Page 50 of From the Ground Up

Silence.

What. The. Hell.

Where is Tess? I quickly make my way out of the bed, much quicker than my body likes, considering how worn out it is, not that I mind the exhaustion. But what I do mind is the fact that I haven’t figured out where she is.

I find a pair of blue, plaid pajamas pants draped over the arm of the chair that sits in the corner of the bedroom and pull them up my legs as I make my way into the main room of the cabin. The cabin is not huge, only around a thousand square feet, and the fact that the main area is just one large room that contains the TV-watching area, a dining table, and the kitchen just off the side of it, tells me that there’s not really places for her to play hide and seek.

“Tess?” I ask to the silence once again.

I don’t know why I keep calling her name. Clearly she isn’t here.

I stop abruptly when I spot a medium-sized gift-wrapped box with a card leaning against it. The envelope has my name on it, written in Tess’s handwriting.

I grasp hold of the envelope and scrunch my eyebrows at the gift, more than a little curious where she can be. Still holding the envelope, I walk over to the front door and open it up. I stick my head out the door and a quick check outside tells me that she’s actually gone. As in, car is gone. A million thoughts and questions race through my mind, but one thought never does. I know she’s not left me.

I glance into the kitchen and notice that there’s an almost-full pot of coffee, and it’s still warm, which again, tells me that she didn’t leave too long ago. Just call me Sherlock Holmes.

I grab a mug from the cupboard, still annoyed that I didn’t get my normal wake up with nuzzling my face into her neck and stealing a sip of her coffee, pour myself a cup and sit down at the kitchen table next to the gift.

I open the envelope and slide out the handwritten note that was folded neatly and placed inside.

Barrett—

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I could repeat it a million times, and it still won’t be enough. You’re the reason I am who I am to this day. Every day for us is crazy.

And my love, my respect, my adoration for you somehow got lost in the shuffle of our lives.

I never lost the feeling. I’m so happy in our life, darling. Having you to share everything with means everything to me. Your love for me has never wavered, I know this. In the deepest part of my heart that only you’ve reached.

I love that you love our family fiercely.

I love that you push our boys to be men.

I love that you tell me I’m beautiful, even when I’m not.

I love that you tell me I smell good.

I love that you don’t hesitate in telling me when I’m moody.

I love that you let me be moody then make me snap out of it.

I love that you tease me.

I love that you catch my tackle hugs.

I love that you put your phone down for me. (usually)

I love that you bury your nose in my neck when you need me.

I love that you allow me to be a goober.

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