Page 116 of Eternally Yours
She nods and looks at our hands that have now intertwined on their own. I miss this, I miss holding her hand. “I’d like that a lot. What did you have in mind?” I ask her with so much joy running through my veins that we’re finally getting somewhere.
I’m going to have to call up Coach and thank him. If it weren’t for his advice, I would have never thought to get her the pastries yesterday, and we might not be here having a conversation right now.
“I don’t know, I hadn’t really thought of it further than that.” She shrugs one shoulder.
“It’s okay, I’ll arrange something if you’ll let me?”
“I’d like that.” A genuine smile grows on her face, and next thing I know, I’m smiling, too.
This is good, I’m finally getting my wife back. I’m not stupid, I know it will takemore work, but now I know we can truly fix this.
Later that evening when Cecilia asks where we’re going, I tell her about the reservation I have for us in New York near Central Park. She’s a bit skeptical about going to a restaurant, but I assure her that we’ll be escorted by the back door and that I rented a private room just for us. It seems to ease her worries a bit.
As we get dressed, me in the walk-in and her in the bathroom with the door slightly ajar, I notice her slipping on the same dress she wore the very first day we met. So I quickly change my outfit and put on the same clothes I was wearing that day, too.
We both emerge at the same time and peer at one another, her in burgundy, me in navy blue. She smiles one of those real breathtaking smiles when she notices our outfit choices, but then it falters, and she looks upset while she stares down at her dress.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I start my journey over to her and stop an arm’s length away.
“It doesn’t fit anymore...” she says, looking miserable as she grabs the sides of the dress and shows where it should be more fitted.
I reach for her hand, lacing our fingers. It’s the only place she’s allowed me to touch for now, and I won’t push my luck for more just yet. I’ll wait until she’s ready. “It’s just weight, Minnie. You’ll gain it back eventually.” I give her hand a reassuring squeeze and a smile. “You’re still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
Her cheeks turn rosy, and she looks away with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Are you ready to go?” I tug on our hands to get us to the door and finally out of the house, but she remains rooted in place.
“Are you sure about this?” She nibbles the side of her lip as she searches my eyes for confirmation. She’s anxious, I get it. She hasn’t left the house since the whole fiasco, and even if it’s been two weeks, the media is still all about it.
“Yes, the restaurant promised their full discretion for our reservation. And they stated we can get into our private room directly through a back entrance without having to pass other diners. No one will see us. It’s just you and me.”
As I finish my sentence, I realize the words I’ve just spoken may be too quick to say yet. It’s been our thing, and she might not be ready to hear it again.
She takes a big inhale through the nose and exhales slowly through the mouth while looking at my chest. When her eyes reach mine, I expect to see pain, but instead I’m greeted with fondness.
“You and me,” she repeats softly.
When we arrive at the restaurant and park in the back near the rear door, anemployee is already there waiting for us. We’re then escorted through the kitchen and into the private room as planned. We sit down, and Cecilia lets me order for her like I did the day we met.
This isn’t originally the restaurant I had in mind this morning after she told me to plan our date. But Milano didn’t have private rooms, so I had to find another option. This place is similar in decor and food, but it’s a bit bigger than Milano’s and much more expensive.
But I don’t care. My girl agreed to spend time with me outside the house, and that’s all that really matters.
I forwent any alcohol and stuck to water for the both of us. Even with Minnie’s bigger appetite today, her intake of nutrition still isn’t great, and I don’t think drinking alcohol right now is a good idea.
For me, well, I haven’t touched any since that night, and I don’t plan to, either. Alcohol almost ruined my marriage, there’s no way I’m letting that happen again.
I haven’t notified anyone that Cecilia was back to her old self, at least for today. I know the minute I did, they would have shown up at the house. It might be a little selfish, but I wanted this moment with my wife alone. Tomorrow, if she hasn’t gone back a step, I’ll inform them.
We enjoy a pleasant dinner together and talk about light subjects. She tells me that she’s nervous about going back to work next week, and I don’t blame her. It’s going to be a lot being around people all at once after her state of solitude.
With all their questions and opinions, it may get overwhelming. Plus, I wouldn’t put it past them that at least one reporter will be camping out in front of her work to harass her. Just thinking about it and I want to rip the imaginary man’s throat out.
“You don’t have to go back if you’re not ready, Minnie.” I place my hand over hers on top of the table.
“I do, Amanda can only extend my time out by so much. She needs me back at some point. I’m lucky she was so understanding and gave me so much time off.”
“What I meant is, if you don’t want to go back, you don’t have to. Baby, we have more than enough money. If you want to quit and take some time for you, I’m fine with that. Whatever makes you most comfortable.” I give her a tender smile. “And when you’re ready to get back out there, maybe you could start your own business.” I know it’s something she’s mentioned she’d like to do one day, and I think this may be a good time for that.
