When I pull into Mom and Dad’s, David is sitting on the front steps. I park behind his truck and climb out of my SUV. “Hey, you,” I say.
He stands and meets me midway down the sidewalk, wrapping me in a hug and kissing the corner of my mouth. “How was your day?”
“Good. Where are the kids?”
“Oh, your mom and dad took them for a walk.”
“Huh.” It’s not the craziest thing that’s happened, but it’s odd.
“Yeah, what do you say we hop on the Gator and drive back to our field?”
“Our field?” I ask.
“Yep. Ten years ago tomorrow, you promised me forever.” He pulls me closer to him.
Resting my hands on his chest, I look up at him and wait until I have his full attention before saying, “I love you more today than I did that day.”
“Look at you getting all sweet and sentimental,” he teases.
“You ruined the moment.” I laugh when he tickles my side.
“Come on, wife, let’s go take a look at where it all began.”
“I should go say hi to the kids first.” I try to step out of his hold, but he’s got a tight grip.
“I love our munchkins, but if you do, they’ll want to go. Come on, just me and you for old times’ sake.”
He has a point. “Okay, I’ll just send Mom a text.” I reach for my phone that’s in my back pocket and send off a text to my mom.
Me: Dave and I are going to drive back to the wildflower field. Do you mind keeping an eye on the kids a little longer?
Her reply is immediate.
Mom: Sure, honey. Take your time.
“She’s good,” I tell David.
“You knew she would be.” He laces his fingers through mine and leads me to the Gator.
“You had this planned?” I ask him.
“Yeah, thought it would be nice to go back to where it all began.”
“Babe, we’ve brought the kids back here more times than I can count.”
“I know, but with tomorrow being our anniversary, I thought it would be nice for just us to visit here. Maybe do some of that kissing the kids are always saying grosses them out.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Carson will be so disappointed he missed it. Are you scarring our children for life?”
“Nope. He needs to know what it looks like to love someone so deeply that you can’t go a day without kissing her. Same goes for Crystal. I want her to see how a man should treat her.”
“You’re amazing, David Harris.”
“Right back at you, Olivia Harris.”
The rest of the ride is peaceful, neither one of us needing to fill the quiet. We’re just enjoying the ride and the time together.
When we get to the knoll, David slows down. Reaching over, he laces his fingers through mine and then creeps over the top of the hill. I’m watching him, wondering what’s going through his head.
“Liv, look.” He motions toward the bottom of the hill. I turn and gasp when I see all of our friends and family waiting on us.
As we get closer, they begin to clap and cheer. The kids jump up and down, all of them, not just ours.
“What is this?” I ask once we’re stopped.
“It’s our ten-year anniversary party. Same guest list, a few more kiddos, including our own, and minus one preacher.”
“How did you…? When did you…?” I can’t seem to form a complete sentence. “You did all this?” I’m finally able to push the words out of my mouth that make sense.
“Yeah, I had help.” He points to our friends and family. “They all pitched in. I wanted this day to be special for you. Ten years, baby. You’ve been my wife for ten years. You’ve given me three beautiful babies, and more happiness than one man should be lucky enough to have. I love you. Thank you for this incredible life we live.”
Tears slide down my cheeks. I raise my hand to wipe them away, but he beats me to it. Gently, he cradles my face, using his thumbs to dry my cheeks. “Good surprise?” he questions.
“The best.” I smile at him. “I didn’t realize when I told you to surprise me ten years ago that you would be carrying on the tradition.”
“It seemed like a good plan.” He winks. “Now, let’s go hug our babies and spend time with our family. Tonight, we celebrate just the two of us. Mom and Dad are taking the kids with them for a sleepover.”
“Really?”
“Yep. You ready to start working on baby number four?”
“I’m not against practicing,” I whisper against his lips before pressing mine to his.
“All right, you two, cut it out. There are kids present,” Mike yells out.
Pulling back from the kiss, he holds my stare. “I sure am glad you gave this southern boy a chance. I love our life and can’t wait to see what the next fifty-plus years hold for us.”
“Of course I did. What girl wouldn’t give her heart to a southern boy who’s devoted to her?”
“I wouldn’t know. You’re all I see.”