One year and three months later…

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I looked at my beautiful wife sitting on the sofa. My beautiful Zoe with her velvet smooth hair that was a few inches longer than it was last year, and her vibrant green eyes that I get lost in every day.

She’s watching me as I walked towards her with that old friendship box of ours. We’ve had several boxes this year each with a whisper of our desire and love for each other.

The box looked more worn than it did last year, but like always I was excited for the event.

We’d been married now for six months and it was the most amazing time of my life.

I still couldn’t believe that I was with her. That she was mine. Finally, mine.

I’d never forget the day when I proposed to her. I’d never forget the moment when I realized that it was the only logical thing to do. It hit me like a lightning bolt. I knew I loved her, that she was it for me, the best thing that had ever happened to me, and the only thing I could do was make her mine. Give myself to her, make her keeper of all that I was, and all that I would ever be.

I’d actually geared myself up that day for her to tell me she’d think about it, to which my answer would have been to assure her that I’d spend the rest of my life, if I had to, proving my love for her. There were only a few moments in my life that I remember experiencing true happiness. Most people would immediately think I’d be talking about football accomplishments if I said that. And sure, I did good in the sport.

But all the true happy moments I could think of weren’t to do with football.

They were all to do with her. My Zoe, my wife.

The first moment that I can remember feeling this way had to be when we became friends. When we rescued that stupid chicken together, and while the story was funny, it was the first time in my life that I had someone who had my back. Someone who’d be right by my side through the crazy, bizarre ideas I had at that age. The next happy moments didn’t come until years after. They were when I first kissed her, when I first made love to her, when she agreed to be my wife, and then our wedding day. After that I felt true happiness every day.

I felt it now as I sit opposite her and handed her the box.

“It’s your turn to pick this year,” she beamed and brought her hands together. I can’t help but look at her rings and I took her ring hand looking at it for the hundred millionth time. I can’t get enough of her, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop being excited to wake up to her every morning knowing she’s my wife.

“My turn to pick? I wonder what this year will bring?” I laugh thinking about last year.

“Open the box and find out.” There’s a sly expression on her face and I wondered if she’s up to something.

I release her and open the box immediately seeing an envelope that looks like it doesn’t belong there. It’s different from all the others. Just like the one last year. But this note, this envelope looks new.

She put it there.

“You,” I pointed at her then tweaked her nose playfully.

She laughed at me. “Hey, you got to add to the box. So I wanted my chance too.”

“You little devil,” I scolded. “And I’m supposed to open it?”

“Yes, open it.”

“It’s not going to be something like a new handbag, is it?”

“No, because the fifty you bought me only weeks ago wasn’t enough.” She smirked with sarcasm. That was her shopping trip two weeks ago. I think I embarrassed her in the store because since she couldn’t choose I got practically everything.

“I thought I did good. You can now jazz up your arm.”

“Tristan, just open the note.”

I pulled out the note from the envelope and frown when I see what’s on there.

It says a cot.

“A cot? Why in hell do we need a cot Zoe?” I narrowed my eyes at her and imagine her lying on some sort of a Cleopatra chair. Maybe that’s what she means. “Is this like one of those pointless pieces of bedroom furniture you made me get?”

After the wedding she told me my chest of drawers were ugly and then she got this boudoir looking dressing table that immediately transformed my room from the masculine room it was into…okay I guess it did look classy now. And I supposed as we were rearranging our rooms so that we just had the one that we shared it was okay. But, back to the present. I don’t know why she wants a cot.

“You are so silly.” She started laughing at me.

“What? And in your answer please state how a cot will benefit me.” I tried to remember what it was she said to me last year when we read my note. “This box is about us. It signifies our friendship.” I made a show of putting on a voice that was supposed to sound like her, but I probably sounded more like a goat instead.

She started laughing so much she had to dab tears from her eyes.

“I don’t sound like that,” she scolded.

“Yes, you do. Also, I’m still waiting for the answer.”

“Okay,” she made a show of clearing her throat and tossed her hair to the side so that it graces the edge of her waist. She looks beautiful and hot, and I’m going to unwrap her the minute we finish here. “Tristan we need a cot because we need to turn my old room into a nursery. I hear that’s where baby’s sleep these days. But if you hate cots we could get a crib. I haven’t had time to check the differences yet. I just remember that my sister had a cot when Tilly was born.”

She had me at the word baby. I straightened up, mouth open, head light, blood pounding throughout my body at a hundred miles an hour.

“What?” I looked at her holding her gaze and I couldn’t take my eyes of her because I don’t want this to be a dream.

“We’re pregnant.” She said to me with that sweet nervousness I loved.

I rise from the sofa and bring my hands to my cheeks.

“Are you okay?” she asked looking worried. “I know we just got married and –”

“No, don’t you dare explain or anything. I’m excited.” I said that quickly because I didn’t want my shock to be misunderstood. “Baby.” I say going back to her. “Oh my God.” I breathe touching her stomach.

“You’re excited?” she asked with a small smile.

“I have absolutely everything now.” I told her. “Zoe…” All I can do is look at her, the woman who means the world to me. She is everything, and the keeper of all that will make me happy for as long as I live. “I’m going to be a father?”

“Yeah.” She reached out to touch my face, looking at me with so much love.

“This is the best note we’ve ever picked from the box.” I laughed feeling my whole body light up from the excitement.

Here was another moment of true happiness. I do have everything now.

“I love you,” she breathed.

“I love you, and yes we can have a cot, and whatever else you want.” I laughed pulling her into my arms and kissed her.

She kissed me back with the same desire that I felt in my heart and soul.

Last year was a great year. Now I really can’t wait to see what this year will hold for us.

All three of us.