Audrey unwraps the gift and gingerly traces her fingers over the diamond bracelet.
Audrey's transfixed by the glittering gems, but I’m captivated by her expression - the stunned look on her face, the delighted gasp, and the tears glistening in her eyes.
She turns to me. “Luca, it's gorgeous. Thank you, but you didn't have to do this.”
What’s the point of having money if I can’t spend it on the woman I adore?
I silence her protest with a kiss on her forehead. “Nothing's too good for my girl. Happy anniversary.”
I help her fasten the clasp. The bracelet looks perfect on her wrist, the diamonds glittering. But to me, Audrey's smile shines brighter than any jewels. I’m lucky to have her in my life.
“Are you ready for your gift?” Audrey asks, eyes dancing. She retrieves a small wrapped box from the cabinet.
I carefully unwrap the paper, not wanting to tear it. Nestled inside is a framed photo of the four of us at the beach last summer.
Audrey cradles a tiny seashell in her palm. “Remember when you gave me this shell? You said our love was as infinite as the tides.”
I pull Audrey into an embrace, whispering, “It's perfect. Just like our family. Happy anniversary.”
After a blissful morning together, the whirlwind returns as the twins come crashing back inside. We spend the day playing games and sipping hot cocoa by the fire.
“I can't believe it's been seven years already,” she marvels, swirling her glass.
“Best seven years of my life,” I reply. “I was thinking we should take the kids to Disneyland.”
“They’ll love it,” she says.
“Can you imagine their faces when they see the fireworks over Cinderella's castle?”
She snuggles into my arms. “You promised me a trip to Disneyland. Glad you didn’t forget it.”
“I’ve been working on my fitness so we could meet Mickey Mouse and ride the teacups.”
She laughs. “You’re ridiculous.”
I kiss Audrey's forehead, lingering in her warmth and familiar scent.
As I stare into the flames, my mind drifts back to our honeymoon in Paris. Audrey's hand in mine, we strolled along the Seine River, window-shopped along the Champs-Élysées, and explored the city of love.
I remember how good she looked in her white sundress, her hair cascading down her back.
Audrey clears her throat, bringing me back to the present. “Luca, what are you thinking about?”
Firelight dances in her eyes. “Our honeymoon. Paris. You in that white sundress.”
She quickly looks at the children playing nearby, who are blissfully unaware.
Her voice drops to a sultry whisper, her breath hot on my ear. “I still have that dress, you know.”
I feel a surge of desire as I remember railing her while she wore it. “You were wearing it that time on the balcony of our hotel room.”
Audrey traces lazy circles on my chest. “I wore it when we were in the little alleyway behind the boulangerie, too.”
How could I forget?
I check the time. “If the babysitters don’t arrive soon, I’m going to fire them.”
She blushes, a mischievous grin spreading across her lips. “I’ll go and find the sundress.”
Our anniversary celebration is about to get a lot more interesting.