“Do you want a long or short engagement?” Tanner asked Melania. They were at his place. It was a Saturday afternoon.
Last night he had taken her out for dinner at the CN Tower. Before dessert, he proposed and after she managed to say a tearful yes, he slipped the exquisitely beautiful ring on her finger before lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it. After enjoying baked Cheesecake with sour cherries, he took her home. She invited him in and they celebrated their engagement with Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider.
“A short engagement,” Melania replied now. “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to smooth my hair down. It keeps sticking up.”
“Don’t you have any hair gel?”
He grimaced. “No. I hate hair gels.”
“Leave your hair alone. It gives you that edgy look which a lot of women find attractive.”
“Very funny.”
“And that beard. I can’t decide if I prefer you with or without it.”
“I’m going to shave it all off tomorrow.”
“No, keep it for a while longer. I think it makes you look sexy.”
“I thought you said I look sexy without it.”
“Maybe you look sexy with and without it.”
He shook his head. “Lana, Lana.”
She laughed.
“So, when would you like us to get married?” he asked.
“Maybe in August or September.”
“And where would you like us to go for our honeymoon?”
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe somewhere tropical with a nice beach?”
“Yes. I can’t remember the last time I went to a beach.”
“How about St. Lucia? It has nice white beaches plus, we can go hiking, take mud baths and relax together in geothermal pools.”
“Sounds great.”
“Once we’ve settled on a wedding date, I will make the travel arrangements and book the hotel.”
“Are you Catholic?” she asked him.
“Yes, but not a practicing one. What about you?”
“I’m Baptist but I’ve been to Aunt Kira’s church several times. She and Uncle Joel are Adventists. They worship on Saturday instead of Sunday.”
“Yes, I know a few people who are Adventists. Do you think we could get married in your aunt’s church?”
Melania shook her head. “I think we have to be Adventists in order to be married in an Adventist church.”
“So, that leaves us with either a Catholic church or a Baptist church. I don’t belong to any particular church right now. The last time I went to one was in New York for a friend’s wedding and that was before you and I met.”
“Wow and I thought I was bad when it comes to going to church. The last time I went was last month when Aunt Kira invited me. I haven’t been to my own church for months. Maybe you and I should get into the habit of going to church every week.”
“I don’t mind going to church every week, if that’s what you want. So, what have we decided? Are we going to get married in a Catholic church or in your church?”
“I read online that in order for a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic Christian, he or she has to get permission from his or her bishop.”
“That settles it. We’re getting married in your church.”
“I’ll get in touch with the pastor.”
“Do we want a big or small wedding?”
“A small one would be better. Maybe 50 guests or less.”
“Sounds good to me. Natalie and Graham had about 150 wedding guests, including me.”
“Oh, yes. That’s where you were hitting on Gina.”
“Lana, let’s not talk about Gina or Matt or the past. Let’s concentrate on the future you and I are finally going to have together.”
“All right.” She got up from the floor and walked over to him. Putting her around his waist, she smiled up at him and pressed against him. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that we’re back together again after all these years.”
“Me too,” he murmured huskily as he gazed down at her. Cupping her face between his hands, he lowered his head and kissed her.
Sources: Town & Country; US News Travel; Learn Religions
Notes to Women 