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“We’re going out for dinner to celebrate,” I told her.
As we drove to the restaurant, I felt my excitement grow. I had planned the perfect celebration dinner. I had made a reservation at the most exclusive restaurant in town, and I knew that Dee would love it.
“Wait,” Dee said. “I’m not dressed for this place!”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “I reserved the place for the next two hours. It’s just the three of us. We can show up in our birthday suits if we want.”
Lily giggled. “No, Dad!”
“Are you serious?” Dee asked.
“I am.” I nodded. “I knew you were going to get a clean bill of health. I wanted to celebrate everything. You’re healed. You’re alive. We’re all healthy and happy.”
“You’re very thoughtful,” she told me.
I held her hand tightly as we were seated at our table. The waiter came over and handed us menus, and I could see that Dee was trying to contain her excitement.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” she whispered.
“Order whatever you want,” I said. “Both of you. I’ve been wanting to do this since the accident. Life is too short not to live it up. Good food is one way we can really enjoy everything we have been so blessed to have.”
Dee perused the menu, her eyes scanning each dish with rapt attention. I couldn’t help but admire her beauty as she chewed her lip in concentration. It had been far too long since we had gone out together like this. The accident had been a wake-up call for me. I had almost lost the two most important people in my life, and I wasn’t about to let that happen.
“What are you going to have?” Dee asked Lily.
Lily looked at the menu and wrinkled her nose. “It’s all big people food. Do they have a kid’s menu?”
Dee and I shared a laugh, relieved to see Lily acting like her usual self again. “I’m sure they do,” I said, waving over the waiter. “Can we see the children’s menu, please?”
The waiter nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.
“When I was a kid, I used to imagine what it would be like to come to a restaurant like this,” she said. “It’s just as cool as I thought it would be.”
“One of these times we’ll have to come here on a night when it’s actually open to the public,” I teased. “I want to take you on an official date.”
Lily smiled. “Dee can wear a pretty dress.”
Dee blushed and grinned. “I have plenty of dresses to choose from,” she said, “but you’ll have to wear a suit and tie.”
“I’ll do it,” I promised, and I meant it. I would do anything to make Dee and Lily happy.
The waiter returned with the children’s menu, and Lily eagerly scanned the options. “Can I have chicken fingers and fries?” she asked.
“Of course,” I said, glad that she was feeling better. “And what about you, Dee?”
Dee hummed in thought before deciding on a dish. “I think I’ll have the steak,” she said. “It sounds delicious.”
As the waiter took our orders, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the moment. It was a small, simple moment, but it was one that meant everything to me. Dee and Lily were safe, healthy, and happy, and we were all together. It was all I could ever ask for.
As we waited for our food, I reached across the table and took Dee’s hand in mine. She looked up at me, her eyes shining with affection. “Thank you for taking care of us,” she said softly.
I smiled. “Always.”
Lily looked up from her coloring sheet and grinned. “Can we go to the zoo tomorrow?” she asked, bouncing in her seat.
Dee and I exchanged a look, both of us feeling unsure. We didn’t want to overdo it. Dee was barely mobile.
But Lily’s excitement was infectious, and I found myself looking at Dee to see what she thought.
