FOURTEEN
Briar
I hearthe front door open and I poke my head out of my office to say hi to the kids and see how their day at school was. Arlo and I had two kids, a boy, and a girl, close together and then decided that we were done. Chasing after two kids was more than enough for us.
Our son, Anthony, was born nine years ago, exactly nine months after our vacation to the Bahamas. Our daughter, Emily, followed quickly after. We got lucky that they got along and they’re still close to this day. I’m sure once they hit their teens, they’ll grow apart but for right now, we’re a close-knit family.
Arlo still works as a computer programmer and software developer and does most of his work at home. I got a job right after college for a publishing house. I get to work from home as an editor and I have my own home office set up right next door to his.
Both of us working from home was convenient when our kids were younger because we were always home to take care of them. It still works out today, especially when the kids are homesick.
I sit in the kitchen with the kids while they have a snack and tell me about their days. They both have homework and I get them settled at the counter before I head to my bedroom to finish packing.
My parents will be here any minute to watch the kids for the week so that Arlo and I can take our annual trip to the Bahamas. I love our kids but I’m looking forward to a week alone with my husband. There are just certain things that we can’t do with our kids sleeping right down the hall.
We’ve been vacationing there for so long that five years ago, Arlo surprised me by buying us a vacation home down there. We’ve taken our kids and parents down there before too, but I like when we go, just the two of us. It’s Arlo and my special place and I want to keep it that way.
Arlo comes in right as I’m zipping up the suitcase and hoists it from the bed, dropping a quick kiss on my lips before he takes it out to the front door. I check the clock and realize that my parents will be here any second.
Just as I think that I hear a knock at the front door and my kids yelling Grandma! Grandpa! As they run for the door. I smile as I make my way out to greet them too. We hug and help them get settled before we kiss the kids goodbye and head for the airport.
“You ready?” Arlo asks as he leads me into the airport.
“Absolutely.” I say as I lean up, dropping a kiss on his lips.
I can’t wait to spend a week alone with Arlo and I’m so glad that we both signed up for Astrology 204. I used to think it was fate that we met and fell in love but then Arlo told me about a wish he made on a shooting star and now I’m certain that that was what brought us together.
We board the plane and after takeoff, I slide the window cover open and stare out at the stars making my own wish.
Please let Arlo love me forever.