a long time believing loving people meant removing uncertainty from their lives.”
I stayed quiet.
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“Please let me finish.”
“Sorry.”
He smiled.
“I love Mia.”
“I know.”
“I love you.”
My eyes filled.
“And I know neither of you needs me to become safe, solvent, successful, or whole.”
That sentence mattered more than the ring.
“I want to be there anyway.”
I looked at him.
“What happens if I say no?”
He inhaled.
“Then I will be humiliated.”
I laughed through tears.
“And?”
“And we go home.”
“Still together?”
“If you want.”
Good.
“What happens if I say yes?”
“I spend the rest of my life practicing asking before fixing.”
“That is a serious commitment.”
“I know.”
I held out my hand.
“Yes.”
He exhaled like someone had released him from a courtroom.
“You were worried.”
“Obviously.”
“Good.”
“That is unkind.”
“Balanced marriage.”
“Already threatening.”
I
