Chapter 49
MOLLY
There’s something magical about waking up in a hotel room where the morning light pours in like warm honey and the scent of fresh Mickey Mouse shaped waffles drifts through the hallways and into the rooms. The cheerful hum of families heading off to the park buzzes just outside of our door, mingling with the laughter and excited shrieks of children and the distant jingle of Disney music playing from the hidden speakers.
Somewhere out there, Goofy is greeting a crowd, Cinderella is hugging a little girl who dreams of one day being a princess just like her, and the spinning teacups are already whirling.
But inside of this room? It's still quiet. Soft. Peaceful. I’m excited to get out there and join in the fun, but these few minutes of quiet reflection are good too and I try not to make any noise and risk spoiling this moment.
Joshua is lying beside me, his breathing deep and even, his dark lashes casting shadows over his cheeks.
He lays on his side facing me, his arm slung across my tummy.
I can feel his chest rising and falling against my side in an easy, steady rhythm.
He looks younger like this. Like the weight he always wears at work has melted away in the presence of sunshine and stuffed animals and cotton candy.
I gently lift his arm away and I turn carefully, not wanting to wake him up just yet, and my eyes land on the little bundle of curls peeking out of the covers in the next bed. Autumn.
She’s curled up with her plush Stitch toy, wearing her Moana pajamas. Her rosebud lips are slightly parted as she sleeps. One of her hands is flung above her head, her tiny pink fingernails catching the light. She’s the picture of contentment, her face soft and serene.
I can’t believe it’s been six weeks. It feels like it’s been only days sometimes and then other times, it feels like a lifetime has gone by.
It’s been six weeks since Joshua walked back into my apartment and asked me to marry him.
Six weeks since the world turned on its axis and started spinning in a whole new direction.
And in that time, he’s shown up for us every single day, coming home with me after work and getting to know Autumn.
He has taken her to the park to play on the swings and feed the ducks. They played ballgames and had a picnic there, one that resulted in Autumn coming home with ice cream all over her chin and in her hair, and the biggest smile on her little face.
He has built pillow forts with her in the living room, let her do his hair with tiny plastic clips and glittery barrettes.
He has read her bedtime stories with different voices for each character, and he regularly sings Let It Go in an off-key voice just to make her laugh.
He has even learned how to braid her hair - badly, but with enthusiasm.
He has been patient and gentle with her and it shows. She really loves having him around.
So yeah. In short, he’s been incredible.
And now we’re here in Disneyland. It’s Autumn’s first time here, and it’s our first real trip as a family. It’s everything I never dared to dream of.