"Small enough without actually disappearing." I gave an exaggerated sigh.
"Is he proposing to her or talking carats?" Mom mused.
"Let him take his time," Dad chimed in.
"How long is he going to take? I need to go pee," Emilia added.
"Everyone is a fucking comedian in this family," I muttered. "Elika, baby, before my family can make this occasion any weirder than they already have, will you marry me?"
Elika laughed. "If we don't make it, I get custody of the family."
"Say yes to marrying me first, and then we can talk divorce." I put the ring on her finger. It fit like a dream. "Well?"
"I can't wait to marry you," she told me, her eyes bright. "Iā¦this is everything."
"No crying," I warned her.
She gave me a watery smile. "Nothing can top this day."
"Oh, baby, let me take you back home, and I'll make sure to do that," I said salaciously.
She glared at me for a moment, her eyes wide, and then, slowly, a smile broke across her face, lighting up the entire room.
"Well, then," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "take me home."