Tears stream down my cheeks, and I have to close my eyes and take a deep breath or the moment will tear me apart. This is more than I’ve ever imagined for my life, and at times, it’s hard to keep my emotions in check.
I love them both more than I thought possible, and the strength of that makes it difficult to breathe.
Addie peers down at me, tenderness and affection painting her features. Her head inclines slightly, and with one more shaky inhale, I ask the question.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Nora squeals, leaping into my arms.
Addie’s laughter fills the air, then she says, “I thought you’d never ask.”
She joins in on the jumbled hug, and we collapse onto the floor, giggles filling the air and elation wrapping around me like a tight blanket.
I find the ring on the floor and slip it onto Addie’s finger. She lifts it into the air, then falls into a fit of laughter.
“Can I wear the ring?” Nora asks, eyeing the plastic jewelry.
Before Addie can fully slip it off her finger, Nora snatches it away to put it on her thumb. She runs away before anyone can take it back. Her pink dress disappears from view, then a door slams shut.
I think she might have been a crow in a past life.
Ignoring our little thief, I pull Addie closer and savor her presence. When she looks at me again, my heart leaps, and I press a kiss to her lips. There’s no rush. The kiss is slow and exploratory because we have the rest of our lives for this.
For love and family and new memories.
“I love you,” she whispers, hands tangling into my hair. “Every day. From now until forever.”
“Now, until forever,” I confirm, holding her tight, with no plans of ever letting go.
