page26 (1/2)

Michael laughs

“I’ll agree with that one” But then his expression grows somber “I’m proud of you too, you know” He rubs my shoulder as he says this “I knoas hard to put off your college plans e found out you were pregnant with Madeline”

I nod a bit, s at him as he continues

“But you are such a greatto be starting coe this fall I love that you want to learn and better yourself, even though you knoill support you two until the end of time if you so desire”

“I know, and I appreciate that so much, baby”

We hold hands and walk along in silence for so air We wander off the main street and down onto a bike path that borders the south side of the town The path winds through open fields and grassland if you stay on it long enough We co a brook The sun is setting in the distance, causing an orange shimmer to reflect off the blue water We naturally co it all in

I turn so that I can see Michael’s face He appreciates beauty in nature as well, and I love the look that he gets when he’s in awe

To asp because he’s on one knee at my side He must see the disbelief in rin He looks so handso furiously

“Matilda Mortensen,” he pauses, and his grin grows even wider I clasp inning to swell in in to shake

“Yes?” My voice barely escapes my suddenly clenched throat

“Matilda Mortensen, will you makemy wife?”

I ahter from him

“Yes! Yes! Yes, Michael, I will marry you!”

He stands and slips the er The cool s there The hefty diae of the auburn color reflected fro sun He takes me by the chin as he did the very first time, and kisses me

“I love ya, Tilly-Billy” He says this in such a casual demeanor, and yet I can feel the raw truth of the words that he speaks ripping right through me

“I love you too” We passionately kiss, but then after another moment, I pull away and tell him I have a surprise of my own to reveal