Page 168 of Fire and Icing

Doors closed, hearts caught in the gap.

We’ve walked the edge of leaving,

We were bruised, but never cracked.

Through all the storms and weather,

You stayed, and I stayed too?—

Now every scar we carry

Feels like a promise I made to you.

'Cause stayin’s easy now, Firecracker,

When I look at you and see

All the fire we walked through

Built the home you made in me.

There ain’t a doubt left in my soul,

I’m yours, come sun or rain.

If love’s a road, then take my hand?—

Let’s never turn again.

We’ve been the talk of small-town stories,

They whispered, “Is it true?”

But they don’t know the quiet glory

Of giving my whole heart to you.

You taught me how to soften,

And filled my empty life.

Now I don’t want a single day …

Dustin pauses, sets down his guitar, and he stoops down. I’m confused. He starts to lower himself and I watch him, my brain not catching up until he’s in front of me on one bent knee. He pulls a small satin bag out of his pocket, tips it over carefully and gives it a shake. A platinum gold band with a diamond falls into his palm.

He looks up into my eyes and half-sings, half-speaks the final line, “Without you as my wife.”

I’m in tears. My smile pulls at my cheeks.

I’m already saying, “Yes!” when he says, “Emberleigh, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Dustin! Yes!”

He slips the ring on my finger, staring into my eyes with a look I’ll remember until my dying day. Then he stands up and kisses me.

He grabs my hand and turns so we’re side by side.

“She said yes!” Dustin holds up our enjoined hands as if we just won a contest.

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