When Charles walked into the living room carrying a huge silver tray with two bottles of champagne, they all knew something interesting was about to happen. Myra, at his side, held an identical silver tray with exquisite cut-glass wine flutes.

Nikki looked over at Jack and winked. The heirloom crystal flutes had appeared months ago, brought from Myra’s farmhouse to the mountain by Nellie. This, whatever this was, must really be important. Feeling a nudge to her shoulder, Nikki turned and wasn’t surprised when she heard a whisper in her ear.

“This is Mummie’s big day, Nik. She’s finally going to do it.”

“About time,” Nikki said under her breath. She risked a glance around the room, but no one seemed to be paying attention to the fact that Barbara’s spirit was in attendance.

Charles uncorked the first bottle of champagne. They all watched the cork sail upward, then spiral down to land at Myra’s feet. The second cork went upward, spiraled down, and settled at Charles’s feet. The little group clapped their hands.

“Nice going, Barb,” Nikki mumbled.

“You should see what I can do when I put my mind to it.” The spirit giggled. “Shhh, here it comes.”

Charles cleared his throat. “I have an announcement to make. I’ve asked Myra to marry me, and she finally said yes. I asked her on bended knee in the snow at four thirty this morning on the front porch. I hope you’re all as happy for us as we are for ourselves. So, let’s drink a toast to this happy couple.”

Nikki wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw her spirit sister settle herself between her mother and father. Then again, maybe it was the smoke that suddenly billowed out of the fireplace before it was sucked back in and then straight up the chimney. “Nice going, Barb.”

“Thanks, Nik. Give them both an earthly hug for me, okay?”

“You got it!” Nikki untangled herself and got to her feet to accept her flute of champagne. To Charles and Myra, she whispered, “I have orders to give you both an earthly hug. One earthly hug coming up,” she said, wrapping her arms around Charles and Myra without spilling a drop of champagne.

“She was here, wasn’t she?” Myra whispered.

“Oh, yeah, she was here.” Nikki smiled. “She approves.”

“I felt her right beside me,” Charles murmured.

“She was between us, wasn’t she, Nikki?” Myra asked.

Nikki nodded. “Smack-dab in the middle. I am so happy for you both.”

The little group started to sing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and then they switched up to “For She’s a Jolly Good Lady.” All off-key, but no one cared.