After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

You can call me Doc again!

For Taylor and Ridge, life couldn't be more beautiful. Both enjoyed their love and were happier than they had been for a very long time. By now, everyone in their circle knew about their involvement. Susan had immediately called Stacy and told her everything and Rosa shared the news with her husband John.
Taylor and Ridge had met Marc and Steven in a bistro during their lunch break and also informed them about their relationship. The two were extremely happy for them. Steven sneered.
"It's about time you guys finally got the clue. We were starting to think if we should lock you guys in an elevator or something else to finally get it to spark." Taylor and Ridge looked at each other, startled.
"Well, it worked out our way, thank god!"

On Friday night, everyone came together at Stacy's house, she was giving a housewarming party. Everyone kept glancing at the newly in love. While they had been inseparable before, now they were literally glued to each other and couldn't get away from each other. Stacy thanked everyone for the help and the loving gifts. Susan took the opportunity to congratulate Taylor and Ridge on their new found happiness.
"Now when exactly did you guys get together?" asked Marc with interest. Taylor was a little surprised by this question.
"Do you want an exact report with date, time, position of the stars, etc.?"
"The day will do!"
"Well, if you want to know, it was last Sunday." Ridge replied.
"Do you know what that means?" questioned Marc, and everyone thought for a moment. Finally, Susan, Stacy and John high-fived each other. Ridge and Taylor didn't understand a thing.
"Can someone tell us what's going on?"
"Nothing special, we just each won a box of chocolates."
"Uh-huh, and how?"
Everyone looked down at the floor a little embarrassed, then it dawned on Taylor.
"You weren't betting on whether we'd get together, were you?"
"No, of course not!" retorted Stacy. "Do you think we're rookies, we made a bet with each other about when it would happen!"
"Exactly!" confirmed Marc. "Couldn't you have waited a little longer?" Ridge gave Taylor a hug.
"I couldn't have waited another second."

As they all sat together, Rosa watched amused as Taylor and Ridge sat snuggled close on the sofa, lovingly giving each other little kisses over and over again. She nudged Susan and Stacy. They all giggled. Susan threw a handful of popcorn at them.
"Hey you two marshmallows, enough already!"
"What did you just call us?"
"You remind me of two marshmallows that you fish out of a bag together because they stick together so tight. You have to pull on them forever to separate them." Everyone snorted at the comparison.
"We're not that bad." Demonstratively, they sat apart a bit.
"Exactly, we are quite capable of controlling ourselves." Marc was telling a story about a difficult customer who drove him to despair when Rosa nudged the others again. Ridge and Taylor sat there again in the same intimate embrace as before. Stacy glanced at her watch.
"Respect! That was exactly 5 minutes and 40 seconds."

When Susan dropped off some groceries for Taylor the next day, she wondered about her appearance. Taylor was wearing only her robe and had curlers in her hair. She was just putting her makeup on.
"For what occasion all this trouble is for?"
"

Susan, I don't have time at all. Ridge will be here any minute."
"I assumed that. Otherwise, I don't think you'd be getting all dressed up and you've been cooking, too. Smells pretty delicious." Susan stepped through the open patio door. Taylor had lovingly decorated the table with candles and flowers and even hung lanterns.
"Wow, what you guys want to celebrate tonight?"
"You think it's too fancy? I just thought… I mean… It's our first night together and I want everything to be perfect."
"It might be a little cheesy, but it's also totally romantic. I'm sure Ridge will love it."
"I hope so, I have to keep getting ready."

Susan followed her. Taylor stood in front of her closet.
"Which dress should I wear?"
"I'd go with the one he gave you for the opening ceremony."
"That's right, it's a good fit!" Taylor got the dress ready and went back to the mirror. She saw Susan couldn't help grinning. "What is it?"
"Nothing! You're just acting like a high school girl on the night of her prom."
"Honestly, that's exactly how I feel." Susan took her in her arms.
"Relax. I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful night. You should just enjoy it."
"You're right!" Taylor took a deep breath. "I need to calm down. Thank you!"
"You're welcome. I'll go! Oh, and I'd take those (she tapped Taylor's curlers) out before. Unless Ridge is into that kind of thing!"