Page 100 of Salute, To Bravery
Reaching out, I touch his face, needing him to feel my presence. “Although you have changed since the day I fell in love with you, Craig,” I say, my voice steady, “you are still an incredible father and husband. You have evolved into a man that I can’t imagine my life without.”
I can see the struggle in his eyes as he processes my words, the way his throat tightens, and his chest rises with a shaky breath. I know this isn’t easy for him. He’s been carrying the weight of everything—his physical pain, the emotional toll, and the loss of parts of himself that seem impossible to get back. But he’s still the man I love, even if he doesn’t always see it.
He meets my gaze, his voice soft but raw when he responds, “Let’s make the decision together.” There’s a hesitation there, but it’s followed by a small smile, something vulnerable in his eyes. “But to be honest, I could use something light-hearted right now. Today has been kind of an emotional roller coaster.”
I let out a soft breath, relieved to see the smallest flicker of something lighter in him. I nod with a smile, knowing it’s exactly what he needs. “That sounds perfect,” I agree, the weight of the conversation lifting just a little, the space between us shifting to something easier.
“Let’s head back to the room,” he suggests, and we make our way together.
I close the door behind us, letting the quiet of the room settle in around us. The soft light from the lamp casts a warm glow, and for the first time today, the room feels like a refuge, a place we can just exist without all the pressures of everything outside. Craig flops down onto the bed with a soft grunt, and I can’t helpbut smile at the way he lets his body go limp, like he’s given up trying to hold it all together.
I sit on the edge of the bed next to him, my fingers brushing against his hand. He’s looking at the ceiling, deep in thought again. I know how those thoughts go—the spirals of doubt and fear, the ones that can take over and make everything seem like it’s too much.
But tonight, I want something different. I want something light, something easy. I want to remind us both that even in the hardest times, we can still have moments of joy.
“You know,” I say, breaking the silence, “I was thinking… what if we did something… normal for a change? Like a date night. Just the two of us.”
Craig raises an eyebrow at me, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. “A date night?” He says it like he can hardly remember what that even feels like. And maybe, in some ways, he’s right. Between all the recovery, the therapy, and everything else, it feels like we haven’t had a chance to justbe.
“Yeah,” I reply with a grin. “You know, like we used to. No therapy, no doctors, no deep life-changing conversations. Just… us.”
He exhales a laugh, the tension in his body easing just a little more. “I don’t even remember the last time we did that.”
“That’s the point,” I tease. “So, what do you say? Pizza and a movie, I know we did that before, but I would much rather forget that night.”
Craig looks at me, that small smile still there, and I can see a spark of something—something like the old him. “Pizza sounds perfect. And a movie… yeah, I think I can handle that. Jane, I truly am sorry for everything.”
“I know.” I pick up the phone, already dialing the number for the pizza place down the street. As I wait for them to pick up, I glance at Craig. He’s propped up on his elbows now, watchingme, and for a moment, I feel like I’m seeing him more clearly than I have in days. There’s no weight of expectation, no heavy silence between us.
After I place the order, I turn back to him. “Alright, so what’s it going to be? Action movie, rom-com, or something else?”
He shrugs, his eyes lighting up with a playfulness I haven’t seen in a while. “Rom-com, maybe. You always pick those, and I always complain, but secretly… I kind of like them.”
I raise an eyebrow in mock disbelief. “Do you admit that on record?”
“Maybe. Just don’t tell anyone.” He chuckles, the sound so familiar that it hits me straight in the chest. It’s a tiny thing, but it feels like progress—like we’re finding our way back to each other, piece by piece.
I stand up and pull the TV remote from the nightstand, already scrolling through options.
“Alright, rom-com it is. But we’re watchingThe Wedding Plannerthis time. No objections.”
He groans, but I can tell he’s not really complaining. “I’ve seen it like twenty times, Jane. You really want to make me watch it again?”
“Yes. You promised me a date night. No backing out,” I tease, slipping into the bed beside him, tucking my legs beneath the blankets. “Well, you know what they say—girls don’t just put out without a little effort, you have to woo us.”
He raises an eyebrow at me, his smile widening into a grin. “Oh, I see. So, now I have to earn it? Is that how this works?”
“Yep,” I reply, barely holding in my laughter. “No free rides around here. You’ve got to put in the work if you want to get me to sit through another one of those documentary movies.”
Craig chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re a tough negotiator. I’m not sure I can handle this level of commitment.”
“Good thing you’re already committed, huh?” I tease, nudging him lightly with my shoulder.
His grin softens into something more genuine, a warmth that makes my heart flutter. “I guess I can handle it for you,” he says, pulling me close and tucking me under his arm.
Chapter Eleven.
Jane
