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Our twins, Sasha and Scotty, are splashing away in their little pool while Lucky darts back and forth, taunting them to throw more water on him. He’s a big boy now but hasn’t lost any of his puppy spirit. Our eldest, Shawn, is seated at the picnic table, playing checkers with my father.
“I can’t believe we almost put this place on the market,” Susan tells me. “It’s so nice to have children inside this house again. It brings back all of the good memories of raising Sara here.”
“We’re happy here,” I agree. “It may be getting a little small for the six of us, but Sara loves it and that’s what’s most important.”
“The six of you,” she laughs. “I love how you include the dog in everything.”
I put the last burger on the tray. “Of course I do. He’s a very important part of this family.”
Sara’s busy loading the table up with food, and I take a moment to watch her. She glides around with a gentle grace that few other women possess, and I’m still amazed at how perfect she is. Marriage, childbirth, and the ticking of time have had no effect on her. She’s still the same sexy little princess that I met that day at the animal shelter.
I set the burgers on the table, and she hands me a towel, so I retrieve the little ones from the pool and dry them off. Lucky yelps at me, so I throw the towel over him, and the kids burst out in laughter as I give him a quick pat down as well.
When we’re all seated and eating, my father asks, “So, what does the future hold for you, Sam? Almost twenty years in the fire department is a long time. Any thoughts about retiring?”
Sara grins and answers for me, “Actually, there’s some news on that front. Tell them, Sam.”
“Well, I think that I’m more than capable of continuing in my current duties, but Sara would like it if I take a step back. So, since the Chief is retiring this year, I applied for the position, and I found out yesterday that I got the job.”
“Fire Chief? That’s exciting,” Susan gushes.
“Congratulations, son. I’m very proud of you.” My father reaches over and pats me on the back.
Sara reaches for my hand and squeezes it in hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby,” I reply as I pull her for a quick kiss.
Lucky lays beside the table and waits for the twins to inevitably drop scraps of food to him, and Susan begins unboxing the souvenirs that she’s brought everyone from her trip. She has a doll for Sasha and a teddy bear in a chef’s hat for Scotty. Sara and I get matching Eiffel Tower tee shirts and a lecture on how we need to plan a trip to Europe for ourselves. She gives Shawn a soccer ball and explains in great detail how soccer is called football in Europe.
This wasn’t the life that I imagined for myself ten years ago, but it’s the only life I want.
“We’ve sure had an interesting journey, haven’t we?” Susan says, sipping her wine.
“What do you mean, Mom?” Sara asks her.
“When we found out about the two of you, I was so distraught. I never would have imagined that one day we’d be sitting here around your table with your children. I don’t think I’ve ever done it so, Sam, I’d like to apologize to you for that. I questioned your intentions when I didn’t have any reason to. I’m sorry.” Her voice is full of regret.
“You don’t need to apologize now, Susan. I was angry then, but now that I have my own kids, my own daughter, I understand. You were looking out for Sara, and who could blame you for that? Besides, if you hadn’t been the kind of parent that you were, she might not have become the amazing woman that she is today,” I reply, running my knuckle gently over Sara’s pink cheeks.
“Thank you, Sam.” She wipes a tear from her eye and continues, “But I can’t take the credit for Sara. She’s a better mother already than I ever was. These children are proof of that. They’re the light of my life.”
“Thanks, mom, I love you,” Sara adds.
The sun sets, and Dad and Susan say goodbye to the kids. I walk them out then return to the deck and sit down beside my beautiful wife. She has lit the candles on the table and poured us each a glass of wine. We watch the kids chase fireflies around the yard with Lucky right on their heels. I raise my glass to Sara and say, “Thank you, baby.”
“For what?” she asks.
“For all of this. For a wonderful dinner, for three beautiful children that I adore, for being the best mother and wife in the world while still managing to be the sexiest woman alive. I can’t even imagine what my life would have been like without you,” I tell her.
“Thank you for always saying such sweet things to me and for fathering these beautiful children that I get the privilege of waking up to every morning. Thank you for giving me this life. You literally walked through fire for me. You’re my hero, my savior, and the love of my life.” I raise my arm, and she moves closer, cuddling with me. I’m always amazed at how perfectly she fits me.
“I love you, little girl,” I tell her.
“I love you, too, daddy.”
The End.
