She tried to hug him, but it's hard to do in a little MG. "I'm absolutely sure I do."

Mel stepped out of the car, came around, and gave Jane his hand. "Get out of there right now. I want to kiss you without either of us getting hurt trying it in the car."

Jane was very late getting home. She could see from outside that Todd's room was dark. She all but danced up the stairs.

The next morning Mel dropped in on his way to work. He didn't look quite as happy as he should have.

"What's wrong? Has the ring gone missing?" Jane asked.

"No, it's my mother."

"She's missing?" Jane asked.

"I wish she were. I made the mistake of calling her to tell her the good news that we're getting married…"

"She didn't take it well, I guess,"Jane said, not the least bit surprised.

"It's not exactly that. It's…"

"Mel, spit it out and get it over with. She's refusing to come?"

"Far from it," he said. "Let me put the ring on your finger and we'll sit out on your patio and talk about it."

They sat close together and Mel reluctantly explained. "See, I'm her only son."

"I know that."

"But she says your parents have two daughters."

"That's true. So what is the problem with it?" She was looking at the ring on her finger, smiling, and thinking she'd forgotten how beautiful it was. "Your mother also has two daughters. She mentioned them that Christmas she stayed at my house."

"It's this. I'll just hit you with it. And you can smack me upside the head for saying it. My mother will do the rehearsal dinner."

"That's what she's supposed to do."

"She wants to do the whole wedding as well." Mel bent his head, waiting for her reaction.

Jane laughed like a loon. "Do you think this is a surprise to me? I've met your mother, remember. It's just what I'd expect her to do. Roll over everybody with a tank."