Not long after I was shot, we confessed to everyone that the engagement was fake, and while everyone knew the whole time, it was nice to get it off our chests.
The trial for the trafficking ring ended a few weeks ago with Chaz getting twenty years to life behind bars, and the men who shot Henry and I getting the same. All the other accomplices have their sentencing in a few weeks, so hopefully that ends similarly.
Arlo is still as obsessed with her as he was the first day they met. Only now, instead of calling her “my”, he calls her Auntie Nannah. It’s adorable. We recently celebrated the twins’ second birthday, as well as Cooper’s first birthday.
Tonight is going to be something a little different. Hannah still hates surprises, but I think she’s going to enjoy this one.
She strides out into the living room, and fuck if she isn’t the most beautiful girl in the world. She has on a gorgeous rust orange tulle sundress on. Her hair is curled loosely and she has light makeup on, similar to the night of our first date. It’s perfect, never covering her beautiful freckles that I adore so much.
“You look stunning, baby,” I say, rising to my feet. I’m wearing a pair of dress pants and a nice button down shirt, fit for the occasion. “Ready?”
“I’d be more ready if you’d tell me what we were doing,” Hannah replies, reaching out to take my hand.
“Can’t do that, my love.” I subtly pat the right pocket ofmy pants to make sure I have it. Thankfully the outline is small, but it’s there.
Arson follows us to the door, and we both give him some extra love before we leave. I take Hannah’s hand in mine as I lead her to my truck, helping her up and in before getting in the other side.
“Thomas,” she groans as we pull away from our house. “Surprises are not my thing.”
“I know, baby. But you trust me, right?”
She glares at me. “Of course I do.”
“So trust that I am taking care of you, and would never do anything to make you uncomfortable. Okay?”
She reaches over, taking my hand. “Okay.”
I drive us out of town to a restaurant that isn’t very busy, especially on a weeknight. The parking lot only has two other cars in it, but it’s a nice restaurant, so I made sure to make a reservation anyway in a quiet corner where we will be able to talk.
I give the hostess my name, and she leads us to the far corner, seating us and offering a glass of wine. We both accept and she pours us each some white wine before excusing herself, leaving us to look at the menu.
“So, you brought me to a nice dinner? That was the surprise? You didn’t need to get me all hyped up for that, Thomas,” Hannah says with a small smile, taking a sip of her wine.
“Mhmm,” I murmur, perusing the menu with my eyes, fully knowing that the real surprises are yet to come.
Not even five minutes later, I see them arrive from the corner of my eye. I jerk my head in our direction, letting them know to come. They get the message, and quickly walk to us. They stand at the table, and Hannah lifts hergaze from the menu with a smile, expecting it to be the waitress.
“Can we join you?” Dottie asks, a huge grin on her face. Ron stands at her side, an arm wrapped around her waist.
“Oh my god, what are you doing here?” Hannah shrieks, standing from the table to wrap both of them in a hug.
I do the same, acknowledging the pointed looks that they both give me while also giving one back. They know what my other surprise for Hannah is, but that won’t come until later, when it’s just us.
Ron and Dottie sit down with us and we spend the entire dinner talking. In the last year since we left Missouri, we have only seen them a few times when they came up to Minnesota for some of Fletcher’s games.
We talk on the phone with them at least once a week where they update us on Dave’s recent antics, and the new animals they have on their small farm. Dottie also shares recipes with Hannah, and some of the food that comes out of it is incredible. I miss the solitude of the farm somedays, but also wouldn’t trade this life with Hannah for anything.
The entire evening is spent catching up with each other and making plans for the rest of the time they are in town. Both Hannah and I are off work the next five days, so it’s perfect timing. They’re going to stay at my parent’s house and come to Sunday brunch this week. The Sunday brunch crew has grown since the addition of Hannah to our family. Now, her Grandma comes every week, as well as Tiff and Julia when they’re able to.
My family has grown in size over the years, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.
After we finish dinner, we say goodbye to them for now, and I take Hannah’s hand in mine as we walk out to ourvehicle. “Thank you,” she murmurs, resting her head on my chest.
I press a kiss to her forehead. “Of course,” I reply.
“That was a great surprise. I’ve missed them so much.”
“I have too. We will have to go visit them soon, too.”
