Page 108 of Embers in Our Souls
Waking up next to you has been nothing but a gift these last few months.
I’ve been wandering this life aimlessly since I walked away from you. Being with you and Noah has been my why. You’ve claimed my heart in a way I never thought possible, although if I’m being honest, I think you’ve carried a piece of me since we were young.
I’d be fooling myself if I said I wasn’t in love with you from the moment I heard your voice. You’ve found a way to connect yourself to my soul and I haven’t been the same since.
I know we bound ourselves through marriage over a decade ago for convenience. How about now we finally show the world how deep our lovestretches? We met when we were young and formed a friendship. We fell in love through letters. Then I made the biggest mistake of my life and tore us apart; and now I don’t want to let time separate us any further. Let’s not waste any more of what we have left and let’s start living.
I want every second moving forward to be planning the family we envision together. Let’s celebrate this life we have with Noah, our friends, your parents, and everyone else that deserves to witness what we’ve chosen as a unit.
I love you beyond myself. I love Noah and I can’t wait for the endless tomorrows with both of you.
Finish reading this letter and join me in the living room. I’ve got a surprise waiting for you.
I love you to eternity.
Forever Yours,
Tyler
I feel my heart pounding as I wait for Indy to read the letter. I’ve been waiting in the living room with Noah. She sleeps in on weekends that I’m not working and I’ve had this plan for a while now.
I took Noah to help me pick out a ring for her a few weeks ago, and we came up with a plan to ask Indiana to “marry” me last night. He doesn’t need to know the logistics of our marriagefrom years ago, so I kept that to myself. All he needs to know is that I’m asking for his help today.
His smile stretches across his face because he knows what I have planned for this morning. Last night we went out on a guys’ trip as Indy was working late. She was none the wiser, thinking we were simply hanging out together while I had the day off.
We finally hear her moving around in the room, so we scurry to get in position. Noah’s giggling, as I try to tamper my nerves. Even though we’re married on paper, I’ve never officially proposed to her. The velvet box feels like a weighted brick in my pocket.
“I hear her, Hunter.” He beams up at me.
“I know, buddy.” I ruffle his hair as I move up beside him. “Okay, you know what to do?”
“Yep.” He smiles brightly, that upper left tooth missing from his grin. I know things will likely not go as planned with a youngster at the reigns of a proposal, but that’s the fun in all this. I’m surprised he’s kept anything a secret this long.
I look over to find Darth looking unamused in this whole thing. Noah thought we should dress Darth up for the occasion. So, he’s in a little bowtie and dapper top hat, which hasn’t been the easiest to keep on. He’s stretched out on the couch, licking his paw, unfazed for now.
“Grab Darth,” I instruct Noah.
“Oh yeah!” He nods. The cat looks perturbed being dragged into this whole scenario after he got settled in a comfortable spot on the couch. If a cat could roll his eyes, Darth likely would.
Setting the white furball down, Noah adjusts the bowtie in place. “Perfect!” Noah says.
I hear the door open upstairs and I up look to see the woman I love staring down from the railing.
I’m in a suit, while Noah is in a button-up and slacks. For nine in the morning, it’s probably a lot, but it’s all I could comeup with. I wanted something she wouldn’t expect, and it’s hard to surprise Indy with our hectic schedules and having Noah in sports most weekends.
She’s holding the letter I wrote her in one hand and she swipes at a stray tear. She has a haphazard smile on her face. That has to be good news—at least that’s my hope.
We’re standing in a row, even Darth keeping his place in line. She looks at us and lets out a soft laugh.
“This is a nice welcome.” She walks down the stairs.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” I tell her.
“Yes, good morning.” Noah puffs out his chest, trying to look more grown up and that pulls a laugh from both Indy and me.
Noah walks up to his mom and grabs her hand, pulling her toward me. She bends down and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “Mom, come. We have surprises for you.”
“Oh, okay, sweetie.” She winks, continuing her walk over to me.
