Page 13 of A Lapse in Time

"Okay, kids. Let me get a picture before you go," Carlie insisted as she opened the door wider.

"Carlie, please."

I chuckled at the embarrassed look on Carsyn's face, but I thought it was a good idea. New memories required new pictures.

"I'm okay with it if you are," I told Carsyn. I wanted the pictures, too, but my wife's comfort was more important.

Carsyn stepped out onto the porch. "I don't mind."

Carlie cheered and grabbed her phone from her pocket. Carsyn stood next to me, and at first, it seemed like she didn't know what to do, so I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. Instantly, she relaxed and leaned into me.

"Aww, y'all look so cute," Carlie gushed as she snapped multiple pictures.

It made me feel like we were going to the prom or something.

After Carlie took all the pictures she wanted, she sent us on our way. While we were gone, she was going to set up something in the house for us later. I just hoped I wasn't doing too much and it backfired.

"Bye, Carlie," Carsyn said as we walked down the steps.

I thought Carsyn would be hesitant to hold my hand, but she wasn't.

We walked to the car, and I opened the door for her and waited until she was buckled in before I closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.

"How are you feeling?" I asked Carsyn when I got in the car.

"Nervous. My headache went away, though."

I turned to face her. "Why are you nervous?"

I felt the same, but I was sure we felt that way for different reasons.

"Because this feels like it's a first date even though it isn't."

When she looked down at her hands, I noticed she played with her wedding band. I couldn't describe the feeling I got from her wanting to wear it.

"What made you put your wedding ring on?" I wasn't going to say anything, but I was curious.

I would have been okay if she hadn't felt comfortable wearing it yet. As long as she put it on again at some point, I would have been satisfied. Even though we had reservations, we were still parked in the driveway.

"Because we are married, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are. I'm glad you are wearing it." I wanted to lean over and kiss her like I would have any other time, but I refrained. "Before we leave, I want to make sure that you understand that this night is all about you. No question is off-limits. If at any time you don't feel like being in public anymore, let me know, and we will come back to the house. Don't feel like you are going to disappoint me. Your well-being is the most important thing to me."

I prayed that the night went well and we would be on the right track, but I wasn't going to force it, either.

"I'll be okay. I've been looking forward to this date since you asked me this morning."

I swear my heart skipped a beat when Carsyn said that. I'm glad she felt just as excited as I was about this.

The weather was perfect for what I had planned. I cracked the windows and backed out of the driveway. I didn't want the wind to mess up her curls. It didn't matter how she wore her hair. Carsyn was beautiful to me. Still, the big, bouncy curls that framed her makeup-free face made her look even prettier, if that were possible. Rarely did she wear makeup, which I loved because I loved the small freckles that spotted her nose and cheeks.

The radio was at a low volume as we drove to our destination. Carsyn was quiet as she looked out the window like she was seeing the city for the first time. To her, maybe it was, because things had changed since the way she remembered it. She was oblivious to the number of times I looked over at her. Whenever she asked about a store or landmark, I answered it.

When we arrived at our destination, I found a parking spot and helped Carsyn get out of the car.

"What are we doing at the lake?" she asked after I closed her door.

"This is where I proposed to you. I figured I'd recreate the night, hoping maybe something would jog your memory. It's okay if it doesn't."

---