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I make my way down to our bedroom to change out of my dress while I wait for him to return. When I look at myself in the mirror I think I’m actually glowing; there’s no trace of how tired I am. My eyes only shine with pride. It’s hard to believe that only a few months ago I was willing to chain myself to a life I could never be happy in because I didn’t feel worthy of anything else because I was tied to the idea of everyone else’s feelings mattering more than my own. I still catch myself smiling when unnecessary sometimes, but between Miles and I one of us has to be somewhat approachable.

My head tilts as I take my earrings out, but I pause trying to focus on a clicking sound that echoes through the room. I set the earrings on the dresser and the sound picks up speed,click-clack-click.My eyes narrow in confusion when it stops and starts again.

My bare feet pad down the hallway and the sounds only get louder. When I round the corner, a black puppy with huge paws comes galloping and sliding towards me. “Looks like we’re going to have to get some rugs,” Miles says, scratching the back of his neck.

“Oh my God.” I blink back the tears that are forming in my eyes while falling to my knees to scoop the furry thing up. His smooth warm tongue pops out as he licks my cheek. “Miles!”

“The shelter that we donate to had another one of those events last week. I saw it on my way home and I don’t know why but I felt compelled to go. When I saw this guy I couldn’t imagine him not here with us, so I filled out the adoption paperwork and today, he’s officially ours.”

There’s no blinking back the tears now. The puppy has calmed down and curled up in my lap, not bothered at all by the wet drops that roll off my cheeks and plunk down on his belly. I scoop him up and stand with a smile. “Miles Cameron, are you a dog lover now?”

His arms wrap around me and our new fur baby. “I’m a Camila lover.”

I tilt my head back and he kisses me with those lips that remind me how full my heart is and how full mylifeis. He kisses the tears that still break free down my cheeks, and my eyes close tight soaking him in. “I love you, Miles Cameron.”

“And I love you, mi esposa.”

The End