Page 130 of As the Years Pass

“You don’t need to thank me. I was happy to be a part of it.”

“You’ve known what I needed all along, and I just didn’t listen.”

“It’s not about listening, Adam. It’s about being ready. You weren’t ready then, but you are now, and look at you, all out about who you are and who you’re dating.”

I roll my eyes, a smile falling across my lips. “Only with a few people.”

“There were more than a few people at that party. Besides, now that some people know, it’ll be easier.”

“How are you so smart?”

“I had amazing parents.”

It wasn’t meant to make me feel like shit, but it does. I turn away as tears sting my eyes.

“Hey, what’s going on?” he asks.

I give a small shake of my head. “I just miss my parents.”

“Of course you do,” he says, moving closer and tucking his arm tighter around me. “They’d be proud of you.”

“You didn’t even know them.”

“But I remember everything you said about them. I know they were good people. And you came from them, so they must be awesome.”

Now I’m really smiling.

“You always make me feel better.”

“Because I love you and I want you to be happy.”

I turn to face him. “You make me happy.” I run my fingers along his cheek. “So happy.”

He gives me a lopsided smile, then leans down to kiss me.

“Let’s go take a shower.”

We spend the night cleaning up the house and making a list to go grocery shopping. Though it’s Saturday and the kids are usuallyhere, they slept at their cousin’s house and we’re going to pick them up tomorrow afternoon, after we get groceries.

“I think we need to talk about something,” Emmet says, a serious look on his face that has my stomach bottoming out.

“What?” I ask, shutting off the faucet. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.” He comes to stand next to me, and takes my hand.

“It looks like something is wrong.”

He rolls his eyes. “I promise nothing is wrong.”

“Then why do you look like that?”

“Because I’m about to say something serious, that’s a big deal and may scare you.”

“What the hell, Emmet?”

He chuckles. “Relax.”

“Just tell me before I have a heart attack.”