now, admiring the ring on my finger, i couldn't believe how much my life had changed since leaving woodfalls. i was engaged. i loved the school i was working at. things had managed to come together after all.

"ready?" justin asked, pulling me back to the present.

"absolutely. i can't wait to see everyone."

"do you have your mom's gift?" justin asked, locking the door behind us.

"yep, it's packed in my suitcase," i said, following behind him.

"do you think she'll like it?" he commented, loading up our bags.

"i told you a hundred times while you were painting it. you are a brilliant artist. of course she is going to love it."

"well, brilliant might be a strong word. masterful works though," he replied.

"there's the ego i know and love."

the five-hour plane ride passed quicker than i expected, and before i knew it, we were driving past the welcome to woodfalls sign. i guided justin down main street to mom's house. she had insisted we stay with her while we were in town. i conceded graciously, since our relationship had changed so much these past six months. it was ironic that i had fought the trip to seattle for melissa and rob's engagement party, and in the end it had changed so many aspects of my life.

mom was outside doing some gardening when we pulled into the driveway. i climbed from the vehicle and gave her a big hug, surprised at how happy i was to see her. justin stepped in to give her a hearty hug when i was done. they had met at christmas when she decided to fly to seattle to see us. for weeks before her visit, i had stressed over spending the holidays with her and justin's family together, but all my fears were silly. she took to his family as quickly as i had, and they all loved her. observing her outside woodfalls, i realized i had always viewed her too harshly. she was just overly friendly with everyone. she liked to know what was going on. that was my mom.

"brittni, honey, you look lovely," she said warmly. "i'm glad to see your young man has shaped up," she added, looking sternly at justin.

"yes, ma'am," he answered, winking at her. his wink had the same effect on her as it did every other woman. i couldn't help smiling as she giggled.

"how is everyone?" i asked, knowing i'd get a full report. justin smiled at me as she launched into a detailed description of everything i had missed. for once, i didn't mind it at all. it felt like home, and before i knew it, it was time to change and leave for the annual woodfalls spring fling. every spring, the residents of woodfalls would gather for a nighttime dance under the stars to celebrate the end of winter. sometimes mother nature would throw a monkey wrench in the festivities by dumping a late-season snowfall, but this year she had graced us with a mild evening. i was stepping into my dress when justin joined me. i couldn't help admiring him as he stood before me dressed in slacks and a short-sleeve button-up shirt. his tattoos were visible down his arms. for just a moment, i forgot about our plans and considered spending the evening wrapped in those arms.

"would you like me to zip you up?" he asked, turning me so my back was facing him. i sighed with pleasure as his lips trailed across my neck before zipping me.

"you look delectable," he said wickedly, placing another kiss on my neck.

"hmmm, so do you," i answered, tilting my head back so he could have my lips.

he obliged without hesitation. i pressed closer, feeling intoxicated from his touch.

"we'd better go," he said, grinning.

"you're such a tease," i complained.

"you'd be mad if you missed this," he pointed out.

mom rode with us to the dance. we chatted the entire time, pausing only to give justin directions to jessup park where the spring fling was being held. as he pulled into the gravel parking lot, i gasped in delight at the fairy-tale sight before our eyes. many of the trees along the lake had been wrapped with thousands of twinkling lights, while white japanese lanterns hung from the branches of other trees, swaying gently in the breeze. a large dance floor had been placed near the lake with dozens of tables and chairs scattered about. the residents of woodfalls had gone all out.

"brittni," a loud voice boomed. i turned to greet my best friend.

"tressa," i mimicked her, throwing my arms around her. "tressa, this is my fiance, justin. justin, this is my best friend, tressa."

"i still owe you a knee in the nuts," tressa greeted him.

"tressa," i chastised, chuckling, despite myself.

"would a punch to the arm work?" justin asked, turning so his arm was close to her.

"works for me," she said, hauling off and punching with all her might.

i had to hand it to justin, he barely grunted. i knew from past experience that tressa's sucker punches hurt.

"now it's nice to meet you," she said, smiling at him. "you ever hurt my girl like that again and it'll be a knee to the crotch, okay?"

"sounds fair," justin said, draping an around my shoulders. "but i wouldn't hold your breath. i don't make the same mistake twice."

"that's what i like to hear." she glared at him in her typical way to let him know she was serious before turning to me. "you won't believe this, but the city council finally decided to spring for a dj this year."

"shut up," i replied. woodfalls was steeped in tradition, which meant we were usually stuck with the musical stylings of the johnson siblings each year. it wouldn't have been so bad if they actually knew any songs from our generation.

"i know, right? i almost shit myself when i heard." she was interrupted by her mom calling her to help carry a cake to the buffet table. "oh, hell. i'll be back when i'm done being cinderella," she complained before heading off.

"so, yeah, that's tressa," i said, smiling wryly.

"i like her," he said as another car pulled in.

"hey, that's trent james," i said, watching him climb out of the car. he looked like something right out of a computer lab. "what's up, trent?" i greeted him.

"oh, hi, brittni," trent answered, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "is tressa here?" he asked, glancing around nervously.

"yeah, she's over by the gazebo," i said, smirking as he looked flustered. "do you want me to call her over here?"

"no, that's okay. i'll talk to her later," he said, scurrying off.

"what's all that about?" justin said, taking in my smirk.

"oh, nothing. trent's had a crush on tressa forever, but she claims he's too nerdy for her."

"should we join your friends?" he asked, linking his fingers through mine.

"you looking for more punishment?" i teased. "woodfalls residents are an acquired taste."

"i think i can handle it."

two hours later, i was pretty sure he wanted to eat his words. he'd been patted on the back, lectured, smothered in hugs and kisses, and even threatened again by tressa, just for good measure.

"told you," i giggled as we slowly circled the dance floor.

"as long as you're by my side, i'm good," he said, dipping his head down to place a warm kiss on my neck.

"i'm never leaving again," i said, admiring the diamond ring that sparkled on my hand.