Page 59 of Wreck Me

“Not in the slightest,” Sarah said, “but she seems happy to be on an outing, and they dressed her all in pink, which is adorable.”

Ginny raised her voice slightly, addressing everyone. “If you all don’t mind, Nico thinks it’s best if Claire doesn’t see anyone but me right away. I’ll be in the kitchen exactly like last time.”

Once everyone was out of sight, Nico ushered his mom as far as the kitchen doorway, then disappeared too, giving Ginny a final, hopeful look and a thumbs up.

Ginny had seen Claire many times since the “bulldozer incident,” both inside the nursing home and on outings, but she’d never recognized her or Nico in the slightest. They were just “nice young people here to see her.” Ginny’s toes curled and uncurled in her Keds as she sat at the kitchen booth, watching Claire walk in and take a seat across from her. A tea tray with three cups and a warm tea pot sat between them.

“Do you want some tea?” Nico’s mother asked. “It looks like Celia made us some.”

“I’d love some,” Ginny said, “and you?”

“Yes, please. Is Nico home?”

Ginny tried not to show the explosion of happiness inside her but couldn't help a fluttering of her eyelids.They’d done it!The house’s magic had been successfully transplanted to its new location. “He is. And Vince is home too.”

Claire blinked up at her. “I think I had a boy named Vince.”

“You do,” Vince said, walking into the room, his eyes watery. “It’s great to see you, Mom.”

A furrow of annoyance was added to her permanently age-furrowed brow. “Don’t be ridiculous. We see each other all the time. This house is so darned small we’re practically on top of each other.” Nico came in, and his mother’s eyes lit up. “And here’s your big brother. You two are never apart.”

“Hi, Mom,” Nico said. “We have some other friends here too. Is it okay if they join us? It will be a little crowded, but not too bad.”

She rubbed her tiny hands together, her wedding ring sliding loose between two thick knuckles. “Is it a party? I love parties.”

Sarah, the boys, Sadie, Grant, and Monique all came in and gathered against the cabinets. It was tight, but they just fit inside the cozy kitchen.

“Mom, I’m so glad you’re here for this special day,” Nico said. As he always did when he saw her, he bent to one knee. Also as always, it caused a flutter in Ginny’s heart to see how much he adored his mother. But this time, instead of placing his hand on his mother’s knee, he swiveled toward Ginny and rested his hand on hers. “This extra special day.”

Ginny’s heart struggled to beat.What did he mean by that?This was their housewarming party, and pretty much their entire focus had been on making things perfect for his mother. Was he…

Vince leaned forward and handed Nico a small box, and Nico held out toward her. “Will you marry me?”

“Marry?” Ginny sputtered.

“Hold up—,” Monique said. Sadie shushed her.

“Finally!” Nico’s mother said with derision. “Why did this take you so long?”

Nico’s eyes never left Ginny’s. “Because I was a fool, Mom. You saw how special Ginny was right away, how perfect she was for me, but it took me a little longer. I hope I can make up for that by loving Ginny Heppner the rest of my days.” His brown eyes filled with doubt and hope. “Will you have me?”

“Of course, I’ll have you!” Ginny said, to cheers from all but one of the kitchen onlookers. She made a waving-away motion with her hands. “But I don’t need whatever’s in that box.”

He tipped his head with a sly smile. “You might want a peek inside first.”

She took it from him and opened its hinged lid to find two shiny gold rings, one dainty, one large, pressed into soft green velvet. Carved oak leaves encircled each ring, and tuckedbetween them were tiny cicadas and even tinier diamonds. They were miniature replicas of her favorite Hellenistic headpiece.

She slipped the small one out of the velvet and let Nico place it on her finger. It fit perfectly.

“Well?” he said.

“I was wrong,” she said, admiring the ring on her finger. “I do need this. But most of all, I need the man who would give me this as a wedding ring.” She leaned forward and, to applause and congratulations from everyone gathered save one, she gave him the kind of kiss he’d remember till the next millennia.

Over the next few minutes, Ginny mingled and showed off her ring. Vince chatted with his mom at the kitchen booth and reintroduced her to his wife and sons. Gradually, they all moved into the living room.

“Here, let me see that,” Monique said, gesturing to Ginny’s left hand. Ginny offered up her ring finger. Monique took hold of her hand and peered dubiously at the leaves and bugs. “Kinda gross, but as long as it’s a looooooong engagement, I’ll tolerate it.”

“About that,” Sadie said. “Turns out I went and got ordained just in case someone else ever needed impromptu pool nuptials.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Ginny. “Shall we?”

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