Page 28 of Spit Screen

“I do. But, Em, we’ve been here a few years. This is home and your folks are used to having you close—to having the kids close. And you love it here, too—being close to your family.”

Every day, I’m reminded of the reasons I fell in love with Addison, or it could be more accurate to say that every day, littlethings make me fall in love with her all over again. I struggle to answer when people ask if it was love at first sight for us. I can’t say I knew I loved Addy the moment we met. It was more like a recognition—something shifting inside me told me not to let her walk away. Addy’s eyes had a certain allure—a mischievous glimmer mixed with genuine kindness. As we became closer, I could see in her eyes a desire for more than physical intimacy with me but also a yearning for profound, unconditional love and acceptance. The absence of her family for many years left a void in Addy’s life, and she yearned for the sense of belonging that only a family can provide.

My family welcomed Addison with open arms, and they have become a source of comfort and stability for us as a couple. But even more importantly, they provided that for Addy. Developing a relationship with my parents has helped her heal and find a renewed connection with her father. Her reluctance to leave Kansas doesn’t surprise me. But Addy also forgets families aren’tgiven. They’re created.

I reach over and take Addison’s hand. “I love you so much, Addy.”

“Huh?”

I can’t help but giggle. “Have I not told you I love you lately?”

“Em?”

With a sigh, I continue. “I do, Addy. I love you more than you sometimes take the time to realize. You’re so busy giving to all of us—worrying about how I feel, what the kids need, what you can do for everyone—you lose sight of how much you mean to all of us. Just listen. I love being close toourfamily. My parents, Jackson, Sarah, Evan, and Andrew—they’repartofourfamily.But, Addy. They aren’t a bigger part or even a more important part of this family than Tamara and Christie, your dad, or Jeff and Sandra. Family is so much more than what we are given. I’m blessed, and I know it. I was fortunate to be born into anurturing family who loves me, even when we drive each other crazy. But my family was incomplete until I met you.”

“Em.”

“No. You need to listen. Our marriage is the centerpiece of my life. It’s the tether that holdsourfamily together. Families are collections of people, relationships, and love. And that takes work to build and maintain. It’s always hard to be apart from people you love.”

“I should never have asked you to live here full time,” Addison says.

“You haven’t been listening. I wanted to make the move here every bit as much as you did, Addy.” I hold up my hand to keep Addison from interrupting me. “It took me a little longer to embrace the idea because we’d created a wonderful homeandfamily in Los Angeles, and I was afraid moving here would alter that—that I would regret it.”

“I know.”

“But I don’t regret it—not at all. It’s been wonderful, and I’m so grateful we’ve spent these early years with our childrenhere. I am. But home will be wherever we’re together. Some days, I still miss walking to the pool to see you swimming laps or hearing Vicki squeal with excitement when King would jump in and then run through the mud.”

Addison laughs. “I can’t say I thought you’d missthat.”

“Those are precious memories for both of us.”

“Yeah. They are.”

“And we have those here, too. Noah’s birth, lost teeth, skinned knees, dance recitals, Christmases, and barbecues—and unexpected upheavals.”

“Em, I know this last year has been hard for you.”

“It’s had its share of challenges,” I reply. “Going through that—learning I had cancer, praying I would be healthy again—it changed my outlook.”

Addison’s eyes retreat to her lap. This is a topic she avoids whenever possible.

“Addy, look at me.” I smile when Addison’s gaze meets mine. “We got through it. Not me—we. But I think if we’re honest with each other, it was a wake-up call. It was for me. And I won’t lie to you. The thought of taking on a series again—of trying to balance raising three kids, our marriage, and the demand of leading a series feels?—”

“Overwhelming?”

“Yes. And scary. But also, exciting.”

Addison nods.

“We both feel safe here,” I tell her. “But safe is overrated, Addy. I trust you to keep me safe, and I trust us to keep our kids as safe as anyone can hope to—no matter where we go.”

“And if everyone is on board?” Addison asks.

“Then we take it one step at a time, but one deliberate step at a time.”

“And if we can’t?—”

“Addy, don’t project anything, okay? Let’s talk to everyone this weekend. Put our ideas on the table. Do you remember when you told me you would endOff Screenif that’s what it took for us to start our family—if it was whatIwanted? You would step away?”

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