Maria was waiting for us by the car. Usually she came to the grave with us, but she seemed overwhelmed by the anniversary this time around, and didn’t want to go.
We hugged tightly and she sniffled against me.
“Come on,” I told her gently. “We have to pick up your date before we go to lunch.”
“Ugh,” she rolled her eyes, wiping her nose. “I am so not in the mood for a blind date tonight.”
“I think you’ll like this guy,” I grinned at her. “Felix has been going on and on about him.”
“Let’s hope so,” she groaned. “I’m ravenous. We leaving?”
“Yes!” Reagan pumped his fist in the air, making us all laugh. “I can’t wait to see Grandma and Nanna.”
I liked the way life had brought our families together. We were close with Felix’s family, and what shocked me most of all, he managed to make an amazing impression on my own family, and they were regulars during the Sunday lunches we all had in the nearby town.
I took one last look at the cemetery over my shoulder. I could see his grave from there, illuminated in beautiful daylight. A single leaf, much too early for fall, fell down against the stone, and I smiled to myself as I got into the car.
“Goodbye,” I whispered, and Felix put the car into drive. My engagement ring reflected the light and it looked like a wink.
I looked back at the cemetery, and I whispered the last words I always said when we left.
“Thank you, my King.”THE END