35. Chapter 35
Rhett
I’ve wanted this day for a really long time, and there was a point where I never thought I’d come.
But tonight I get to take Aspen out on a real date.
We’ve gotten lunch and run to the diner in town a couple of times, but none of that is a real date.
At least, not to me. This one, it’s probably the most out-of-the-box first date, but I think it is something that she will really enjoy later on.
I carry the bouquet of flowers in my hand.
We don’t have a local florist, but if you buy three different bouquets, you can kind of piece together a pretty one.
I only put in colored flowers. Bright pinks, soft yellows, and vibrant purples.
She deserves that: the prettiest flowers, shiniest jewels, whatever the hell her heart wants, I’m going to give it to her.
Being that I know she will want to look her best for what I have in mind, I gave her a week’s notice. There’s still a good chance she’ll need another twenty minutes when I get to the door, but it’s alright; I’d wait a hundred lifetimes if it meant I finally got to have her.
I swing the door open to find five different pairs of shoes scattered on the floor. A variety of purses and a bunch of other things I have never seen before.
She pops her head out from the bathroom; pieces of her hair are curled and pinned to the top of her hair and it looks like she’s only halfway through applying mascara.
“I’m so sorry I’m running late. My feet are too swollen for half of my shoes.
Finding something flattering is an act of God at this point. I just need ten more minutes.”
Ten minutes in her world is more like thirty, which is why I specifically told her a different time. Worst-case scenario, we get there early and can enjoy the view. Best case, we are actually on time.
“Take your time, honey. I’ll wait for you out here.
” I set the bouquet down on the table and move to start picking up the shoes off the floor.
I didn’t even realize they made this many kinds of shoes.
I’ve lived in boots and a pair of running shoes back in high school.
I can’t remember the last time I slid my foot into something other than my boots.
I put the shoes away in her coat closet. It’s busting at the seams already.
My things have slowly started to trickle in.
I have more than enough here to get by. Aspen has things in this place she loves.
She loves getting to dress up; she loves having far too many shoe options; she loves stuff.
I don’t have any stuff that matters that deeply to me.
So, she can have as much of it as she wants.
I can simply build my life around her. Simple as that.
I finish tidying up, and before I know it, Aspen is stepping back into the living room.
In a dress that hugs every curve and shows off how fucking beautiful she is when she’s carrying my baby.
She puts an earring in, oblivious to the fact that I can't take my eyes off her. Mesmerized and utterly enamored with the woman standing in front of me.
“Okay, I’m ready. If we leave this second, we should only be five minutes late.”
I stare at her with minimal expression because we will be significantly more than five minutes late.
“Baby, the only way we’d make it there on time right now is if I drove 100mph the whole way there.
And you will not catch me speeding while you and my baby are in the car.
I may have told you a different time than the actual time we need to be there. We’re all good.”
Her face droops quickly, followed by her brow quirking up in annoyance. “You knew I was going to be late, didn’t you?”
“There are a few things I can count on with certainty. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The sky is blue and if Aspen says she’s gonna be ready on time I need to plan on at least a thirty-minute delay.”
“Unfortunately, you are right. Do I get to know what the big surprise is?”
I also didn’t tell her what we were doing. It’s more fun this way. “It’d be more fun if you let me surprise you.”
“You totally can do that, but just know I plan on annoying you the whole drive.”
I roll my eyes. She is persistent, that I know.
“Don’t freak out, but I hired a photographer so we can have some maternity pictures done.
I wanted to remember this time in our lives forever.
And after, I have a little picnic packed.
We’ll be up higher in the mountains, in that spot with the views of the canyons and lake? ”
She stares at me, jaw open, and I worry I fucked up.
“If this isn’t something you want, that’s okay; I can call the photographer,” I offer.
Her eyes well up with tears and my heart feels like it’s been dropped to the floor.
“Rhett, this is the most thoughtful date. I so badly wanted to do pictures, but everything has been crazy, so I was hoping to sneak them in in the next few weeks.” She puts her hands on each side of my face, and I stare at her eyes. “Thank you for knowing me better than anyone else. I love you.”
My heart settles, and I step a little closer into her, as far as the bump will let me. “I love you more. Always have, always will.”
She wrinkles her nose, trying to fight the tears from falling. “Okay, let’s get on the road.”
We make the drive in good time, and we are hitting at the perfect time; the sun is starting to drop. Golden rays stream through the trees and over the mountain peaks, creating a glow to everything.
“This is beautiful,” Aspen says, looking around.
This isn’t our first time here. I’ve taken her here before, but this time is so much more special because she’s wholly mine.
