The Proposal

The Proposal

“Samantha? Are you awake?” Russ called softly through the doorway.

“Yes. Come in.” Samantha reached up and turned on her bedside lamp.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Me either.”

“She was so sick. I’m really scared.”

“Well, she’s in the hospital now. If anyone can make your mom well it’s the doctors in the hospital.”

“Can I sleep in here with you?”

“I don’t think boys and girls are allowed to sleep together unless they’re married.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know, it’s the rules I think.”

“Can we be married?”

“I think you have to ask me, and then I think you need somebody else to say that you’re married.”

“OK. Well, will you marry me?”

“Sure, but who will say the married words?”

“How about Carly?”

“She’s only three!”

“But she talks pretty well, we can tell her what to say.”

“OK,” Samantha woke up her little sister. “Carly,” she said “repeat after me.”

Carly, used being bossed around by the older kids, sat up sleepily. “OK.”

“I pronounce you husband and wife”

“I ... ah...

“Pronounce”

“Promouse you husbran and... “

“And wife.”

“And waff. OK?”

“Perfect” Samantha said. Carly flopped back down, falling back asleep immediately.

“OK, we’re married. You can sleep here now, get in.” Samantha turned off the light as they snuggled next to each other. Soon both were fast asleep.

The next morning Samantha’s mom came in early and woke them up. “Russell! Your father just called. Your mom is gonna be OK! I’ll bring you to the hospital as soon as you get dressed and have breakfast.”

Russ yelled “Yippee!” and giving Samantha a hug, he ran off to get dressed.

Twenty years later Carly was the maid of honor at their second wedding.