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Jake has gone all out, flowers in hand and everything. He took the kids to my parents’ this afternoon, so when I hear the doorbell ring, I’m not expecting it to be him. He’s standing there, holding the flowers out to me, and I smile.

“They’re beautiful,”

I say softly, taking the flowers from him and inhaling the sweet fragrance.

"Ready for date night?" he asks, his voice warm and steady.

I nod, trying to ignore the way my heart skips in my chest. "It’s… It’s been a while since we’ve had one.”

He smiles softly. He’s been so patient and thoughtful in the last few months as we’ve worked to put ourselves back together.

I let out a quiet breath as we're led to our table, tucked away in a corner with a view of the city skyline. The lights are dim, and the quiet hum of conversation feels perfect.

"This is fancy,”

I smile. We don't usually go for fancy.

“You deserve nights like this. You deserve to feel special… to feel like you matter.”

“I’ve been thinking about us,”

I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “I know it hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of you.”

“What matters now is that we’re here,”

He reaches across the table, his hand brushing over mine. “Right now, together. I want to make sure we stay here. I want to give you the space and the time to heal and… I just want you to feel safe with me again.”

“I do feel safe,”

the words come out softly

Jake’s face softens, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I know healing doesn’t work on a timeline. I just want you to know I’m here. For whatever you need. Whenever you’re ready.”

It's quiet now. There's no rushing. No pressure.

“You’re really trying, aren’t you?” I ask.

It was exactly what we both needed to remind us that love, like anything worth having, took time. But it was always worth fighting for.