Chapter 2 Knox
KNOX
I loved holding Larkin's hand as I drove down the road. Something about it just felt like home–especially with the kids chattering in the back seat. It reminded me that I was living out everything I ever wanted, thanks to this woman beside me.
We were going to take pictures on Madigan Ranch, and I couldn't wait. Even though it was wintertime, the countryside was still so gorgeous, with expansive grassland and panoramic views of the place where I grew up.
The drive there was as familiar as my own heartbeat, and a dozen minutes later, we pulled up to the meeting spot near the Madigan Ranch sign. A white Tahoe already waited there, pale gray exhaust spilling from the tailpipe while the photographer sat in the driver’s seat, watching us approach.
She was the same person who had taken photographs of goat yoga on what I called our first real romantic date. She smiled at us as we got out of the car and held up her camera. “You guys ready?”
“Yes!” Emily said while Jackson screeched. Apparently he was not in the mood anymore.
Larkin cringed, shoulders deflating, but I said, “Don't worry, buddy.” I picked him up and added, “We're going to have fun together.”
The photographer had us all posed in no time, sitting in the grass, standing on the grass, holding the kids between us. All the while making silly faces and sounds to make Em and Jackson laugh.
There had to be a million different poses that felt awkward and unnatural, but whenever she showed us little previews on the camera screen, my chest swelled. The photos were perfect.
After we'd gotten plenty of pictures with the kids, Larkin settled them into the truck with candy and a tablet so we could take the engagement pictures. With the windows rolled down, they could yell at us if they needed anything.
Then we started posing just as a couple. The photographer said, “Hold her close and whisper your favorite ice cream in her ear like it's a dirty word.”
I chuckled, not needing an excuse to pull my fiancé close. I made my voice low and sultry as I said, “Any type of ice cream with those brownies you make. I’ll lick it off your naked body tonight.”
Larkin giggled as her cheeks flooded with color and I heard the shutter of the camera go off at least a dozen times.
Then the photographer told us to walk back ten yards or so and then move towards her like we were coming home tipsy from a night at the bar.
Being our age, Larkin and I hadn't done that before, but for how much we laughed acting it out, I thought I needed to take her out and get a few tequilas in her.
My guy friends all complained about taking pictures with their girls, but the time seemed to fly by with Larkin.
I could see how happy it made her to feel like a princess, like someone wanted to capture her image and admire her.
And when we were done, I paid the photographer a little bit extra for the idea I was hoping I could make come true.