A Tiara Under the Tree

“No, just me.”

Dominic’s heart crashed against his rib cage. “Waverly?”

“I would have come sooner, but do you know how hard it is to get an Uber driver on Christmas Eve? Everyone had plans and commitments with the pageant and could not bring me last night. My own mother wouldn’t speak to me.”

“How did you get here?” Dominic asked.

“Johnny just dropped me off. And if you don’t want me here, you’ll have to bring me back into town.”

“I want you here,” he said. He wanted her here more than she’d ever know.

He turned back toward the television, showing the top three candidates now standing next to Lexi. Waverly stood in his living room, in the flesh, wearing a pair of tight-fitting jeans and a white T-shirt with a red plaid, long-sleeved shirt wrapped around her waist. Her hair was down and hung over her shoulder; nestled at the top of her head was her Miss Southwood tiara.

The Crowne siblings and Hamilton scattered out the front door. Dominic crossed the living room and stood in front of Waverly. He wasn’t sure how to greet her. Yesterday he would have with a kiss. Tonight he didn’t know if should simply shake her hand. He settled for clasping his hands behind his back.

“How is it possible you didn’t make it?” he asked.

“I made it,” Waverly answered. She held her hands out in front of him, visibly hesitant to touch him, as well. “I had all the points to win.”

“But?”

“I won,” said Waverly. “I won when I chose you.” She finally pressed her hand against his heart.

“You won, but you’re here.”

“I turned the committee’s nomination down, Dominic.” Waverly stepped up on tiptoe. Her lips were bare of any makeup. He twitched to kiss her. “I won the runoff.”

“You’ve worked your whole life to be Miss Georgia.” Dominic reached for her hands. He brought her away from the door and into the living room.

“And I know in my heart I can be Miss Georgia, but I’m not interested in that title. Is this the tree I missed out on decorating?” Waverly turned her attention toward the old ornaments the twins had brought up.

“It is. Waverly, talk to me.”

Waverly turned her back to him. She fingered an old race car ornament with his name. The gift had been from his father when he first showed interest in cars. “I don’t have anything like this in my condo.”

“I offered to get you another tree.”

“I didn’t want another tree.”

Dominic placed his hands on her shoulders and coaxed her to turn around. “What do you want, Waverly?”

He didn’t expect to greet her tearful eyes. “What happened yesterday will never happen again,” Dominic vowed. “You’ll never see me reach that level of anger.”

“You had every right to be angry,” said Waverly. “If you saw my pictures on Anson’s phone, then I believe you.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you, Dominic.” Waverly blinked back a tear. “I love you more than I love pageants. I didn’t leave with you because I realized at that moment just how much I love you. I had to sit back and process it again. I had to have them tell me I was practically a shoo-in to win, in spite of the Morality Committee. Remember how the votes were going to help influence the decision of the committee? My votes spiked so high, the pageant closed the polls on social media. I’ve worked so hard, Dominic, in search of that title. And just when it was in my view, I realized it’s not the title I want.”

“What title is that?”

“Whatever title you can give me.” Waverly shrugged. “I mean hell, what other title can there be? Roommates? Bunk mates?”

At that point Dominic relaxed at her words. “You want to make fun of me at a time like this?”

“What time, Dominic?”

Without a second thought, Dominic bent down on one knee. He reached for her left hand. “I realize at this moment I am unprepared to give you a ring, but the important part of this is moment is... Will you marry me, Waverly?”