Atlas parks the car and eyes me to wait while he gets around to my side.
Carefully, he helps me down and we walk over to the picnic waiting for us, no doubt set up by Emmett, Liam, and Noah.
There are some candles lit all around for light as the sun sets, our big outdoor blanket is laid on the ground, and our giant cooler is there. Our little speaker plays music softly, and the boys run over to me to envelop me in a hug.
"Hi, Mama!" Noah chirps, and Liam hugs me too, but he smiles brightly when he looks over my shoulder.
"Hi, my babies," I say, kissing each of their heads. "How did you—Atlas, what are you doing?"
I freeze when I turn around and see my husband kneeling, looking up at me with big, soft brown eyes.
"Wendy, baby," Atlas takes my left hand in his, "I love you. I love you more than words can even say. For a year, I let my fear override that love, and I made stupid decisions to ignore you and our boys. I told you once that I would earn back your love, second by second."
"Atlas, you have..." I say, and he leans forward to press his lips to the back of my hand.
"If this year has taught me anything, it's that I need to treat every single second like it matters. Because it does. Every second with you and the boys is a gift that I'll never take for granted. So, Wendy, will you let me keep being married to you, keep treating you like you deserve? Will you let me love you and protect you for the rest of our lives?"
I'm nodding my head before he even finishes, which makesthe smile on his face grow brighter. "Yes, Atlas. Always."
"Always," he echoes, before glancing over to Liam and Noah, who are watching us with smiles on their faces.
Liam reaches into his pocket and tosses a small box to his dad. Atlas smiles before opening it, revealing a gorgeous new diamond ring and a matching band.
"Atlas..."
"I wanted things to remain the same, but I also wanted to start fresh in a way," Atlas says, gently taking my rings from my finger and sliding the new ones on. "And you've been overdue for an upgrade, baby."
It's beautiful. Pear-shaped diamond on gold and a curved diamond wedding band. He definitely talked to Taylor. The old set I always loved, since Atlas bought it with money from working at Durant Auto during the summers. I had been pregnant with Liam at the time, and I cried when he proposed here in this exact spot.
Now, all these years later, he's doing the same with our boys here to witness it.
Atlas stands, and I cradle his face in my hands. His beard tickles my palms and I kiss him deeply.
"Ewww...." Noah gags, and we break apart laughing to see Liam playfully shoving his brother.
"You'll understand one day," Liam grins, a lovesick look on his face as he no doubt thinks about Birdie.
"Alright, alright, let's eat," Atlas says, pressing a kiss to my forehead before helping me over to the blanket. He eases us down on it, and Liam opens the cooler, pulling out sandwiches and a bag of chips and our drinks.
As we eat, Atlas gently nudges me and motions to look at the tree.
When I do, my heart warms. Under our initials, Atlas carved a new word in. The perfect word for us.
Always.
There will be more battles.
More heartbreak. More happiness. More laughter. More tears.
More death. More life.
But with my husband by my side, we will face it together.
I love Atlas Durant.
I always have.
And I always will.
