“I know we didn’t say they had to be married, but that would certainly make your case stronger,” suggested Val.
“But they are together. Nearly every day! They are in a long-term relationship.”
“We have to respectfully disagree. Now I know Odin wants to get his hands on the money, but you’re just not going to get it,” said Cupid.
Just as Frigga was about to scream at them, the lovely and beautiful Athena glided in. “Hello, everyone. What are you four arguing about? Hmm?”
“You remember our little bet? I won it and it seems these three are refusing to pay up.”
“Look, I admit we didn’t get Joe into a relationship but we insist he’s still not in one, even though she has lasted longer with him than our three did,” retorted Cupid.
“But they are in a relationship. Just watch them. They’re spending all that time together, clearly the sex is beyond great and they are getting along. That means they’re in a relationship.”
“Well,” smiled Athena, “Have you seen them today, well, actually yesterday, since we’re in Australia?”
“No. What do you mean?”
“Since we’re across the international date line, it’s the fifteenth here and still the fourteenth back in the States.”
“So?”
“Have you looked at them in the last few hours?”
There was a mad scramble for the TV monitor and Frigga dialed it into Centerton. “Man, these Sonys are nice. In the old days we’d had to go there ourselves just to see.”
“You can thank my people. They designed it all,” said a wizened grey-haired, Asian female.
“Who are you?” demanded Eros.
“I’m Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” said Eros rudely before turning back to the monitor. “Now, go look for Joe,” he urged Frigga.
“Patience, Eros, I’ll get there soon enough. Ah, here it is!” she exclaimed a few seconds later, “It looks like they’re at dinner.”
—–
After a wonderful dinner, the desserts were removed and Joe suddenly appeared to be anxious. He was pawing at his pocket nervously. Trish was smiling with laughter in her eyes.
“Joe, are you OK?”
“Uh,” he responded as he cleared his throat. “I’m fine.”
“I’ve never seen you so antsy before.”
“That’s because,” he replied, “I’ve never asked this question before.” He pulled out a small, black box from his pocket and held it out to her before sliding off the chair and kneeling in front of her. “Trish, uh, Patricia Stevenson, I love you. Deeply and totally. Would you do me the honor of, uh, agreeing to marry me?”
Trish’s eyes lit up, a huge smile crossed her lips and he opened the ring box for her. “Yes, Joe, I love you too. And yes, I will marry you.”
The assorted diners around her broke out into cheers and clapped as he slid the ring onto her finger and gave her a deep, loving kiss.
—–
The cheers and applause from the restaurant couldn’t be heard over the groans from the three who had lost the bet and the shouts of joy from Frigga.
“Yeah. Yes siree! You’re looking at the best. Frigga’s just friggin’ awesome!” she shouted with glee. “You’re looking at the best love goddess the world has ever seen. Know how I did it? Good looks, interested in an exclusive relationship, loves sex, smart. Boys, you needed the entire package and not just one part.
“Here, Athena, gimme five. We girls have to stick together,” she went on.
“Frigga, you did this all on your own. Congrats,” responded Athena.
“Yup, thanks. Hey guys, hand it over. Odin’s gonna be so happy. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah! Girls rule and guys drool,” she laughed, gleefully rubbing it in before strutting over to the bar for another pint of mead, the nectar of the gods.
I struggled a little trying to decide the best category for this little tale. With the ‘Happily Ever After’ ending, I chose romance. I hope you agree.
Trionyx Feb 2022