Episode 58: Proposal

CHAPTER 1: THE RING

Peppermint Patty and Franco, along with Yasmine and Polly, were watching a horror movie. Polly was seated next to Patty, as she was too young to see the scary parts. Polly had grown in the years since their parents Richard and Colleen started dating. She was no longer prone to tears whenever someone new said hello to her; now she was the complete opposite as she would run up to that same person and hug them tightly. Yasmine was still smart for her age and inquisitive as ever. Both girls took a liking to Patty's boyfriend Franco and he liked them, as well.

This particular night while Richard and Colleen were out to dinner, the four of them watched a classic horror movie on TV. When the monster came, Polly covered her eyes and buried her head behind Patty.

"Don't let the monster get me, Patty!" she cried.

"Don't worry, Polly," assured Patty. "While the monster is in the TV, it can't hurt you."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!"

"I can take a gruesome monster any day of the week!" said a gung-ho Yasmine.

"We're sure you can, Yas," said Patty, with an eyebrow raised. Just then Richard and Colleen had come in from their dinner. Both were smiling at their kids.

"Hey, you two," Patty greeted. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"We sure did, my rare gem," said Richard, kissing his daughter on the forehead. "And how are you, Franco?"

"Very good, sir," said Franco.

"We have some big news to share with you," said Colleen.

"What's the news, mommy?" asked Polly.

"Franco, you want to hear this, too," said Richard.

"What's happening?" wondered Yasmine.

"Well, take a look at this," Colleen responded. She raised her right hand which had a new diamond ring on it.

"Colleen, that is beautiful!" said Patty. "Dad, how were you able to afford that?"

"Well, when you're in love, my Pattycake, money is no object," said Richard, smiling. "And you when you get engaged to be married, you have to spend some money."

"Wait a minute!" Patty gasped. "Did you say 'married'?!"

"That's right, Patricia," said Colleen. "Your father and I are engaged to be married."

"You're going to be our new daddy?!" asked an excited Yasmine.

"I am, dear," said Richard, smiling.

"I finally get to have a mother," said a weepy Patty. She immediately hugged her father and her future stepmother, followed by two excited little girls who cheered. Franco walked up to the group.

"Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Herr Reichardt!*" he said to Richard.

"Thank you, Franco," Richard replied. And the group continued to celebrate.

NEXT CHAPTER: NEWS HEARD AROUND SPARKYVILLE

(*) "Congratulations, Mr. Reichardt!"