“Now, whatever is going on between the two of you, just drop it. Let it go. Don’t stress over the small stuff. From what I can see, you guys are stronger together than apart,” she said sternly.
We looked at each other, both of us surprised. The tension between us must have been strong enough for everyone to notice. I instantly felt guilty.
Millie walked away, taking Margie with her. I figured it was so Anna and I could talk in private.
I turned to Anna. “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. Your mom is right. We need to just let this go. I know I shouldn’t have made the bet. I should have dealt with it a different way, but what’s done is done. I have just one more fight. Just one that’s all. We only need to make it through this next one.”
Anna looked at me for a second, and at first, I didn’t think she was even going to respond, but then she did. She sighed, and her expression softened.
“Okay, Justin. I’m sorry for getting so upset with you. It’s just hard to watch you get hurt like that. I care about you so much.”
“I know it is, but it’s just one more fight. I’ve got this,” I said and pulled her in for a hug and a quick kiss.
“I’ll support you in this,” she promised. “Even though it’s hard.”
Margie ran up to us and hugged us both. “I love you both so much!” she said.
“I love you too,” Anna and I said at the same time, and everyone laughed.
We started walking along the nature trail, and Margie was fascinated by everything.
“Will we see any bears out here?” she asked Millie.
“Probably not, sweetheart,” Millie said.
“Bears typically stay away from people. They’re more afraid of us than we are of them,” Tom added.
“Good! I don’t want to see any ever!” she said. We all laughed at her innocence.
Anna and I walked hand in hand, enjoying the scenery and each other. Even after our fight the night before, it felt right to be there with her. I never felt that way about anyone, not even Tammy. I loved Margie’s mother dearly, but with Anna… we fit together like puzzle pieces.
“Are there snakes out here?” Margie asked a little while later.
“There might be,” Tom said.
“Oh no. Maybe we should leave, guys,” Margie said.
“As long as you don’t try to pick one up, you’ll be alright, sweetheart. They won’t get you; I promise,” Anna said.
“You’re so good with her; you know that?” I said as we walked.
“Thanks. I’m trying. She’s perfect. I love her so much,” Anna said. Part of me wished she would say that about me. I thought about admitting my own feelings, but I kept silent. Instead, I just smiled at her. Hearing how much she loved my daughter meant just as much, if not more, to me. Margie needed all the love she could get. I wanted her to grow up surrounded by supportive, caring people.
We walked for a good hour and a half when Millie said, “How about we turn around now and go get some dinner?”
We all agreed it was a great idea and made the trek back to the van. Halfway back, Margie asked Anna to carry her. She agreed and carried her the rest of the way.
Tom and Millie decided on an Italian restaurant in town that I’d never been to before. Margie was excited and told everyone about how much she loved spaghetti for the rest of the car ride.
“This is the best Italian place in the country,” Ally said when we got to the restaurant.
“Agreed,” Anna added, turning to face me. “Have you ever been here?”
I shook my head, “Nope, I sure haven’t. I love Italian food, though.”
“Me too,” she said.
We went inside and looked around. There were a few people, but it wasn’t busy yet. We were seated within a few minutes at a large, round booth. The inside was decorated like a place you might find in Italy, with soft Italian music playing over the speakers.