Feel My Love (Second Chances Forever)

Ami stirred in my arms, twisting around until she could face me.

“Morning,” she said with a sleepy smile.

“Good morning.” I kissed her, savoring the taste of her lips.

“We're getting married,” she said, her smile growing wider.

“Yup.” I chuckled. I was sure she would be floating on clouds for the rest of the day.

We got up and got dressed. We took our time getting downstairs, and found the rest of the household was already up. Celes and Ami's mom were already in the kitchen, preparing the evening's holiday meal. Mark and his dad were in the living room, watching a football game.

“Good afternoon, sleepyheads,” Ami's dad said when we came downstairs. “We were starting to wonder if you were ever going to join us.”

“Just wanted to enjoy not having to get up early for work,” I said, stretching my arms over my head.

Ami walked in with her hands behind her back. She sat down in an armchair, pulling a cushion over her lap and hiding her hand under it. I realized she was hiding her ring, until she decided on the right moment to reveal the big news.

I sat down on the couch, near Ami's chair. Mark was on my other side. He gave me a nod and a small smile.

“Sup,” he said.

“Sup.” I nodded back.

Ami looked at the two of us, then shook her head. I chuckled. I knew she probably expected us to have a whole big heart to heart, talking about how great it was that we'd mended fences and we could be friends again. But guys weren't like that. Just sitting there together, watching a football game in peace, was all we needed. There was nothing more that needed to be said.

“Who's winning?” I asked.

“Bah,” Ami's dad said, cracking open a beer and putting his feet on the table.

I didn't need to look at the score to know what that meant.

“So,” Mark said, giving me a sidelong look. “What's going on with you two?”

Ami's face broke out into a grin. I smirked, shaking my head. I was surprised Ami had lasted so long without spilling the beans. I wondered if Mark was going to do it for her.

Ami was about to say something, when her dad started yelling at the TV. “That's it, go, Go, GO! Yes...no! Damn, flag on the play. What a bunch of bull, they totally had that one.”

I glanced distractedly at the screen. Normally I would have been cheering the game on, just like Ami's dad. But I had other things on my mind.

I gave Ami a questioning look. She shrugged.

The afternoon passed without Ami finding the courage to bring up our new engagement. I decided not to press the issue. This was Ami's family. It made more sense for her to tell them in her own way, at her own time.

Before I knew it, Ami's mom was calling us all to dinner. The dining room table was laid out with a magnificent feast. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, gravy, and the works. It seemed like far more food than the six of us could eat. I was already thinking about the leftover turkey sandwiches I'd be eating over the weekend.

As we settled into our seats—Ami and I on one side of the table, Mark and Celes on the other, with Ami's parents at either end—Ami's mother said, “We should all go around the table and say what we're thankful for.”

“Good idea,” Mark said, giving me a pointed look. “Ami, you should go first.”

Ami squeaked. She gave me a desperate look.

I took her hand under the table, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “Go on,” I whispered.

“Ami,” her mother said. “What are you thankful for this year?”

Ami took a deep breath. “I'm thankful...for...for Cam.”

I smiled, squeezing her hand.

“That's so sweet,” Ami's mom said.

Mark cleared his throat, giving his sister an impatient glare.

“And!” Ami sat up straight, cutting off her mother before she could continue giving thanks. “For, umm...”

Ami looked at me, her eyes wide. It seemed like she was chickening out.

I lifted her hand up and put it on the table, holding it gently in mine. Her new ring was clearly visible.

“I'm grateful,” I said, “for having wonderful people like you, who have always treated me like family.”

“Hear, hear,” Ami's dad said, already reaching for the mashed potatoes.

He didn't seem to notice the ring, but Ami's mother did. Her jaw dropped open. She covered her mouth with one hand.

Ami bounced up and down in her seat, barely holding back a squeal.

“Oh, Ami.” Ami's mother started to cry. She got up from her seat, coming over to give her daughter a big hug.

“Hmm?” Ami's dad looked up with a confused frown. “What's that?”

“Oh, dear, look!” Ami's mom grabbed Ami's hand and held it towards her dad's face.

Ami's dad frowned at the ring for a moment. Then it seemed to click all at once.