Dottie was excited. She was going on a planned date besides the garden and running today. She hummed to herself as she looked at her necklaces and decided which one to wear.
Both Reuben and she were fairly quiet, and it also extended into their dates. Reuben was more of an extrovert than she was, so he did talk more, but she didn't mind it as then she didn't have to talk as much. Reuben did make sure she was part of the conversation and that she didn't feel like she wasn't really wanted except as someone to complain to, and she was thankful for that. She knew, that despite the quietness of their relationship, that she was cared for.
The meeting with the Fartaners had gone both as poorly and better than she had imagined. The parents had acknowledged her as their son's maybe future wife, and they hadn't fought over the table, though they had kept it civil in their words for the most part. However, the disdain over the fact their oldest son had become a werewolf was heavy, and they hadn't stayed longer in his presence than necessary. She could see her boyfriend's pain when discussing that gathering. She was thankful that at least Reuben's brother had stepped into the gap and made it as he could. His brother had even sent a letter soon after to encourage Reuben, and she had seen how relieved that had made him. She imagined that their wedding might include his brother only, even if his parents were invited.
She picked up her phone as it buzzed. It was letting her know that Reuben was picking her up and he was at the front walk. She quickly grabbed her purse, put shoes on, and went out the front door.
"Hi, Reuben."
"Hi, Dottie. Ready to go?"
"Yes. Where are we going?"
"I thought a picnic would be a good idea," he said, patting the basket on his arm, "we're going to the park near the cemetery on this side of town. No crossing the river necessary."
"It's quieter there."
"Especially at this time of year. We aren't getting interrupted by school children playing around in the park after their swimming lessons. I wanted something quieter today myself."
"Okay."
"I thought we might explore a bit as well."
Dottie hummed.
They had a quiet discussion of work and school next as they walked to the park.
Once there, they set up. Dottie grabbed the blanket that had been across the lid of the basket and laid it out. Reuben held down one corner with the basket, and helped Dottie unfold the blanket from the opposite side. Once it was down, he sat down on the blanket and started setting out the food and dishes. There was macaroni salad, sandwiches, and cookies, as well as a couple types of pop for them to choose from.
"Thanks for supper."
"You're welcome. Help yourself."
"Thanks."
With that, they grabbed plates and started dishing up. Before grabbing his sandwiches, Reuben remembered the napkins in his pocket, grabbing them and putting them between the fold of the basket so they wouldn't fly away, or at least that was the hope. They sat down and enjoyed their meal, having some small talk as they ate. When they were finished, they put things back in the basket, except for the pop they hadn't finished.
Dottie turned around as she stood up to leave, and waited as she looked at the sky.
"Dottie."
She turned slightly.
Reuben knelt before her, and Dottie's breathing caught.
"Dottie, I know this is one step we were hoping to get to, or at least I was. Dottie, will you marry me?" he asked, pulling out a small box from his pocket.
Dottie watched as Reuben opened it up, and there was a ring.
"Yes," she said somewhat breathlessly, "I am slightly shocked, but I was hoping for this as well."
"I hoped as well," Reuben grinned, as he put the ring on her finger. He stood again, with the same wide grin that Dottie had as well.
"Well, my fiancé, I know this is not the most romantic of dates I have taken you on, but shall we explore the cemetery?"
"I suppose we shall. Why did you want to come here, anyway?"
Reuben sighed, saying, "I thought it was a nice nod to how we first met. You didn't see me, because I was in wolf form and hiding in the woods, but you were missing Paul. I know we've figured out our mutual connection since then, including if it was the same guy, and you've had a lot of your questions answered, but I thought I should show you where he was buried."
Dottie nodded, and somberly asked, "Where in the cemetery is it?"
"Well, it's a fairly new one, so on the more southerly side, to the east, around the back."
"Okay."
Reuben walked her through the gate, and closed it behind her. He held his arm out to her, and they walked arm in arm down the cemetery greens.
"One thing I was thankful for is that his parents were there for his funeral. Knowing what he was, what I am, what my family is like, and what some of his family was like, I was thankful to see that the ones that wanted him around in his life were also around to acknowledge his death. They accepted him, and that is something that I am thankful I have in my brother and I have in you. It is something I am glad to see in your family for your sake as well as mine."
"Oh, Reuben. I am glad I have gotten to know you, and I am thankful for your brother for your sake because I see how happy and how close the two of you are. I would be glad, as far as I can tell, to call him brother, as you are happy to call my family yours.
"One question, when are you thinking of getting married?"
"I was thinking late summer, so we have time to get stuff ready, and altered when it comes to clothing, and wait times for venues while we have to look for one."
"Hmm."
"There is his."
"He didn't remain a close friend, but he kept our friendship close enough to him that he continued to contact me."
"He was like a brother for me eventually, though part of that was the were wolf bond."
"He was close to those he got close with."
"Yes."
Dottie turned around and faced Reuben.
"Thank you for showing me where his grave was."
Reuben nodded.
"There's something to knowing that your search is over, and seeing it with your own eyes."
"That search led me to you as well."
"I'm glad you've decided to stay."
With other happy romantic sayings, they walked back to where they had left the picnic basket.
When Reuben walked her home afterwards, she was once again hit with excitement. She was engaged to married. She let her family know almost as soon as she got home.