by Leslie Pike
“Charlotte darlin’, would you like a tiny Jack Daniels?” Boone says chuckling.
“Absolutely not!”
“Save it till we get back. Come on,” Atticus says.
He takes my hand and I follow him to the French doors.
“Where are we going?”
“I want to make sure we’ve got the right spot for the Firefly Ball this weekend. The guys are gonna be setting up starting tomorrow.”
We walk outside into the bright summer day. There’s a breeze swaying the treetops, and the Tennessee sun dances on Atticus’s hair.
“What a glorious day,” I say.
He takes my hand and kisses it as we walk across the lawn.
“You’re glorious.”
“Kiss me then.”
He stops and pulls my body to him. Cradling my head in his palm, he gives me a kiss for the ages. It’s tender and filled with wordless messages of love. When our lips part he looks into my eyes. I swear I can see the future. Our future.
“Wow. What did I do to deserve that?”
He starts walking. “You existed.”
Something is telling me not to ask questions right now. It seems like a time to pay attention to the details. The song of the birds, the smell of the flowering Dogwoods, the feel of the sun on my skin. My greater self, the one who always knows more than I do, is telling me to slow down. Take it all in. Something wonderful is about to happen.
We move into the thicket of trees that border the forest. The light changes dramatically. He leads and I follow.
“That first time I saw you my heart said, ‘that’s the one.’ he says.
He turns around and faces me.
“It did?” I know my response sounds stupid, but it’s just that he shocked me.
“Yes. And that first time we were together, here with the fireflies, I realized I’d been waiting for you all my life.”
The tears are beginning to well in my eyes.
Weaving through the trees, we come to the clearing where our first bed stood. But now a beautiful garden of shade plants surrounds a sapling Pecan tree. And an iron signpost marks the spot. My hand goes to my mouth and I cover any utterance that might escape. I read the sign.
Here marks the sacred spot Charlotte and Atticus fell in love.
“Oh, Atticus. This is so romantic.”
He’s leaning against a thick truck of a tree that stands closest to the garden. His hands are in his pockets and he looks nervous. He’s biting his lip.
“Let me do that,” I say coming around the circle of stones and sea glass that surround the plantings. He opens his arms and takes me in his embrace. My eyes close as he kisses my neck and holds me close.
“Are your eyes closed?” He asks.
“Yes. I’m enjoying your kisses. I’ve got the chills.”
“I think you should open them, Charlotte.”
My eyes open. There, carved on the tree, are two entwined hearts with our initials. In one is the word “Mine” and in the other “Yours”. And under the hearts are the words, Will you marry me?
The world spins in front of my eyes, then slows to a crawl. I feel every cell of my body reacting and rising in a unanimous decision. My hand lifts to the carving and my fingers feel each word.
“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
I start kissing him. Pinning him to the tree and covering his face with a hundred more. He’s laughing now.
“Yes? Is that a definite yes? No processing?” he teases.
“My love. I can’t imagine life without you,” I say holding his face in my hands.
I look over his shoulder at the proposal. He slips down in front of me on one knee, taking something out of his pocket when he does. My breath quickens.
“Charlotte Bay, I want to say the words out loud. Right here in front of the birds and the flowers. Let them be our witnesses.”
He holds the tiny box up to me in an offering.
“Tell me again. Will you be my wife?”
He opens the lid. The most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen sits waiting. It’s a diamond stunner. But I can’t hold back. I let my enthusiasm be my answer. I knock him over as I wrap my arms around his neck and throw my body against his. We both go to the ground, laughing. I’m covering him with kisses. All the while he’s trying to keep the ring in the box, safe from my attack.
“Wait! Let me put it on your finger!”
He rolls me over and pins me to the ground. I see the twigs and leaves stuck to his clothes.
“Now give me your hand before I have to spank your ass and pull your hair,” he orders.
My hand stays where it is, but my eyebrow lifts.
“Ohhh. That can be arranged.”
I roll myself over and sit on top of him. “Another day.”
I hold out my left hand. He reaches in the box and removes the ring. When he looks up into my eyes, I slide off and lie by his side. We face each other, and he slips the ring on my waiting finger. I raise my arm in the air, admiring the symbol of our love.
He reaches up and brings my hand to his heart. “Yours,” he whispers.
I bring his to mine. “Yours,” I say softly.
As we walk out of the forest and back onto the soft lawn, we’re both wearing smiles that can’t be adequately described, except to say we look like kids who just discovered kissing. It’s an unforgettable moment. Something has changed between us. I don’t think it’s just my perception. He’s as giddy as I am, and we can’t stop looking at each other’s faces. And the ring.
As we get halfway across the lawn, I notice his family coming out the doors and onto the tiled patio. It seems like they’re taking their places for a photo. They face us, and everyone holds a white square of paper in their hands.
“What’s this?” I ask.
But he doesn’t answer. There’s only a big smile in response.
Then I see Mallory come out and walk toward us on the lawn. I think she’s both teary and happy at the same time. She must know.
My hand flies to my mouth and I feel the lump rise in my throat. We meet in an embrace. Then she looks at Atticus and he takes her hands.
“Mallory, I want you to know I consider you my daughter. That’s how much I’ve grown to love you. I remember when you told me last year not to act like a father. I’m afraid I can’t accept anything less. How do you feel about that?”
A tear runs down her cheek. And so it is with me.
“I feel good about that, Dad.”
Now Atticus’s eyes are misty.
“Your mother has just accepted my marriage proposal, but it wouldn’t be right to leave you out of the decision. Do you think we can become a family? You’d make me the happiest man alive if you say yes.”
She takes my hand and his. “Yes.”
Now the floodgates open. All three of us are hugging and crying and laughing our joy.
Suddenly The Colonel starts barking, making sure we pay attention. When we look up the entire group’s holding signs that spell out Charlotte and Mallory, will you marry us?
We join arms and walk together toward our family, each of us content in the knowledge we’ve finally reached home.
The End
Acknowledgments
Without gratitude pleasures evaporate as soon as you have them. To know gratitude is to relish the kindnesses shown you and remember the road walked in achieving your goals. On my journey I know I was never alone. Today and every day forward I am grateful for Adriana Locke. Her giving nature has been one of my life’s blessings. So thank you Adriana, for all you give.
About the Author
Leslie Pike lives in Orange County, California, with her husband Don, and their Pom-Poo, Mr. Big. Before writing her first novel, Leslie worked as a screenwriter in episodic Prime Time television. She’s traveled the world with her Stuntman/Coordinator/Second Unit Director husband. They’ve been on movie sets from Africa to Israel, from New York to San Francisco. Some of Leslie’s favorite things include long walks with her frien
ds, calligraphy, and afternoons at the movies.
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Also by Leslie Pike
The Paradise Series
The Trouble With Eden
Wild In Paradise
The Road To Paradise
Sexceptional
Santini Series Novellas
Destiny Laughs
Destiny Plays
Destiny Shines
Playlist
“LOSIN CONTROL” -Russ
“LET’S GET IT ON” – Marvin Gaye
“YOU SHOULDN’T KISS ME LIKE THIS” – Toby Keith
“CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU” – Lady Antebellum
“SPEAKERS” – Sam Hunt
“CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE” – Elvis Presley
“UNCHAINED MELODY” – The Righteous Brothers
“LET’S STAY TOGETHER” – Al Green
“BREATHE YOU IN” – Dierks Bentley
“SEXUAL HEALING” – Marvin Gaye
“ABOUT TO GET REAL” – Easton Corbin
“FALL INTO ME” – Brantley Gilbert