She looked at me with stars in her eyes. It made me feel like I was Superman.
“Our anniversary isn’t that far away,” she said.
“Emma has gathered some ideas and quotes—”
“You brought her in on this? She never said.”
I cocked my head and gave her a guilty grin. “It gets worse than that. The kids know.”
“What?” She laughed. It made me remember the first time I heard her laugh after she was told the cancer was gone. It was light and lovely.
“They helped me pick the ring. Lanie wants to be your maid of honor and Noah the best man.”
“Of course.” She leaned in, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’m so lucky that you?
?re mine.”
“Funny, I think that every day.”
She tilted her head up, her green eyes filled with love shining at me. “That I’m lucky you’re mine?”
“That I’m lucky you’re mine.” I kissed her, sealing the deal.
We had dinner with the kids at her father’s house, announcing our re-engagement.
“Will there be kissing?” Lanie asked. “That’s embarrassing.” At seven years old, kissing was still revolting to her.
“Kissing is required,” Tom said. “You’re not married until the minister says ‘kiss the bride.’ But I agree, your parents kissing is embarrassing.”
“Huh?” I looked at Terra, pulling her to me and kissing her. “I have to say they’re wrong.”
“I don’t know, it’s a little embarrassing in front of my father,” Terra said, but she kissed me again.
Later as Terra was getting the kids packed up to go home, Tom pulled me aside. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for her.”
“I love her,” I said.
“I know. It does my heart good to see it. There was a time when I worried about it. Having been through this sort of thing with my own wife, I know the toll it takes on you. You’ve been strong for her and the kids. I know you feel like there was no other option, but not everyone can do it.”
I nodded. “To be honest, I had moments where I wasn’t doing very well.”
“That’s to be expected. I wish my wife had been here to meet you. She’d have liked you, Brayden. She probably even would have helped you and Terra through that rough patch better than me.”
“I wish I could have met her too.”
Terra entered the room. “You two planning world domination?”
“What’s world domination, mommy?” Noah asked next to her.
“They want to rule the world,” Lanie answered.
“Nah,” I said looking over my beautiful family. “Who needs the world when I have you three?”
“Good answer,” Tom said slapping me on the back.
“What were you talking about?” Terra asked me later that night as she climbed into bed next to me.
“He was saying what a great husband I was.” I pulled her to me, planning to consummate our second engagement.