Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Scott’s not gonna come in and say hello?” Denver asks, pulling me from my thoughts, and I look at Ly as she rolls her eyes in my direction.
“Dad, you know he’s not going to come in to say hello. The last time you saw him, you told him to stay out of your house and to never show his face again.”
“I caught you two making out.”
“He was kissing me goodnight, and it’s not like we were on the couch half naked. We weren’t even in the house! We were standing on the front porch.”
“He had his hands on you,” Denver continues, and I fight back a smile.
“He did not!” Ly squawks, her cheeks turning red.
He totally did have his hands on her. He was grabbing her bottom. I saw it myself. But they were not making out; at least, not when I saw them. Not to say she hadn’t made out with him before. Scott and Ly have been together for the last four years. They’ve been together since her freshman year. The funny thing is, Scott reminds me a lot of husband. Neither of them are afraid to go after what they want, and both of them are hardworking and have good heads on their shoulders. I think all the likeness is exactly why Denver isn’t very fond of Scott.
“Honey, have fun and make sure you knock on our door when you get home,” I say, ending this now before it’s too late.
“I will. Love you, Mom. And Dad, even though you’re crazy, I love you too.” She gives us a smile before disappearing out the door.
“I hate that kid,” Denver mutters, and I laugh, dropping my face to his chest. “It’s not funny.”
“You hate him because he’s just like you,” I state, and he growls, rolling me until I’m under him and his heavy weight is pressing me back into the couch.
“Shut up,” he orders before his mouth covers mine kissing me hard.
“God, gross. Can you two act like normal parents and flipping hate each other or something?” Leo asks, coming into the living room, and I look over Denver’s shoulder at our son—our very handsome son—who is only twelve but already a heartbreaker.
“You don’t like it, you’ve got a room you can hang in,” Denver says what he’s been saying for years, and I start to laugh again, seeing a smile curl the edge of his gorgeous mouth. God, he’s still hot to this day. He’s still the hottest guy I have ever seen, and he’s mine. All mine.
“Whatever,” Leo mutters before disappearing, and I tuck my face into my husband’s chest and laugh hard when he starts to chuckle. When our laughter ends and his eyes meet mine I know he was right years ago. Who knows if we would have ended up taking each other for granted if he asked me out like he planned on doing at that party when we were both just kids. Who knows what would have happened between us if things didn’t work out like they did. Having him and everything that we have shared over the years I cherish every second, appreciate everything he’s given me and never take a moment with him for granted. Things worked out exactly like they were meant to and for that I’m forever grateful.
_______________
Denver
Years and years later
Standing out on the back deck, a beer in my hand, my eyes pointed up at the night sky, I hear the door slide open and I meet my wife’s gaze. Still beautiful, even after all these years. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than her.
“Honey, are you going to come in? The kids and grandbabies are going to be leaving soon.”
“Be there in just a minute.”
Her head tips to the side. “Are you okay?”
I search her eyes. I’m not okay. I haven’t been just okay in a long fucking time, because since the moment she became mine, I’ve been living a dream. “I’m good, baby. Just need a minute,” I say as she comes to me, resting her hands on my stomach, studying me.
“You sure you’re all right?”
“I’m sure.” I wrap one hand around her hip and dip my face toward her for a kiss. She doesn’t make me wait she leans up on her toes, touching her mouth to mine.
“Okay, come in soon,” she orders before letting me go and walking away.
I watch her until she disappears back inside, closing the door behind herself. Once I’m alone again, I tip my head back up to the cloudless dark sky and wait for it to happen. Just like every year on this day, I close my eyes after I see brightness streak across the dark, only instead of making a wish, I give a silent thank you because for me all my wishes have already come true.
The End