Page 41 of Harbinger of Destiny

“Yes.”

“How about in three months?” Joshua’s mother suggested.

“I was thinking more like in three days,” Joshua said with a grin.

Amy stared at him in surprise. “So soon?”

“Yes. There’s no reason to wait.” He winked. “Besides, my mother is a whiz when it comes to organizing important events under deadline. Aren’t you, Mom?”

His mother chuckled. “I do love a challenge. This Sunday it is.”

* * *

Joshua noticed Amy’s cheeks redden at all the attention their audience was paying them. His parents’ warm smiles made his heart expand with joy. They accepted her, despite her disfigurement.

As the other people dispersed, Amy looked at her engagement ring. “It’s so beautiful.”

“It was my grandmother’s,” his mother said. “And it looks beautiful on you.”

“I’ll always treasure it, Mrs. Fletcher.”

“Now, now, Mrs. Fletcher won’t do at all. Call me Mom, or Georgia, whatever you prefer.”

Amy appeared to hesitate for a moment, but Joshua nodded encouragingly.

“Thank you,” she said, then added, “Mom.” Tears suddenly ran down her cheeks, and Joshua hugged her to him.

“Then you’ll have to call me Dad,” his father insisted.

“Thank you, Dad,” she said, her voice still laden with tears of joy.

His father put his arm around his wife’s waist. “Honey, how about we give these two lovebirds a few hours alone? And then we’ll go out for dinner together to celebrate?” He winked at Joshua.

“Excellent idea,” his mother replied. “In the meantime, I’ll put a few ideas for the wedding together.” She smirked. “Any preferences for what you want your wedding to be like, Amy?”

Amy shook her head and looked up into his face. “It doesn’t matter where it is or what it all looks like, as long as I’m with you, Joshua.”

His parents laughed softly.

“You heard her, Mom,” he said. “As long as it happens this weekend, I’m game for anything.” He broke eye contact, and looked at his parents. “Thank you. We’ll see you in a few hours?”

“You bet,” his father replied, and they said their goodbyes.

When they were gone, he took Amy’s hand. “How about you and I celebrate in private now?”

“I’d like that.”

They entered through the sliding glass doors of the terrace and shut them. Joshua led her into the bedroom and pressed a button on the wall. As the blinds closed, he smirked. “For this part of our celebration, I don’t want an audience.”

“Neither do I.” She put her arms around him and pressed herself against him, her face only inches from his. “I love you, Joshua.”

“I love you even more, Amy. I have the feeling we’re going to be very happy together. And not just because sex with you is amazing.”

She giggled.

“It’s the truth,” he whispered. “But there’s so much more to you. With you I feel complete.”

“Are you trying to make me cry again?” She sniffled.