“Come on, you two.” Jake pulls open the door and ushers us in.
With my arm around my wife’s waist, I lead us into the main living room. All of our friends and family yell out, “Happy Anniversary!” Saylor grips my arm tightly. I look down at her and find her looking up at me with tears shimmering in her eyes. “Good surprise?”
“The best,” she confirms.
I bend to kiss her, and the room cheers for us. The kids rush toward us and offer hugs, and eagerly tell Saylor how they helped. Lilah was so proud of herself that she didn’t spoil the surprise. They pulled Saylor across the room to show her some of the decorations. The three older kids were in charge of building a collage of our lives over the past sixteen years. They did an amazing job, and I know my wife is going to cry when she sees it.
I watch them from across the room, and sure enough, her hands lift to wipe under her eyes. She hugs each one of them fiercely, and my heart lurches in my chest. Saylor never asks for anything, which is the point of this party. Sure, it’s technically for both of us since it’s our anniversary, but in my eyes, it’s all for her. The love of my life. The woman who stole my heart completely and promised never to let go.
She’s come a long way. We both have. I wanted this night to be a reminder of how many people she has in her life who love her. A reminder to her that sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
I thank my lucky stars every day for that weekend. I don’t know if we would be where we are right now without it. I’d like to think that we would, but life has a funny way of working out.
6
Saylor
This night has been incredible. With the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes it’s hard to take the time to stop and just enjoy time with your friends and family. That’s exactly what we did. The kids were so excited that they got to help and pulled off the surprise. And Rhett, well, he proved yet again what an amazing husband and father he is. Not that I needed a reminder.
“She’s asleep,” he says, sneaking into our room. “I had to read three stories, but she’s finally conked out.”
“Too much excitement.”
“Yeah,” he agrees. He strips out of his shorts and T-shirt, and slides into bed. He moves toward me and opens his arms. Just like he does every night.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Good surprise?” he asks again.
“The best.”
“I thought about waiting until we got back from our trip next week, but it would have been hard to coordinate everything while we were gone. Not to mention, the kids were so excited to be involved. I was afraid by pushing it off, one of them might spill the beans.”
“How did you manage to keep it from Lilah? She’s a nosey little thing.” I laugh.
“We did work.” He chuckles. “I told her there was a special trip for you, but you already knew about our four days away.”
“She told me,” I confess.
He chuckles. “I knew she would.” He kisses my shoulder. “You still worried about leaving them?”
“It’s not a worry. I know your parents will take good care of them. It’s more the fact that I’m going to miss them like crazy.” We’re leaving Monday morning for a four-day trip to Hawaii. Just the two of us. That’s where we went on our honeymoon, and we go back every year on our anniversary. Only this year, we’re not taking the kids. Previously, they’ve taken the vacation with us. “I feel a little guilty too. That we’re taking a trip without them.”
“That doesn’t make us bad parents, Short Stack.”
“I know that. I’m just so used to them being where we are. It’s going to be odd not having them there.”
“I promise you won’t have time to feel guilty.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” We’ve been there so many times, there’s really not anything we’ve not seen or experienced.
“I don’t plan to let you out of bed.” His voice turns husky. “Just like our honeymoon.”
“You think you’re up to that, old man?” I tease.
He pushes his hard length against my ass. “What do you think?”
“I think it sounds like I can pack light.”