That evening, Charlie came home to find Mayra and her grandmother dressed in formal wear. Mayra asked him to change his clothes too. It was going to be a special evening. When he was dressed, Mayra called him into the living room. She had a surprise for him.
Getting down on one knee, Mayra opened a jewelry box, revealing an antique ring with a magical design.
Mayra: Charles Bastian Stalker, will you marry me?
Charlie hadn't expected this at all. Why hadn't he thought of asking Mayra to marry HIM? He stood in stunned silence while Mayra presented him with the ring.
But he knew this was the right thing to do. The future suddenly looked very bright to him. He hugged Mayra and told her how much he loved her.
Mayra: I love you too, Charlie!
Charlie: And the answer is YES! Mayra Ivory Caran, I will marry you!
During all the squealing, hugging, and expressions of love, Gran sat nearby yawning. She soon lost interest in all the emotional cooing and fell asleep.
But she finally shook herself awake, sat up, and called out to Mayra.
Gran: All right, that's enough carrying on! You two are way past romance and engagement. Now say your wedding vows and give that baby a proper home.
Then it was Charlie's turn to surprise Mayra. He pulled a diamond ring from his pocket.
Charlie: This was my mother's ring. I keep it with me as a reminder of her and as a good luck charm. But I want you to wear it now because you're my good luck.
Charlie: I'm so fortunate to have met you!
Mayra: And you're the one I've always wished for, Charlie.
And with Gran still watching, they kissed and held each other, not wanting to ever let go.
From that moment on, according to the laws of Mountain Lake, the two were a married couple.
Granesa was satisfied. She didn't know how long this unplanned marriage would last, but she felt the voice of wisdom was needed with these two waifs. She'd personally make sure the wedding forms were filed at city hall, and she'd register 'Caran' as the family name. It would make Mayra's position stronger---just in case.
Charlie and Mayra retired to their room and thought about the baby who would soon be with them.
Their dreams were full of hope.
_____
Added extra:
Josephine Scarlett gave Charlie and Mayra a hopscotch rug for a wedding present. Very appropriate, I thought!
According to superstitious belief, the number of magpies one sees foretells if the person will have good luck or bad. So, what do the magpies prophecy for Mayra and Charlie?
EARTH
One for sorrow
Two for mirth
Three for a wedding
Four for a birth
Five for rich
Six for poor
Seven for a witch ... I can tell you no more.
HEAVEN
Another extra tidbit:
Did you catch the subtle references in Charlie's and Mayra's middle names to the 1984 film The Neverending Story?
(Bastian was the young outcast reading the story, and Fantasia's Childlike Empress lived in the Ivory Tower.)
