Page 106 of Home Again

Her eyes lit up, and her mouth stretched into a grin. “Are you about to ask me what I think you’re about to ask me?”

“I’d like your permission to ask your mom to marry me.”

“Yes,” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me. “Yes, of course.”

I held her tight and saw Ella smiling at us from where she danced with Derek and the kids. “I already went and visited your grandmother. I know she doesn’t quite understand what’s going on, but I wanted to ask her. It was important to me that she knew I’d always take care of you and your mom.”

“She would have approved.” She gave me a wistful smile. “Do you already have the ring?”

“I do,” I replied, thinking of the little velvet box in my jacket pocket. I’d gotten it last August, right after Ella and I had gotten back together because I knew then I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I’d been holding on to it, waiting for the right moment.

“When are you going to ask her?”

“Tonight,” I answered. “After we get home.” I’d moved into Ella’s home earlier that year. I already stayed there most of the time anyway, so it felt like the natural next step. My old house had never quite felt like home, but Ella’s house did, and it was important to me that Grace always had that place to come back to.

Grace’s eyes misted over. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “Tonight’s the night.”

Before either of us could say anything else, the song changed to an upbeat tune, and Ella approached.

“My dogs are barking,” Ella said, kicking her heels off and picking them up. “Speaking of dogs, we better get home to Bradley Cooper. He’s not used to going this long without a potty break.”

“Yeah, we better hit the road,” I agreed, and Grace’s smile grew.

“What’s got you all smiley?” Ella asked, grabbing her daughter’s hand and pulling her close for a hug.

“I just love weddings,” Grace replied, glancing over at me. “They make me happy.”

“Is Sam bringing you home, or do you want to ride with us?” Ella asked.

“Sam will bring me home,” she said quickly. “You guys go ahead. Don’t wait up.”

“You two be careful driving home.” I kissed the top of Grace’s head.

“We will,” she said before whispering in my ear. “Good luck.”

Ella and I made our rounds and said goodbye to everyone before heading out, the music fading the closer we got to the car. She breathed in and looked up at the night sky that was filled with stars.

“Love is in the air,” she said, slipping her arm around me. “Tonight was perfect.”

“Almost perfect,” I said as we approached the car.

“Almost?” she asked, looking up at me. “What could possibly make it more perfect?”

I pulled her close and kissed her softly, thinking of the little velvet box residing in my pocket. “Going home with you.”