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She covers her mouth with her hand and squeals. “Of course, baby. I knew you were in love with that girl when you were in high school. I’m glad the two of you have ended up together. She’s good for you. I like the Romans. They’re good people. They took care of you when you needed a family the most. I’m sorry if your father’s pain over your brother’s death got in the way of us being together, but I’m also glad that it brought you closer to the love of your life.”
“I never thought I would get married,” I confess. “I was in too much pain for so many years that I never allowed anyone to get too close. Mia was the only one other than Will.”
My mom smiles so wide it reaches up to her green eyes that I got from her. “I’m happy you’re here. Can you stay the night? We can go through the photo albums. Mia will want some of the pictures for your wedding.”
I return her smile. “Sure, I can stay until morning.”
I spend the rest of the night pouring over old pictures with my mom, rehashing all of the memories I had long forgotten. Because of Mia, I’m remembering things I should never have left in the past. Because of her, I’m starting to feel whole again.
On our relaxing Sunday drive to the suburbs of Philadelphia, I roll down the convertible top. Mia throws her hands in the air, the wind blowing her hair as she glances over at me. She flashes a smile that illuminates her face.
I took the old Mustang Fastback out of storage. It only seemed fitting to recreate every memory from our past for the occasion.
Mia lowers her arms. She drops her hand to my knee and squeezes. “Where are we going?”
I tuck a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear to get a better look at her beautiful face. “Patience, little lamb. It’s a surprise.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing up her perky tits, and pretends to sulk. “Stupid wolf,” she mumbles under her breath, even though I can hear her.
I laugh. “Would you let me plan something without nagging me to death about every detail?”
“I’m an investigative journalist. It’s my job to ask questions.”
I nod, a smile forming.
After giving up on the Old City Records case, Mia found her big break. She followed a tip from one of her sources and landed a front-page spread about a local politician’s campaign tampering. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw Mia’s picture on the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer. She worked so hard to get there.
“Wait…” Mia turns her head from side to side, her mouth opening wide in shock. “Are you taking me to my parents’ old house? Why are we here?”
“I want to do something,” I say over the music. “For old times’ sake.”
She flashes a big smile when I pull into her parents’ old driveway and turn off the engine. “I hope we’re not breaking into the house.” The seriousness of her tone causes me to laugh. “I’ll do just about anything for you, but I’m not getting busted for breaking and entering.”
“Don’t be silly. I asked permission from the current owner.”
I open my car door, and Mia follows suit.
Confused, she meets me in front of the two-car garage. “I don’t get it.”
I press my index finger to her mouth. “Let me do what I came here to do. Okay?”
After she nods, I lower my hand and slip my fingers between hers, leading her into the backyard. I stop in front of the swing set that’s now showing its age. The metal bars are rusty, and the seats are worn but still the same place where I fell in love with the girl next door.
She smiles as if she knows what this means. At least I got her here without ruining the surprise. The ring has been burning a hole in my pocket for the last few months. I wanted to wait until winter passed, so we could sit outside and enjoy our day together. It was only a matter of finding the right time to pop the question. But I always knew the place. I’d marry Mia in this backyard right now if I could.
I grab the metal rope, and Mia sits on the swing.
“Tell me something good.”
Her face brightens. “You,” she says in her singsong voice. “It was always you.”
I bend down in front of her on one knee and place my hand on her thigh. “You were always mine. If only I had told you that when we were younger.”
She shrugs. “Ancient history. All that matters now is that we’re here together and creating new memories.”
“Exactly.” I reach into my pocket and remove the box.
Mia’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. “Oh my God!” She lowers her hand, her body trembling in the process.
