Page 80 of Dream with Me

She places a tender kiss on my lips, then pulls back and gazes into my eyes. I see it—love, hope, commitment—all reflected in her eyes.

“It’ll be our reminder that broken things can be healed, fixed, and end up so much more beautiful than anyone ever imagined.”

CHAPTER41

SHANNON

“I’ve got to hand it to you, Troy. Tonight was the best date of my life.”

Troy lifts our joined hands to his lips and places a tender kiss on the top of mine.

“I’m only getting started. Prepared to be dazzled over the next sixty years.”

I chuckle. “Sixty years is a long time. I’m looking forward to us working together to try to top tonight. It’s a high bar to meet, though.” I lean my head against the headrest of the car and look over at his profile.

This has been the best date ever. In fact, it was probably one of the top fivedaysof my life overall. Okay, top six if I count the births of the four kids plus our wedding day. I really shouldn’t put today above those days. But it’s a close contender.

Our life has become the total package. A love that’s been through the fire and came out refined. Four children who fill our lives with amusing mischief, joy, and laughter. An extended family who loves and supports us. Our house, though sometimes a little cramped for our family of six plus Scrappy, is still the perfect home for us.

I watch him as he drives to that home, one he hasn’t yet moved back into, though we have been doing some overnights. I’m ready for him to come home. I know he desperatelywantsto come home. He’s also fiercely protective of me and the kids, and he’s been persistent about ensuring it’s the right time. That I’m ready. That the kids are ready. They are. I’ve approached the topic one-on-one with each of them, gently of course, and they want their dad home.

Before I know it, the drive is over, and Troy opens my car door and walks me to the porch of the house. We get to the front steps and Troy prepares to unlock the house. I stop him.

“Wait.”

He turns and looks at me, an expectant expression on his face and his brow furrowed in confusion.

“I need your help with something before we go inside.” I reach down in my bag and pull out the wooden box he made and gave me when I took my CPA exams.

He tilts his head, and his eyes narrow. I’m assuming he’s even more confused as to why I’m handing it to him on our porch in blustery winter weather.

“I, uh, I can’t get this open, and I was hoping you would remember how to open it.”

“Sure, but let’s get you inside first. It’s cold out?—”

“No. I need you to do it out here... Please.”

“You’re shaking, babe...”

“I know. So please open it. Trust me. This needs to be done with just us.”

“Okay,” he says. He takes the box and it’s easy for him to complete the sequence of taps, twists, and turns until the lid releases. “Don’t feel bad. I did this like a million times while making it. Here you go.” He tries to hand me the box with the unlocked lid, but I don’t take it.

“Open it, like fully open it.”

Troy holds my gaze and then removes the lid. He stares into the box, saying nothing.

I sit on the porch bench, and he joins me, but he doesn’t take his eyes off the pieces of paper inside the box.

“Go ahead, read them. Out loud, if you wouldn’t mind... But it’s okay if you don’t want to.”

I sidle up close to him, for warmth but also because I want to be near him.

He unfolds the first piece of paper.

“Olivia. Reasons why I want you to come home now: Because every day is better when you’re around. You make us laugh and smile, and we miss you. Our family is complete when we’re all here, all the time. I love you, Dad. P.S. You’re also a better cook than Mom, but don’t tell her I said that.”

“It does not say that!” He holds it out for me to read, and I lean over and do just that. “That little sneak. I should have proofread theirs first,” I tease.

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