Four months later...

"It says the hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty." Tulip read the semblance of a Claddagh ring from the phone as she stood behind the restaurant's bar. "You know what this means?"

Neisha shifted the gold ring on her middle finger side-eying her friend's smirk and giddy disposition. "That he wants me to be his girlfriend like...he said."

"No." Tulip shook her head making her thick-curly mane dance. "It's been four months since ya'll have been dating and I know you like taking things slug slow but after the Claddagh ring comes the engagement ring which means I'm going to plan your wedding."

Tulip did a happy dance that made Neisha erupt in laughter and when Sidney skipped towards them she also wore a smile. Sidney slid onto the barstool next to Neisha, set an elbow on the pristine new counter, and rested her chin in the ball of her hand as she drummed her fingertips against her cheek.

"Me?" Sidney pointed to herself with confusion and glanced over her shoulder. "Nothing. Rien."

"Then why are you repeating yourself?" Tulip leaned over the fully stocked bar and peered down the hallway the little girl had just traveled down. "Where's your shadow."

"Who?" Sidney asked, her braids cascading over one shoulder as she tilted her head dramatically.

Neisha chuckled with a wag of her finger. "What did you and Daequan do?"

"Nothing." Sidney's face remained stoic but her eyes were shifty then she smiled sweetly at Tulip. "Mommy, this is a lot of glasses. Can I help?"

Tulip narrowed her eyes at the child knowing something was amiss but her Uncle Irvine was watching her so how much trouble could she possibly get into? "Grab one in each hand and walk, not run."

Sidney did as she was told following behind Neisha with Tulip stuttered behind them with three wine glasses in each hand as they made their way to the restaurant's formal dining room. She didn't run but Sidney sped and walked to the raw wood long dining room table that stood out amidst a cobblestone wall giving the privacy of the diners but couldn't contend with the beauty of the vineyard lit up by solar-powered lights along the paths.

They placed the last glasses on the table and Tulip should've been relieved but she felt like she was forgetting something as the restaurant's celebratory party was about to commence. She had been planning the festivity for a month before its completion and she wanted to ensure that the party dazzled and satisfied the owner. However, she knew she could've sent out a Facebook post inviting wine connoisseurs, food critics, and travel writers to a barbecue in the backyard and he'd been fine. But she wanted to show her appreciation and make his wildest dreams come true.

"The chef is missing a lamb chop." Jasper's voice broke through her thoughts. "Does anyone know where it could be?" He didn't waste time glancing at the two women, he trained his sight on the little girl beautifully dressed up in a tulle dress leaning against the table.

Sidney opened her mouth and closed it back with a pout from the glare Tulip cast her way.

"Dae was hungry." She lowered her head. "He created a puddle of slobber in the dirt and I had to help my best friend. Isn't that what best friends do?" She looked up sweetly at Jasper and Tulip could see him turning soft and gooey on the inside.

"Nope." Tulip stepped next to Jasper. "First, you shouldn't even be in the kitchen. Too many accidents can happen and second, you don't take things without asking. Do you understand?" She waited for Sidney's answer which was a 'yes, ma'am. "Now, go apologize and tell him the lamb was good because Dae wasn't the only one that had a taste."

Sidney smirked then asked, "Can you come with me?"

Just as Tulip was about to give an answer Neisha spoke up, "I'll go with you." She held out her hand and the little girl took it as she started elaborating on how good the lamb chop was and how Dae almost crunched on the bone as they left.

"She's getting more and more like me every day." Tulip watched her daughter's retreating form. "And I don't know how to feel about it."

"I know how I feel about it." Jasper softly said, claiming her hand and pulling her towards her but it wasn't much coercion. She went willingly. "I love it."

She rolled her eyes before resting against his body thinking about the next thing to do before the guest arrived. "And where's Irvine? I give him one task and he's disappeared."

"He's in the testing room set up." He circled his arms around her trying to quell her attempts to waltz away getting busy with another task. "Sidney was supposed to go to the restroom and come back."

"Uh..." She sighed and pulled her chest off of his. "What are we going to do about her little lying habit? We should probably have Dr. Evans talk to her about it."

He chuckled. "She's just being a mischievous child. Trying to see how much she can get away with and which parent is the pushover." She gave him a look and he continued. "I accept that I wrapped around her little finger but I can't help it. It's something about Carpenter girls that makes me weak."

He kissed her forehead lightly then lifted her chin to taste her lips. His thumbs stroked the small of her back as his tongue begged entrance. She parted her lips and granted his plea ready to get lost in his caress. They passionately kissed until they could no longer refuse their lungs the gift of breath.

"When are we going to tell her?" She asked between heavy breaths.

He stepped out of their embrace to twirl her around to hug her from behind. "After we tuck her tonight. We can tell her."

"Are you sure about this?" She asked, with her back against his chest she peered up at him. "All of this? Us?"

He lifted a hand from her waist to hold her face and lock his eyes with hers. "I wouldn't have named this restaurant TJS. We're forever, baby. We're a family and it's time we start living under one roof."

"And what about the other thing?" She gripped his wrist waiting for his answer.

"It's just more reason for us to live together." He smoothed his thumb across her cheek. "When are you going to let me marry you?"

She sighed her face lighting up from a smile and a little something else. "You know...I've always loved spring weddings but by then I'll be..."

"Beautiful." He added sounding like a man completely in love. "You'll be beautiful just like you are now."

She shook her head with a crinkle of her nose. "I have on sparkly sneakers with a black dress."

"And you're rocking it." He spun her out again letting her tulle skirt fly up and dropped to one knee when she settled back in front of him. "Marry me. Tonight. Irvine's not just setting up for wine tasting and Sidney didn't give Dae a lamb chop and this isn't just a restaurant opening."

"Or you telling me I planned my wedding?" She glanced dazzlingly around thinking about the guest list that had a lot of their friends and family in attendance.

"You were never going to trust anyone trusts anyone with your big day and I didn't want you to have the wedding stress so..." He gave the same mischievous shrug as Sidney then reached into his pocket producing a ring box. "You can say no I'm fine with waiting..."

"Yes." She whispered with a nod.

He blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Yes." She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. "About damn time."

He jerked the diamond ring out of the box slid it onto her finger and quickly got to his feet to pull her into a passionate embrace.

They wouldn't hug any longer lost in a haze of joy and love but Sidney ran in and shouted, "We're getting married!"

And they were. They did. Under the stars of the big, blue sky William walked Tulip down the aisle and she made a vow to love and trust Jasper for the rest of her life; and Jasper declared to treasure and love her for the entirety of his life. It was sealed with a kiss and Sidney, Daequan, William, Neisha, and Lachlan along with the other guests cheered with jubilance.

What do you think is happening in the Spring that Tulip and Jasper need to tell Sidney about?

What do you think the name of the restaurant 'TJS' stands for?

What do you think Neisha's ring from Lachlan means for their relationship?