Hammy
One year later
“I
think everything is ready!”Annettesays as she opens the oven.
“Here,I’vegot this,”Isay, making sure not to step onSparkasItake the honey-glazed ham out of the oven.Annettepulls out the dish of scalloped potatoes, andItake out the roastedBrusselssprouts.ThenAnnetteputs in the apple crisp so it’ll be cooked and slightly cooled by the time we eat it.
We’veall been working together in the kitchen to prepare the meal—AnnetteandI, along withReeseandDylan,Dylan’swife,Jenna, their toddler daughter,Jovie, and their newborn son,Dax.
Well, technicallyDaxhasn’t been helping unless you count how great he is at “keeping spirits bright.”He’sonly a few weeks old, and he’s the cutest thingI’veever seen.Thisis, hands-down, the bestChristmasEveI’veever had.
Iput my arms aroundAnnette, drop her into a dip, and give her a kiss.Imean for it to be a peck, butAnnettepresses her lips into mine like she wants us to stay like this forever, and it’s allIcan do to lift her upright and pull away after a couple of seconds.
“Geta room!”Joviesays in her cute littleI-recently-learned-how-to-talk voice.Thenshe starts laughing uncontrollably, her little hands on her belly.Dylan, who’s setting the table, is trying to look like he’s innocent and didn’t just whisper toJovieto say that.
Reeseturns from where she’s putting buttery rolls into a basket at the counter and points at her brother. “Youguys can’t complain—you’re the ones who gave her the ‘KisstheChristmasBride’ apron.”
AnnetteandIgot married two days ago, on the one-year anniversary of her seeing the real me.Wehad the ceremony and celebration at a rustic barn here inCipherSprings.Everythingwas decorated in white, silver, and ice blue, with twinkling lights and candle-lit lanterns.Weeven had several cozy fires burning in outdoor pits where guests could gather with blankets and mugs of hot cocoa and cider as they socialized.
Sure, a snowstorm the morning of the wedding threatened to close roads, one of the songs for the dancing portion of the evening (TheChickenDance) accidentally played as the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle, andJoviedecided she was done being the flower girl halfway through sprinkling flower petals and chucked the basket, hitting a guest, but it made a perfect day all the more memorable.Everyonewe love celebrated with us.Annettewas a vision, andI’llforever keep in memory the image of her across from me as we said our vows.
Reese,Dylan,Jenna, and the kids stayed here for the wedding and are staying throughChristmas.Havingeveryoneunder one roof has been unlike anythingI’veexperienced, and my life feels infinitely richer having experienced it now.
Andthe day afterChristmas, we’ll be leaving on our honeymoon for a tropical adventure inFrenchPolynesia.
We’removing the serving platters to the table asJennacomes in, holding the freshly-changed and awake little bundle of joy. “IthinkDaxcan tell it’s dinnertime because he’s awake and wanting attention.”
“Ofcourse he is,”Isay. “HowaboutIhold him while you eat?”Jennalooks like she’s starving and truth be told,I’vebeen snitching enough bites as we’ve been cooking thatIhave no problem waiting.Especiallyif it means holdingDax.
Jennalooks at the baby in her arms. “Hey, sweetie.Doyou wantGrandpato hold you?”
Grandpa.I’mbeaming.IknowI’mbeaming.Beinggiven that title is the coolest thing in the world.
Sheplaces him into my arms, andIcradle him so gently.Annettecomes up to my side and we soak in how amazing this tiny person is and how great it is to be together.Afterwe say grace and everyone starts dishing up and eating,Imake faces and funny sounds at the little guy and let him wrap his hand around my finger.
“Youknow,”Isay, “Isaw a plaque once that said something along the lines of ‘IfI’dknown that grandkids would be so much fun,I’dhave had them first.’NotthatI’veexperienced it both ways, butIhave to say this is a pretty great way to go about it.”
ImeetAnnette’seyes and we both smile.Iknow she’s enjoying this day as much asIam.I’mgoing to snapshot today and keep it forever in memory, too.
Ilove my life.IwishIhad foundAnnettewhenIwas a young intelligence operative in the field and could tell myself a relationship was possible.Mylife would’ve been so different if she’d been in it all this time.
Although, maybeIneeded to go through everythingIdid to become the right person for her.SoI’lljust be grateful thatIhave her in my life now and going forward.Becausesomething tells meI’llbe snapshotting in memory every day from here on out.
