Page 124 of Yours, Forever

"Did you realize that it's been just over eighteen months since we got married?" I asked. "You could divorce me any time now."

She arched an eyebrow, not amused. "And why would I want to do that?"

"I'm not saying you should." I shrugged and continued preparing to sail. "I'm pointing out you didn't notice."

"I have not thought about divorcing you in almost a year. I have no plans to ever do so."

"Good, or the question I'm going to ask you while we eat our picnic would not go well."

She stilled. "What are you going to ask me? I already told you we can start trying for kids next year. I just want a bit more time to have you all to myself, remember?"

"I remember. I can't wait for it, but I'll make it. I am nothing if not a patient man."

"Right." She rolled her eyes, humor on her face again. "So patient. What are you going to ask me, then?"

"Oh, you'll see." I moved to the front of the boat, and started getting the headsail ready.

"Max." She stood and followed me to the bow. "Don't do this."

"Why? I love to tease you."

"I know you love to tease me, and you know how much I do not like it."

"Do I know that, though?"

"Max," she insisted, my name three syllables in her voice.

I straightened and gave her a fake sigh. "It'll ruin the surprise."

"You're ruining it right now by making me grumpy."

I inspected her, catching the signs of her hidden humor, the anxiety of waiting for my question, and her determination.

"Promise you'll act shocked," I said.

Her nod mocked a serious agreement.

I brought her close to me, the headsail still folded at our feet. The boat swayed lightly, but we kept our balance easily. Water slopped against the hull, and she gazed at me with her own brand of patience, and more than infinite love.

"Lucía and Adrian said the party hall will open with the New Year's party this December, right?"

She nodded. Lucía, Lina's cousin, ran the boutique hotel; Adrian, the man in charge of the renovations, continued to focus on different sections of the hotel, getting them ready for business. The party hall came next.

I lifted Eva's shirt to rest my hands on the warm, plush skin of her waist. "I think we should take advantage and renew our vows there next year. We can invite all our friends to stay at the hotel with us, and we can make a big party of it."

Her face softened, and her eyes became alight. I smiled and took in the moment so deeply into my cells, that it would become one with me.

She put her arms on my shoulders. "You're going to ask me to marry you again."

"Do you think you'll say yes?"

"I will act shocked, because I promised you I would. Then I'll say yes. I may even cry a little."

"Wonderful." I kissed her. "Now go sit pretty while I get us going, all right?"

"I don't know how to sit any other way," she whispered, on her way back to the bench.

I chuckled, my eyes back to our home, then briefly on the horizon.

I couldn't wait to take us there.

The End