Page 393 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I smile, “I not only carried you inside, I grabbed that from behind the seat as well. I thought it needed a place of honor as soon as we got home. Like Noah told me, every family needs a sign."

She doesn't speak right away. Then she whispers, almost to herself, "The Walkers. Annette Walker."

I step beside her. "How does it sound?"

She turns toward me, the tears already shining in her eyes answer before she does.

"It sounds..."

She shakes her head, laughing softly through those tears.

"...like I've been searching for it my whole life."

I wrap my arms around her and she melts against me without hesitation, resting her cheek against my chest.

Neither of us speaks.

The quiet isn't empty.

It's peaceful.

The kind of peace I'd spent years convincing myself didn't exist.

***

After another minute she tips her head back and smiles.

"I should probably get out of this dress before I wrinkle it beyond repair."

"I was hoping you'd keep it on forever."

She raises one eyebrow. “Really, Jamie?” And I admit I have to blush myself.

"You know how many buttons are on the back?"

"I noticed there were a few."

She laughs. "A few?"

"There may have been...several."

"Hundreds."

"I counted at least twelve."

She smiles mischievously. "You were looking?"

I stare at her with exaggerated innocence. "I am a married man. I believe looking is now encouraged."

She laughs again, that beautiful laugh that still feels like a gift every time I hear it.

"Come on."

She turns, lifting her hair over one shoulder. "I may need some help."

I stop breathing.

The elegant sweep of her gown leaves most of her back framed by delicate lace that rests lightly across her shoulders. A single row of tiny pearl buttons appears from between her shoulder blades to well below her waist.