It felt like I hadn’t left the house in weeks. It’d only been a few days, but coming out into the real world after being locked away in a love cocoon with Alexis and Kodi was a rude awakening. But, life had to go on. I’d managed to get us both a few days off when I explained to my—our—boss what had happened, but we had to go back to work eventually. And there were a few other matters that I needed to take care of, too.

I’d helped Alexis get Kodi ready, and we dropped him off at daycare together. I had no idea a baby required so much time and stuff. But I was learning fast and paying attention. I dropped Alexis off in her part of the park, then drove to mine. But lunch was where I had plans I hadn’t told Alexis about. I told a little lie that I hoped she wouldn’t be angry about later.

I said I was so busy catching up after being off for a few days that I couldn’t have lunch with her like we’d planned. Instead, I jumped in my car the second after I punched out and drove straight to the jewelry store. I didn’t know much of what to look for in a ring, but I thought I knew Alexis well enough to find something that would work. I took forty-five minutes of my hour long lunch to decide. By the time I walked out of there, I felt confident that I’d chosen well.

We finished our work day, and I headed out to pick up Alexis. When we picked up Kodi, I felt a strange sensation; something like pure wonder and joy at what had suddenly come into my life, and how everything had changed. It was the very best sort of craziness I could ever imagine.

That night, we headed to the clan clubhouse. Alexis was right. We had to at least gravel the main road leading there. My car was a bit better suited to not getting stuck, but I had to drive carefully.

When the clan arrived and the meeting started, I said, “We have two main things to discuss tonight. One, I just realized, and the other is the primary reason for this meeting.”

It was still weeks from when we’d have our monthly meeting, but we often had additional gatherings to go over certain matters or to just hang out and get together. We weren’t just a clan, we were friends. We were family.

“We need to gravel the main road. I know we all run here, but for those of us who can’t, mainly Kodi, we still need to be able to drive. I’m concerned that if we let it go for too long, it’ll be costly to fix.”

“I can get gravel cheap at work.” It was Ian, Becca’s boyfriend, who spoke up. He worked in construction.

“Perfect. And as for the more important matter of the night.” I held out my arm to Alexis and she and Kodi came to join me at the front. “I know most of you have heard by now, but I want to officially introduce my fiancé and son.”

The room erupted in cheers and claps. I waited a few minutes, smiling at Alexis and Kodi as he looked around in wonder.

“I know we usually vote on new clan members, but this is a bit different,” I continued when the noise died down some. “Kodi is an automatic member of the clan until he comes of age, when he can choose to stay or leave. As my wife, Alexis will be, too. But I thought, just for tradition’s sake, since she’s not technically my wife yet, we could take a vote. Anyone in favor?”

They all shouted and put up a hand.

“Anyone opposed?”

No one moved. I looked at Becca to make sure, but she gave an annoyed smile and turned to kiss Ian when she saw me looking at her. Becca knew better than to go against me now. After I’d talked to her—reamed her out, really—about everything she’d done, she confessed to changing Alexis’ number in the cruise ship’s system, preventing me from calling her, and to throwing away Alexis’ number instead of giving it to me. Becca wasn’t exactly on my list of favorite people, and she knew it.

“It’s settled, then. Our two newest members.” I put my arm around Alexis and pulled her close. “There is just one more thing.”

I dropped my arm and got down on one knee. She looked at me curiously.

“I already asked Alexis to marry me and she accepted, but it really wasn’t the most romantic proposal ever since I just kind of blurted it out.”

They all laughed. Most had heard the story by that point, anyway.

“So, I wanted to make up for that.” I took the box from my pocket and she gasped when I opened it to reveal a diamond ring. “Alexis, we’ve been brought together more than once through extraordinary circumstances, and I believe it’s because we’re meant to be. I want to live an extraordinary life with you and our son, and hopefully many more kids to come. Will you now, in front of all our clan, agree to become part of my life forever as my wife?”

She blushed and looked around the room. “Nothing like being put on the spot, eh?”

The crowd chuckled and she smiled at me. “What do you think, Kodi, should we do it?”

He looked at Alexis, then at me. He leaned forward, reaching his tiny hands out for me for the first time. As his chubby little arms waved in the air, I reached back, proudly taking my son in my arms.

A giant ‘awww’ erupted from the clan and I blinked back tears. “I think that’s a yes?”

“I’d say so.”

I slipped the ring onto her finger, and she took a moment to take a closer look at it. “It’s amazing,” she said quietly to me. “Thank you. When did you do this?”

“Oh.” I made an apologetic face. “When I said I couldn’t have lunch with you, I was actually out getting your ring…”

“As long as those are the only kinds of lies you tell me, you’re forgiven.” She kissed me and showed Kodi the ring.

“Now that that’s taken care of,” Kylie said, standing from her seat, “we can let the celebration begin!”

Alexis and I exchanged looks.

“You didn’t think we’d let you guys get engaged and not throw a party to celebrate, did you?” Kylie put her hand on her hip and grinned. “Party time!”

The clan went into action. Several people went outside to get things they’d stashed out there. They brought in food, a cake, decorations, even a bottle of wine that they gave to us. Kylie handed it to us and said to Alexis, “I called my doctor to check, and she assured me that a glass or two of wine while breastfeeding is totally fine, as long as you don’t go getting plastered.”

Alexis laughed. “Thanks. That’s very…thorough of you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kylie put her arm around Alexis’ shoulders. “Oh, I have tons of ideas. We’ll have to talk wedding stuff real soon. Mom is so excited, and we’ll have to get your family up here to meet everyone!”

I watched Alexis and Kylie walk off to join the party, chatting about dresses and hair styles. She’ll make a good bridesmaid, I thought. As long as she doesn’t go too overboard.

I held Kodi and appreciated the moment. My clan surrounded me, celebrating my engagement to Alexis. That alone was miraculous; that we’d found each other again. And then there was Kodi. He came along much sooner than I expected, but I couldn’t imagine life without him, even after just a few days.

Fate brought my family back to me, and I couldn’t have been more grateful.