Page 80 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Just watch.”

A few people gasped, the way I had, as my father’s intention dawned on them.

My father cleared his throat, and he knelt on one knee in front of Marge. She gasped and covered her mouth. The tears were streaming before he even reached inside his pocket. “We might not have started our journey together, the way our kids did, but I’ve loved you for so many years, my sweet, that it only makes sense for me to promise to love you for the remainder of the years I have left. I would be the happiest man on earth if you would do me the honor and agreed to be my wife. Marge Tuscan, will you marry me?”

“Well, isn’t that interesting,” Nick said to himself.

“What is?”

“Nothing. I’ll tell you later.”

Marge nodded feverishly, saying yes, and he slid the ring on her finger. Everyone cheered, and champagne bottles began popping up into the air. I wasn’t sure how and when my father had organized this, but it was one of the sweetest proposals I had ever seen. I wiped the tears off my cheeks and turned to Nick.

“They’re getting married!”

“Come on, let’s go congratulate them.”

Hand in hand, we rushed over to our parents, hugging them.

“I’m so happy for you two.” I squeezed my father.

“So we have your blessing?” he asked.

“Are you kidding?” I looked to Nick. “Of course you do.”

“Good, because we’d like to make this official in two weeks.”

“What?”

“Nothing big, just you two and a few of our closest friends.”

“But only if you’ll agree to be my maid of honor, Joelle,” Marge added.

“Yes! Oh, my God, of course, yes! This is so exciting. We have a wedding to plan. Nick, did you hear that?”

“What do you say, best man?” my father asked.

“Really? Me?”

“I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

“Yes, definitely. I’m not too sure what my duties are as best man, but I’ll do my best.”

“Well, one of them will be to walk me down the aisle.” Marge’s voice was shaking.

Nick squared his shoulders and held his head high. I thought I saw his eyes glisten, but he held the tears back.

“Just name the time and the place, Mom. Congratulations.” He reached for my father’s hand and gave him a firm shake. “Walter, can I speak with you privately for a moment?”

I wondered whether Nick wanted to have a man-to-man talk with my father before giving away his mother. Which may have sounded funny, but Nick had always been very protective of Marge.

As they stepped to the side, Marge took me under her arm, and we walked inside the bakery to get more cupcakes.

“You’re okay with this, Jo? Me and your father getting married?”

“I couldn’t be happier.”

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