“No, you didn’t.” I smack his chest with the back of my hand, and he laughs as he grabs it.
“What time do we have to leave?” I glance at the clock.
“In ten minutes. I’m going to change before we go.”
“You do that, and I’ll feed the dogs.” He drags me forward by the hand until my chest is pressed to his, then his mouth covers mine, and I’m breathless by the time he lets me go.
WE GET TOmy parents’ house almost thirty minutes later, and as we pull in to park, I see that everyone has already arrived. It’s not very often that my parents are able to get all my sisters and me together anymore, not with everyone having families of their own, but my mom insisted that we all come for dinner tonight and made it clear it wasn’t an option.
As Aiden gets out from behind the wheel, I unhook my seatbelt and grab my bag from the floor, as Aiden opens the door. I take the hand he holds out to me, keeping hold of it as we walk up the winding sidewalk to the front porch, and I let us into the house without knocking. As soon as we step inside, I’m slightly confused. Not only is my family all gathered throughout the living room and open kitchen, but so are Noah, Rebecca, and Bridgett, along with Toya and Tony.
“What’s going on?” I turn to look at Aiden and cover my mouth when I find him on one knee behind me, holding a ring that is so beautiful I wonder if it’s real.
“I’m so fucking in love with you.” He reaches out for my hand, and tears fill my eyes. “You’ve shown me what love is, what family is, and you are the most important thing in my life.” His eyes hold mine as my hands begin to shake. “I know I don’t deserve you, but I’m willing to try and be worthy of your love for the rest of my life, if you agree to marry me,” he says, and I fall against him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
“Yes.” I grab his jaw. “Absolutely yes,” I whisper, and he captures my hand and slides the ring on my finger. “I love you,” I sob as hoots and cheers go up, and I look around at my family and friends, then focus on the man holding me while shaking my head.
Months ago, I would never have guessed that I would be experiencing this moment right now, but I guess that’s life—you never know what goodness lies just around the corner.
Aiden
Four years later
WITH THE SUNshining and the sound of the ocean beating against the shore feet away, I watch my two-year-old son Isaach waddle toward me in the sand, kicking the baby soccer ball his uncle Carlo sent him for Christmas.
“Good job, buddy.” I pick him up and start kicking the soccer ball back down the beach, listening to him giggle as he bounces on my hip, the sound of his laughter making me smile. When I reach the deck of the house I purchased three years ago after getting tired of renting every time we came down to Florida, I carry him up the steps, and May rests the book she’s been reading on her round belly.
“Did you guys have fun?” she asks Isaach, who instantly starts to kick his feet to get to her, so I place him on the chair next to her, careful of her belly.
“We did. He’s a natural with the soccer ball.”
“I’m not surprised.” She tips her head back as I lean over her for a kiss. Then I rest my palm on her stomach where my daughter is growing.
“Are you feeling okay?” I lean back to scan her face.
“I’m fine.” She smiles as she cups my jaw. “Your dad called. He and Marla will be here in an hour.”
“Good.” I turn my head and kiss her palm.
A year after my parents divorced my dad and Marla started dating and two years ago, they got married at the courthouse, neither of them wanting to make a big deal of it, and I couldn’t be happier for them. My mom has also moved on, though she hasn’t married the man she’s been seeing for a couple of years. Probably because if she did, the alimony my father pays her each month would come to an end, and she likes her life just how it is—so I guess she’s happy in her own way too.
And Bridgett, well her and Noah ended up getting together while she was going through her divorce, which was messy, and they have an adorable little girl that is the center of their world. And having never seen my best friend or my sister happier I couldn’t be more pleased for them if I tried.
Even Mark moved on, he spent a little over a year in jail for shooting William but graduated while he was locked up and is now living in California and going to school there.
Over the last few years everyone has settled. It took some time, but it happened, and because of my wife, I have a relationship with my family that I never thought I would. I wouldn’t say we are all close, since my mom still has a tendency to do shit that pisses me off, but we’re family. We call and check in with one another, celebrate birthdays and milestones—which we never did before—and enjoy each other’s time when we’re together.
And to this day, every time I look into my wife’s eyes I can’t help but to be in awe of her. She’s taught me so much about love and forgiveness, and because of her our children will grow up understanding the value of family whether they share your DNA or are chosen. And there is truly nothing more beautiful than that.