Page 159 of Until Joy

“Joy Magill.”

His voice carried across the suddenly quiet room as he slowly dropped to one knee in front of me. Every conversation stopped. Every eye in the place focused on us.

My hands flew to my mouth as he pulled out a small velvet box.

“Seven months ago, I walked into Miss Laverne’s kitchen and saw you, and boom, my life changed forever. You taught me the meaning of happiness. You taught me that love wasn't something I had to earn or prove myself worthy of. Instead, it was a gift freely given.” His voice grew stronger with each word. “You’ve made every single day better than the day before.”

The ring inside the box was perfect. A simple solitaire diamond on a white gold band, classic and elegant without being flashy. Exactly what I would have chosen for myself.

“Joy, I've spent the last month asking everyone in your family for permission to marry you. Your dad threatened to shoot me if I ever hurt you. Your mom made me promise to give you babies. And Little Grandma told me I better treat you like the treasure you are.”

Laughter rang out through the room to combine with my own as I continued to cry.

“Oh, and Randy said he'd run me down with his truck if I made you cry.”

“Only unhappy tears,” Randy called out from across the room. “Happy tears are fine.”

More laughter rippled through the crowd.

“So, Joy. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives?”

The words came out through my sobs. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!”

The room erupted in cheers and applause as Graham slipped the ring onto my finger with shaking hands. He stood and kissed me while our families and friends whooped and hollered around us.

When we finally broke apart, I was laughing and crying at the same time.

“I can’t believe you went to this much trouble.”

“You deserved this. You deserved to have everyone who loves you here to celebrate.”

I looked around the room at all the faces beaming back at us. My Broken Eagles family and my blood family, all gathered in one place to witness this moment.

“I love you, Graham Wallace.”

“I love you too, future Mrs. Wallace.”

Graham

Two hours later, I stood near the bar nursing a beer and watching Joy make the rounds, showing off her ring to anyone who hadn't gotten a close look yet. The woman was glowing, her happiness so bright it lit up the whole room.

July bounced over to where Joy was standing with June, Harmony, and Ellie, all five women talking over each other in the way that women do when they're planning something.

“So when's the wedding?” July demanded. “Please tell me it's soon. I've been dying to plan a wedding.”

“We haven't even talked about it yet,” Joy laughed. “I've been engaged for exactly two hours.”

“That's plenty of time to pick a date,” Kayan chimed in as she joined the group. “Spring weddings are beautiful. Or maybe summer. Everyone knows a June wedding is perfect.”

I shook my head and smiled, then spotted Little Grandma sitting alone in the corner. The centenarian looked tiny, but her sharp blue eyes missed nothing.

I made my way over and sat down beside her.

“Can I get you anything to drink, ma'am? Something to eat?”

“I'm fine, dear. But I'm glad of the company.”

Little Grandma's voice carried the soft drawl of someone who'd lived her whole life in the South.