“I have a present for you, baby girl.” I open up the second little velvet box and remove the necklace inside. “This is a chocolate diamond, just like the one in your mommy’s ring. I want you to have the same thing since I’m not just marrying your mommy. I’m marrying you too.” I use my shaky fingers to fumble the hook on the little clasp and slide it around her neck.
“It’s pwetty. Tank you, Daddy,” she says with another big hug. I savor this moment for a few more moments before she’s ready to get down and go play with her new stuff. “Oh, can I have a brudder, too?” she asks, face full of excitement. I don’t even get a reply out. “Ohhh, wait! Maybe a puppy instead!”
Avery and I both are laughing as she slides back into my embrace. “A brother or a puppy,” she says quietly with a smile.
“Oh, I like the idea of both. Maybe a puppy this spring after we’re all settled. And until the wedding, lots and lots of brother making practice.”
She giggles and lays her cheek against my chest. “Oh, there will be lots and lots of practice.”
I fucking love this woman.
Avery and I have both grown over the course of the past three months. I guess we just had to fall apart so that we could come back together even better than we were before. Hell, I never planned for any of this. And maybe that’s just it. Life doesn’t always go as we plan. Sometimes, it’s better. Sometimes, it’s perfect. Trust me, I know.
~ THE END ~