"You've changed," she observes."From who you were when first met."
"You changed me.This family changed me."
"No.You changed yourself.I just gave you a reason to."
Maybe she's right.Maybe I had the capacity for this all along, buried under years of violence and vengeance.Maybe I just needed something worth being better for.
"I'm glad you said yes," I tell her.
"I'm glad you asked."
"Even without a ring?"
"Especially without a ring.Because it means you were just following your heart, not following some script of how it's supposed to go."
"I'll still get you one, something that makes every woman jealous when they see it."
She laughs."You don't have to."
"I want to.I want everyone to know you're mine."
"I'm already yours.Have been for a while now."
"Yeah, you have."
We sit in comfortable silence, just being together.In the distance, I can hear the city sounds.Cars, sirens, life continuing on.But here, in our backyard, it's peaceful.
Safe.
Home.
"When should we do it?"Evangeline asks."The wedding?"
"Whenever you want.Tomorrow if you're willing."
"The kids would kill us if we didn't let them be part of it."
"True.So a few weeks?A month?Let them help plan it?"
"That sounds perfect."
I kiss the top of her head, breathing her in.Lavender and vanilla and home.
"I love you," I tell her.
"I love you too.So much."
We stay out there until the cold drives us inside.Then we check on each kid, making sure they're sleeping soundly.Sophie's tangled in her pink sheets.Emma's hugging a stuffed animal.The boys are sprawled in every direction.Lily's curled up tight.
All safe.All ours.
In our room, we undress and climb into bed.Evangeline curls into me immediately, her cold feet pressed against my legs.
"Your feet are freezing," I complain without heat.
"Then warm them up."
I do, wrapping my legs around hers.She sighs contentedly.
