Page 74 of More Than a Little Spark

“Big enough so that all our friends and family have a place to sit.But not so large that it takes ages to plan.”She reaches out to open the passenger door.“I want to be your wife.”

I’m looking forward to that so much that it’s hard to express with words.“I want you too.”

Delight and desire sparkle in her eyes, and she slips a hand inside my shirt.“I love you.”

I’m hoping Lilith has connections that can help us plan a wedding in short order because I’m eager to be married to Daphne.“Did you know that Oreo slept in Fred’s bed the last two nights.When you move in for real, you can sleep in mine.It’s only fair.”

Laughing, she pulls me to her lips.

We spend the next several minutes kissing.At this rate, it’s going to take us an hour to make it back to the main house, where everyone is waiting to celebrate with us.

My phone dings, and I check the message, then turn the screen so that Daphne can see the text from Fred.

Fred:There’s cake, and we all want some.Can you maybe kiss after we celebrate?

I give her one more quick peck.“We should get over there before our teenager dies of cake starvation.”

“Absolutely.That would be the worst.”

“Wait!I forgot something important.”I reach into my pocket.“I’m not sure it’s official without a ring.I was so focused on what to say that I completely forgot the ring.”

She holds out her hand, and I slide the ring into place on her finger.

“I love it.And my answer is still yes.”She holds the solitaire under the dome lights, and glow refracts throughout the cab.“It’s gorgeous.”

“Like you.”

Hand in hand, we drive back to the other side of the ranch.Daphne is beaming, and I’m happier than I ever thought possible.

She makes me believe in fairy tales.

Epilogue

Fred

Fred

After six unsuccessful attempts at knotting this tie, I knock on Dad’s door.“Can you help me with this?”

He yanks the door open, and it’s obvious he’s nervous.

“You look sick in your suit, Dad.”

He contorts his face.“Sick?”

“It’s good, Dad.You look great.Daphne’s going to love it.”

A smile stretches across his face, and his shoulders relax.“Good.I’m a tad nervous.”

“I never would’ve guessed.”I hold out the tie.“I have watched three YouTube videos, and I cannot figure this out.”

Dad gets it around my neck, then stands behind me, and ties it, walking through it step by step.

Then he looks around like he’s making sure he hasn’t forgotten anything.“Are we ready?”

“I am.”I tap my pocket.“Rings are right here.And I want you to know that it means a lot that you asked me to be your best man.”

He wraps me in a hug.“Don’t make me cry today, Fred.I’m one breath away from bursting into happy sobs.”

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