“I want my kids to have the world, and that means both me and my husband will need to be prepared. Sorry, is that weird?” she asks.

“Not at all. It proves how mature you are, and that you want nothing short of great things. We are on the same page.”

This isn’t something I want to discuss tonight, but I will tell her. Before I completely ruin my chances with her, I at least want to see if we can make this work.

“My father once told me that all the bullshit you go through in life is made up for when you have a child of your own. It makes things worth it, and changes your whole outlook on life,” I say.

“He sounds like he was a great father.” Her hands fall on mine. “My only regret is that my future kids won’t get to meet their grandparents. It kills me.”

My mother, if still alive, would have been over at my house every day to see the kids, and spoil them rotten. When Damon almost got Carol pregnant in High School, mom freaked, but knew that just meant she would be alive long enough to spoil them. It was a false alarm, and from that point on, she always talked about how excited she was to be a grandma someday.

“Let’s change the subject because it feels like the mood is shifting. If you could travel anywhere without worrying about money, where would it be?” Harper asks.

“Hands down, Italy. There’s something about the Roman Empire that has always intrigued me. I mean who doesn’t want to go and see the Colosseum?”

She smiles big. “How did you know that is my dream vacation? I’ve been saving up to go on my thirty-fifth birthday for years. It’s so expensive. The Florence Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore is supposed to be one of the best cathedrals in the world.”

This is probably the weirdest thing ever, but if we get married, I have the perfect honeymoon destination. It’s somewhere we both truly want to see, and what better way to start a marriage than to visit one of the most romantic places in the world?

The night continues to get better with each passing topic, and getting to know her on a better level. For three to four hours, we talk about our childhoods, our fears and so many other things, while our glasses kept being filled with wine. After the sixth glass, it’s all a blur.


Tags: Ashley Zakrzewski Rough Edges Romance