Page 134 of Almost Always

His heart lurched at the reminder. She’d gone from Miss Daisy to Daisy and now Mama; the last one was still the best name she could have. Kissing the side of her head, they stopped in front of the cake and he took a moment to admire it. With twothick layers, it had a cream base and around it were all of their favorite flowers. Almost like Clementine had recreated Daisy’s tattoos on the cake. It was absolutely breathtaking and he felt guilty about cutting into it.

“Speech!” someone yelled and he looked up to find all their friends standing on the other side of the table. When he glanced at Daisy, she nodded and he sighed softly.

“I…uh, thank you,” he started, laughing when everyone booed. He flipped them off and continued. “When I moved to town, I didn’t know what my life would look like. When your kid tells you he wants to live in a small town you’ve never heard of, you agree because you love him beyond life itself. The last thing I expected was to meet all of you, to find the kind of friends that I’ve been lacking my whole adult life. Thank you for taking us in the way you have, asking no questions and showing up whenever we need you.”

He turned to his wife and she arched an eyebrow, cocky smile gracing her lips. “You’re, by far, my favorite surprise,” he said softly. “I loved you quietly back in the day, but never again. I will always love you loud and proud, I will scream it from the rooftops and make sure the world knows that I’m the lucky son of a bitch that gets to be with you. Thank you for making me feel at home in your town, for loving me and for bringing all these troublemakers into my life.”

“Now kiss!” another person yelled and he rolled his eyes good-naturedly before looping his free arm around his wife. She came willingly and their mouths collided on a laugh.

When they pulled away, she smiled widely up at him. “Thank you for showing up in my small town and changing my life again.”

“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” he whispered.

Cal made a fussy noise and both of them looked down as he flashed them his famousPuss in Bootseyes. “Cake?”

“One track mind,” Rafferty muttered and Daisy grabbed the knife, holding it out so he could take it as well. Together, they cut into the cake. When it became clear that they were not going to be able to cut the perfect slice, Clementine came around to help. They stepped back as their friends crowded around the chef and the table.

“I really wish I could tell my teenage self that it would all work out.”

He glanced at his wife smiling up at him. “Yeah?”

“That the boy who promised toalwayslook out for me would stay true to it and one day become my husband.”

“Make sure to let my young adult self know the same thing.”

She laughed and leaned into his side. “Forever and always, Raff.”

“Forever and always, Hero.”

BONUS EPILOGUE

09 · 02 · 2024

Hotshot Husband,

Thought it seemed appropriate that I write you my first letter 21 years since your first one. Can you believe it’s been a whole month since we got married? One month since you became my husband, since you stood in front of a very bossy and awesome Evelyn and promised to love and cherish me forever.

Gotta admit, you’re doing a fantastic job of that. I have never been this loved and cherished before. I also have never loved anyone the way I absolutely and wholly love you. I didn’t think it was possible to feel so much for one person, but with you…I shouldn’t be surprised really. You’ve always been THE ONE, even if it took me so long to really understand what that meant. But you and me, right?

There are so many things I could write about in this letter, especially considering how many naughty dreams you apparently had about me (but hey, we brought some of those to life and I love you for it). But I’ve decided that this letter is going to be how grateful I am for you and Cal. How the two of you came into my life when I didn’t know I needed you and turned it upside down in the best ways possible.

I’ve probably said it before, but you changed my life. As a kid who was terrified and alone in New York and as an adult pushing through the days slowly in Wildes. You swooped in both times and completely changed the trajectory of my life. After my divorce, I had resigned myself to shitty dates and strangers that I forced myself to like just because I thought being alone would be terrible. I discovered that being alone wasn’t so bad, but being with you? Far superior to everything and anything else. I’ve given myself to so many people over the years, but you’ve never taken anything from me without giving something back. Every time I feel like I’m emptying my soul, you’re there refilling it for me. Because that’s just who you are. Who you have always been.

People say that when you’re married, everything looks different. But it doesn’t, not really. We’re still doing all the things we did before and I’m glad, it’s just better because I find myself staring at the rings on my finger knowing that when the dayis done, I’ll be back in your arms. Speaking of rings, I made an appointment with Oakley to get ours inked. I’ll add it to the calendar so neither of us forget.

But you know what the best part of being your wife is? Our son. You raised such an amazing young man, Raff. He’s truly a mini version of you, how was I supposed to not fall in love with him when twentysomething years ago, I fell in love with the original. Thank you for making me a mother in all the ways that matter, thank you for bringing this boy into my life and for showing me that with the Ames men is where I will always belong.

I can’t wait to sit under the stars with you forever.

Love,

Your wife

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