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Speaking of Jude, she had been trying to pick up Spanish too, much to my amusement. Her attempts were cute, and her accent was incredibly endearing, but her vocabulary… well, that could use some work.
As if on cue, she walked over to us with a smile, attempting to impress my parents with her newfound linguistic skills.
"Buenos tardes, suegros," she said with a confident grin. "Estoy muy caliente."
I burst into laughter, clutching my stomach as my parents tried to stifle their own giggles. Jude blushed a deep red, realizing her mistake. "I meant, estoy muy feliz!"
I pulled her to my side, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You're doing great, mi amor. Just remember, caliente is hot, feliz is happy."
She rolled her eyes at me, but I could see the laughter dancing in her gaze. "Yeah, yeah, I'll get it right next time."
"Can't wait to see what you come up with next," I teased, unable to resist. It was those moments, filled with love and laughter, that I cherished the most.
Despite the festive atmosphere and the laughter bouncing off the walls, I had anticipation curling in my gut. Our son turning one wasn't the only cause for celebration, and the small box hidden securely in my pocket was a testament to that.
As Jude expertly maneuvered around with the cake, the crowd singing “Happy Birthday”, my gaze found her parents. Her dad caught my eye and nodded his approval, an emotion that mirrored the pride swelling within my chest. Jude helped Corbin blow out the single candle on his birthday cake as everyone cheered.
Sally, Jude’s ever-prepared friend, had her camera at the ready. She was documenting every minute of Corbin's big day, but there was another important moment about to unfold. She turned the camera toward us, an excited grin playing on her lips. This was it.
I carefully positioned myself to stand behind Jude, dropping down on one knee. I heard an audible gasp from the room, but my attention was focused only on her, in anticipation of her turning around.
A piece of cake still in her hand, Jude turned, her eyes widening in surprise. The cake wobbled precariously as she stammered, almost dropping it onto my head. A collective giggle spread through the room, but then silence fell again as they all waited for her reaction.
She gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand, her eyes watering as she took in the sight of me down on one knee before her. The shock transformed into a squeal of delight, and in that moment, amidst the ensuing cheer and laughter, I knew I'd made the right decision.
The love of my life, the mother of my child, the woman who had turned my world upside down in the best possible way, was about to become my fiancée. And I couldn't wait to embark on our next journey together.
On my knee, with all our loved ones surrounding us, I looked up at Jude, her sparkling eyes wide with eagerness. I took a deep breath, preparing to bare my soul to her in front of everyone.
"Jude," I began, our eyes locked on one another’s. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew there was something special about you. Your wit, your resilience, and that incredible spark you carry drew me to you like a moth to a flame. You're not just beautiful, you're brave, intelligent, and fiercely independent."
The room was quiet as a tomb, with everyone holding their breaths. Jude's hand was over her mouth, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I smiled, the corner of my mouth tilting up in that cocky way she claimed to hate but secretly loved.
"You’ve given me the best gift of all—Corbin." I glanced at our son, busy with his cake, oblivious to the gravity of the moment. "Being a father has made me a better man, and it's all because of you."
I swallowed, the lump in my throat making it a little hard to speak. But I had to finish, to say the words that were burning inside me. "You are my best friend, my love, my partner in crime. Every single day with you is a new adventure. You challenge me, push me, and love me in ways I never thought possible. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, fighting battles, overcoming challenges, and raising our beautiful son. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me, Jude?"
Then in a lower voice, almost a whisper meant only for her, I said the three words I knew she understood in Spanish, "Te amo, Jude."
With that, I opened the small box, the beautiful diamond ring catching the light that poured in through our towering windows.
For a moment the room was silent. Then a shout of 'yes' broke the quiet and with a nod of her head, she flung herself into my arms. The room erupted in applause and cheers. As I held her close, her laughter ringing in my ears, I knew I had everything I could ever want. I had my family, my love, and my future, all wrapped up in the woman in my arms.
Epilogue II
Jude
Two months later…
Fall had splashed its breathtaking palette over the Colorado wilderness, and Tony's cabin—our cabin—was a painting come to life. The aspens shimmered in hues of gold and amber, a stark contrast to the dark green of the pines, and the air was crisp with the bite of the changing seasons. The once vivid blue of the sky was now mellowing, splashed with strokes of orange and pink as the sun set earlier with each passing day. Everywhere you looked, autumn was staking its claim.
And smack dab in the middle of the rustic wonderland was our charming cabin, its dark wood facade looking more inviting than ever against the riot of fall colors. The cabin, once a symbol of solitude, was now filled with the laughter and love of our small family. Sadie snoozed gently by her favorite window, golden light streaming down as her chest rose and fell.
Corbin, our curious little explorer, had a knack for discovering every nook and cranny in the cabin that wasn't toddler-proofed. Between keeping him from the fireplace and fishing him out from under the bed, Tony and I had our work cut out for us. Never a dull moment with the little man around, that was for sure.
Exhaustion was a small price to pay for the joy he brought into our lives, however. The cabin echoed with his giggles, his goofy babble, the pitter-patter of his tiny feet. His infectious energy had turned the cabin upside down, and yet I wouldn't have it any other way.
As Corbin finally succumbed to his afternoon nap, Tony and I collapsed on the couch, spent but content. The cabin fell silent, save for the soft crackling of the fireplace and Corbin's gentle snores. Fall afternoons were meant for cozy fires, comfy sweaters, and hot cups of tea, and as I snuggled into Tony's embrace, I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day.
