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“One year, we’re gonna get you to join us for dinner,” I said when I stood to greet her.“Maybe on Christmas.”I motioned to George, who stood and walked over to us.“Te-Te, I’d like you to meet George, the woman I’m marrying in three days.”
She covered her mouth when she gasped, then hugged me.“Oh, Mr.Z, I am so happy for you.”Her eyes were filled with tears when she took George’s hands in hers.“Mr.Z is a wonderful man, and I know just by looking in your eyes that you are an equally wonderful woman.”
I put my arm around her.“You have always taken such good care of my family as well as all those who work here and their families.Te-Te is the head cook at the dining hall.”
George smiled, still holding Te-Te’s hands.“We would be honored if you would join us for the wedding.”
Te-Te gasped a second time, her eyes filled with tears, and she nodded.“I am the one who would be honored.”
“Where is the wedding, Dad?”Quint asked.
“In the courtyard, under all the twinkling lights,” Te-Te said, pointing across the room at the windows that looked out on the place she suggested before I had the chance to respond.It wasn’t where I’d planned, but it was a far better idea.
I glanced at George, and her smile told me she was all for it.
Two nights later,she and I sat in front of the Christmas tree Quint and Decker had put up in this guesthouse to match the one in the house where Wilder and Wren were staying.I’d lit a fire, and we were both sipping hot cocoa.
“Katherine and I used to do this on Christmas Eve.When the kids were very little, late nights were often the only time we could talk.”
George snuggled closer to me but didn’t say anything.
“I hope I’m not being disrespectful by bringing it up.”
She shook her head.“Not at all.”
“Even if we’re sitting here on Christmas Eve, staring at the tree like she and I used to do?”
“It’s not the same tree, Z.And you’re not the same man.Katherine may have gotten you first, but I got you for always.”
“I was going to wait and give this to you tomorrow, but I’m too impatient.”I removed my arm from around her shoulders, pulled the small box from my pocket, and got down on one knee.“Leighton ‘George’ Marietta, you appeared when I least expected it, like an angel bringing me back to life and loving me in a way I’ve never experienced.You’re patient, kind, sexy, and beautiful.Smart, funny, and the best part is you’re all mine.”I opened the box and held it in front of her.“Will you marry me tomorrow?”
She looked from the ring to me, then back again.I couldn’t read her expression, but if I had to, I’d say she was confused.“George, is everything all right?”
She laughed and cried simultaneously.“Everything is perfect.So perfect.”
“Shall I take that as a yes?”
“Yes!Of course yes!”She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.It was the kind of kiss that always led to the two of us naked, with our bodies joined together.So when she broke that kiss, stood, and told me she’d be right back, I didn’t know what to think.
I looked down at the ring that still sat nestled in the box.Maybe she didn’t care for it.I rested on my haunches, unsure what I should do next.
When she returned, she also had a ring box in her hand.She sat closer to the Christmas tree and held her hand out to me.
“I planned to give this to you tomorrow as well, but after seeing the ring you chose for me, I cannot wait.”She took my left hand in hers, opened the box, removed the ring, and slid it on my third finger.
When I gazed down at it, every doubt left my mind.Both of us had chosen the same ring for each other.Thick platinum bands, hers with a three-carat diamond set in the center while the one in mine was far smaller.Both stones were surrounded by the same design, etched into the band.Angel wings.
“Marry me, Z?”
“Yes, my love.I will marry you.”I slid her ring on the third finger of her left hand, then kissed her like she had me.
Minutes later, we were both naked, stretched out in front of the tree, the warmth of the fire at our backs, making love.
***
