“You have nothing but time to fill that entire book up until every inch of every page is covered. It’s no rush, baby. You have perfect timing.” I had to assure her that all was well. Sometimes, she would get so wrapped up in her projects that she would convince herself the world would end if she didn’t finish by whatever deadline she had set for herself.
I was teaching her how beautiful time was, especially the type where you could lose yourself in a project for days, weeks, or months at a time. The glow that Grai got from being creative could be felt by the boys and me. We benefitted from her radiance, and I wouldn’t allow anything to taint that, not even the unrealistic expectations she set for herself. She wasn’t even allowed to be her own worst enemy when I was around.
I could hear the curve of her smile when she spoke. “You always know what to say.”
“Because I’m your man.” She nodded, falling silent. I watched her begin to fidget with the rug aimlessly. “What’s onyour mind, Bubbles?” When she lifted her head to glance at me, I saw unshed tears in her eyes. I instantly went on alert. “What? What is it, baby?”
She shook her head and sniffled. “Nothing. It’s kinda silly really.” I tilted my head to the side and tucked her hair behind her ear. When she realized I was waiting for her to continue, she pouted. “I just thought we would’ve gotten pregnant by now,” she admitted in a soft voice.
I felt a ripple of agony over the surface of my skin. Here she was again, stressing herself out about things that were beyond our control. “Baby, when I told you I wanted to have a baby, I never said it had to be today, tomorrow, or next year. All we can do is our part, but the rest of it is up to God. Might I add, I’ve been quite enjoying our part, and I know you have too.” I wiggled my eyebrows for dramatic flair, and she snickered.
She fluffed her hair and huffed. “I know you’re right. I told you it was silly.”
I smiled, figuring there was no better time than the present. “Nah, I don’t think it’s silly at all. I actually think she’s waiting for something first.”
“She?” she repeated with a raised brow.
I nodded. “Yeah, our baby girl. I think she’s waiting on something first.”
“Something like what?” she asked, becoming invested. “Our life is already perfect.”
I tapped my chin. “Yeah, it kinda is except for this one little thing.” Before she could flood me with questions, I called for the boys. “Ace! Loh!”
Their feet could be heard thundering against the floor. I knew they were waiting for this moment all night. Grai cooed when they came into the room wearing white dress shirts, black slacks, and red suspenders. Both had a rose tucked in their pocket.
“Can you boys escort your mother outside for me?”
“Of course,” Ace replied with a grin. “Come on, Ma.”
She wore a shocked expression as I helped her off the floor. I could see the wheels in her mind spinning as she tried to make sense of what was happening. After both took a hand, they began walking her toward the backyard.
I followed closely behind, enjoying the anticipation swelling around us. My heart was racing, but not in fear—in excitement for what was to come. This was the beginning of something beautiful.
Grai gasped when we got to the back door. I opened it to reveal a red carpet covered in rose petals that led into the backyard. “I knew you were up to something,” she squealed and wiggled her nose.
I chuckled. “You did, and I thank you for not ruining the surprise.”
“I didn’t want to look until you wanted me to.”
I appreciated that. She could obviously tell I was working on something because I had a tarp hanging, hiding the entire section of the yard I was turning into her rose garden. The boys and I worked on the project all week long, and I had to say they’d really pulled their weight. They wanted their mother to have this moment as badly as I wanted to give it to her.
“Close your eyes,” I told her. She did as she was told while I went to stand by the tarp. I nodded for the boys to bring her closer. “Open them on three.” This was dramatic as fuck, but I loved every second of it. I couldn’t wait to see the expression on her face when she saw what we’d done. It was the reason I had a camera hidden to capture everything in detail. I would need to replay this moment over and over for the rest of my life. I never wanted to forget the day I would make Grai mine for life.
“One. Two. Three!” She opened her eyes at the same time I snatched down the tarp.
“Oh my goodness,” she gushed as her hands cupped her mouth.
Because it was nighttime, the mini lanterns throughout the garden were lit, creating a magical aura. She walked up to the wrought-iron trellis covered in climbing white and pink roses. We made a low rose hedge wall that was in the shape of a heart. In the center was the bench we’d been making for her. It was painted white, polished, and was the perfect addition to her special place.
She ran her fingers over the carved words on the bench’s back. “For my dearest Grai. Where there’s roses, there’s love.” Her bottom lip was trembling when she glanced at me standing by the bench. “You did all this?”
I nodded proudly. “My boys helped. Matter fact, turn around.”
When she did, she found the boys standing there, holding up their hand-painted signs. I dropped to my knee, waiting for her to read them. Ace’s sign said ‘Will you,’ while Loh’s sign said ‘marry Poppa?’ Grai shrieked after reading the message. By the time she turned to face me, I was just waiting to pop the question with the velvet plum ring box in hand.
“Lyrix . . .”
“I think our daughter wants you to be a wife when she comes into this world. I know you said our life was perfect, and that’s true, but you’ve been missing my last name, Bubbles. I’m ready to change that and really do forever with you and our boys.” I released a shaky breath as I became emotional. I slowly popped open the box. By the time I showed it to Grai, I was crying right along with her. “So, Grai Harlowe, will you marry me?”
