“You didn’t even give me any hints on what we doing, so I don’t even know what to wear,” I said as I came downstairs.
Seth and S3 were deep into a video game, controllers clicking nonstop. Shiloh had his toys scattered all over the floor, while he and Savior played their little hearts out, completely in their own world.
“You look amazing in everything you wear,” Seth said, getting up to pull me into a hug and a kiss.
Then he bit his lip like he really thought we could sneak in a quickie with three wide awake little boys running the house.
“Don’t even give me that look,” I said, already knowing what he was thinking. “You know Savior and Shiloh not even having it.”
“Yeah,” he laughed, smacking my ass and biting my neck, “because your sons some haters.”
I shook my head, trying not to smile.
“Let’s go,” Seth said, scooping up Savior and Shiloh in one smooth motion.
S3 cut the game off without a word. I grabbed my purse and Savior’s bookbag, then reached for S3’s hand as we headed out.
Once we were all settled in the truck, Seth strapped the boys into their car seats and immediately handed them their iPads. That told me this was about to be a long drive and he wanted them entertained.
“So, no hint where we about to go?” I asked.
“Family day,” was all he said as he backed out of the garage and hit the remote to open the gate.
He typed the address into the GPS, and it was nowhere I recognized. When I saw it was two hours away, I already regretted not packing snacks. Because at that point, this wasn’t just a drive. This was a road trip.
“So,” Seth asked as we merged onto the highway, “what’s your plans for thirty-four?”
I smiled, staring out at the road ahead before reaching over to grab my husband’s hand. “Honestly? I already got everything a girl could dream of. I just want more health, more life, and more love.”
He squeezed my hand a little tighter as we headed toward our destination. I didn’t even realize when we arrived. I didn’t feel the truck park. Didn’t hear Seth get the boys out. I was woken by soft kisses as he stood in the open passenger door, his three little triplets lined up behind him like soldiers.
“We here, Mama,” he said, grabbing my hand to help me down.
“Damn, I slept the whole ride,” I muttered, still half out of it.
“Snorin’ like a grizzly,” Seth said, and he and S3 burst out laughing.
“Whatever. I know you two ain’t talkin’,” I shot back, grabbing my purse and handing Seth Savior’s bookbag.
“Just admit you be snorin’,” Seth teased as he locked up the truck and we headed toward the building.
“Marines, you did it,” I read out loud, slowing down as we passed a welcome sign and stepped inside.
Seth signed us in, leaning over to whisper something to the woman at the desk. She smiled and pointed us in the same direction as the other visitors.
“Seth what is this?” I asked, my voice low.
We were surrounded by Marines and their families.He didn’t take me to a Marine base, I thought. Did he buy me a Marine base?I immediately shook the thought away.Wait, can you even do that?
“Wait a minute,” Seth said gently.
Before I could ask anything else, he slipped a blindfold over my eyes.
“Seth what?” I laughed nervously.
“Just hold my hand,” he whispered. “I got you. Have I ever led you wrong?”
And just like that, I went still. Because one thing about Seth, he never led me wrong. He was the kind of husband you submitted to because you trusted him. He led with partnership, with protection, with purpose. Home always comes first. I always came first. And our boys never lacked a thing.