I’ve frequented here on my own many times; I can’t even count how many times I’ve been lost in thought about her here. Daydreaming a life I didn’t think I’d get to have.
Our photographer gets out of the car, her blonde hair pulled up into a knot on the top of her head.
“Hey guys. Rhett, nice to meet you in person.” She leans forward and shakes my hand.
“Aspen, you are absolutely stunning.” She shakes her hand too.
“Let me get my settings adjusted really quick on my camera and then let’s shoot!
It should take us about an hour. Be sure to let me know if there are any specific poses you want. ”
She steps off to the side. Taking a picture of the sun starting to set by the lake. A perfect peak of the mountain behind it. It really is one of the most serene places I have ever been.
Aspen runs her hands over her belly, something I’ve seen her do a lot more lately. The baby moves so much more now. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that there’s really a baby in there, and then he kicks me. Judging by those alone, he is going to be feisty like his mama.
I grab Aspen's hand as we walk around the clearing for a minute, not saying anything, but just enjoying the beauty of the world around us together.
“Alright guys, I’m ready!” Lindsey hollers out, and we make our way back to her. Ready to capture this time of our lives that is going by way too damn fast.
The sun hides behind the mountain peak just as we finish our last shot.
Aspen grins from ear to ear, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride.
Proud that I got this right. Not just the pictures, but us.
It was worth it. God forbid, even if Weston never gets over this, she was worth it.
Our little family we’re building is worth every bit of trouble and struggle I’ve ever been through.
“We got some amazing pictures. I’ve got about an hour drive, but I hope to get you guys a sneak peek tomorrow,” Lindsey says as she tucks her camera away in its case.
“Thank you so much. I had a blast. You made me feel so beautiful. I can’t wait to see them.” The giddiness in Aspen’s voice makes me soar.
“You both are some of the most photogenic people I have ever met in my life. Seriously, these pictures are going to be wall-hanging worthy. I’ll shoot you an email as soon as I have them ready.” She hugs Aspen and shakes my hand once before leaving.
Aspen turns to me as she drives off. “That was the best real first date ever. Unconventional, but at least we will have the pictures to remember it by,” she jokes. “Not to hustle on to the next thing, but baby is hungry.” She taps her bump twice for good measure.
“Oh, of course. Let’s get you fed.” I throw my arm around her shoulder and we walk back to the truck. When we get there, I drop my arm. “Let me get the blankets, food, and lantern out of the truck. Give me one sec.”
The cooler and blankets sit in my back seat; I pull them out.
I probably went overboard on the blankets, but the mountains tend to be a little rocky, and I wanted her to be comfortable.
Splaying them out on the ground, I grab a couple of rocks for the corners, because you never know when the Wyoming wind is going to come in and give you a hard time.
The cooler gets set on the last free corner of the blanket.
I pull out our food. Fresh fruits, pickles, her favorite chips and dips, and of course a dozen of her mom’s cookies.
She’s been obsessed with these organic protein shakes, so I grabbed one of those too, trying to add at least some nutritional value.
I help her to a sitting position, something that looks like it takes a hell of a lot of work these days. She hit thirty-six weeks this week and it feels like the bump gets a bit bigger each day. "Alright, let’s get you fed, honey.” Women truly do not get enough credit for what their bodies do.
She stretches out, leaning back on her arms.
“You and all this food. Dare I say this might just have been the most perfect day of my existence?” She quirks a brow at me.
“I’ll gladly take the first place title of the perfect day for now. I have a feeling meeting that little guy in there might top it.”
She tips her head back and forth. “I do think he is going to beat you out. I can’t believe we only have four weeks left. I feel huge now.”
“It feels like it’s been a blink of an eye but eternity all at the same time. I wonder what he will be like?” I think out loud.
“I think he will inherit my attitude; I think all Taylors do. But I hope he gets your work ethic and kindness.”
“As long as he is healthy and happy, he can be whoever he wants to be. But, God help me if his attitude matches yours.”
“Hey! You love that about me,” she points out.
“I do. Among many other things.” I get quiet for a while, a thought coming to my head, “You know, I think the best part of this is our kids will get to see what being in love really looks like. You had it with your parents, but mine were different. I learned it from your family. Our kids will grow up in a house of love. I think that’s the best part of it all. ”
“That’s the only goal I have. Raise happy babies and be happy with you until our time here is done.”
I pull her closer, looking up to the stars just as one shoots across the sky. I’d make a wish, but I don’t need to anymore. I’ve got all I could ever need.