Chapter 27 #2
We all start going through boxes, and putting together the few items of furniture I’ve bought so far.
After a couple of hours, we order sandwiches from the place two doors down in the little shopping center we’re in.
It fuels us to keep unpacking and sorting as much as we can.
Gage and Carlo put together so many shelves in so little time that I’m dumbstruck.
By the time we’re ready to leave, Anita has all of the clothes sorted beautifully on the racks she brought in, the food area is looking like a lovely and well stocked pantry full of cans and other shelf stable items, and the career services area has a table chock full of material.
It’s fantastic progress. This dream of mine is taking shape into an absolutely beautiful reality, and it’s all thanks to these wonderful people who treat me like family.
Gage and I decide to go on a dinner date to celebrate making a lot of progress at the non-profit today.
He checks in with Iggy about how the bar is looking, getting a glowing report back.
It’s been so nice that Gage is able to step back from the day to day running of the bar as the owner, he’s around much more at home.
“I’m learning from my dad’s mistakes and finding balance,” he told me proudly one night when I remarked on it.
I love that for him, and it helps that the bar is in fantastic hands.
Between Iggy and Diana, things have been running like a well oiled machine.
He still works a ton, but it’s more in his home office, and not as much as when we first started living together.
We shower together to wash off the work we did today before our date, taking our time scrubbing each other’s hair and bodies with lingering touches. He watches avidly as I put on some makeup and blowout my hair in my underwear before slipping his arms around me and kissing my neck.
“You are the most beautiful woman on this planet, and I can’t believe you’re my wife,” he murmurs before sucking on my neck a little.
“Keep talking like that and we will not make it out the door for our date, and I really want that paella,” I breathe, turning to give him a kiss.
He chuckles.
“We’ll go get the paella, but I’m saving room to have dessert when we get home,” he croons, and I feel his smile on my neck as he buries his face there.
“Deal,” I laugh, shivers dancing down my spine at the wicked promise in his voice.
“How are you feeling now? Any pain?” he asks with a concerned knit to his brow, because he knows I’m about to be on my period.
“It’s so much better this month that I don’t know what to do with myself,” I tell him.
The relief of being pain free during my period is indescribable. Endometriosis doesn’t just go away, and I may need surgery again at some point if I get more lesions, but for now I feel so much better.
He puts on khakis, a pale blue button down, and navy blue jacket, while I slip into a simple black sweater dress paired with textured tights and ankle boots.
The Spanish restaurant, Malaga, that we’ve been wanting to try isn’t far.
It’s a fairly new place that’s been on our radar, and I’m so excited to check it out based on the rave reviews it keeps getting.
The meal is everything we could hope for and more.
The empanadas are to die for as an appetizer, with the most flaky and flavorful crust, and a beef filling so tender and flavorful, that I have to close my eyes in pleasure.
The paella for two is their signature dish, and it more than lives up to the hype.
They have a land only version with chicken and chorizo, the server assuring me that there’s no cross contamination with the shellfish.
The rice base and vegetables tie it all together in the most flavorful way.
Looking at Gage, I can’t help thinking how surreal my life is now.
I have the most wonderful person to go on dates with, and celebrate the little wins of life.
We’ve built something so special together, and it will keep evolving as our relationship grows.
It’s not something I ever thought I wanted or needed, but now I can’t imagine life without coming home to him and the birds.
For the first time in my life, there’s a true home for me to go to, and my own little family there who loves me.
The high from his proposal has yet to go away.
I’ll never forget his earnest, beautiful face as he got down on one knee, promising to love me forever, with the stunning waterfalls as a backdrop.
As long as I live, it will be etched in my psyche as one of the best memories of my life.
I didn’t end up with a fairy prince in a cottage like I had once dreamt as a kid.
Instead, I found the most real, substantial, steady, and passionate love beyond anything I could have ever thought possible.
“It’s been a great day,” I say, lifting my wine glass to his, my thoughts choking my voice.
He leans across the table and cups my cheek with his free hand.
“Any day with you is a great day,” he replies, looking deeply into my eyes as he clinks his glass to mine.