"That Charlie is the nicest young man."

I half smiled as my mother went on and on. It was three days into the visit and things were going well, in fact much better than I ever could have imagined. Of course my folks read me the riot act for not visiting as often as I should have but I probably deserved it and even that didn't last too long. I had to admit that I was glad to see them and glad to be home. My biggest concern was how they would get along with Charlie but it had been sugar and spice from the time we stepped in the door. I could only hold my breath as we only had two more days left of the visit.

"He is a great guy", I nodded.

"Is it serious?"

I shrugged truthfully.

"I don't know, Mama. We're happy enough, I guess."

"Happy enough for marriage?" she hinted with a smile.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I had been hearing this since I was four years old. I was supposed to find a nice Southern gentleman from a good family, marry him right out of high school and devote my life to being his beck and call and bearing his babies.

"We're married to our careers right now."

"Nonsense", she scoffed. "You're not getting any younger. You've done the whole college and career thing already, Mary-Courtney. Now it's time to get down to what's really important. Life is about family."

I bit my tongue. My poor mother who had lived in Alexandria her entire life and married my father when she was 18. I always wondered if she was happy, truly happy or just content because she didn't know any other way. Normally her insistence on me getting married and dumping my career would send me into a spastic rage but this time I took it all in stride and let it go with a deep breath. I had always wanted her to accept me for who I was, maybe I had to be willing to give her that same unconditional acceptance in return.

"Come on Mama. The tea is ready", I said as we carried trays out to the living room.

I took a seat listening half heartedly as Charlie and Daddy talked politics. I sat with baited breath as my ultra conservative Republican father discussed various issues with my left wing, liberal boyfriend. But there was no tension and no arguments. They got along perfectly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Davis, I just want to tell you it has been an absolute pleasure these last few days being in your home. Thank you so much for having me and for making me feel so welcome."

"The pleasure is ours", my mother nodded like a true Belle.

"There's just one more thing I have to say...um, I already discussed this with you Mr. and Mrs. Davis so now I guess it's between you and I, Mary-Courtney. Forgive me because I'm nervous but I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me. We've been together almost a year now and you've made it one of the greatest years of my life. I am a very happy and lucky man and I was hoping...Mary-Courtney Davis, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

I couldn't believe my ears and eyes! There was Charlie on bended knee kneeling in front of me shaking like a leaf as he desperately tried to steady the small black jewelry box in front of him. He opened it and there was a sparkling diamond ring.

"Oh Mary-Courtney!" my mother exclaimed, barely able to contain her joy.

Even my father was smiling.

"Mary-Courtney...honey...say something", Charlie nervously smiled.

I didn't know what to say. A marriage proposal was the last thing I expected.

"Are...Charlie, are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure", he grinned. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I couldn't speak or move. All I could do was react with a dumb half smile plastered across my very confused and surprised face. I guess Charlie took that as a "yes" because the next thing I knew, he was sliding that ring on my finger.

"I am just tickled pink!" my mother grinned. "Now we have a wedding to plan! We have to find you a dress and I know the perfect flowers and..."

I couldn't take it anymore.

"Mama, Charlie and I have to go. Um, we'll talk about this later."

"Go? But..."

"We're meeting some friends in town. We'll be back later."

Without further explanation I grabbed his hand and practically dragged him out the door. He didn't seem to mind. Charlie was on cloud nine and he talked non stop the entire way to the local pub located downtown. Between the sound of his voice and the ring on my finger, I could barely concentrate on what was real anymore. I felt like I was on a different planet. Nothing was making sense. Nothing that is until I looked across the bar. I'd recognize that big head anywhere. Leaving Charlie where he was, I ran over and grabbed the man from behind.

"What the..."

"Tell me it hasn't been that long, Petey Jones!"

He turned around and swooped me up into a giant bear hug. He finally put me down and I almost cried. Looking back at me were Gerry, Emma, Alan, Rev, Julius and Blue. We hadn't been all together like that in years but it was as if we'd never been apart. Time stood still whenever us Titans reunited. I quickly ran around the table and hugged everyone. There were two women I didn't recognize, one a pretty brown skinned lady and the other a petite blonde. They were introduced to me as Julius and Alan's respective wives. I quickly learned that Blue's girlfriend was working that night and unable to attend and Rev's wife, at five months pregnant, was at their home resting.

