Angie immediately straightens, recognizing her cue. Mickey looks at his sister and hurriedly copies her.

Bette smiles at Tina. “So…” She slowly lowers herself onto one knee again.

Tina lets out another startled, emotional laugh.

Bette opens the black velvet box. Inside, nestled against the dark lining, is a breathtaking diamond engagement ring. At the center sits an elegant, approximately three-carat oval-cut diamond. Delicate platinum prongs secure the stone, set in a slender platinum band adorned with tiny pavé diamonds.

Bette takes a nervous breath, hoping Tina likes the ring she spent months contemplating, making sure every detail was perfect.

Tina stares at it. “Oh, Bette…”

Behind her, Angie suddenly throws both arms wide. “Marry us!”

Mickey immediately imitates her, stretching his little arms as far apart as they’ll go. “Ma-wy us!”

Tina bursts into laughter.

Bette looks over her shoulder at the children, her own face breaking into a huge smile. Then she turns back to Tina. “What they said.”

Tina laughs through another rush of tears.

Bette takes her left hand. “Tina Kennard…” Her voice catches. She pauses, takes a breath, and smiles up at the woman she loves. “Will you marry me?”

Tina doesn’t hesitate and nods enthusiastically. “Absolutely.”

Bette’s face lights up.

Tina laughs, crying harder. “Yes, baby. Yes! Absolutely, I’ll marry you.”

Bette lets out a breath.

Tina smiles.

Bette laughs with her, then carefully takes the ring out of its box. Her fingers tremble slightly as she slips the diamond onto Tina’s left ring finger, smiling when it fits perfectly.

Tina stares down at it, almost unable to believe what she’s seeing. She lifts her hand, watching the diamond sparkle beneath the soft lighting. “Baby, it’s perfect…”

Bette smiles. “Yeah? I did good?”

Tina reaches for her. “Yeah, you did good, baby. Come here.”

Bette barely has time to stand before Tina wraps both arms around her neck and pulls her into a long, loving kiss.

Bette holds her tightly around the waist, smiling against her lips as Tina kisses her again and again.

“I love you,” Tina whispers.

Bette kisses her. “I love you, too.”

Tina presses another kiss to her lips, lingering there for a moment before Bette gently rests her forehead against hers.

Tina smiles through her tears, then leans in and kisses her again.

Behind them, Angie lets out an excited squeal. “She said yes!”

Mickey jumps to his feet. “Yay!” He immediately starts running toward them, his little bare feet slapping against the floor.

Angie follows close behind. “Family hug!”

Tina laughs as Mickey crashes gently into Bette’s legs.

Bette reaches down and scoops him into her arms just as Angie wraps herself around Tina’s waist.

Within seconds, all four of them are tangled together in a laughing, slightly chaotic embrace.

Tina bends down and plants a big kiss on Angie’s cheek.

Angie giggles, wrapping her arms tighter around Tina. Bette leans closer, allowing Tina to shower Mickey’s cheeks with several noisy kisses.

Mickey squeals with laughter, scrunching up his face as he tries to escape the affection.

Tina smiles, then looks at all three of them. For the first time, she really takes in their matching blue-and-white striped pajamas.  “You guys look absolutely adorable.”

Bette smiles proudly as Angie glances down at her own pajamas.

Angie grins. “Mama has pajamas for you, too!”

Tina’s mouth falls open in a playful gasp. “She does?” She slowly turns toward Bette, raising her eyebrows as she looks at her future wife. “Well, you just thought of everything, didn’t you?”

Bette smiles and gives a modest shrug. “Well, I try… they’re lying across the bed.”

Tina steps closer and gently cups Bette’s cheek with one hand, brushing her thumb across her skin. “I’ll go slip them on and be right back.”

Bette nods. “The kids and I will get dinner on the table.”

Tina smiles. “Sounds perfect.” She leans in and gives Bette another long, loving kiss before pulling away.

As she heads toward their bedroom, Tina lifts her left hand once more, unable to stop admiring the beautiful diamond sparkling on her finger. A wide, almost disbelieving smile spreads across her face as she walks, her eyes fixed on her new engagement ring. For the first time all evening, the frustration and anger she’d carried home from work are completely forgotten, replaced by an overwhelming happiness she can barely contain….