Plus, the model train set we gave him for Christmas really sealed the deal. He’s been laughing a lot more lately. I have, too. Even my mother laughs at Bella’s jokes now and then.
“Well, that’s progress.” Bella pats my chest, then stands on her tiptoes to kiss me.
I pull her in tight and feel our kiss shudder through me. It will never get old—kissing Bella like this.
Her big, brown eyes look up at me when we part. “You’re my favorite distraction, you know. Now I don’t want to work anymore…”
“No, no. I won’t pull you away from it. Just bringing food so you won’t pass out. How’s it coming along, anyway?”
“Good, I think.” She lifts half of the grilled cheese, examines both sides and then grins at me with approval. “Hey, wow. Toasty and golden brown with a gooey center. The student has become the master.”
I’d argue if it was an exaggeration. But the statement’s true. I really have improved in the kitchen since Bella and I got married. She loves it when we cook big meals together, and I’ve grown fond of trying new recipes and savoring our creations.
And it’s not just cooking that I’ve learned, since getting together with Bella. I’ve become a better man in so many ways, that it sometimes hurts to look back on who I was before we met.
Then again, I’m getting better at forgiving myself, too.
I know why I was aloof and distant and gruff, before. I was afraid that there wasn’t enough of me to go around. That if I let myself get to know people, I’d get drained in the process. But Bella’s taught me that when you show up in the world with love, the love keeps flowing. There’s enough of it to go around. More than enough—an abundance. It’s miraculous, in a way. Almost like the more love you give, the more you have for yourself.
These days, I let myself talk to my employees, and give them holiday gifts and bonuses. I even attend birthday parties at the Bubbly Springs cafeteria.
I go to the Hogshead with Bella on Fridays for Trivia Night.
I let myself laugh and joke and live.
When we go to the city these days, it’s not to hole away in the Penthouse apartment. Bella likes to go out to restaurants, parties, plays, galleries, and museums.
Even dancing, once in a while.
I still have two left feet, but maybe one day I’ll be able to keep up with her. One of these days I’ll manage to spin her around without looking like an idiot.
Now, as I turn to survey her current work in progress, I’m overwhelmed with a feeling of respect. She’s a talented artist. When I look at these pieces she creates with her own hand, I feel total awe.
This painting is a landscape, done in her unique style. Lots of loose, short brush strokes; lots of light and shadow.
She licks grease from her fingertips. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s beautiful. You added more reflection on the surface of the water.”
“Good eye. Does it work?”
“It’s stunning. Honestly, Bella.” That makes her smile. She pops the last bite of grilled cheese in her mouth and then joins me to look at the canvas.
“Awesome. Maxine wants to do another show this winter after I wrap up with the Met. I think I’ll send her a photo of this one and see if she will want to include it. Maybe we could loan herKiss Under a Falling Star, too.”
Her arm settles around my waist. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and smile as I think of the painting that’s on display in our master bedroom.
“Of course.” I turn to kiss the top of her head. “How did I get so lucky?”
“Oh, stop.”
“No, really. I might be the luckiest guy on the face of the earth. I don’t know what I did to deserve it. Must be all those wishes I made, over the years. I’m glad I didn’t try to get specific.”
“Hm? What wishes?”
“On every shooting star I ever saw. Always the same wish.”
“What was it?”
“I wished for happiness. I had my own ideas on how to get it, so it’s a good thing I didn’t try to ask for particulars. I didn’t know it’d show up at my door, five-foot-seven, dressed in leggings and a t-shirt, chasing after a dog.”
She giggles and leans into me. “That’s right…”
“You make me so happy, Bella. I love you.” I tilt my head down to kiss her hair again, but she surprises me by spinning in my arms and wrapping her hands around my neck.
She looks up at me with her lively brown eyes. “And I love you.”
Then she kisses me, and I know, without a doubt, that I’m the luckiest man in the world.
THE END
