I still have my struggles, and my life isn’t perfect.
But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
* * *
Julian
Icooked a great legof lamb, if I do say so myself, and Courtney practically drooled when she saw the chocolate-raspberry cake I made. It tasted as good as it looked, too.
We had sex after everyone left. Now she’s sleeping, her head resting on my shoulder, and I’m stroking her hair. I still can’t get over how beautiful she is, and she’smine.
My life used to be a non-stop cycle of work, but I was missing out on so much—as she’s shown me. Now I have a good balance of business and pleasure, and I’m in no danger of burning out. I do things like bake lemon squares for no particular reason and read on my rooftop patio with a bottle of “old man” beer and a novel. What’s the point of having a rooftop patio and gorgeous views of the city if you never take the time to enjoy them? Courtney particularly likes when I read shirtless on the patio, though I never seem to get much reading done when she’s up there with me. Strange how that happens.
In the past few weeks, I’ve also done some scrapbooking in secret. I have another surprise—and another ring—to give her when we go back to Montreal for Canada Day weekend.
I know she’ll say yes.
The terrarium is doing well. Joey the Cactus is doing well. He’s started growing toward the light, and he’s a little less...erect than he was before.
But enough about cacti.
My father is enjoying being back at work part-time, and Mom is thrilled he’s stopped his amateur efforts at carpentry. Raymond is now president of Fong Investments, and he’s taken over some of my responsibilities. Po Po has yet to play Chinese opera at my office.
Courtney is well now, too. There were a few difficult months, but at no point did I ever think of leaving her. I’m glad she, too, had faith I would always be there.
She’s the most important part of my life, and she’s changed me for the better. Somehow, my impulsive decision to give her five thousand dollars to teach me how to have fun turned into something truly amazing.
“I love you,” I murmur.
She doesn’t open her eyes, but she mumbles, “I love you, too.”
Yes, sometimes I do important things at work that involve great sums of money, but the best moments in my life are moments like these, when I get to hold the woman I love.
I turn out the light and settle my head on the pillow, right next to Courtney.
I wouldn’t trade this for anything.
