Winning the Lottery - 10. Cliffhanger resolved

I won’t keep you in suspense. Our relationship was stronger than ever. We remained happily betrothed, we just hadn’t got around to setting the date. Derrick and his family kept every promise they’d made. Consistently supportive, never once did I hear a complaint about my long hours of study, my sojourn in LA, my tiredness or any other aspect of my training. In turn, I never complained. Every moment with Cass and Derrick was precious. Time spent in Derrick’s arms was a true refuge—stress melted away, and I felt as safe as I had the first time we’d embraced.

Being back home meant a ‘normal’ life. I had shift work, of course, and Derrick was often away days at a time, and Cass had study commitments, but we were a real family again. At least that’s the way I felt—I was no longer a ‘student’ but a real adult, working and contributing.

The first evening the three of us were together for dinner I dropped to my knee in front of Derrick. Offering up a silly, souvenir plastic airplane I said, “Would you, Captain Deacon, do me the honor of becoming my husband?”

“Dr. Nichol, I would be honored to become your husband.”

“About friggin’ time,” added Cass.

We opened a bottle of Champagne to celebrate and, after consulting our schedules, set the date for a Saturday six weeks hence. That gave us both enough lead time to arrange a week off for our honeymoon.

“Can I come on your honeymoon with you?” said a smiling Cass.

We both gave him withering looks.

“Just kidding...sheesh, no need to freak out.”