Page 151 of Anything But Lonely

Not the kids running through the neighborhood. Not the friends who became family. Not the little moments that somehow became the life I never thought I’d have.

I look down at the ring on Emerson’s finger, the same one she once insisted she didn’t need.

“You know,” I whisper, “I still think I could’ve convinced you to marry me.”

She looks up at me, smirking. “I prefer you on your knees for much more important things.”

I laugh, pulling her a little closer. “You could’ve at least said ‘yes’.”

Emerson squeezes my hand, and I look at her, then at my son walking ahead of us.

For so long, I thought happily ever after was something that happened once everything else was over. And I thought I already blew my one shot at it all.

Now I know better.

Sometimes, happily ever after is just another night.

Another Halloween.

Another walk home with the people you love.

Another night with Emerson’s hand in mine.

And as Emerson pulls me toward our family, I realize that maybe happily ever after was never about getting everything I thought I wanted.

Maybe it was about finding something better.

And I did.

I found her.