Page 80 of Resisting Fate
He took her glass from her trembling fingers, setting it on the table. “If you cry again, Grandmom’s going to blame me.”
Missy grabbed both of his hands in a tight grip. “I will marry you.”
He flashed a brilliant smile. “You will?”
She nodded, beaming at him. He cupped her face and kissed her passionately. And she returned that kiss with all the love in her heart.
“Enough sucking face,” Mrs. Walsh finally declared, making them laugh.
They pulled apart, smiling at each other.
“Let’s have that toast,” Mrs. Walsh said, lifting her glass.
She and Ben picked up their glasses too, lifting them high.
“To me!” Mrs. Walsh exclaimed. “For bringing two wonderful people together who will soon make me a great-grandmother!”
Ben jolted. Missy just smiled and joined in the toast. She’d longed for children, but hadn’t wanted to be a single mom. If she was marrying Ben, building a life with him, then she’d love to make kids part of that too.
“No rush on kids,” Ben said, sending his grandmother a significant look. Mrs. Walsh smiled serenely.
Missy could just imagine his grandmother making inquiries into their reproductive life.Have you been trying? What position did you use? Hurry up and try again!
Ben gave Missy’s hand a squeeze, giving her a small smile, his dimples etched in his clean-shaven cheeks. “Down the line, kids would be great with me.”
Missy’s throat clogged with emotion, her eyes hot. All she could manage was, “Me too.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry,” Mrs. Walsh declared. “So much love.” She sniffled. “I’m so happy. This old woman needs a hug.”
Ben went and hugged her, and Missy followed quickly after him. They all settled into their seats again, and Missy told Mrs. Walsh about the Harpers’ Christmas Eve celebration. They all talked for a good while, sipping wine, warm and toasty, everything aglow. Or maybe that was just Missy glowing from all the love.
Later, she and Ben went into the kitchen to help with dinner. Mrs. Walsh kept up a steady stream of Ben stories that ranged from ridiculously proud to downright embarrassing. Missy loved it, frequently checking in with Ben, who merely smiled, not seeming bothered that she now had the most thorough background check on him a person could have. Forget the internet, nothing like a grandmother to spill the good stuff. Her absolute favorite was his brush with fame at twelve years old in a boy band that toured local malls. Ha! She told him she couldn’t wait to see those pictures and he definitely had to sing something for her. He promised he would, but he would exact payment for the privilege. Which they both knew was his version of dirty talk with a senior citizen witness.
Dinner was delicious and relaxed. She’d already gotten along with Mrs. Walsh before and felt even closer to her now over their shared love of Ben.
She gazed across the table at Ben as he bent his head to take a bite of spiced cherry pie. It was his grandmother’s famous recipe. She quickly took a forkful herself, popped it in her mouth, and then nearly spewed it out when Mrs. Walsh exclaimed, “Ben, you’ve got to get her a ring! It’s not official without the ring. Don’t delay.”
“I don’t need a ring,” Missy quickly said. “It’s okay.” She didn’t need a lot to be happy. She’d learned to live with the basics.
Ben held up a palm, shooting his grandmother another significant look before telling Missy, “You’re getting a ring and a formal proposal. I just wanted you to know right now how much I’d like to be married to you. You make me believe in marriage. I just…” He lifted one large shoulder. “I just want you forever.”
Missy’s breath caught at “forever,” her heart clutching, her body frozen. And then she let out a shaky breath and, with no thought other than to be as close to him as possible, she moved as if in a dream, leaving her seat to walk around the table to him. He was standing when she reached him, and she just wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him tight. His arms came around her, filling her with radiant love.
He dropped a kiss on top of her head and told his grandmother, “I’m taking her home now.”
Missy pulled back and looked over at his grandmother, who was discreetly wiping tears away.
“Get out of here,” Mrs. Walsh said, shooing them away. “Go make babies.”
Ben chuckled. “Subtle, she is not.”
“Subtle doesn’t get the job done,” Mrs. Walsh said. “Iget the job done.”
Missy couldn’t fault Mrs. Walsh for taking credit. The woman had a vested interest in their relationship and got them talking about marriage and kids. Missy was sure she never would’ve broached the topic for a very long time. It was almost too much to hope for. She would’ve been content with a committed relationship, but had to admit that marriage and kids were a welcome addition.
They said their goodbyes and drove to his place, already making plans for her to move in. For the first time, thoughts of the future filled her with nothing but joy.
But the moment they stepped inside his house, Missy had enough talking. She pounced on him, and they went for it right up against the foyer wall.
And again in his bed.
And in the shower.
Then they fell asleep, a tangle of arms and legs, all resistance gone, surrendering to fate, surrendering to love.
