Page 57

Years Later

“Mommy, why are we doing this again?” my daughter, Kaia, asks me.

“We’re surprising your daddy with a mix of songs that describe his latest book,” I tell her as I move the files onto a disc. Henry is already at the venue for his last book tour stop, and since this tour is coming to an end and he’s finally back in Virginia, I wanted to do something special.

Not only does he not know we’re coming, but he also doesn't know the apartment is decorated for when we all get back. Our kids, Kaia and Rowan, helped make the decorations, and I know he’s going to love it. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees us in the crowd.

We’ve been married for years, and it still feels like I’m finding more reasons to love him. When I got pregnant with our twins, I was terrified. I was worried about being a mother. This wasn't in the plan we had for our lives—at least not at that point.

But these past years with our kids have been some of the best of my life, and I can’t imagine not having these little bugs around to ask me a thousand different questions.

“I can’t wait to tell Dad about my playdate with Riley,” Rowan says as he paints with his fingers on a sheet of paper.

“He’s going to be excited to be home,” I tell them as I finalize the songs for the disc. “I sent him pictures of you guys all playing while we were at Aunt Paige’s house.”

“Oh yeah,” he chirps, and as I look at the time, I realize we have to get a move on. Getting two kids dressed, into the car, and fed is a pain in the butt, and I don’t want to be late to this.

Henry has been away for about a week, and we’ve missed him so much. I cannot wait to see him.

We moved into this small house near the beach before I gave birth to the twins, and while I love our house, it is a bit farther from things than I would like. Granted, we’re still pretty close to all our friends, but this small bookstore we’re headed to is far, and I really need to pick up my pace.

“Okay, my loves,” I say as I close my laptop. “Can you go wash your hands and get dressed for Mommy so we can go see Daddy?”

As squeals and screams fill the house, I smile to myself.

I love this life I’ve created with Henry, and I’m grateful I get to be living it. I was smart enough to come back and build the life I knew I wanted—the one I deserve . Because every time I look into the eyes of my kids and see the echoes of Henry in them both, I have to stop myself from crying .

No longer does it feel like I’m breathing when I’m running from things. Now, the only time I feel like everything will be okay is when my two kids and my wonderful husband are around me.

And to think, I almost gave all this up by not coming back all those years ago.

“Alright, are you guys ready?” I ask as the two of them come out, showing off their outfits. As I grab their hands in mine, their little fingers wiggling in my closed hand, tears start to form in my eyes, but I push those down before I get too overwhelmed.

Even though I’ve done multiple book tours and this isn't my first rodeo, I still get nervous as I walk onto the small stage, a microphone in my hand as I wave to the crowd.

“Thank you all for coming. Oh my goodness,” I say as I settle into my chair, Mitch sitting across from me. “This is wild. I can’t wait to meet all of you after this.”

Murmurs of laughter echo around the shop as I hear Mitch start to ask some of the prepared questions.

“Henry, I think the most asked question most people want to know is where you get your ideas from?” Mitch adjusts how he sits.

“Because obviously, you write about all sorts of things, complicated family dynamics, relationships, and most recently, a friend group with multiple points of view. I figured we would start off with a bang.”

“Oh gosh, yeah,” I chuckle. “Most of my ideas come from wanting to explore certain types of relationships. I think that’s what I love writing most about, because we as humans are such connective people.

As I look around at the world and see all these types of dynamics, I’ve always wanted to explore it through my writing.

It feels natural to me—exploring dynamics and molding a story around those. ”

“And you guys should see this guy outlining a novel.” Mitch points to me. “I’ve never seen such chaos turn into what his drafts look like. It’s honestly impressive from both a writer and a reader standpoint, Henry.”

“Thank you,” I laugh. “It works for my brain—the organized chaos.”

More questions are asked, and as soon as I really take a look into the crowd and see my beautiful wife and two kids, I almost start crying.

I even fumble over some of my words when I recognize them in the audience.

I didn't know they were coming. I knew Amelia had planned to pick me up when it was over, since these things can go all night, but I’m shocked.

I love traveling and chatting about my novels, but I fucking miss my family. Before Ames and I had kids, she would travel with me to these events, and we’d spend time together in different cities.

