AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I blow out a ragged breath and she laughs again. “I totally thought I forgot to do something.”
She bops me on the nose and says, “You’re cute when you’re nervous.”
“Ha. Ha. Just hurry up and get the kids and come home.”
"Okay." She kisses my lips one last time and I can feel the warmth all the way down to my toes.
A half-hour later, I see her pull onto our street from the porch. I stand and try to steady my shaking hands.
I hope she likes it.
After she parks in our driveway, she climbs out of her van and closes her door. When she turns to walk in my direction, her mouth falls open when she sees me standing in front of the swing on the porch.
“Marco…” she whispers as she places both hands over her heart and walks over to me.
All four kids have piled out of their doors now and race past her to run onto the porch.
“That’s so cool, Dad,” Johnathan says as he walks around it to inspect my craftsmanship like the wise old soul he is.
“Can I try it?” Liliana shouts.
“Me too!” Olivia adds next to her.
Camden doesn’t wait for permission and flops down on his belly laughing. The swing begins to rock.
I laugh at their excitement and say, “Okay, okay. We need to take care of Momma’s swing and not be too rough. Do you think we can do that?” They all nod. “Camden, scoot over so everyone can join you, alright?”
Camden brings the swing to a stop and sits up to make room for his siblings. Once seated, they all slowly swing together.
Ellie hasn’t said anything since she walked up and stood next to me. I look over at her and her eyes are full of unshed tears.
“Do you like it?” I ask.
Whispering, she says, “Oh, love. It’s absolutely perfect. I love it so much.” She reaches up to pull me down for a hug and while her arms are around my shoulders, she whispers into my ear, “I love you so much, Marco.”
I whisper back, “I love you more, Ellie.”
We linger in our embrace, clinging on to each other a few moments longer. When I pull back, I wipe the tears off her cheeks and then tell the kids, “Let’s give Mom a turn on the swing, yeah? You guys can play in the front yard.”
They all nod their little heads and hop off the swing and then start to chase each other around.
I motion down at the swing with my hand, and she smiles brightly before she sits down. I join her and we begin to sway slowly, our fingers intertwined and her head on my shoulder.
“I can see us on this swing now, watching the kids get older and then one day watching our grandkids from here too,” she says.
Overcome with my love for her, I stop the swing and blurt out, “Marry me.”
She laughs and then raises her head to look me in the eyes. “What?” Her confusion is written on her face. “I thought I already did that.”
“Marry me again.” I grab both her hands in mine.
“What are you talking about?” She giggles.
“Ellie, I want to grow old with you and watch our kids and grandkids from this swing. I want you to marry meagain.”She’s still looking at me like I’ve lost my mind but I’m dead serious, so I continue.“I want to stand up in front of our kids, family, and friends to rededicate my love for you. What do you say? Will you marry me,again?”
“You’re serious.” Her beautiful eyes bore into mine.
“Absolutely. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” I grip her hands even tighter in mine.
