When we got to Six Flags the kids dragged Jeff towards the rides while I and Shannon headed to the games. We found the one that that we always went head to head on. Of course it was the milk bottle knock down. We got up to the booth with most of the adults in tow. Shannon put up the money for both of us and we got our balls.
I turned around. "Alright most of you know the deal, if you are new here it is. You can make a bet on who's going to win and you put up a dollar Matt is the money holder whoever wins gets all of the money and pays for a lovely amusement park dinner, and keeps the rest. Make your bets now." I turned back around as I heard people start saying their bets. I smiled as I heard that most bets were on Shannon.
Matt came up with a large wad of ones and a list of how many people choose who, and most people had picked Shannon, there were seven people for me. I knew who they were too. "Thank you, for putting your money on me boys," I yelled. I turned back to the game and waited for Shannon to take his turn.
He took his turn and it took him two balls to get all three bottles down. I smiled; as I saw the kids and Jeff walk up when my turn came. I took aim and launched the first and only ball I would need. One shot, was all I needed. It hit right in the center and sent all three bottles in all different directions. I grinned at Shannon when the toys were handed down. I choose a big purple teddy bear and Shannon chooses a medium stuffed dog.
Logan and Shawn came over to us and jumped on me. Logan grabbed the bear and ran off to show Uncle Jeff while Shawn grabbed the dog and came over to me. I picked him up and carried him to Shannon so we were together. I yelled over the commotion, "So how much did I win Matt?"
"It looks like about enough to have ten dollars left over." He smiled at me.
I laughed. "Sweet I'm rich!" Everyone else laughed at that. Except for one person, I heard Reby heave a big sigh and look annoyed when I looked over. "What's wrong Reby?" I asked her.
"What's it to you, Lindsey?" She glared at me. I was taken back.
"She just wanted to know if you were alright Reby. She's trying to treat you like family, because whoever is with her friends, family, and her co-workers is family to her." Jeff said starting to get upset himself.
"Maybe I don't want her to treat me like family. I am better than her. I've been able to keep a stable job and a permanent job. She jumps from one job to another all the time." She sounded smug. I took a step back to seclude myself. I felt Shannon hold onto me tighter.
He put his mouth to my ear and was whispering to me of how she was so wrong to not want me to be her family. I would have said something back when I heard so much outrage at what had been said the loudest was Logan and Matt. "Don't you dare say that about my Momma," I looked up really fast to Logan in Matt's arms giving Reby the hardest glare and it mirrored one that I always give. "She is better than you! You don't think that she should be your family. You don't deserve to be in our family. She would give you anything that you needed because you would've been family and you tell her that you are better than her. You are not better than my Momma and you never will be!"
I was shocked that she would say all of that but I still see that Reby didn't believe her. Matt walked over to me and put Logan down in front of me. "Reby if you think that you are better than my sister leave. And when you leave go home and clean your shit out of my house because you are no longer welcome. I don't want someone who thinks they are better than anyone in my home. Especially if they think they are better than the person who does nothing but help anyone who needs it. The person who took care of me and Jeff after our Momma died." He had placed himself protectively in front of me and the children.
I watched Beth come up from behind her. "If I ever, and I mean ever, hear you talk about my little sister like that again you will be in pain. I don't care how you do things, but we are from the south, we have no problem settling our problems with our fists." Beth was staring her down making her back down. She stalked away, trying to look tough but failing.
I watched as all of the people swarmed around me telling me she was off her rocker. I smiled. "Aren't we supposed to be getting dinner? I won all this money and promised dinner so come on. Let's go eat." We walked to one of the many food stands where everyone got something to eat.
"Hey Lindsey, will you do something with me before we have to leave?" I looked up with my cotton candy on my lips. "I want to go on the Ferris wheel with you go with me?"
I swallowed the rest of my food, "Of course Shannon. You know that's my favorite ride."
"Yep, I sure do." He reached over and grabbed my hand to lead me towards the ride. I watched as Jeff and Beth followed us.
"You guys going to ride too?" I smiled and laughed.
"Of course we are its Jeff's favorite ride." Beth laughed back.
The line at the wheel was short and quick to get there. Shannon and I got on and snuggled right up together. The wheel was moved and Jeff and Beth got on the next seat. We went around a couple of times then we were stopped at the top. I smiled and looked over to Shannon.
He smiled right back and leaned down to kiss me like you're supposed to on the top of a Ferris wheel. But then he moved back and reached in one of the many pockets on his pants. "I've got a question for you Lindsey?" I turned to give him my full attention. "I love you so much Lindsey and I shouldn't have listened to Matt,"
"Yeah that's always a bad idea," I acknowledged him.
"Yeah it is, anyway, I shouldn't have listened to Matt and I should have kept you as mine. So the question I have to ask you is will you be mine again?"
I smiled at him. "I already am Shannon."
"But not in the way I want," I tilted my head a little confused. "I want you to be mine, forever." He pulled his hand out of his pocket with a small velvet box in it. "I want to know if you, Lindsey Sena Hardy, will marry me."
"Oh my God, Shannon," I watched as he opened the box. In the satin was my mother's engagement ring. "That's… that's…"
"Your mother's ring, I know. When I was talking to Jeff on the plane I told him I still loved you so much. He told me to ask you to marry me right away. He said he had the perfect ring for it." He smiled when I gave him my hand.
"It is and I can't say no to it, or to you, yes Shannon, I'll marry you." I smiled as he put the ring on as the wheel started to move.
I got off the ride turned back to it as Jeff and Beth got off. The second they stepped off I had my arms around my big brother. I would have said something but Jeff spoke first. "Don't you say thank you. You deserve to be happy, Lindsey. And yes its mom's ring she wanted it for you."
I smiled so big and started to cry. I had Shannon's arms around me so fast and his—ours—children were there just as fast. I heard cheers of joy ring out around us and saw all of our co-workers, our family, cheering at my answer.