“Will you marry me?”Nyree had wondered if she might stutter her way through the question, but her words were strong and even.She met Tawera’s golden-brown gaze and waited for his response.
The pause grew longer, and she worried she’d miscalculated or got things wrong.
His somber expression transformed without haste.His eyes picked up a glow to match his excited smile.
“Yes, I would be honored to marry you,” he said in a husky voice.“I thought it was the man’s job to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage?”
“That is the traditional way,” she agreed.“But nothing about our relationship has been normal.Not the way we met, nor the behavior of our taniwha.”
“That’s true,” Tawera agreed.“My dragon continues to prefer sex rather than flying.”
“You truly want to marry me?”
“I want you as my legal wife.Manu explained it to me.We live and act like a couple, which means you are my wife in the eyes of the law.”
“While that’s true, I yearn for tradition.I’d like to see a ring on your finger and one on mine.I would like to have a child with you.Soon.”
“Yes.”Tawera held her.They stood close enough for her to feel his racing heart.“Yes,” he repeated, and she saw the emotion in him.
“I have a suggestion of where we should get married.”
“I am all ears,” he said and lifted one hand to tug an earlobe.
Nyree chuckled.Tawera never failed to amuse her with his adoption of the common sayings.“We’ll fly to Samoa and get married there.We can invite our friends and family to come with us.This way, you’ll get to use your passport and fly in a plane.”
“That is an excellent idea,” Tawera said.“You are clever.We will have a memorable wedding day.”
“We will,” she agreed.“Who would you like to invite?”
They made a list while they ate their carrot cake.
“Tomorrow, we will start the arrangements,” Nyree said.
“I wish to help every step of the way.Show me how to do everything.”
Six weeks later, they boarded a plane for Samoa.
“I am so excited,” Tawera said.
“Me too,” Nyree agreed.
Manu and Jessalyn, Emma and Jack, Hone and Cassie, and Nyree’s mother and Hana and her fiancé boarded the flight with them.
The flight was uneventful, and Tawera appeared to enjoy every moment.Nyree showed him how to collect their bags and to fill out the immigration forms.
“You are very patient,” Tawera said.
“I enjoy seeing the world from your eyes,” Nyree countered.“You throw yourself into every situation.You’re enthusiastic, and it’s a joy to see your reactions to things I think are normal.Most of us take our modern society for granted.You make us view our lives differently.”
“Everyone is tolerant with me,” Tawera countered.“But I take pleasure in learning new things.”
They checked into the hotel, and Nyree had fun showing Tawera around the resort.She revealed where the ceremony would take place and told him what to expect, then they spent the afternoon and evening swimming, eating, and enjoying time with their friends.
The next morning, Nyree woke in Tawera’s arms.Their lazy kisses turned to passion as they made love.
“I will be happy if I wake this way each day—with you in my arms,” Tawera said.
“Yes,” Nyree agreed with a lazy stretch.“Tomorrow morning, we will wear each other’s rings.”
