�Morning, everyone,� Sunshine said skipping into the kitchen.
�You�re glowing this morning,� Kevin pointed out.
�And you�re up early too,� Venus added. �It ain�t noon yet.�
Sunshine ignored the comment and said, �I couldn�t sleep.� She walked over and stood beside Kevin. �I�m just so excited. Where�s my Nicky? He wasn�t there when I woke up.�
�I sent him to the store,� Kevin said looking at Sunshine�s left hand. He took her hand and held it up saying, �Is this why you�re so excited?� Even though he already knew what it was he asked, �Is this an engagement ring?�
�Yes,� Sunshine replied smiling. �Nicky asked me last night.� She looked at the ring and sighed delightedly. �Ain�t it a wonderful Valentine�s present?�
�Yes it is,� Danielle said getting up and hugging her friend. The other three girls got up and they had a group hug. They congratulated Sunshine, as Nickolas walked in. He just watched them while sticking the stuff away. The girls left Sunshine go and went over and hugged Nickolas.
Everyone else just watched, as Destiny said, �It�s about time you asked her.�
�The ring�s beautiful,� Venus added.
�But not as beautiful as Sunnie,� Nickolas replied, as him and Sunshine looked at each other and smiled.
�Ain�t he so wonderful?� Sunshine said.
�You brought the best out in him,� Kevin said. �He�s lucky to have you.�
�Almost as lucky as I am to have him,� Sunshine replied.
�I wish you all the best,� Brian said giving Sunshine a hug.
�Thanks,� Sunshine said.
�Can I be your maid-of-honor?� Josephine asked.
�Of course,� Sunshine said. �I was going to ask you anyway.�
�Goody,� Josephine said.
�If you�ll excuse me,� Brian said and Venus walked over to him. They took each other�s hands and walked out of the kitchen with everyone watching them.
Alexander became confused and asked, �What�s with those two?�
�They got back together last night,� Josephine said sitting back down. �Me and Howie came home last night and discovered them making out in front of the fireplace.�
�They must�ve though they were you two for a night,� Danielle said laughing.
�Shut up,� Josephine said.
�Sunnie, are you all right?� Nickolas asked putting his arms around her. �You look far away.�
�I�m fine,� Sunshine said giving him a kiss. �I was just thinking about a talk me and Brian had awhile back. It�s nothing important though.�
�Congrates,� Alexander said hugging his two friends and he kissed Sunshine. �Just for the memories.� Nickolas rolled his eyes, as the others laughed. Sunshine just smiled and he took Destiny�s hand and they walked out.
�I can�t believe my best friend is getting married,� Josephine stated getting between Sunshine and Nickolas. �He does anything to ruin this engagement you let me know and I�ll take care of him.� She hugged her.
�Right,� Sunshine said, as everyone laughed.
�I have to go find you a wedding dress book,� Josephine said. �Let�s go, Howie.� She walked out.
�I�m happy for you both,� Howard said trying to make his smile real. �But I better go before Josie comes in and pulls me by the hair.�
�Thanks, D,� Sunshine said, as they hugged.
Kevin watched as Howard walked away. He knew something was wrong, but not sure what it was. After Howard was gone Kevin asked, �Did you pick a date.�
�Sometime in the next year and a half,� Nickolas replied. �But it won�t be this year.�
�I want to get married on Valentine�s Day,� Sunshine stated. �But Nick doesn�t want to.�
�I didn�t say that,� Nickolas said. �I just said we should take sometime to think about it.�
�Which in his language means no,� Sunshine replied.
�Must you always stick words into my mouth?� Nickolas questioned and Sunshine just smiled and kissed him.
�Well, let us know when you come up with a date,� Kevin said, as he and Danielle got up.
�It�ll be February 14, 2006,� Sunshine replied. �Trust me.�
�We�ll be hoping,� Danielle said, as her and Kevin walked out.
�Why must you make me out like a bad guy?� Nickolas questioned.
�Do you want to make out?� Sunshine asked kissing him. �I�m not doing anything for the next few�weeks.�
�Do you always avoid the subject at hand?�
�If I�m with you of course. So let�s go do something like discussing our wedding that�ll be happening in 364 days.�
�You�re so determined to have this wedding on Valentine�s Day.�
�Of course and it looks like I have a lot of persuading to do.�
�I believe so.� They kissed.
�I better start then.�
�I think you better.�
�But it�s a little early to make love.�
�You weren�t saying that yesterday.�
�Well it�s a whole new day and yesterday was Valentine�s.� She put her arms around him. �How about I start with making you breakfast?�
�You already do enough for me, Sweets.�
�But I need to start my persuasion process, Snuggle Bums.�
�Snuggle Bums? Don�t even think I�m going to let you get away with calling me that. I already let you get away with calling me �Nicky�.� She smiled.
�Because it�s so cute.� She kissed him. �And I say it so sexy.�
�Especially in a state of ecstasy.� She smiled and he kissed her this time.
�I love you.�
�I love you more.�
�I love you even more.�
�I love you even more than more.�
�I love you even more than more than more.�
�And I�m not going to continue that, because I know how much I love you.�
�And I know how much I love you.�
�Good.�
�Good.� They kissed. �So do you want breakfast?�
�If you insist on making it.�
�What would you like?�
�Surprise me.�
�Okie dokie, Snuggle Bums.� She left him go and walked over to the refrigerator.
�Sunnie.� She looked at him and smiled.
�What?�
�Do it one more time and I won�t be so nice.�
�You love me so shush.�
�Don�t think about using that against me, because it�s not going to work.�
�Oh, Nicky, calm down will ya.� She closed the refrigerator and put the stuff on the counter. �Ya know I love you...my little Snuggle Bums.� She gave him an innocent smile, as he grabbed her and started tickling her.
CHAPTER 34
HOME