A Match Made in Heaven

Janelle turned around. Her parents were strolling through the door easily. Excited, she ran up to them, throwing her arms around their necks. Her parents never seemed to age, despite the graying of their hair. They were both tall, lean people with black hair. Her mother was dressed stunningly in a nude cocktail dress that hugged her hips, while her dad was dressed in slacks and a button up with a navy jacket.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it,” she said as she pulled back.

“Of course, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” her mother said with a smile.

“We loved the show, by the way,” her dad grinned. “Where’s that Reece?”

“Oh, he’s right over there talking to Mya. Reece, come meet my parents.”

Reece strolled over with a smile on his face. He shook her dad’s hand before he gave her mom a hug. Janelle could see her mom’s eyes roaming over him, appraising him. She shook her head. That woman would never change, always the therapist, she insisted on analyzing people.

“Reece, my dad Terry and my mom, Jacklyn.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Reece said with a grin. “My parents are actually coming up right now. Once they’re settled in, we were going to start dinner. Could I get either of you a glass of wine?”
“Yes, please,” Jacklyn smiled, obviously having approved of Reece.

“I’ll take one as well,” Terry chimed it.

“Sounds good, I’ll be right back.” He kissed Janelle’s cheek before he walked off towards the kitchen.

“He’s a sweetheart,” her mom said right away.

“I knew you guys would love him.”

They wandered off, chatting about Reece as they walked around the room. She introduced them to her co-worker’s before Reece came back with wine and joined them. Together, they all talked and chatted until the bell rang. Reece jogged to the door, excited.

“Mom, dad!” Reece said hugging them.

Janelle smiled as she walked over to them with her parents in tow. Both of them had an almost regal look about them. Janelle noticed that his mom wore expensive jewelry, her chestnut brown hair piled on top of her head with not a gray hair in sight. His father was the same way, black hair, no gray, a small smile on his lips. Behind them, there was a young woman that had black hair with blonde highlights. Janelle recognized her right away as Reece’s younger sister.

“You must be Janelle!” Reece’s dad called as he walked up to her to give her a hug. She could see right away where he got his outgoing nature from.

Once introductions had been made and everyone had a glass of wine in their hands, they headed over to the dining room to start eating. The food that came out was amazing, each dish more delicate and elegant than the last. Again, Janelle wondered how Reece could eat anything else once he’d tasted food like that.

Janelle was surprised with how easily conversation came between everyone. Mostly, there was laughter. She gazed around the table, a smile on her lips. Reece gripped her hand beneath the table, giving it a tight squeeze. She looked back at him, happier than she’d been in a very long time.

As dinner drew to a close, everyone gave contented sighs. Everyone was so full that they sat around a bit longer, lounging in their seats, sipping on wine. Janelle gazed up as Reece stood. He tapped the side of his wine glass with a spoon. Everyone stopped talking, their eyes going to his smiling face.

“Thank you. I wanted to just say that it’s been amazing meeting all of you. I had a great time on the show and you all did a wonderful job. Even the interns,” he nodded with his head getting chuckles from them. “However, I do have a very important question to ask.”

Janelle watched as he set down his glass and the spoon. He reached into his pocket before he dropped down onto one knee. She covered her mouth quickly. What was he doing? Her voice wouldn’t work as he pulled out a blue box. He opened it, showing off a large, diamond ring on a silver band.

“Janelle, I haven’t been honest,” he said with a smile, “I talked to your parents a few days ago and asked them if I could marry you. We set it up as a surprise for the party. Look, I know it’s fast and a bit impulsive, but I love you. I can’t imagine being with anyone besides you. You’re smart, funny, beautiful, stubborn, I love everything about you. So, Janelle, what do you say? Will you marry me?”

Janelle’s mind was going in a million different directions. On the one hand, she knew she loved Reece. She had from the first week that she’d met him. He was everything that she had ever wanted in a partner. Considerate, kind, responsible, silly, sweet. The man was the total package. Still, there was a nervous fluttering in her belly. They hadn’t known each other long enough. Rushing into a marriage might not be a smart thing.

“We haven’t known each other that long,” she mumbled.

“Do you love me?” He asked.

“You know I do,” she said, a soft smile on her lips.

“And I love you. So marry me.”

Janelle bit her lip. She didn’t want to jump into it, but she had to admit that she cared about him. More than she’d ever cared about anyone before. Reece was the only man she could ever see herself with.

“Well?” Clark asked, looking excited. “Are you going to answer the man?”

Janelle laughed, the tension in the room breaking as she did. What was she thinking? Of course she was going to marry him. She couldn’t think of a solid reason not to anyway. Slowly, she nodded.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said with a broad smile.

Reece grinned as he slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. She leaned down, kissing him. Through closed eyes, she heard the sounds of cameras taking their pictures. Her lips smiled against his as they kissed. When they pulled back, his eyes capturing hers easily, everyone clapped.

“We’re really doing this?” She whispered.

“Oh yeah,” he laughed.

They were instantly wrapped up in an array of kissed cheeks, shook hands and hugs. Neither of them could stop grinning. Clark wrapped Janelle up in a hug so tight that she slapped his arms away.

“I told you I’d be planning a wedding before long!”

“You already knew, didn’t you?” She asked with a raised brow.

“I might have found the ring when I was snooping one day.”

Janelle rolled her eyes. “And you couldn’t tell me?”

“Of course not! I had to see the look on your face when he proposed,” he said laughing.

“You’re not helping me plan a thing. We’re no longer best friends,” Janelle said shaking her head.

Clark tried to comfort her as she was showered in more congratulations, but she ignored him. Tomorrow, she would ask for his help. For the night, she was going to let him suffer.