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“Absolutely,” Jill agrees.

Will looks to me and Luke for help. Luke shrugs like ‘what are you gonna do,’ but I just laugh. “Don’t worry,” I tell them both, “just listening to their problems gets easier as the years go by. Sometimes you can even manage to watch the game and listen at the same time–kidding!” I add as Jill lets out an exclamation of horror.

Walter chooses that moment to reappear in our group, barking joyfully. He runs in circles around us for a bit, then goes in front of us and points forward.

“Is he trying to herd us?” Luke asks.

“That’s mildly insulting,” Hannah huffs. “I don’t look like a sheep.”

“Of course you don’t,” Luke agrees dutifully. Walter comes over and nudges Jill’s leg, whining.

“Look, the last few groups are finishing,” she points out. “I guess we can let Walter herd us home.” She eyes Brooke. “We’ll all finish together.”

“O-kay,” Brooke sighs. “I suppose I can live with that.” She smiles at Jill, letting her know she’s not really upset about the plan.

“Wheelbarrows in position,” I announce. Hannah joins her sisters as the wheelbarrows for the last portion of the race, so all three of us men grab hold of our wives’ ankles. “On three–one, two, three, let’s roll.” The six of us set off across the grass, Walter trotting happily in front of us.

We cross the finish line in unison and the women collapse onto the grass.

“Woo!” Brooke cheers. “Last place! That’s what I’m talking about! I knew we could do it.”

The other couples are all looking at her a bit dubiously, but she doesn’t seem to care.

“That’s right, sis!” Hannah joins in. “I think Jesus said it best when He said: ‘The last will be first, and the first will be last.’”

“And He was definitely talking about wheelbarrow races when He said that,” Jill chimes in, and the three sisters burst into laughter.

“Well done!” Dorothy’s magnified voice breaks out over the crowd. She’s resurfaced with her megaphone. “Everyone completed the spousal triathlon. The lesson here being, of course, that marriage is a team sport, not an individual one. Work together not against each other for goodness’ sake. Now go get some lunch!”

The crowd disperses to head to the lodge for lunch, but the six of us stay where we are for a minute, still catching our breath.

“Looks like you all had some fun,” Dorothy says, approaching our group. Her eyes land on me and Jill. “Last place,” she says, one eyebrow rising in question.

“Yup.” I meet her gaze. “We had a different game we were trying to win.”

“Oh? Care to elaborate.” Dorothy cocks her head expectantly.

“Sure. It’s called the marriage game,” I tell her. “You play it with a partner. It’s got some tough rules and you don’t always get the cards you want or need, but the Creator is always ready to step in and help if you ask for it. He’s the true source of victory.”

Dorothy smiles broadly. “The marriage game,” she repeats. “Sounds fun.” With that said she turns and walks away. Walter takes off after her, like the two of them were working together all along. Who knows–maybe they were. I wouldn’t put anything past Dorothy.

“The marriage game, huh?” Jill whispers up to me.

I shrug. “Wanna keep playing?”

“With you–always.” I look down at my wife and love for her swells in my chest. We’re starting a new chapter, me and her, and I’m excited to turn the page and create a new story. I know it won’t be a happily ever after, but a hard fought ever after is infinitely better. And I will never stop fighting for Jill.

Epilogue

Jill

Six Weeks Later

Well.Thisisnotgoing to help my pelvic floor situation. I blink rapidly, trying to make sure I’m not imagining things, but no. It’s still there.

“Jill!” Max’s voice travels through the door. “Are you almost ready to go?”

Right. I’m supposed to be getting ready to go pick up our puppy.Puppy. Oh my.