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“Please. You helped with all of it.”

Devyn shook her head. “Not true. I was probably more trouble thanI was worth in the kitchen.”

“You often are, but you make me laugh trying.”

“Fair enough.” She turned her attention back to the larger group.“I wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed my first Thanksgiving back in the Bay.If I’m being honest, this year came with some major changes for me. New home,new job trajectory, new friends and family.” She smiled at Charlie on that one.Elizabeth nodded, waiting for Devyn to wrap up. She had things on her mind,too, and this might be the opportune time to express them. “But nothing changedmy life the way this woman next to me has.”

Elizabeth felt the warmth as the blush crept onto her cheeks.

“I want every year to be just like this one.”

“In that case, I have something to say.” Elizabeth stood, seizingthe opening. Devyn turned to her with wide eyes.

“You do?”

“Marry me. Those are the only two words that I have in my headthese days. I don’t have a speech, because it’s all right here.” She placed ahand over her heart. Instead of getting on one knee, she got on two and tookDevyn’s hands. “This year can be every year.”

In her peripheral vision she saw KC cover her mouth. Dexter slidhis chair back from the table in happy shock. Jill took Charlie’s hand andwaited.

“Oh. I almost forgot.” Elizabeth pulled the ring she’d purchasedwith pretty much her life’s savings from her pocket, where she’d practicallysewed it in place. Her nerves got the best of her, causing her to fumble withit a moment. When she looked up from her hands, she found Devyn on her kneesacross from her, holding an open ring box of her own. The oxygen left the room.Elizabeth attempted to speak but wasn’t clear on words anymore. She shook herhead instead until they returned. “Wait. What? Are you…”

Devyn smiled her killer smile. The one that made Elizabeth’s kneesweak. “Marry me right back.”

Dexter stood, hands on his head and turned in a circle. “You guysbetter stop it right now.”

“I bought the house on Sunset Hill,” Devyn said.

“What?” It didn’t make sense. “The one by the water? It wasn’t onthe market.”

“I made them a desirable offer, and they accepted. I want us tolive there.”

To her left, Elizabeth saw Jill vibrating with joy. KC covered hermouth, but even that couldn’t hide her grin.

“Yes,” Elizabeth whispered finally, and nodded. “I will marry you.I want to live in that house and wake up to you each and every day.”

“That’s a yes from me, too,” Devyn said to the room, which pulledanother laugh in the midst of damp faces.

Then came the emotion that swelled like a giant wave, gainingmomentum in the ocean. It crashed and spread, culminating in a reminder of thefeelings she had for Devyn that started with a twinge of something importantthe day they graduated from high school and grew into the greatest love she’dever known. She reached for Devyn, unable to keep her hands to herself a momentlonger, and pulled her face in for a kiss.

“I’m ready for forever,” she whispered.