He swiped at his eye with his free hand. “How soon should we make it official?”
I sniffed sharply and pushed back the lump that was suddenly rising in my throat. “As soon as possible.”
“Yeah. I agree.”
We held each other’s gazes and both smiled despite the sting in my eyes and the faint shine in his. Without another word, I pushed the ring onto his finger.
“Perfect fit,” he whispered.
“Are you surprised?”
“Not in the least.”
“And I’m not joking about putting you on your knees later.” I ran my thumb alongside his hand. “It’s going to be a long night.”
He moistened his lips. “I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.” I looked down at the rings on our hands. They really were a perfect fit. I’d guessed his size based on mine—his hands were just slightly bigger than mine—but it wasn’t just the way they fit. Seeing his hands and mine with matching bands, wearing a ring with all the implications that came with it—for the first time in my life, it didn’t give me a sense of “what the hell did I just get myself into?” Instead, it was more like “how in the world did I wait this long?”
He exhaled. “I suddenly have the urge to clear my schedule and meet you down at the courthouse.”
I laughed. “Yeah. I think we deserve a little more than the justice of the peace, though. It’d be nice to have some family there.”
“Good point.”
“We’ll figure it out. This”—I squeezed his hand—“is the important part.”
“I agree. We—” He glanced toward the front of the restaurant and did a double take as he sat straighter. “Oh hey. Looks like everyone else is here.”
I turned as my family poured in through the door. Kelsey had shed the black gown but still wore her cap and tassel as she and her fiancé crossed the restaurant, hand in hand. Behind them, the twins and their girlfriends, and my ex-wife and her boyfriend.
We both stood.
I hugged my daughter. “Congratulations again, Kelsey. I could not be prouder.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She let me go and then turned to Rick and hugged him. “Thank you again. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. Congratulations—you’ve earned this.”
As she let him go, she said, “I really do appreciate your help. It took a lot of pressure off my mom and dad.”
“You’re—”
“What the hell is that?” She grabbed his wrist and held up his hand. “What—” Her head snapped toward me, then back to Rick, then back to me again. “Were you wearing this at commencement, or did you guys run off and elope or something?”
I laughed. “No, he wasn’t wearing it before. But this is your day. We—”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatevs.” She eyed me. “So what’s the deal? Are you guys getting married?” She cocked her head. “Do you have one?”
Well, there was no point in trying to hide it now. I should’ve expected someone would notice. In fact, I’d planned on waiting until after tonight, but when I’d picked up the rings this morning before heading to the commencement ceremony, I just…couldn’t wait anymore.
So, I held up my left hand. “We just, um, decided we’re ready—”
“Oh my God!” Kelsey squealed and threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me back a step. “Mom, did you see this?”
Karen turned around. “What?”
“Rick and Dad are getting married!”
“Oh really?”
The other kids turned.
“Seriously?” Brooke asked. “You guys are finally getting married?”
I laughed. “Finally? You and Leah have been together a lot longer than we have.”
“Uh-huh. And we were seventeen. Did you really want us getting married?”
“Hmm. No. Good point.”
The kids and their partners congratulated us, and I had to stare when Karen’s boyfriend shook hands with Rick. He was a great guy, but when Karen and I had divorced, even though it was more or less amicable at the time, I’d never imagined the day would come when her new boyfriend was shaking hands with my new fiancé and congratulating us on getting engaged. Then again, I also hadn’t imagined that new boyfriend would be coming to me for advice on the ring he was planning to give her for Christmas. There were going to be a lot of weddings in this group over the next year or so.
Karen hugged Rick. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” he said.
“Enough about us, though,” I said as they separated, and I turned to Kelsey. “Today’s about you, kiddo.”
“I know, but… Dad, that’s so great!” She looked at Rick. “So does this mean I get to call you Dad too?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want to call me.”
I snickered. “Careful what you wish for, or you’ll be Grandpa too.”
Rick’s eyes widened.
Kelsey rolled hers. “Not until after Christmas, Dad. Geez.”
“Christ—” My heart stopped. “Uh, Kels? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
She eyed me sheepishly.
“Kelsey…”
Then she winked. “Just messing with you, Dad. I know the rules. No grandkids until you’re fifty.”
I exhaled. “Jesus…”