Chapter 45
45
[Judd]
G enie and I spend the rest of the weekend in New York City, just to say we’ve been there once. Then we fly to Knoxville, where we pack up her place and move her things to my house. For now, Genie wants to rent out her old place. Students are always looking for a good value and couples want rentals for a weekend away.
As we missed Sylver Sunday, as Genie likes to call the weekly meal, Stone asks us to come to dinner during the week. To my surprise, the entire family is present.
Genie and I arrive hand in hand, plus her other hand wrapped around my bicep. I love that extra touch of security. We’re weathering together, sunny days and any storms.
“Congratulations,” Enya calls out as we round into the backyard. “We heard the good news.”
Genie tips her head, glancing at me. “Family group chat?” I’ve become only slightly more active in the stream.
“We should probably add you in,” Vale says, setting a bowl of something on one of the two picnic tables pressed together.
I groan. “There’s already too many of us in there.” Not that I don’t want Genie added. It’s just the thread is a mess with seven siblings plus partners.
Genie chuckles. “Don’t mind the grump.” She nudges me with her arm. “But I probably shouldn’t be added unless I’m officially family.”
Everyone now knows Genie wasn’t actually my fiancée, but she is my family. Married or not, Genie is my world.
“Well, congratulations anyway,” Enya adds, offering a warm smile. “When is Quirky Girl Calendars officially part of Greetings Ambassador?”
Genie glances up at me again. “You didn’t tell them.”
“Figured it was your story to tell.”
She clears her throat and addresses the group. “Actually, Quirky Girl Calendars is going to be renamed Quirky Girl Paper Company. And then . . .” She flicks a glance at me. “I have a new investor.”
Clay slowly smiles. Mavis doesn’t look surprised, but the rest of the group is a bit stunned.
Genie looks at me once more. “At first, I’ll be exclusively distributed through Sylver Seed I just don’t think about her because all my thoughts are wrapped up in my firefly.
Genie turns toward me as well, taking both my hands in hers. Her fingers tremble and I squeeze them tighter, finding my palms suddenly sweaty. Her voice sounds serious, practiced even when she says, “Judd Sylver, a few weeks ago, you saved me from the corner of a room, a stuffy garden party, and a hideous yellow dress.”
She chuckles and the tension loosens from my shoulders.
“Through a misinterpretation, it was assumed we were engaged.” She quirks her brow. “But then we agreed to date for ten days.”
“Checking yes,” I mutter, keeping my eyes on hers, wondering where she’s going with this recap of our short time together.
“There’s one more thing I’d like you to check yes to, if you will.” Genie reaches into the pocket of her summer dress and pulls out a folded piece of paper.
With hesitant hands, I take the note from her and read it to myself. There on light blue lines with a unicorn in the background, Genie has written:
Would you like to marry me? Check yes or no.
My head pops up. A grin so wide I can hardly contain it spreads across my face. My shoulders completely lose any remaining tension. In fact, I feel lighter than I’ve ever felt before. “You know I would.”
Genie smiles, her eyes bright. “Then would it be weird if I asked you to marry me?”
“Not as weird as how fast I’d check yes.” I turn toward my family, my voice raspy when I ask, “Anyone have a pen?”
Stunned, awed, and pleased faces stare back at us.
I turn toward Genie again. Pinched between her fingers is the newly minted, polished copper penny I’d given her.
“You’re my wish, Judd. What do you think?” She laughs, reminding us both the question is the same one I’d said to her, when a certain someone misunderstood what was happening on the side of Genie’s mom’s house.
“I’d say, Genie Webster, will you be my wife?”
“Checking all the yeses.” Her smile is so wide it is almost blinding, but I swoop her into my arms, spinning us in a circle before setting her on her feet and kissing her in front of my entire family.
“Does this mean he loves her?” Dutton’s voice breaks through our kiss and when I pull back, Genie swipes at a tear in the corner of her eye.
“This means I love her,” I admit to Dutton.
“Did you get her a new ring?” His innocent voice asks, knowing I’d given Genie the other ring. The one now lost.
“Not yet.” I glance back at Genie. “But we can pick one out together. One that’s special just for us.” Because I didn’t need my mother’s ring to make a grand gesture for Genie to be mine.
I’ve learned that I’m enough for her, and she’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Reaching into my shirt, I pull forward the silver chain with the platinum ring that once belonged to my dad. “And maybe it’s time to give this one away.”
I’m not certain anyone in the family wants the ring. The one tarnished by bad memories.
Stone steps forward, though, and holds out his palm. “I’ll take it, for safe keeping.”
Beside me Genie blows out a breath, knowing what the second ring meant to me. But I suddenly feel lighter. The weight of the ring was more of an anchor than a buoy and the memories were holding me down.
“I’m so relieved,” Genie whispers.
“Why?” I whisper.
“Because I got you this.” She reaches into her pocket again. “I thought we could make new memories, with you wearing this instead.”
Genie holds up a silver ring with a strip of amethyst purple in the middle. “It’s called meteorite. It felt fitting as we reunited on National Star Wars Day. But also, meteors are strong, vibrant and bright, like a shooting star. And people make wishes on shooting stars, so . . .” She smiles at me. “I wish on you.”
I blink a few times, overwhelmed by what she’s said. “It’s beautiful, firefly.” I’ll wear it with pride, as this woman who didn’t want to get married is going to be my wife. Apparently, the Force was stronger than she might have thought on that day.
I lean forward and kiss her, wanting to do more but knowing I’ll have to save it for later. When I take my fiancée back to our house.
“Hey, Genie, do you know what today is?” I ask, pulling back but keeping my arms around her.
She tilts her head. “Really? That’s what you want to ask me now.” She chuckles. “I think it’s National?—”
“It’s Get Engaged Day,” I tell her, leaning in for another kiss and Genie giggles against my lips.
The sound as bright as she is in my life. As vivid as she’s always been.