Page 94 of Midlife Crisis

“That’s beautiful, Hank. Thank you.” The room grows quiet, and I’m center stage again. This isn’t the big moment, but…

“I have something for you as well.” I walk around the island, not certain her kitchen is the best place to handle this, but I want the boys as witnesses. “You already know how I feel about you. I love you. Tonight, I told the boys the same thing. I’d like to be part of your family. I’m not pressuring you. There’s no rush, I just want you to know I’m all in. You’re my someone.” I reach into my pocket and pull out a band of tiny cut diamonds.

“Hank.” She gasps, covering her lips with her fingers.

“This is a promise ring. A promise that you’re the only one for me, and I want to be the only one for you. I want more. And I promise, one day, I’ll ask.”

Her head pops up.

“One day, I’ll ask,” I repeat softly.

“Yes,” Midge blurts, her eyes filling with liquid, but her face is anything but sad.

“I don’t want to rush things.” The idea of moving in with her, it’s a big step…another step…in the right direction, but I understand she has the boys, and if I move in, there needs to be a solid commitment.

“Yes.” Midge giggles.

“I didn’t ask anything.” I snort, chuckling at her enthusiasm.

“Yes. To the promise of one day then.” She holds out her left hand, and I slip the ring on her third finger. My own eyes might water a bit at the sight. One day might be too long to wait.

40!

He popped

[Midge]

The boys have gone to Paul’s wedding. I respectfully declined the invitation, and Hank wants to take me out to celebrate. A real date, he says, although I don’t want to see him all stuffy in a suit. We agree on a drive out to the beach and a casual seafood shack. He has a key to my house, and I hear him let himself in. I’m still in the bathroom, fixing my makeup. I don’t wear much, but I want to look nice, maybe freshen the look a little. I’m wearing another surprise under this dress as he told me how much he really did like the purple number I wore to seduce him. A simple wraparound dress covers me for now.

As I hear him climb the stairs, I look at the ring on my finger. With little diamonds, it sparkles in the light. It’s not pretentious or flashy, but petite and pretty, like me, Hank says.

“Middy?”

“I’m in the bathroom.” It’s still bright enough in the early summer evening I don’t need a light in the room. I have a candle burning from the bath I took, taking a few minutes to relax before our night together. The boys will be staying at the hotel with my former in-laws after Paul’s reception, so Hank and I have the house to ourselves.

He enters the bathroom and stops the second his eyes meet mine in the mirror.

“You are so beautiful.” He exhales on the compliment, and I blush as he steps up behind me. His cheek presses to mine as he wraps his arms around me from behind. He stares at us a moment.

“We look good together,” he says to the reflection. We do.

“We look happy.”

His smile grows. “I am.” He kisses my neck before looking up at me again. “I’m happy to be your someone.”

I chuckle at his sweetness. “I’m honored to be your someone.” This earns me another kiss, and he lingers at my neck.

“You know I want more with you.” It’s a question, but it doesn’t need an answer. I know he wants everything with me, and I’m pleased to give him whatever he needs. His hand slips to mine, and he flattens my palm to force my fingers wide. He peers over my shoulder and down at the ring.

“Is this the day you promised?” I tease. It’s become an occasional joke.

“Today?” I’d question. He’d respond with a kiss and say, “Not yet.” He understands I’m teasing. There’s no rush, as he said, although I miss him at night when he can’t stay in my bed.

“I can’t ask you in the bathroom.” He chuckles against my skin, and I shiver.

“Yes, you can. Besides, the bathroom is where we met.” His eyes leap up to mine, his arm tightening on my waist, and I grin.

“Midge,” he groans, staring back at me in the mirror. My smile falls, but it doesn’t disappear. I’m just joking. My body melts into his, holding his silver eyes with mine. He looks at me now the same way he did the first night we met, like he wants to give me something and take something. How strange it is to find it’s love. Both sides. Two sticks for drumming as he once told me. Give and take. It’s a rhythm, and the beat matches our hearts.