I teared up a little at the thought. I’d been lost in the darkness for so long with no idea how to get out. I wondered if the accident hadn’t been a blessing in disguise. If I’d never gotten hurt, I would have never returned home, and I wouldn’t have had my chance to reconnect with Aspyn and my daughter.
I would have stayed in Texas, living half a life, lost in a darkness separating me from even the hope of true happiness.
“You saved me,” I said quietly. “I hope you know that, Aspyn. Every day I wake up and think about how beautiful you are and how you saved me.”
Aspyn teared up and shook her head. “I don’t know how I lived my life without you.” She rested her head on my shoulder, and I kissed her on the forehead.
For all the passion we shared, I valued moments like this just as much, moments of quiet reflection and simple love.
/>
I spotted Carl and Perri dancing in the distance. They’d been married for a month, and now they had a kid on the way too. We all couldn’t wait to find out if it was going to be a boy or a girl. All our kids would grow up together, playing on the ranch, surrounded by loving and caring parents. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to grow up.
I searched the room for my daughter. Kadie was dancing with her nana, a big smile on her face. She’d been our flower girl, but she still didn’t quite understand everything that was going on.
Of course, it was our fault. We’d done everything backward. She didn’t see why we needed a big party for her mommy and daddy to be together, but she also liked the idea of a big party, so she hadn’t complained much.
Her birthday was coming up, and I still needed to figure out a good present. I didn’t want to be one of those dads who left the presents to Mom and then signed the card.
I grinned as inspiration struck.
“What’s the look for?” my wife asked. “I don’t know if I like it. It looks really suspicious.”
“Suspicious? You’re questioning me on our wedding day? Ouch, woman.”
Aspyn eyed me. “I know you too well not to, Alex.”
“True enough.” I chuckled and shook my head. “It’s nothing bad. I just realized what we should get Kadie for her birthday.”
“Oh? What?”
“A dog.”
“A dog?”
“Yeah, a puppy. Every kid needs a dog.”
Aspyn nodded. “Sure, but she’s only turning 3. I don’t think she’s ready for that kind of responsibility. I didn’t have a dog until I was much older.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll help her out.”
She chuckled. “So, are you getting the dog for her or for you?”
“Why can’t it be both?”
We both laughed together.
“I love you too damn much, Mrs. Kline,” I said.
“I love you, Mr. Kline.”
That day, I realized something very important. A good man is many things, but he can’t be those things without the love of a good woman.
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