He backed up slightly, bracing for her reaction. "Elisabeth's mother."
Her scream caused both men to cover their ears.
"Sarah, I beg of you, please rein in your enthusiasm and keep this dinner simple."
Connor chortled, "Good luck with that."
She fisted her hands on her hips. "What? Shall we have hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill?"
"No, but maybe you could skip the florist and tone down the table settings."
"Fine! We'll go with casual elegance. Although I can't, for the life of me, understand why you wouldn't want to impress her."
"Thank you." He headed for the stairs and when he reached the landing stopped, "By the way, tomorrow's casual dinner will serve as an engagement party of sorts."
Sarah tilted her head for a second, gasped, and then used vampire speed to reach him. She grabbed his shoulders. "You didn't!"
"I did."
She screamed even louder and threw her arms around his neck. Jackson put his index finger to his ear. "Jesus, it's a wonder any of us has hearing left."
Connor had made his way up to them. "Congratulations man."
The three stood in an embrace, Sarah crying. "We are becoming a real family."