Six Months Later...

A wide grin spread across my face as I made the turn onto Lakeside Way. Just the thought of going home to my cozy little cabin and my wonderful boyfriend was always enough to make me smile. It had been crazy to say the least but finally things had worked themselves out. It was at the end of March when I finally said good bye to Charlie and Milwaukee and hello to my new life in South Carolina with Ronnie Bass. Of course there was an initial pang of all out panic as I had never done such a hasty, impetuous decision in my life like packing up and leaving everything within a matter of days to start completely anew. But the minute I saw Ronnie's face again, the minute we settled into our routine of togetherness, I knew that not only had I made the right choice, I'd made the only choice.

We had spent that spring and summer getting reacquainted. A lot of fishing and hiking, camping trips and ventures to Myrtle Beach. No matter where we went or what we did, it was always bliss simply because we were with each other. I loved my new home in South Carolina and our relationship minus the drama, angst and uncertainty.

I sat in the Trans Am and took a deep breath just trying to get used to the many new changes in my life. I had yet made another crazy decision, one that I actually hadn't discussed with Ronnie beforehand. But he was always so loving and supportive and understanding. He knew me better than anyone and he had faith in me even when I didn't have it in myself.

"Babe!" I yelled as I walked into the house. "You here?"

"What's up?" he asked as he appeared from our bedroom.

His skin was pale and he looked a little anxious. I hoped I hadn't picked a horrible time to drop my latest little bomb.

"Sweetie, you look kind of sick. Is everything okay?" I asked.

"It's nothing. I'm cool. What's going on?"

"Okay", I breathed. "I think you better sit down."

"Uh oh."

"Ronnie, be serious. Okay. You know that guy I told you about at work, Fred Kelly?"

"The one that quit last week?"

"Yes. I kind of ran into him downtown this afternoon and we sort of had a drink and he told me that he is going out on his own. He's starting a company in the private sector manufacturing and selling concrete and fertilizer."

"That's cool. There's a lot of demand for that type of stuff around here."

"That's exactly what I was thinking", I said nervously.

"What is it, Mary-Courtney?"

"What is what?"

"Whatever it is you have to tell me. I know that look on your face. It's that Lucy Ricardo look you get when you've done something you don't want to tell me."

Damn, the man knew me too well sometimes.

"Okay. You know that I love you and I love our place and I love it here in South Carolina, right? Everything has been perfect except for my job. Um, you know I really haven't been that happy there since I started and it was basically just something to keep me busy and tide us over until I found something better."

"Okay..."

"Well I did it. I put in my notice and I'm going into business with Fred as a partner."

I looked to Ronnie for some sort of reaction but there really was none.

"Is this what you really want?" he finally asked.

"Yes...it is."

"Then go for it. You know I'll support anything you want to do."

His words were nice but there seemed to be zero emotion behind them. His lack of enthusiasm was rather disappointing.

"Is that all you have to say?" I asked.

"What? I said I was happy for you, baby."

"Yeah but try to contain your enthusiasm", I half joked. "You don't sound very happy. Look, I know this decision is a big deal and in a way it affects both of us. Maybe I should have discussed it with you first but I feel really good about this, Ronnie. I think Fred and I are going to do good things. I'm really excited. Babe, it's a hell of an opportunity and I'd get to be my own boss and most importantly, once this thing gets up and running, I think it's going to turn into a real cash cow and that would make me feel so much better since you're practically supporting both of us right now."

Ronnie managed a smile as he took my hand in his.

"Babe, sorry I don't sound all excited about this but I am really happy for you. I'm proud of you, Mary-Courtney. You're intelligent and business savvy and if this is something you really want then I have nothing but confidence in you."

"Thank you", I smiled.

"And it's not about money. You know better than that. We're equals, Mary-Courtney. We take care of each other. Whatever I have is yours anyway."

I rubbed the stubble on his chin and smiled. How did I ever get so lucky?

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

We kissed and sat on the couch as I went on and on about my day and fresh ideas for my new business prospect. Ronnie was polite and trying his best to be attentive but he a little distant.

"Everything okay, baby?" I asked several times during dinner.

"I'm fine", he'd shrug. "Just got some stuff on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really. It's okay."

I was worried and a little curious but felt it best to just give him his space. When he was up to it, I knew he'd tell me anyway. Besides, I was exhausted. So much had happened in the day and all I was looking forward to was a piping hot shower and a good night's sleep.

"Good night, Mr. Bass", I grinned as I turned back the covers on my side of the bed. "I am absolutely beat!"

"Um, I thought you were gonna sort the laundry."

Laundry? It was after ten and I was dead tired.

"I just want to sleep, babe. Really. I'll get to it tomorrow", I yawned.

"But you said you were gonna do it today and it's really starting to pile up."

"It's not a tragedy, Ron. It can wait. I promise you, I will tackle it tomorrow."

"But I have a meeting tomorrow morning and I don't have any shirts pressed", he whined.

"The blue one is in the closet."

"But I wanted to wear the white one...it matches the red tie."

His voice was practically pleading. He had never behaved that way before and he's picked a fine time to start. I was sleepy and cranky and he was really starting to piss me off.

"Fine", I said, dramatically throwing back the covers. "I don't know what happened to your arms and legs along the way but I will get up from my nice, comfy bed and in my sheer physical exhaustion, I will sort through that heaping mountain of clean clothes and iron your stupid white shirt!"

The nerve of him, I thought as I huffed all the way to the pantry. I had nearly worked myself into a minor fury as I finally located the precious shirt.

"Lazy jerk", I muttered as I flung open the pantry door and reached for the iron.

Something was entangled in the cord and I cursed as it dropped and I bent down to retrieve it. My heart stopped when I saw it was a tiny black box.

"Oh my God", I whispered over and over.

My hands trembled for minutes before I could open it. I gasped as I saw the gold band and the diamond placed on top of it. Tears clouded my eyes as I walked backed to the bedroom.

"I see you found your surprise", Ronnie said quietly.

"It's beautiful. Oh my God, it's perfect. I love it."

"Does that mean you're saying yes?"

"It depends on what you're asking me."

We both laughed as Ronnie clad in only boxers, climbed out of bed and assumed the one knee position.

"Mary-Courtney Davis, I love you. I've loved you almost my whole life and I figured that won't stop anytime soon so I was wondering if you'd do me the honor and be my wife."

A rush of joy and excitement I never thought possible built inside me, ready to explode at any moment like a volcano. I couldn't take it anymore as I screamed and climbed on our bed, jumping around and screaming like I was five years old.

"Please let that be a yes", Ronnie grinned.

"It is", I said breathless. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I will marry you."

He kissed me then let out a huge sigh of relief.

"You had me scared for a second."

"Like I'd turn you down?" I laughed.

"I just know that you said you were happy with us the way things were and that you didn't want anything to change. This is the biggest change of all. That's why I was so tweaked all day because I didn't know if you'd be cool with it."

"It's a good change", I smiled. "Trust me, I am very cool with this."

"I love you and I just want to make this permanent between us. I want to be with you forever, Mary-Courtney. And I don't care how you want to do it...something small on the beach, a large church wedding or just going before the justice of the peace. I just want to be together."

"Me too", I smiled as I kissed him. "Me too, baby."

All my dreams had finally come true and I had the perfect wedding in mind.