Jemma smoothed out her tablecloth as the final visitors filed from the exhibition hall. Her table was bare, but she had more stock to put out ready for the second day of Ferretcon.

“The only thing that could make today better would be if Mum and Dad could be here to celebrate with us.” She looked up at me, her eyes glimmering, but her smile a thousand watts bright. I picked up another donut and pressed it to her lips. She took a giant bite.

“I know it’s a poor substitute for having them here, and living, but maybe in a few weeks, once the soul transfer is complete, and Heaven is nice and settled once more, we could go and visit them? Introduce me as their almost son-in-law? I checked on them yesterday—your mum says your dad is doing so much better, and he’s really close to being ready to see you … if you want to, that is.”

Jemma’s eyes filled. “Really? I mean, of course I want to, but … he’s doing that much better?”

I smiled softly down at her. “Turns out Heaven is a very soothing place to be. And he’s been making great progress with that soul Pete put him in touch with—the one who was a therapist in their human life.” I took a bite of my own donut. “I’m so pleased that Pete agreed to take over managing Heaven.”

“Oh, us too!” Ezra remarked dryly as he and Humphrey approached, wearing volunteer lanyards that Esther had procured for them. “Before that was all settled, she was utterly insufferable, complaining about how hard a long-distance relationship would be if you had to reside full-time in Heaven.”

“Yeah, us too!” Bub added, popping his spotty, ferret nose out from the hammock. “I would’ve rioted if you told me I’d have to be away from my Lulu, Boss!”

“So, when’s the wedding?” Humphrey asked, setting down a cask of wine and some plastic cups on the table.

“Next week, if I had my way,” I muttered, squeezing her thigh under the table. “But I owe Jemma an engagement ring first.”

“You owe me nothing,” she replied, snatching my donut and finishing the last mouthful. “You’ve given me so much already, SJ.”

“Let me spoil my fiancée.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her against me, savouring the strawberry scent of her hair. It felt so good to call her that! Although, I was sure it would pale in comparison to calling her my wife.

Ezra snorted. “Pretty sure you already spoiled her absolutely rotten in that bathroom earlier.”

Jemma flushed the most delicious shade of pink.

“Can you please refrain from reminding me about that?” Joe moaned, approaching with a bag of takeout and dumping it on the table. I dragged another chair over with my foot, and he plonked himself into it with a heavy sigh.