Page 55 of Forever Flustered

“He’s picky,” Austin agreed, smiling. “He makes a face when I want to play cars or ‘Monster’.”

“Because you use your fingernails…” Eli chuckled, smiling at her indulgently as if to say, ‘This could be our life together’… and she loved this idea.

Austin made a face that sent several adults watching nearby into fits of laughter – just as Bode crowed out proudly, “That’s my boy!”

“You should probably say ‘Yes’,” Eli prompted. “I’m getting a little nervous, and the wheels are already in motion.”

“Oh?”

“Romeo is bringing a wedding cake from the bakery because Dixie is taking care of India, who has a cold… and Paradox just pulled up.”

“The same Paradox that married your brother?”

“Is that okay?” Eli asked nervously, his eyes holding hers. “I just want you for my own – and I never want us to be apart again.”

“What about the Air Force? You’re stationed in Afghanistan and…”

“Not anymore,” he interrupted, smiling. “I’m here – for good.”

“Oh, Eli,” she whispered in hopeful understanding and disbelief. Her heart swelled in her chest with comprehension. He chose her over his career, over everything else. No one had ever put her first, chosen her happiness above all – but Eli had, and he was here to make her his wife. “You’re… here? You picked me – us? Are you sure?”

Oh yes – she was sobbing now, having a full-on breakdown because her stiff-lipped, rule-abiding, sneer-giving, snooty flyboy… was choosing her. He was choosing her above everything, and it showed. His eyes were full of emotion, knowing what this meant to her, and he wasn’t backing away but doubling down with his next words.

“I will always choose us – every single time. I’m miserable without you near me, and I can’t function in a world where I cannot talk to you. I need you, Maureen… so will you please, please say ‘Yes’?”

“You should say ‘yes’,” Austin coached quickly with all the seriousness he could muster, nodding emphatically. “Uncle Eli really likes you – more than Mama’s tuna casserole.”

“Lunch,” Eli volunteered, chuckling as she gave him a shocked look. “You should lock your doors, darling. I walked right in and checked your appointment book to make sure you were free for the rest of the afternoon.”

Shaking her head in disbelief, she glanced at Austin and gave him a wink before meeting Eli’s beloved eyes. “Yes,” she breathed. “I will marry you.”

Eli’s breath escaped him just as a cheer rose from their friends. He urged Austin out of his lap and moved onto his knees, kissing her there in the yard for all the world to see.

“Is anyone else lookin’ at all that tongue-action and feelin’ dirty?” Bode exclaimed loudly. “Just me?”

“Broooo!” Inferno hollered drawing out the word as if to say, ‘I agree and it’s awesome!’ in one dramatic word - before he high-fived Bode who was standing beside him.

Eli and Maureen chuckled softly together, before melting into another tender kiss.

Hours later, Maureen lay beside her husband, marveling at the miracle that had occurred today. This morning didn’t start out so great. The milk had spoiled, her toaster burned her bagel, and she ran out of cream cheese… but boy-oh-boy did it turn around spectacularly.

She and Eli stood in the yard, holding hands, as they exchanged simple vows between them. Their yard was filled with people; there were so many, many hugs and well-wishes, before her new brother-in-law ushered them all away as a courtesy to the new couple.

“Y’all get outta here!” Bode hollered impishly, patting Eli on the cheek. “My bro still has his V-card at thirty-five years old, and I told him that if he doesn’t punch that card, it’ll rot off. Welcome to the Hall family, Maureen! Love ya, girlie!”

“Daddy, what’s a ‘V-Card ’?” Austin asked.

“We’ll go ask your mama,” Bode chuckled, scooping up the boy and backing away playfully. “She looks so pretty when she gets all feisty.”

“Feisty Mama!” Austin parroted – and winked conspiratorially.

“Oh my gosh,” Eli muttered, his face beet red – and Maureen picked up the wedding cake knife with meaning as she glared at Bode. She wasn’t exactly mad to have the crowd leave, but she could have done without all the crass comments or embarrassment poor Eli had tossed in his direction.

It had been one heck of an afternoon, she mused, smiling, and looked up toward Eli from his shoulder. “Your brother is a troll…”

“And a liar,” Eli volunteered grimly. “We’re gonna have to talk about being an example for Austin or our children, because, well…”

“We don’t want to raise little trolls,” she repeated, sharing a knowing smile with him.