Page 54 of Happily Ever Laughter

“That will pay for our new cars for at least three years, I think,” I say with a chuckle. “It’s a rush job, so there’s a bonus.”

“Wow,” she breathes, shaking her head. “That’s crazy. And it sounds like a blast.”

“Especially since they’re timing it so the entire thing will be shot in two weeks,” I explain. “A fun job that’s the length of a vacation, so I assume we say yes?”

“Yes. Absolutely.” She squeals and claps her hands together. “Well, that’s the cars sorted. I’m rather impressed.”

Tanis shifts away slightly so that she can turn to face me, crossing her legs. “But I don’t think you could possibly have a trick like that for paying for such a huge house.”

“I actually do.”

Studying her beautiful face, I still can’t believe this incredible woman is all mine. My heart is so full it’s actually hard to concentrate on the important points I need to get across before I become too emotional.

“Because I’ve been living with the guys for so long, my expenses have been pretty minimal. I’ve been saving for years, so I can easily drop a fifty percent down payment on this house. It’s listed a bit low because the original owners suddenly had to move across the country before it was done.”

He

r mouth falls open as she freezes, not making a sound.

“Now, I thought this house was perfect because of the loft space,” I say quickly, “but we can look around at other houses as much as you like. It doesn’t have to be this one.”

“I love this one. It’s perfect. I just…really? We can buy it right now?”

“Yes, but it’s totally up to you.”

“Yes!” She cries enthusiastically. “But wait. How are we going to make mortgage payments and buy furniture if we’re living gig to gig? I’m fine keeping my day job and working nights and weekends on video projects, but I don’t know if that will be enough.”

My thumbs are trembling as I scroll to another email, holding out my phone. Her face blanches, then melts into a manic grin. “Music Director at MicroCity TV? Starting in a month? That’s…” She doesn’t finish, bowling me over in a hug so huge I have to grip the bench with one hand to hold on.

“Hold up there firecracker,” I laugh, taking my phone back to check the time. It’s just past noon. “Check your email, too.”

Tanis looks at me suspiciously as she digs in her purse, pulling out her phone and scrolling through emails. I can see the instant her eyes land on the right message.

She opens it, then her left hand claps over her mouth as she begins to shake. “Vi-visual Director? Me? Visual Director at MicroCity TV?”

“Yes. They love the way we work together, and they think it is great for their image if the creative department is run by a husband and wife team.”

Slipping off the bench, I drop to one knee as I dig in my pocket. Holding up a tiny black box, I see that her hands are shaking badly. Grabbing her phone from her, I drop it into her purse so that she doesn’t smash it.

“I know it’s too soon, but we’re on our own timeline, baby. We fell in love in a week. We knew we were absolutely forever just eleven days after we met. I knew from the second we first kissed you’re the only woman I’ll ever have this connection with. I want to spend my entire life making you happy. Making art with you. Making dinner and having adventures and creating our own special world together.”

Opening the box, her eyes land on the simple but elegant diamond solitaire.

“Tanis, will you marry me?”

She stares at me in shock. Her eyes fall to the ring, then snap back to mine. For a few seconds, I’m not even sure if she’s breathing. I give her hand a tiny shake. “Tanis? Earth to Tanis?”

Her hair gleams in the sun as her head falls back, and she roars with laughter.

It’s not the reaction I was expecting. I was prepared for tears, disbelief, and probably a huge wave of nervousness.

Not my gorgeous girlfriend laughing her head off right in my face.

“I’m sorry,” she sputters, gripping my hand tightly. “I just…it’s only been six months. But you’re right, it’s just…perfect. Too perfect. Almost ridiculous.”

“Okay,” I chuckle, getting caught up in her hysteria. “But I still need an answer, baby.”

“Oh my God, yes!” Her peals of laughter ring through the entire backyard. “Yes to everything. To the new jobs, to the house, and yes – I would love to be your wife.”

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