Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I brought my beer to my mouth and took a long drink from the rim, curling my hand more possessively around Korrie’s waist. My woman leaned in closer to me, knowing I loved having her by my side. Hell, I loved just thinking about her and most days couldn’t keep my hands off her. The only times I was able to control myself was when the kids were around, or when we had guests over, like right now. Every other time… it was fair game.
“Well, Adele, looks like I’ll be taking Korrie there next so she looks at me the way you look at Oliver as you reminisce.”
Adele laughed softly, and I saw Oliver beam with pride. He leaned in and kissed her temple. I could feel the love they had for each other, that undying, powerful, consuming love that I shared with Korrie.
Over the last ten years, I’d experienced what harmony, happiness, and sheer joy was, and it was all because of the woman next to me.
My wife, the mother of my children… my undeniable soul mate. I’d known the latter instantly as soon as I’d seen her standing in Lyrics. She’d looked so innocent, almost fragile, but hell, she was the strongest person I’d ever known—would ever know.
I glanced out the window toward the garden and had to smile, as there was Walter, per usual, his baseball cap on, his sunglasses in place, my father-in-law on his knees digging in the dirt as he pulled weeds from around the tomato plants.
“He’s determined to not have one weed growing in that garden,” I muttered to myself, but it had clearly been loud enough that the other three heard, because they turned and looked out the window.
“I swear he looks healthier every time I see him,” Adele said softly and faced forward, her smile genuine as she looked at Korrie.
“Thanks, he really does, and is. I swear moving out of the city was what his mind and body needed. As soon as we moved him in with us and he got started on the garden, his health improved so much.” Korrie glanced over at me, and her smile was soft, sweet.
She leaned in and kissed me on the lips right in front of Adele and Oliver, and I didn't even hide the growl that left me. I didn’t care if I sounded like a caveman, or who knew how gone I was for this woman.
She was my life, and I wanted everyone to know.
Just then, all four kids came running out, the girls going straight to the kitchen, no doubt to the snack cupboard. The boys said hi and bye in passing as they headed out back. I could hear the tail end of West telling Xavier they could help “Gramps” with his garden. Adele and Korrie started a conversation about throwing a dual party for the girls next month since their birthdays were so close together. And as I listened to my wife start to plan our daughter and Lia’s birthday, as I watched Oliver gaze at his wife like she was his world, I realized I’d never known what living was until I met Korrie.
I’d been surviving, but I hadn’t been living. I swore I’d taken my first breath when I’d seen her. I knew for a fact that my heart actually beat for the first time when I saw her smile. And I’d never known this was how it was to love and be loved until I held her in my arms and knew I could never let her go.
I stared at Korrie and felt myself falling in love with her all over again. This last decade had been so good to her, my ageless beauty who’d given me life and two perfect children. We had our ups and downs, but what trumped all of that was the fact that no matter what, we had each other’s back.
When Adele and Oliver started talking about something together, Korrie looked at me and smiled.
I love you, I mouthed softly. I saw the way her eyes softened, heard the little sigh leave her mouth, and I felt like a man. A real man, because I made my girl happy.
And I’d strive to do that every single day for the rest of my life.
The End.