"It is so good to see all of you. I have missed you guys so much", I squealed.

"Good to see you too", Alan smiled. "By the way, aren't you gonna invite your friend to sit down?"

"Huh?"

I followed everyone's gaze over to the corner where Charlie was smiling sheepishly.

"Oh my gosh, y'all. I'm so sorry. I was so happy to see y'all again that I forgot my manners. Charlie, baby, please sit down. Charlie, meet Gerry, Emma, Alan, Alan's wife Marie, Rev, Julius, Julius' wife Brenda and that's Blue over there. Everyone, this is my friend Charlie."

I didn't even notice him wince as I referred to him as a "friend".

"Friend?" Emma scoffed. "By the look of that rock on your finger, seems to me there's more to this little friendship than meets the eye."

I looked down at my ring and noticed for the first time that it kind of sparkled.

"Oh. Uh, Charlie and I...well me and Charlie, um..."

"We're getting married", he finished.

The whole table erupted into applause while I blushed.

"Well Charlie, here's to you and me, man", Gerry said as he raised a beer. "Because I just proposed to Emma last week and if you know these two women like I know them, we're gonna be in for it while they plan the social bashes of the year."

Charlie and Gerry and the others toasted while Emma giggled excitedly and compared rings with me. I was just so happy to be back with my friends, nothing else mattered. We laughed and talked and remembered the old times. Not much had changed. Petey still bragged, some five years after we graduated about how many yards he gained every season. Blue still burst into song at any given moment. Rev was still the same kind hearted, gentle soul he always was.

"Do you remember that time you got grounded for dancing with me at Jr. Prom?" Blue laughed.

"How could I forget?" I said, between swigs of beer. "With all those chores that was the longest month of my life!"

"And what about that time you dared me to run across the football field naked?" Petey chimed in.

"Like I really thought you would do it", I said, laughing so hard my sides ached as I remembered.

"And don't forget that time we went camping..." Alan added.

There were a million and one stories, a million and one memories. I had shared good times and bad times, love and loss, joy and fear with these people. We were forever bonded. I was a part of them and they were a part of me. Our lives had taken all of us in different directions but no matter where we went or what happened, it was always "home" whenever we got back together. We sat at the table for hours reminiscing as well as playing catch up. When it was way after midnight and the manager politely told us it was closing time, none of us wanted to leave. I gave them all one last lingering hug. Good byes were always sad but in our hearts we knew it was only for a little while.

"Why don't you and Charlie stop by my mama's house before you leave", Rev said before we parted. "I know she and my pops would love to see you again. You were always like family, Mary-Courtney."

"I'd love to", I smiled. "I know we're gonna be crunched for time trying to catch our flight and all but I promise to stop, Rev."

"It was nice meeting you, man", Charlie smiled as he and Rev shook hands. "I had a good time. Hey it should be no problem running by your house before we leave but why don't you and your folks come over to the Davis'? Maybe we can all have lunch before we take off."

Rev shot me a questioning glance as we both looked at the hope and sincerity in Charlie's eyes. All I could do was shrug and give Rev another quick kiss on the cheek before Charlie and I disappeared into the darkness, snuggling close together as we made the short walk back to my parent's place.

"I like your friends", he finally said. "They're so nice."

"Yeah they are a great bunch. I miss them a lot. We had some fun times together."

"Sounds like it. I kind of felt left out of the conversation a few times", Charlie joked.

"I'm sorry, baby. We tried to include you. It's just that we don't see each other often but when we do get back together, it's like it was five years ago. The gang just reunites and nothing changes."

"It's okay. I had a good time Mary-Courtney and I loved listening to the stories. You were a little firecracker back then. You guys had some crazy times."

"Yeah", I smiled fondly.

"I still don't get one thing though."

"What's that, babe?"

"Why did your parents ground you for dancing with Blue at the prom that time?"

I looked up at Charlie who was dead serious. We'd come from such different backgrounds and I knew he'd never understand no matter how many times I explained it.

"It's a long complicated story, Charlie. It's not a big deal though. Maybe I'll tell you about it some other time, okay?"

He shrugged and gave me a kiss. When our faces finally pulled away, we looked to see the first few flakes of snow falling. It was a beautiful night. It was a beautiful time.