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“Okay,” she finally said, her tone almost unbothered by the information.
I almost swerved the car in surprise.
“Okay?” I asked. “That’s it?”
“I’m not going to lie to you. I’m a little upset that you didn’t tell me,” she said. “It worries me a little that you don’t think about me as my own autonomous person. But I know that doesn’t check out. You’ve always been supremely supportive of my rights and what I feel is best for me. The only exceptions were times when you were dealing with some of your own hang-ups.”
“I wish there were no times at all,” I said ruefully.
“Join the club, but it’s not like you get to choose that stuff. We all have difficulties when it comes to old aches and traumas.”
“So, you’re okay with it being permanent?” I asked.
“We did just talk about how we want to get married,” she said. “I don’t exactly have feelings like that for anyone unless I’m comfortable with them having a permanent spot in my life.”
“You guys are gonna get married?!” Noah piped up.
I cringed slightly and glanced at him in the rearview mirror.
“Someday, buddy.”
“Like, next month?” Noah asked.
“Uh, probably not that soon, kiddo. Gotta propose first,” I said. “But yeah, someday, Marley and I will get married.”
“When it’s Christmas?”
“Looks like someone wants a short engagement,” Marley said teasingly. “Sorry for opening that can of worms.”
“Technically, I was the one who opened it back in Georgia,” I said with a laugh.
“Dad! When are you getting married?!” Noah pressed.
“That’s up to Marley, kiddo,” I said.
“I need to think about it for a little while. Is that okay, Noah?” she asked. “I have to think really hard about the dress I want to wear and the flowers I want in my bouquet, okay?”
“Oh,” Noah said, looking back out the window. “Yeah, that stuff is super-important. Okay.”
I smiled over at her. “You are very good at that,” I murmured.
She winked at me. “I’m a professional.”
We pulled up at the condo, and I sent Noah and Marley upstairs while I grabbed our bags. The sun was coming into the condo at a slant, and the air felt a little stuffy after the place was closed up for a week. Fortunately, cool air was already pumping through the air ducts, stirring sparkling dust into the sunlight.
I could tell just by looking at Marley that she was worn out. It was hard not to immediately melt into a puddle of comfort when you got back home from a trip, and with how little she slept and the exertion of last night, I was sure she was feeling it even more.
I set our bags down and closed the door before finding her and resting my hand on the small of her back. “Why don’t you take a nap? I’ll take care of dinner later.”
“I should put a load of wash on and get the clean stuff unpacked,” Marley said.
“We can do all of that later. Go get some rest, baby,” I said.
Marley smiled gratefully my way. “If you’re sure. I do feel like a zombie.”
“I’m sure. You want to get tucked in?” I asked, kissing her temple.
“No, I can handle it. You and Noah should catch up,” she said. “See you in a little bit.”
