Page 98 of One More Chance

She slumps her shoulders. “But what about all the traveling? What about our way of life?”

“It will change. I’m due for my promotion next month. I won’t be traveling for work anymore. We’ll have to find other reasons to travel. Vacations.” I shrug my shoulders because it all sounds so simple to me, but Harper’s worry isn’t gone.

Several moments pass as she thinks about what I’ve said.

“Harper?”

“Yeah?” she says, coming back to the conversation.

“I love you. And I want to have this baby with you. And I want to marry you.”

Her eyes widen, a smile finally beginning to form on her lips.

“But I’m not going to ask you yet because I don’t have a ring and I want to ask you properly.”

“Have we ever done anything properly?” She laughs.

“That’s a fair point,” I admit. “But still.”

“Can we get married in Las Vegas?” she asks.

“Really?”

“I’ve had the whole traditional experience. Unless you want it for yourself, I’m okay with not having it again,” she admits, shrugging her shoulders.

“So you mean to tell me we’re going to elope to Las Vegas after I’ve knocked you up?” I laugh.

“It feels very us, doesn’t it?” she says, giggles floating from her mouth freely.

“I don’t want to answer yes to that.” I rub my hand across the stubble of my chin, absorbing all that this means, all that this will mean moving forward.

I’ve never actually pictured myself as a dad. I mean I’ve always wanted to be a father, but never gave thought to what kind I would be, if I’d be good at it. Wanting kids and being ready for it or good at it is another train of thought entirely. But I’m oddly calm now, visions of a baby in my arms, visions of Harper holding a baby. She will be an excellent mother.

And me? I’ll learn.

“We can elope to Las Vegas as long as our sisters come, and Gentry. I want some people involved,” I tell her.

“Deal,” she says.

“So, we’re doing this?” I clasp my hands together in front of me as I stare her down, a smirk on my face.

“We’re doing this,” she says, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

“Hey, Harper?”

“Yeah?”

“I think this will be our best adventure yet,” I say, coming around the table and pulling her up into my arms. I kiss her lips again and again, attempting to drive away any hesitation remaining in her.

Harper and I, we’ve never been conventional. Nothing about my life since meeting her has been ordinary or predictable. I have a feeling I’m in for a lot more of that. I owe everything to this woman, and I will spend the rest of my life proving to her that I’m the man she was always meant to be with.

Sometimes the road to where you’re supposed to be isn’t straight, isn’t easy. Sometimes you get sidetracked along the way, you think you’re at your destination but you’re not. Somewhere deep down, you know. The failure of first loves can be difficult, they can create doubt and fear in you.

But, like Harper and I, when the right person comes along, you’ll feel it. A shift in the cosmos, an awakening.

I’m grateful every day for Harper’s willingness to finally leap. I don’t want to know a life without her.

My life is made more whole by her love.

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