psp me?”

“Only if you marry me,” Eli chuckled. “We’re not going to have anyone psp-psp-psp-ing in our home that isn’t married… says the broomstick implantation.”

Sitting up, she smiled tearfully at him, wiping her cheek of tears and any pieces of grass. “The melon thing was sweet – but expensive.”

“You have no idea,” Eli smirked tenderly and reached for the melon lying in the grass nearby. He quickly plucked a few pieces of melon from the center of it – and then withdrew two simple wedding bands. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, putting up with me for years on end, listening to me ramble about anything or nothing at all, and fill our hearts with little children who deserve two parents that are fully committed to each other – and giving them a safe place to grow up in a home full of love?” Before Maureen could say ‘yes’ – a child ran over and threw himself into Eli’s lap. He looked so discombobulated and disjointed that it was beyond sweet.

“Did she say ‘yes’, Uncle Eli?”

“Not yet, Austin,” Eli chuckled, giving her a sheepish and apologetic smile. “I just asked her to marry me when you joined us.”

“I’m excited,” Austin announced, clapping his hands together as he stared at Maureen with stars in his eyes. “She’s so pretty.”

“I think so too, buddy,” Eli replied tenderly, giving her the warmest smile as they both sat there in the grass – him in his uniform and her in her scrubs. It was the strangest proposal, the most genuine one, and definitely ‘them’ to the core. Everything about their relationship wasn’t normal, and frankly – she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Should I say ‘Yes’, Austin?” Maureen whispered, teasing them both. “He can be awfully finicky sometimes.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Picky…”

“Hey,” Eli grinned. “I’m right here, you two.”