Mary Ellen Walton stood with her hands on her hips as she stared her Grandma down. The feisty, almost eighteen year old had gotten into yet another spat with the old woman who was so like her.
"Grandma, I'm getting married next week. I shouldn't have to do dishes, should I?" Mary Ellen said in frustration.
Grandma gave her a glare. "Yes you should. It will be good practise for when you are a wife." Mary Ellen let out a groan of frustration before stomping upstairs. Grandma smoothed down her apron, sharing a guilty glance with her daughter in law.
Ben was just about to get up from the table to go comfort his older sister when Curt burst in the porch door. "Hello everyone. Where's Mary Ellen?"
"Upstairs Curt, but I wouldn't bother her right now. You know what she's like," John nodded at the man.
Curt smirked, keeping one hand behind his back. "I know her moods better than anyone, John." He cockily winked before dashing up the stairs, and turning into the girls' bedroom where he knew Mary Ellen would be. His fiancé was sitting on the windowsill, knees up to her chest, staring dejectedly out the window. She turned to stare at whoever had entered, and at seeing Curt, broke into a smile. The couple embraced.
"Good to see you, Curt!" Mary Ellen kissed him happily before they sat down on her bed together. "What's behind your back?"
Curt narrowed his steely brown eyes. Sometimes Mary Ellen was too perceptive for her own good. "Something for you. Something that used to be a surprise." He held out a small necklace with a pearl. Curt wasn't usually overly romantic, so Mary Ellen treasured these moments. "I-I know I am ten years older than you, but I am so grateful that you trust me and love me just like I do you." Curt unconsciously started to play with her hair while talking. "I've never felt for anyone what I feel for you," Seeing the look on her face, Curt felt guilty. "I guess I need to tell you that more, huh?"
Curt held his hand out, and Mary Ellen opened the small box. She was stunned when she saw her gift. It was a simple yet elegant necklace with what she guessed was a real pearl. Suddenly it dawned on her that her gift was not a cheap thing from Ike's.
"Curt, this must have been expensive. Please tell me you didn't spend a lot of money!" When Curt said nothing, Mary Ellen sighed. "It's so beautiful, Curt. Thank you." Relieved, he looped the necklace around her neck and secured it. When she turned around, he was stunned by how beautiful it looked on her.
They came together and kissed each other with all the love each had for the other.