The Happiest Day of My Life

As I say goodbye to followers of the Blackburn Report, I remember the little adobe home in South Tucson, my lovely daughters Michele and Mary Kate, and the lady I married in that home, the happiest day of my life.
Michele was two, she had dark brown hair and eyes, an upturned little nose and a quick smile.
She loved dolls, and tea sets and helping her Mom with housework.
She would sit in my lap while we watched tv, but conscientuosly hop up and put her "babies" to bed when it got dark.
She was Daddy's little girl and bore a remarkable genetic similarity to her Grandmother Evelyn.
Mary Kate was my best friend.
She was 5, blond and slim, like Michele, gorgeous, but she was more into "rough" adventures, climbing, motorcycle riding and boxing.
We sparred every day.
And she was good.
After the first night I spent in their home, (it was after Mary Anne and I had been separated for a couple of years) I woke to the sounds of tinkling laughter and silverware, Mom was making breakfast.
I dressed and joined them at the table.
Mary placed a plate of eggs, bacon and toast with peach jam in front of me.
I couldn't stop smiling.
I had spent the night with the most beautiful woman in the world, she had two adorable daughters, as perfect, in my eyes, as children could possibly be, and they were MINE.
We had breakfast, I offered to help clean up, but Mary smiled, "This is my kitchen, I'll clean up."
"We'll clean up, Dad, you rest." Michele said.
I grinned.
Later that day, as the sun beamed through the living room window, Mary Kate was outside playing in the yard, I looked over at Mary Anne, sitting next to me on the couch.
I touched her hand, looked at her soft, blonde hair, her delicate cheek bones, her crystal blue eyes, as deep as the sea off of malibu, and spoke, my voice trembling only slightly.
"Honey, would you consider marrying me?"
She smiled and squeezed my hand "Yes, I would consider it."
I gazed into her eyes, hopefully.
"Well...will you marry me?"
She paused, a grin playing around the corner of her full red lips, "Yes, Michael, I'll marry you."
My jaw dropped.
Idiotically I repeated, "You will?"
She laughed, "Yes, Michael."
We kissed, but in my mind I was screaming, "Mary said yes!!! She's going to be my Wife!!"
I knew that life would be a pleasure, a simple, happy life from now on.
I knew I would never be as happy as I had been for the last day and night, but I KNEW it would be a wonderful life.

to be continued