4. Grace
GRACE
H ow long has it been since I’ve held my husband’s hand? I wonder as we quietly leave our still napping baby boy, and gently shut the screen door so we don’t wake him.
Charlie’s thumb rubs soothing circles on my knuckles, the rough pads remind me how hard he works, but also how hard he loves.
“Love you sweetheart,” he whispers as the bright sun and chatter of the barbeque greet us and we part ways with a simple kiss that makes its way all the way down to my toes. I can still feel him and I love it. The second he’s gone though, back to where the men are grilling, stacks of burgers on a plate surrounded by condiments on the small table beside them, I wonder if it’s written on my face what we’ve done.
With a quick breath, I don’t look anyone in the eyes and I go straight for the punch. One sip and I can hear the laughter from Evie. Another and I make my way back to my seat with my sister in laws.
“Did he wake up?” Cheryl questions, the girls, now joined by Charlie’s mother, all stop talking and wait for an answer, their eyes expecting something right freaking now.
“Yeah,” I play it off even though my head shakes, subconsciously denying the lie. “The second I laid him down, he woke up, but we were able to get him back down in no time.”
Even though I catch a glimpse of the monitor on the table and Ali’s raised brow, I double down with, “He’s out like a light,” and my third sip of punch. It’s not so strong now and I wonder if someone added more of anything other than rum to dull it down.
None of the women push for more, but my two sister-in-laws both smile into their drinks as Ma continues, informing me that she’s giving the girls the recipe to her pasta salad.
“Well hello beautiful,” Charlie sneaks up behind me, his hands landing on my hips and a kiss landing on my cheek before I even see him.
I can’t help but smile. “Hello yourself,” I answer with a little more flirtation than I would if I was more conscious of the fact that all three women are staring. “You might need this if you were drinking the punch,” he passes me a bottle of water and I let out a shy laugh.
“You might be right.”
“I have one little surprise if you ladies,” he raises his voice to address his family, “don’t mind if I steal her away.”
“You just had her but okay,” Cheryl rolls her eyes and I try to keep mine from widening at you just had her. They don’t know, I tell myself with every step I take to the side of the property with Charlie, where the sunflowers are tall and blooming.
“Okay, now that I have you sweetened up,” he starts, and I smack his hand playfully. His rough chuckle vibrates up his chest and I land a quick kiss on his lips.
“What do you want, husband of mine?”
He sucks in a deep breath, his expression going serious and for a moment worry comes over me. Until he says:
“We didn’t have a Christmas so I decided a little July surprise… would be nice.”
“Oh yeah, it’s Christmas in July?” I question him, my brow knitting.
What’s my husband up to?
“I thought Ali could come with us since she’s got time off… and kind of volunteered… maybe on a trip to wine country? She can watch Dean and we can have a second honeymoon.”
I can only blink several times, my heart going all soft.
“You won’t be away from Dean… although he will be in a different room,” he explains, the water bottle in his hand moving from his left to his right as he shifts on his feet in front of me. “I miss you all alone, flirting at the bar. I just thought…”
“What are you thinking?” I press him for more, reaching out with both hands to hold on to his shirt and looking my husband in the eyes.
“We have at least another 18 or more years of mom and dad life, and I love it. I really do, but I want some nights where it’s just the two of us, so I can tease you. Eric is hiring another manager. I’m stepping back. I’m going to be the owner, instead of a worker. I’m stepping back like you wanted sweetheart. I promise I am.”
“Can you do that?” I’m breathless with anticipation and shock.
“We can afford it,” he answers with a single nod.
“I mean can you do that,” stressing the question.
My husband takes a half step forward, folding his arms around me and pulling me in so he’s only a handful of inches away from me. “What I can’t do is continue to come home after my son is already in bed. I can’t keep missing you either. Missing us and the memories we should be making.” He adds, “Your weekends are with the family and now mine are too.”
“You promise?” I can’t believe he’s actually doing it. I’m so happy I could cry. I know it may take time though. The bar was his baby before I came along and stole him away.
He states proudly, “I’m also declaring Fridays date nights and between your mom and sister, Maggie, and my sisters and mom, we have plenty of sitters…”
I stop him here, kissing him like a mad woman, my arms flying around his neck. When I break the kiss, I tell him I love him.
He doesn’t have to tell me he loves me too; I know he does, but he says the words just the same.
We had a whirlwind romance and all I want to do is hold on to it forever.