The light barely passed through the window as Rita slowly opened her eyes. She groaned at the sight of the alarm clock which indicated it was due to go off any

minute.

"Just a little while longer, please…" She whispered, stealing a glance at the man sleeping soundly beside her. Her head returned to its place against his shoulder

and she sighed contentedly. It had been an absolutely blissful night. One that she hoped could have continued forever.

But the second she closed her eyes, the closing strands of Petula Clark's "Downtown" floated out of the radio.

Hoping not to disturb him, she reached across the bed and pushed the snooze button. "It's too early…"

But ten minutes later, two very obnoxious voices blared out at her.

"Wake up campers, rise and shine! It's cold out there today! Will Phil see his shadow? That's right kiddies! It's GROUNDHOG DAY!"

Phil Connors bolted upright and looked around. "What is it? What happened? Where's the fire? Should I call an ambulance?"

Rita laughed. "There's no fire, Phil and even if there was, an ambulance would be of no help whatsoever!"

He ran his hand through his hair and looked at her. "What?"

"We should get up. The festival is starting soon!"

"Festival?"

"Phil, come on! Groundhog Day? February 2nd?"

"That's today?"

"You should know!" Rita quipped.

"Why didn't you say something? Oh no, this is terrible! We're going to miss the festival!"

Rita watched in amusement as Phil scurried around the bedroom, opening the closet doors , flinging clothes everywhere. "What am I going to wear? Rita, help

me!"

"All right, Phil, all right! We've got time, just calm down!"

"Get dressed, Rita! It's Groundhog Day! We've got a festival to cover!"

Rita was perfectly happy to stay where she was, watching the man she loved running around the bedroom like a maniac. Who knew that only a year earlier, Phil

Connors was the most obnoxious man she'd ever met?

Leaving her job as producer at WPBH was a huge risk; after all, she'd only been there a short time and it had taken her forever to land what she thought was

her dream job. Phil Connors was the absolute last reason she ever thought she would leave.

But there was just something about him. Under that cynical, uninteresting exterior was a sweet, loving kind-hearted and sensitive man. Those were definitely

not traits that she nor anyone would attribute to Phil Connors.

"Come on, Rita! Hurry up! We're gonna miss Phil!"

Rita grinned. "You really like him, don't you?"

"He's a groundhog, Rita! I don't make friends with rodents!"

She couldn't help but laugh. She knew deep down he really cared for that cute, fuzzy animal. "You go on. I'll catch up."

"All right. Larry said he was going to get there early and get us a prime spot. See you there?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

She rose from the bed and went to kiss him, wishing that they could have stayed in bed all day, sheltered from the bitter cold and snow. But they had work to

do.

When Phil was gone, Rita dressed warmly and headed for the festival. In the distance she could see Gobbler's Knob and the huge crowd that had already

gathered in the center of town. The sight made her smile. The crowd was bigger this year; much bigger than last and she suspected that a lot of them were

there to see Punxatawney's second biggest celebrity. Not Punxatanwy Phil, but Phil Connors-her Phil-the man who had changed her life for the better. The man

who had somehow convinced Larry to uproot his life and move to Punxatanwy, where Phil was able to secure jobs for the three of them with the local TV station-

incredibly at better pay even with the smaller market. No one could argue that Phil wasn't wonderful.

After winding her way through the crowd, she finally spotted him. "Hey Larry… Phil…" Her heart did a crazy flip when she saw him.

Phil absently handed the drink holder to Larry. "Hold this…" He glanced at Rita. "Rita… Oh Rita… I missed you so much."

Before she could say anything he pulled her into a passionate kiss, which brought a round of applause from nearby festival attendees.

Larry rolled his eyes. "When are you two going to stop this? You live together, right? How can you miss each other after what, a few minutes apart?"

"When you find someone, Larry, you'll understand." Phil chided.

"Enough, Larry!" Rita echoed. "It's almost Groundhog time so let's do this!"

"This is a good spot, Larry. I like it."

Larry smiled. "Thanks Phil. I thought it would be good to zoom in like this…"

Rita couldn't help feeling like a schoolgirl as she watched Phil and Larry working together. Phil certainly had changed and she was glad.

"Make sure you zoom in on the groundhog, all right, Larry? I want to get his expression when he gives the prediction!"

Larry glanced at Rita and then at Phil. "You know he's just a groundhog, right?"

"He's not just a groundhog, Larry. Do I tell people that you're just a cameraman? Or that Rita is just a girl? No! Phil is a member of society! He's a legend!"

"Oh right…" Larry replied, rolling his eyes once more. "Sorry, Phil."

The members of the Inner Circle began to make their way through the crowd to a boisterous thunder of applause. And when they reached the stage the cheers

grew even louder.

"Ladies and gentleman…" Buster began…. "The Groundhog ceremony has officially begun. I will ask my colleague to do the honors…"

The Inner Circle member rapped on the tree stump door and seconds later emerged holding a squirming groundhog in his arms, showing it to the crowd, who

gave a roar of approval.

