“Yes. You’re a terrible secret keeper.”
He chuckles. “I didn’t want to tell you until tonight,” he says, his voice tinged with excitement, “But I’ve got another anniversary gift for you.”
My curiosity piqued, I turn to him, a smile playing on my lips. “Really? What is it?”
“Well, I remembered you talking about how much you wanted to visit France. So I booked a trip to Paris. We leave in two weeks.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Paris? Are you serious?”
He nods, his dimples deepening. “Happy Anniversary, Bella.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him hard. “Thank you,” I say against his mouth. “I can’t wait to explore the Louvre, see all the incredible art, and immerse myself in history.”
“You can lose yourself in the Louvre, and I'll lose myself in the croissants and wine.” He winks playfully.
I nudge him with my elbow. “Of course, you would think about the food first.”
He shrugs with an exaggerated expression of innocence. “What can I say?” He shrugs with an exaggerated expression of innocence. “I have my priorities.”
Breaking away from our embrace, a grin tugging at my lips, I tell him, “You really are the best husband in the world.”
He chuckles, that charming glint in his eyes never dimming. “Well, I aim to please. And…” His thumb strokes my cheek. “Considering I’m married to the most incredible woman in the world, I know I better keep my performance high.”
I can’t resist a playful grin. “Oh, don’t worry. Your performance in all areas of our marriage has been nothing short of excellent.”
As we stand there, our playful banter fading into a more serious tone, I can see a hint of contemplation in Alex's eyes. His fingers gently trace patterns on my arm before he finally speaks up.
"You know," he begins, his voice softer, "I've been thinking about something lately. I know you said when we got married that you didn’t want to have kids. And I want to make sure that’s still the case.”
His question catches me off guard. It's not something we've discussed in a long time. "Is that something you want, Alex?"
He smiles warmly, his hand finding mine. "Honestly, I think our family is already complete with just the two of us. I love our life together, just us. But I also don't want you to feel like you've missed out on anything, especially if you ever have a change of heart."
I appreciate his thoughtfulness and the way he's considering my feelings in this matter. With a gentle squeeze of his hand, I respond, "You know, I've thought about it too, but right now, I'm content with our life as it is. And I love our adventures and the freedom we have. But if that ever changes, if I ever feel differently, I know you'll be there to support me."
He leans in and kisses my forehead. "That's all I want, for us to be happy together, no matter what we decide."
As I gaze into His hazel eyes, I'm transported back to the early days of our relationship, when we first met and embarked on this incredible journey together. We've shared countless adventures, celebrated victories, and supported each other through challenges. Our relationship has grown and evolved, and it's a testament to the love we share that we can openly discuss such an important topic as starting a family.
We're not just a couple; we're a team, partners in every sense of the word. And in that unity, we find the strength to face whatever the future holds.
The unspoken understanding between us speaks volumes, reinforcing the strength of our connection and the certainty that our future, whatever it may hold, will be bright because we face it together.
Reader’s Choice:
What would you like to do next?
Wrinkles, rocking chairs, and grey hairs. See what a lifetime of love and adventure with Alex looks like. Turn to this page.
Embark on another adventure — the adventure of parenthood. Turn to this page.
Go back to the beginning and start a new journey with Bella. Turn to this page.
End your journey and go to the Afterward. Turn to this page.
Chapter83
Alex