AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure you will, son.” Thatcher looked down at his left hand, then twisted his wedding ring a few times before turning back to me. “The truth is, there is no secret. There’s no silver bullet or magic pill that will make a marriage work. It’s a lot of hard work with a big payout. We’re all human and we make mistakes, so don’t expect for it to be smooth sailing all the time. The best advice I can give you is to keep doing what you’re doing.”
I pursed my lips. “And uh … what exactly am I doing?”
“Showing up. Putting in the time. Not prioritizing other stuff over things like family ice cream socials. It all adds up, over time. All these little things. And you’re going to need them.”
“Why?”
“Because when big things come up, you’ll need the history of all these little things to get you through it.”
Nodding, I looked down at Grayson, grinning at the swipe of chocolate across his cheek. He was totally zoned into his dessert and not paying attention to us at all, but when he looked up at me and smiled that sweet, innocent smile, it felt like the exclamation mark at the end of the conversation.
* * *
Thanksgiving morning, Jo, Grayson, and I woke up early and headed over to Aria’s B&B. Grayson didn’t know it yet, but my parents had flown in for the long weekend to surprise him.
They’d arrived late last night and gone straight to the B&B, and I’d hopped out of bed this morning with way too much energy. I was so dang excited for his reaction to seeing them after months apart that I could hardly contain it. Another unexpected thing that came along with parenting—experiencing the good stuff in life through your kid’s eyes. It didn’t get much better than that.
We pulled up to the B&B and parked. Grayson looking sleepy and annoyed to be out and about so early. Oh, if only he knew.
“What’s up, little man? You’re not excited for breakfast?” I asked as he slid out of the truck rather than jumping out, as usual.
“I am. I’m just tired. It’s really early.”
“It’s notthatearly. It’s way later than you’d be up if it were a school day.”
He let his head fall back in exasperation. “But Dad, it’snota school day. It’s Thanksgiving.”
Jo chuckled as we walked up to the tall front doors. “Cheer up, Gray. It’ll be worth it.”
“I just hope they have bacon,” he grumbled.
“Did I hear someone say bacon?” my mom asked, stepping out from her hiding spot just inside the foyer.
Gray’s head snapped in her direction, and his eyes grew wide as planets. “Grandma!”
She opened her arms just in time as he ran into them, my dad placing a hand on her upper back to steady her before she toppled backward. My mother was a small woman, and Gray was getting taller every day. Soon, he’d be taller than her. My gut clenched at the thought of it.
“How are you, my baby?” Mom asked, squeezing him tightly and resting her cheek on the top of his head. “You’re getting so tall, look how high you come up.”
Grayson stepped back and let her measure him against her chest, beaming up at her. “You shouldn’t call mebabyanymore since I’m so tall.”
“You’ll always be my baby,” she replied.
Then Gray went for my dad, so Mom stepped over to me and Jo while they said their hellos. “How are my other much taller babies?”
Jo laughed and hugged her. “I’m great. I can’t wait for you to meet Trevor.”
“Ah, yes, the mysterious running buddy turned boyfriend,” Mom said when she released her. “I’m looking forward to meeting him, too. Now, your turn, Zachary.”
I stepped into her embrace, smiling as I bent low at the waist to hug her fully. It was good to see her. We’d missed having her and Dad so close over the last few months. Military life definitely had its benefits, but missing family wasn’t one of them.
When I stepped back, she gave my upper arms a quick squeeze. “If Trevor is coming to breakfast with us, why isn’t Layla?”
“She wishes she could be here, but she and Lyndi are over at their parents’ house cooking for tonight. It’s a tradition for them to get up early and make cinnamon rolls and cook together.”
Mom sighed with a dreamy expression on her face. “That’s so sweet. Well fine, I’m looking forward to meeting her and her family later.”
“They’re excited to meet you and Dad, too.”