"Oh, isn't he cute?" Rita exclaimed. "Look at his little face!"

"But I'm cuter." Phil said, flashing his upper teeth.

Rita turned and kissed him. "You're a little cuter than Phil, Phil..." She returned her attention back to the ceremony. She didn't want to miss a moment.

"Are you getting this, Larry?"

"Yes, I'm getting it." Larry replied. "This is great!"

"This February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil, the seer of seers... prognosticator of prognosticators...emerged reluctantly, but alertly...in Punxsutawney,

Pennsylvania... and stated in Groundhogs... "I definitely see a shadow."

The crowd's cheers turned to jeers…

"NO!"

"BOO!"

Rita looked at Phil's expression and he was not happy. There was no telling what he'd do. She grabbed his arm. "Now Phil, just because he predicted six more

weeks of winter doesn't mean…"

"Just a minute, Rita. I need to say something." To the Inner Council he yelled "EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!"

The crowd fell silent.

"Phil, we're in the middle of-."

"I know and I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's something I need to say. It's extremely important."

"Well, make it quick, okay?"

"Not too quick, though."

"Phil, what are you doing?" Rita asked.

"You'll see. Larry, keep rolling." To the Inner Council he asked. "Can I come up there?"

The men looked at each other and then nodded. "Sure Phil. Whatever you want." Buster agreed.

Buster stood center stage. "Phil Connors has an announcement, everyone!"

The crowd went wild with applause as Phil made his way to the stage. He looked at the man who had opened Phil's tree stump door. "Can I hold him?"

"Um, okay, but be careful. He bites."

Phil carefully took the squirming groundhog in his arms and held him at a safe distance. "I won't hurt him I swear. I just need him to make an announcement."

The man's eyes widened. "You want Phil to make an announcement?"

"Go away…"

He turned to Rita and smiled. "Rita, could you come closer please?"

The crowd applauded as she moved closer to the stage. "Phil, what are you doing?"

"You'll see."

Still holding the groundhog, Phil lowered himself to one knee as a collective gasp came over the crowd. He held out the furry animal.

"Rita, I think you're the kindest, sweetest, prettiest person I've ever met in my life. I've never seen anyone who is nicer to people than you are. The first time I

saw you... something happened to me. I never told you but... I knew that I wanted to hold you as hard as I could. I don't deserve someone like you. But if I

ever could, I swear I would love you for the rest of my life… Will you marry me?"

Another gasp floated from the crowd, followed by applause. But Rita barely heard them, nor did she feel the tears running down her cheeks.

"Come on up here, Rita! Let's hear your answer!" Buster shouted.

At the coaxing of the crowd, Rita made her way to the stage, where Phil was still on one knee. He handed the groundhog Phil to the handler who returned him to

the stump. And it almost looked like he was enjoying this new addition to the festivities.

Phil turned to Rita and took her hand. "Rita? Will you marry me?"

Rita smiled. "Of course I will. Yes!"

The crowd erupted in applause and the music began to play, but Rita and Phil only had eyes for each other. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black

velvet box containing the most beautiful ring that Rita had ever seen.

"Oh Phil…"

He slid it onto her finger which led to a lingering kiss and even more applause.

"It's official, Punxatanwy! Phil and Rita are getting married!" Buster announced.


(Later at the Groundhog Dinner)

Rita was numerous as she entered the ballroom, dressed in her long black dress. She was sure that all eyes were on her. On stage, Phil was playing the piano; a

jazzy upbeat number that had everyone dancing. But the moment he saw her he stopped playing and his eyes met hers.

The crowd fell silent. Phil rose from the piano bench and walked down the steps of the stage to where Rita was standing. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he looked

more handsome than she'd ever seen him.

"My God, Rita…"

"What's wrong?"

"You're incredibly beautiful."

Her face flushed. "Phil…"

"May I have this dance?"

" I'd love to, Phil but there's no music…"

As though on que, the piano began to play a romantic rendition of Ray Charles' "You Don't Know Me". Phil took Rita into his arms and they began to dance. She

looked up to see Phil's piano teacher, sitting at the piano. Rita rested her head against Phil's shoulder, content to dance with him all night.

Before the evening was over, they were congratulated by almost everyone in Punxatanwy over their engagement and she could hardly wait to get home. It had

been a very long day, but one that she'd never forget. If her previous days with Phil had been perfect, this one was even more so.

That night they walked home arm in arm, stopping to have a few snowball fights along the way. Phil created another ice sculpture for her, and Rita was amazed

at how each sculpture was more beautiful than the first.

Back at home, they hung their warm clothes to dry and then headed for their bedroom. Rita gazed into Phil's eyes. "This has been the most perfect day. But I

can think of something that would make it even more perfect."

Phil smiled. "I think I can too."

They snuggled against each other, warmed by the blankets and their love for each other.

"So… according to Punxatanwy Phil, there are only six more weeks of winter. What do you say we get started?"

Phil smiled and kissed her deeply as they fell against the pillows.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

~THE END~