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clothes. After telling Ethan her dilemma about not having the husband her family expected to see at their monthly Sunday dinner, he suggested that he make his very first appearance as the mysterious husband.  Madison told him that he didn’t have to do that for her, but he insisted.
    “It’ll be our little secret,” he assured her.
    She agreed when he flashed his killer smile. Madison knew she would never be able to resist those dimples of his.
     
    They spent the next few weeks getting to know each other better. Madison hadn’t felt this at ease in a long time.  With Ethan agreeing to attend her family dinner, she was able to relax her nerves. 
    Madison was putting on her lipstick when she heard her doorbell.  She finished putting on her lipstick and then messed with a few strands of hair.  She made it to the door but then had to go back into her bedroom to retrieve her purse with her keys in it.  By the time she made it back to the door, the doorbell had sounded a second time.
    “Sorry,” she said, answering the door where Ethan stood waiting.  “I had to get my keys.”
    He took her hand and led her to his Silver SUV. “No problem.  I thought you were having second thoughts.”
    “Oh, you’re not getting rid of me that fast, mister.”
    “That’s exactly what I like to hear.”
    They rode in silence for the majority of the trip except when Madison blurted out little facts about herself that her family might ask him and Ethan did the same about himself.
    Madison gave him directions to her parent’s house. As they pulled into a residential area, Madison commented, “I thought you were going to change your mind. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you did.”
    Madison pointed to a dark brick-red split-level house.
    “I ’m a man of my word,” Ethan responded as he parked in front of her parent’s house.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. It’s not every day a woman finds a man who’s as caring as you are… and willing to do the insane.”
    Ethan interrupted her. “Before we go in, I wanted to give you something.” 
    She remained quiet. Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. “I know we’re still getting to know one another, but I know enough to know that I want you in my life.  Please wear this pendant as a symbol of what the future can be. When you feel you’re ready to make a commitment, say the word and we can upgrade it to a ring."
    Madison knew that if a fly flew around her now, he would be able to find a resting spot in her mouth, because she was speechless. “I don’t know what to say. I never expected this. Everything is happening so fast. We can take it slow. We don’t have to rush it.”
    “So Ms. Allen, is that a yes?”
    She jokingly responded, “It’s Madison and yes it is.”
    Ethan removed the necklace from its box and placed it around Madison’s neck. After making sure the clasp was secure, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. They were caught up in the passion and didn’t stop kissing until they were disturbed by a knock on the passenger’s window.
    “It looks like we’ve been busted,” Madison said as she straightened her dress before opening the door. “That’s my nephew, Jerry Junior, but we call him Junior.”
    She opened the door and gave Junior a hug. Ethan walked around and Madison introduced them. They followed Junior into the house to the foyer. The entire family was lounging around in the living room waiting on the guests of honor to arrive. 
    Ethan took Madison’s hand and kissed the outside of it before giving her hand a reassuring tug as they headed down the foyer and walked hand-in-hand to the living room. When they reached the living room, all eyes were on them. Madison cleared her throat and announced, “Hi everyone. I know you all were wondering if we were going to show up.”  She paused and took a couple of deep breaths before continuing, “I want you all to meet Ethan Campbell.”
    Ethan