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Gazing out the window, she says, “I don’t blame you. Your yard is just as beautiful as your house.”

“We have a lot of birds and butterflies. And rabbits, deer, and squirrels. They inspire my stories.”

“It’s nice to see you so happy. Your father and I were initially worried about you moving way up here in the woods, being so secluded, but just being here… I can feel it myself. It has a kind of magical, peaceful quality to it, doesn’t it?”

“It does. We really are happy here. We go for walks. We sit outside and watch the wildlife. And the stars at night are so bright. We cuddle and talk under my favorite blankets. It’s like living in apostcard.” Ty knew exactly what I needed to feel safe and happy, and he found the perfect space and home for us to build a forever together. We vowed to leave our horrible pasts behind us that day he asked me to marry him. Filled with love, faith, and hope, I happily got on the back of his motorcycle to come here, and I’ve never wanted to leave.

After dinner, Gram disappears into the guest room for a few minutes and then returns, beckoning for Ty and I to join her on the love seat. Glancing curiously at each other, we sit with her.

“I have something special I’d like you two to have. Let’s call it a wedding gift.”

My stomach flutters at the wordwedding. Our small ceremony is planned for just two months from today, right here in our yard. Every morning, Ty wakes me with a kiss and tells me how many days are left until I’ll be his wife.

Gram hands me a tiny green velvet box. It’s soft and worn in places, as if it’s been touched often.

“Open it,” she urges.

I do, and a small gasp escapes me when I see the two wedding bands inside, each engraved with an antique filigree design. The smaller, thinner ring has embedded tiny diamonds.

“These were mine and your grandfather’s wedding bands. I’d love for you to have them and wear them with as much love and devotion as your grandfather and I did.”

Tears well up in my eyes. “Oh, Gram… they’re so beautiful.” I touch the beautiful rings, remembering them on their hands. It still amazes me that sometimes my very young childhood memories unexpectedly sift back into my mind. I always consider them little gifts.

“We’d be honored to wear them,” Ty says, his voice low and scratchy with emotion. “You’re sure? These are special—”

The light in her eyes when she smiles makes my heart feel like it’s bursting. “That’s exactly why I want you two to have them.”

“I love them, Gramma,” I say tearfully. “You have no idea how much this means to me—to us. I promise we’ll wear them every day with love and will never take them off.” I hug her, gentle but tight. I can’t wait to wear her wedding band nestled against the engagement ring Ty made for me, and to see my grandfather’s ring on my husband’s finger.

Later, Ty and I stand on the front porch together and wave as my parents and Gram drive off. When their car has disappeared into the night, he pulls me into his arms and encircles my waist.

“You okay, baby?” he asks softly.

I nod. “Today went so much better than I thought it would. My parents were so nice, like I remember them from before.”

His lips twitch into a small smile. “I noticed. I think they finally let go of the past.”

“It seems like it. My mom is going to bring Lizzie over for lunch. I can’t wait to see her.”

He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m glad.”

“I really like your mom. When you were showing her your workshop, she was beaming. She loves you so much, Ty. I think we should spend more time with her, and the rest of your family.”

Hugging me tighter, he says, “We will. And with yours, too. I like the idea of your Gram spending a weekend a month here with us.”

“I do, too. She was excited when we suggested it. She’s going to teach me how to cook something every time she comes.”

He releases my waist to cup my face in his hands. “I love seeing you happy, and being loved the way you deserve to be loved. Nothing makes me happier.”

I cover his hands with mine and stare up into his eyes. “I feel the same way. I want everyone to see you and love you the way I do.”

“I only care about how you see me and love me.”

My chest aches a little with love for him. “That’s sweet… but I still want everyone to see how amazing you are.”

We go inside and share the last of the cream puffs that my mother brought with her. Laughing, we kiss powdered sugar off each other’s lips. We walk through the house with Poppy and Boomer chasing us, joining us for our nightly ritual of turning off the lights and drawing the blinds. Upstairs, we silently undress each other, and crawl under our soft magic blanket. The pets settle at our feet. I curl into Ty’s arms with my face pressed against his chest, as close to his heart as I can get. He gently weaves his fingers through my hair, making my scalp tingle, until we drift off to sleep, completely content.

I used to sleep on a concrete floor, shivering in the cold. I used to eat stale bread. I used to fear the opening of a door and human touch. I used to think that smiles, family, and love were things I’d never have. But I never stopped wishing for them.