But now that we have Kaia and Rowan, it’s harder. The fact that they came to watch my last stop and support me from the audience makes my heart soar. I used to dream of times like this—being able to see the people I love looking back at me from the audience—and now, I’ve made it.

I don’t have just Amelia to celebrate with anymore. Now, we have two pieces of us to remind us of our love. We loved each other so much, we created two tiny humans to love us no matter what happens.

When I started my career, I was celebrating my wins all by myself. Now, I’m not alone. Now, I’ll never be alone again.

The question-and-answer section ends, and it takes about three hours for me to get through the line of people. The real prize of tonight is seeing my kids run into my arms, their beautiful voices filtering through my ears.

“I missed you guys so much,” I say as I squeeze them.

“Too tight, Dad!” Kaia says as she pulls away from me.

“Did you bring us anything?” Rowan asks me. I started a new tradition of bringing them each back something from my trips.

“Is that all you want me for? The gifts?” I joke as I fluff my son's hair. “Of course I got you guys presents, but they’re in my suitcase, so we can open them at home.”

I stand from the floor and press a kiss to my wife’s lips, melting into her embrace as she throws her arms around me.

“I’m glad you’re home,” she whispers. “Were you surprised?”

“I was.” My smile slips onto my face. “I missed you guys.”

“Do you want to go home?” she asks me, and I nod before the sentence is even over. Mitch and I had dinner as soon as we got to the airport, and as much as I’d like to see more of him, I’ve also missed my family. It’s time for some much needed rest and relaxation with my favorite people.

Ames and I get the kids into the car, and as soon as my hand grabs hers as she drives, I feel a sense of peace wash over me.

This is the life I’ve been chasing since I was in my twenties, and I swear, I blinked and it arrived. Time needs to slow down. I swear, Kaia and Rowan were kids just learning how to walk.

“Daddy, we made you something special!” Kaia says to me, and I see her excited face in the rearview. “Mom, can you play it?”

“Of course I can, baby,” Ames says as she fumbles with the console, and as soon as the music starts, I want to cry.

The song Amelia and I danced to at our wedding plays first. Then comes the songs playing in the hospital when our kids were born. Every song holds a sentimental value from the life Amelia and I have shared.

Tears fall from my eyes as I squeeze Amelia’s hand.

“What is this one called? ”

“Our life together,” Amelia tells me. Just like every playlist we both make has a name, every disc burned also gets one. This one being just for me, made by my family, is…too much, almost.

“It’s been the best one I could have ever imagined,” I tell her. “And I owe it all to you.”

“Us, Henry. It’s not just you and me anymore, remember?” She tilts her head to the back seat.

“God, I love you so much, Ames,” I tell her. “I love this life we have together.”

“Me too.” She smiles as a tear falls. “It’s everything I could have imagined.”

I used to believe everything happens for a reason, but now, I know things happen because we make them happen. Amelia and I made this happen—together.

True Blue by boygenius

As I carry one of our dogs out to the living room of our home, I see my beautiful wife scrambling around, trying to get everything ready for the family Christmas party we’re hosting.

My parents flew in the other day, and Ella’s dad and sister are on the way as well.

Part of me feels nostalgic seeing Ella run around like this, remembering how she bossed me around the first time I freaked out about hosting our friends.

It’s funny how things never seem to change much.

“Ella, darling,” I say as she looks over at me, “do you want some help?”

“You’ve got Rosie girl in your arms,” she tells me as she hangs our decorations on the tree. “Do you think she’ll let you put her down to help me?”

I shrug. “I can at least get the food out.”

“That actually would be helpful,” she tells me as I walk by, grabbing her in my free arm and spinning her around, needing to feel her lips on mine. “What was that for?”

“Why do you question me every time I want to kiss my beautiful wife?”

“Because you always seem to want something after.” She smirks, knowing I’ll never be able to get enough of her, in this lifetime and the next. She’s all I’ve ever wanted, and the life we’ve created together is just as I imagined.

We have two codependent dogs, no children, and beautiful properties around the States and back in London. We vacation a lot, despite how hard it is to pull my wife away from her business—which continues to thrive as the years pass.