She hops up from the table, and as she ducks into an alcove just outside the room, I watch her go. My heart is on the other side of the wall now. The only birthday gift I’ll need. I lived the first thirty years without being her husband. But I plan to make up for that for as long as I can.
So moments later, when she peeks around the corner, motioning me over, I’m not exactly sad.
Me?
Alone in a dark alcove with Loren?
Put me in, coach.
I’m a man on a mission, skimming around the corner, and arriving just in time to hear her let out a little snort. Adorable. But she’s still on the phone. So I guess I wasn’tbeing summoned for any duties that require more … privacy.
Pity.
“Okay, okay, I see how it is.” She looks up, shrugging. “Apparently, my dad didn’t call for me.” She pushes her phone into my hands. “He wants to talk toyou.”
As it turns out, Harlan called to wish me a happy birthday, and that one simple gesture makes up for a whole lot of years without my own dad taking an interest.
This is the family I’ve found.
The family I choose. Every day.
His laughter crackles over the phone, strong and loud, as he tells me a story about the year he turned thirty. Loren’s mom made a picnic lunch at Harvest Farms to celebrate. “Cheese, salami, bread, the whole shebang. They call it charcuterie now.”
He absolutely mangles the pronunciation, beginning with a hard CH like chuck, and a grin takes over my whole face.
“Elise sure was ahead of her time,” he adds, and I can hear the joy in his voice. Even though he said goodbye to her years ago, in this moment, she’s still with him.
I glance at Loren. She’s gazing up at me, her eyes wide and her smile wider. I’ve never seen my wife happier than when her father is happy. Her gaze ticks up to the top of my head, and she bites back a laugh.
Right.
My flashing hat.
I tug the hat off, then I switch the phone to my other ear. “Harlan? I’ve got one more question for you. If you don’t mind.”
“Well, my show starts soon,” he says. “And I can’t missJeopardy!But I suppose Icanspare a couple more minutes.”
My ribcage suddenly feels two sizes too small, but thetrain of my intentions has left the station, so I guess we’re doing this. Now.
“I was hoping …” My neck is hot, and my tongue feels tied. “What I mean is … I want … No, I’d very much like to …” I pause to clear my throat, because I refuse to falter on the next part. “Harlan? This is me, asking for your daughter’s hand.”
Loren sucks in a breath, and her eyes turn into big pools of liquid joy.
“In marriage, sir,” I add. “Please.”
“Huh.” He grunts. “Was there a question in there, big fella?”
This earns him a laugh.
Wise guy.
“Sir. Do I have your blessing, after the fact, to make your daughter, Loren, my wife?”
She moves into me, her chin lifted, and her gaze roaming my face.
“I’d do this with you in person, but Loren’s here with me now, and I just need you both to hear me say that I love her with my whole heart, and I’ll do everything in my power to take care of her for the rest of our lives.” I skim another glance her way. “If she’ll do me the honor, that is.”
“I will,” she whispers.