Atticus smiles as he watches the woman across the street: his best friend, his lover, his confidante, and with any luck his future wife. He's been planning to propose forever, but he still isn't sure how or when. He is nervous; he almost feels that he loves her too much. The object of his affection, Miss Maudie Atkinson, had strolled across the street while he was thinking and is now standing in front of him.
"Evening, Atticus." Maudie says as she climbs the steps.
"Maudie!" Atticus cries as he jumps up from his seat on the swing on the porch.
"Did I interrupt something? You looked like you were deep in thought when I walked up." Maudie says as she walks down the porch.
"You're never an interruption. You're a pleasant surprise and addition to my evening." Atticus says teasingly.
"Sit, sit. I'll come and sit next to you. That swing certainly holds some memories for us." Maudie says as she watches Atticus sit on the swing in a debonair manner.
"It certainly does." Atticus says as he fingers the ring box in his pocket and hopes that there will be another wonderful memory for this swing. He turns to Maudie and says, "I need to ask you something important and you need to think carefully and not interrupt."
"Of course, darling. This sounds serious. Is everything alright?" Maudie asks as she puts her hand on Atticus' hand.
"Everything's fine. It's more than fine. Since you've come into my life I've been happier than I have been since my wife died. You've helped me start to live my life again. I want to ask you if you will change my life. Make me a very happy man and say you'll marry me." Atticus says as he holds Maudie's hands.
Maudie's eyes well up with tears as Atticus speaks and then places her hands on each side of Atticus' face. "I'm only going to ask you this once. Are you sure that your children will be okay with this?"
"I'm positive. Jem and Scout love you and I'm sure they'll get along very well with you." Atticus says quietly.
"Then, yes, I will marry you. I can hardly believe you asked me. It's an incredible feeling to know you love me that much." Maudie says as she reaches for Atticus' hand.
Atticus takes the ring box out of his inside pocket, reaches for Maudie's left hand and places a lovely diamond and gold ring on her ring finger. "Thank you Maudie." He says quietly into her hair as he pulls her close.
"For what, Atticus?" Maudie asks as she places her arm around his waist and cuddles in closer to him.
"For accepting me and for loving me. It takes a very strong woman to take on a widower and his two children especially as he's so unpopular in town." Atticus says as he tightens his grip around Maudie. "Will you stay the night?"
"Alright if you want me to stay I'll stay. I'll just run over to my house and pack an overnight bag and I'll be right back." Maudie says as she kisses Atticus' cheek and stands up.
"Hurry back." Atticus says as he kisses Maudie's hand.