Page 76 of Mess With Me
“We have an early day tomorrow,” Ethan said, guiding her quickly toward the door.
Then they ran out the door, hand in hand, eager to get their hands on each other.
Epilogue
Four weeks later, Ethan was enjoying his first Thanksgiving with Ally and her family. They’d be heading to the Campbell house for dessert later. He’d taken Zach’s advice to get to know Ally’s family, even though he normally avoided other people’s families, feeling out of place. But Zach had a deep understanding of courtship and marriage customs and it had worked for him, so Ethan figured, yeah, do it right.
Ally’s dad, Brian, was a large stocky man with a booming deep voice, who doted on his four daughters. Ally had three older sisters, two blond, one brunette, all married with kids. He’d met her parents before, but this was the first time he met the rest of her family. Her sisters were much more serious and low-key compared to his love’s infectious enthusiasm and vibrancy. Her mom, Susan, was sweet and bubbly like Ally and adored her six grandchildren ranging in age from nine months to twelve. Ally’s brothers-in-law were okay too.
The food was delicious and all made by the women. He’d been relegated to the living room to watch the football game with the guys. Ally’s dad asked him to take the end seat on the sofa next to his recliner and then spent every commercial break quizzing Ethan on his family, what he did in his spare time, and what sports teams he liked. Ethan had been over for dinner a couple of times before without many questions beyond his work, but it seemed him showing up for Thanksgiving made her dad realize how serious Ethan was about Ally. He must’ve passed inspection because the minute he said he was a diehard Patriots fan, Brian got up and offered him a beer.
Ally’s sisters kept looking at him curiously during dinner at the long dining room table, but he kept quiet for the most part, not wanting to interrupt the family’s conversation. The kids had their own table set up in the adjacent living room, except for the baby, who sat in a high chair near her parents. They couldn’t see the kids, but as soon as the kids finished their dinner, they sure heard them. Ally’s mom went in there and, a few minutes later, the kids got quiet. She returned, reporting they were all watching the movieElf, and then took her seat, addressing him directly.
“Ethan, it’s our tradition before dessert to go around the table and say the best thing that happened all year. It reminds us to be thankful. Would you like to begin?”
“Oh, boy. I don’t want to intrude.” He turned to Ally. “You go ahead first.”
Ally smiled and said proudly, “Marrying myself.”
Her sisters laughed. Everyone else looked confused. Ally quickly explained the whole concept and the empowerment behind it.
“Then what are you doing with this guy?” her dad said, hitching a thumb toward Ethan, probably for his defense.
Ally smiled. “I had to put myself first, be content with me before I could give myself to someone else.”
“What do you mean give yourself?” her dad growled.
Her sisters tittered; their husbands remained quiet, probably in sympathy for Ethan being in the hot seat.
Ethan cleared his throat. Maybe this was the moment he’d been waiting for.
“What do you think I mean?” Ally responded calmly. “I love him. I’m divorcing myself now.”
Ethan put a hand on her leg. “No, don’t do that. I know how much that sologamy ceremony meant to you. I want you to keep that in spirit.” He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes. “Hang onto that, honor yourself. And I’ll honor you too.”
“Oh, Eth.”
“I love you.” He spoke his truth no matter the circumstances, even with curious witnesses.
She leaned close, smiling. “I love you too.”
He kissed her gently and then stood, taking in the curious expressions on everyone’s faces. “The best thing to happen to me all year was having Ally in my life.”
“Aww,” the women chorused.
“You too!” Ally exclaimed. “I should’ve said that too. Marrying myself and you. Not marrying you, but having you…I mean, not like that! You know—”
“Still my turn,” he told her with a wink. He knew how much she loved him and never doubted his importance in her life. They were sure of each other, both of them full of gratitude for the love they shared. “And just as importantly, the best thing to happen to me this year is what’s about to happen right now.”
He shifted to the other side of Ally’s chair so he’d have room to do it right. Pulling the ring from his pocket, down on one knee, he held the ring up to her.
Her sisters gasped in near unison, exclaiming until their mom hushed them.
“Omigod, Eth,” Ally said in a breathy voice. She shifted to face him, her cheeks flushed pink, her eyes huge.
He took her hand. “This engagement ring is an antique. It was my mom’s ring from her mother-in-law, so it has a lot of family history. I want you to have it.”
Ally squeed and nodded, her eyes filling with tears.
