I took her hand and we joined the group of people who came to celebrate the reopening of the cancer support center. I liked being able to see their joy at the first big project Terra and my foundation had taken on, but I was emotionally drained and wanted to get away to be with my wife.
We made the rounds, talking with everyone who’d come to support the opening, but at the first chance, I’d led her outside to the car.
“Your guests will miss you,” she said.
“They’ll make do.” I drove us back towards my father-in-law where the kids were spending the day.
“I’m so proud of you, Brayden.”
I glanced at her. “You helped with this project too. We did it together.” We’d first come up with the idea during an emotional breakdown of sorts I had when we learned Terra’s cancer wasn’t responding as it should. It had been her idea to build a new facility, partly as a way to give back, but also to give me something to do to distract me. She joined in, at first just a little bit because she was weak from double doses of radiation and chemotherapy.
While the distraction helped, it wasn’t until three months ago when she was given a clean bill of health did I finally breathe again. We celebrated with a camping trip with the kids, who were better troopers than me over the last year.
“It’s a good thing. The center will support so many more people,” she said.
I nodded. “Hey, how about some ice cream?”
She laughed. “How did we get from the cancer center to ice cream?”
I shrugged. “I want ice cream.”
“I wouldn’t mind ice cream.”
I drove us to the ice cream shop, ordered our cones, and sat outside to look at the view as we ate. It was a clear, sunny day. Perfect for the cancer support center openings and spending time with my wife.
“Hey, what’s that?” I pointed out over the sound.
“What?” She looked out over the water. “What are you pointing at?”
“It’s nothing.” I went back to eating my ice cream.
She looked at me frowning like I’d gone nutty. I suppose I had. I was a goofball, totally and madly in love with my wife.
“How’s your ice cream?” I asked.
“It’s—” She stopped when she saw the diamond ring I bought to go along with her engagement and wedding band. “What’s this?”
I shrugged. “Secret prize?”
She plucked the ring from the cone and used her napkin to wipe off the ice cream. “It’s beautiful. What’s the occasion?”
I took the ring from her. “I love you. Isn’t that occasion enough?”
She smiled at me and it made my heart soar. I was the luckiest man in the world.
“Our ten-year anniversary is coming up and I want to renew our vows. I want to marry you all over again now that we’ve got a new lease on life. What do you say? Will you marry me again?”
“Yes. A million times yes,” she said as I slipped the ring on her finger. “I love you Brayden.”
“If it’s half as much as I love you, then I’m a lucky man, indeed.” I kissed her hand. “I’ve already reserved the Rose Garden and hired a minister, but I’ve left everything else up to you.”
She looked at me with stars in her eyes. It made me feel like I was Superman.
“Our anniversary isn’t that far away,” she said.
“Emma has gathered some ideas and quotes—”
“You brought her in on this? She never said.”
I cocked my head and gave her a guilty grin. “It gets worse than that. The kids know.”
“What?” She laughed. It made me remember the first time I heard her laugh after she was told the cancer was gone. It was light and lovely.
“They helped me pick the ring. Lanie wants to be your maid of honor and Noah the best man.”
“Of course.” She leaned in, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’m so lucky that you’re mine.”
“Funny, I think that every day.”
She tilted her head up, her green eyes filled with love shining at me. “That I’m lucky you’re mine?”
“That I’m lucky you’re mine.” I kissed her, sealing the deal.
We had dinner with the kids at her father’s house, announcing our re-engagement.
“Will there be kissing?” Lanie asked. “That’s embarrassing.” At seven years old, kissing was still revolting to her.
“Kissing is required,” Tom said. “You’re not married until the minister says ‘kiss the bride.’ But I agree, your parents kissing is embarrassing.”
“Huh?” I looked at Terra, pulling her to me and kissing her. “I have to say they’re wrong.”
“I don’t know, it’s a little embarrassing in front of my father,” Terra said, but she kissed me again.
Later as Terra was getting the kids packed up to go home, Tom pulled me aside. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for her.”
“I love her,” I said.
“I know. It does my heart good to see it. There was a time when I worried about it. Having been through this sort of thing with my own wife, I know the toll it takes on you. You’ve been strong for her and the kids. I know you feel like there was no other option, but not everyone can do it.”
I nodded. “To be honest, I had moments where I wasn’t doing very well.”
“That’s to be expected. I wish my wife had been here to meet you. She’d have liked you, Brayden. She probably even would have helped you and Terra through that rough patch better than me.”
“I wish I could have met her too.”
Terra entered the room. “You two planning world domination?”
“What’s world domination, mommy?” Noah asked next to her.
“They want to rule the world,” Lanie answered.
“Nah,” I said looking over my beautiful family. “Who needs the world when I have you three?”
“Good answer,” Tom said slapping me on the back.
“What were you talking about?” Terra asked me later that night as she climbed into bed next to me.
“He was saying what a great husband I was.” I pulled her to me, planning
