Page 95 of Falling for You Again

A knuckle pops. “What are you thinking?” I ask.

Aaron sits upright, pulling his legs in, and looks up at me. “What are you asking of me, Meli? I think I need to hear you say it straight so there is no doubt in my mind.”

I drop to my knees in front of him, pretty sure my expression reflects the same hope I saw on his face moments ago. My fears of a real marriage with Aaron were unfounded. We have already laid the groundwork for a balanced and supportive relationship that encompasses both our personal and professional lives. “I want to be your partner, in business and in life. If you’ll have me.”

Aaron’s throat ripples and I catch the briefest tremor in his hands before he manages to speak, his voice carrying a hint of wonder. “You want both? Are you sure about that?”

“I am.” From my pants pocket, I carefully remove and unfold the worn napkin I picked up from his house on my way here. I don’t want to tear it. In fact, I want to frame this napkin and hang it in our kitchen where we’ll see it at the beginning and end of each day.

Aaron’s eyes widen with surprise when he realizes what I have. “When did you take that?”

“I stopped at the house on my way over. I still have a key.” And he didn’t change the alarm code.

“What are you doing with it?” He isn’t angry. He’s curious.

“I’m answering your question. Aaron, you are someone I want to wake up with every morning. Since the moment we met, you have prioritized us. You love to dance with me. Your singing voice leaves something to be desired, but it hasn’t stopped you from singing to me.”

He barks a laugh.

“You have supported my passions since day one. I don’t know anyone who’s been more of a cheerleader for me than you.”

“Rah-rah.” He pumps a fist and I try not to laugh.

“I’m not done,” I warn him, trying to sound serious. “You have never resented me because of my work, and I’ve never resented you. You understand ‘me time’ doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you.”

“And I’ll be here when you’re ready to come back to me,” he says.

I nod, tight-lipped, emotion welling up my throat. “I know when you’re ready to say ‘I love you’ that you’ll mean it.”

“It’ll be from my heart,” he says with reverence.

I exhale a long stream of air to relieve the pressure building in my chest. It’s a moment before I continue reading. “We are fun and playful together. We try new things with each other. You are compassionate, kind, and respectful.”

“It goes both ways, Meli.”

“It does?” I’m not so confident after leaving him so abruptly.

“It does.”

“Thank you,” I silently mouth. There’s too much burning pressure building in me to say the words out loud. I take another breath. “You are not afraid to stand up to me. You have always stood behind me. And you stood up for me to your mom. I should have done the same and spoken up at dinner. I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“Meli, anyone who speaks up against Kaye Borland risks life and limb. I’ll never hold that against you.”

“If you say so.”

“I know so.” He holds my eyes captive until I nod and believe him without a doubt.

“Why the list, Meli?” he asks.

I gingerly refold the napkin. “I was right. We ruined us for anyone else but each other.”

“We should just marry again.” He repeats my joke back to me.

“We should.”

He goes very still. “Are you joking with me again?”

“No joke.” I put aside the napkin and cup his face. “I’ve never been more sure about anything,” I say, finally answering his question. “I love you, Aaron. I think I’ve loved you since the day I married you the first time.”

---