Page 39 of For the Record

Adam wrapped a single arm around his back, patting him once. He nodded my way with a wink and mumbled a quick “yes, sir.” My heart soared at the small interaction. He didn’t understand how much playing along meant to me, but maybe one day I’d find a way to do the same for him. I smiled at Adam behind Dad’s back and mouthed a thank-you with a wink right back.

Turning to me, my father reached over and hugged me next before lifting my ring to his eyes. The light caught on the oval diamond and danced around my finger as he moved it left to right. “Ah, he did good, huh?” He looked over his shoulder at Adam. “I told him a princess cut was perfect for Little Miss Royalty over here.”

My heart dropped ever so slightly. It felt like I was lying straight to his face. We hadn’t had some big proposal. Adam hadn’t asked my dad for permission beforehand. We didn’t even have any of our family at the wedding itself. Nothing about this was traditional or what I’d dreamed up as a little girl, and my dad had no idea. He was in his own world, and even if that world made him happy, it broke my heart to not have him on this planet with me. It was selfish, but I didn’t care. I was angry at the universe for taking someone so incredible and throwing them into a pit of confusion.

Sensing the cracks in my heart, Adam spoke up. “It fits her perfectly. You were completely right.” He nodded to my dad, quick and short. “I’m glad I listened to you.”

This man. Oh, this wonderful man that was better than a best friend. Better than I ever deserved and yet kept coming back again, over and over. He was such a light. Not the normal, flip-of-a-switch bright light that hurt your eyes when you entered the room. But he was this slow dimmer switch. With each day, with each action, he slowly brightened your life, and before you knew it, the whole room around you would be blanketed in a warm glow.

I smiled at him, feeling my body relax, piece by piece, down all the way to my toes. My thumb swirled my ring back and forth around my ring finger, and I bit my lip.

Dad went to sit back down. “Marriage is a beautiful thing. Not good for a man to be alone. God himself said so. He looked at man and said he needed something, so he made woman. And with that comes companionship and trust. It’s hard, more days than not, but it will be worth it.”

Fortunately, my dad mostly remembered the good days of his marriage. So he couldn’t recollect my mother and sister both walking out on us when times got tough. Therefore, of course, to him, marriage was a beautiful thing.

“Keep in mind that love is a choice. One you have to choose daily. Do that and you two will be just fine.” He nodded.

I looked over at Adam and smiled. No, we weren’t in love. Well, at least not in the way my father was assuming. But I did think there was some form of love between us. It was just foggy on what kind or how it applied. Regardless, I knew that Adam was pivotal to my joy, and that meant I’d keep him around a little longer.

Dad cleared his throat. “Now, all of that being said, I’d like some grandkids here soon, so if you two could hop on that.”

“Oh, I. Hmm. Well.” I snorted at Adam’s stuttering state, the way the pink of his cheeks deepened into red.

This had gone far, far better than I could have imagined.

Currently playing: Dancing In The Dark By Bruce Springsteen

***

How’s the sip ’n’ spin stuff going?

Rachel: It’s going great! Calla and I spent two hours on it the other night, and I’m feeling pretty good about it.

Rachel: I even have pie charts. Everyone loves pie.

They do. And if he’s a smart man, he’ll know that this is the best decision.

Rachel: Maybe. We’ll see.

*Attached picture of Adam reading a book, forearm tattoos showing and feet propped up on a small ledge, wearing his uniform*

Thanks for the book, by the way.

Rachel: Can I sell this pic on only fans or something? I feel like we would make a fortune together.

No.

This book is really….

Rachel: Fun?

Is that what they call it?

Rachel: According to your sister.

Didn’t need to know that.

Rachel: I didn’t need to know a lot of things that girl tells me, but here we are.