Page 120 of Rewriting the Story

“Our life together,” Amelia tells me. Just like every playlist we both make has a name, every disc burned also gets one. This one being just for me, made by my family, is…too much, almost.

“It’s been the best one I could have ever imagined,” I tell her. “And I owe it all to you.”

“Us, Henry. It’s not just you and me anymore, remember?” She tilts her head to the back seat.

“God, I love you so much, Ames,” I tell her. “I love this life we have together.”

“Me too.” She smiles as a tear falls. “It’s everything I could have imagined.”

I used to believe everything happens for a reason, but now, I know things happen because we make them happen. Amelia and I made this happen—together.

True Blue by boygenius

AsIcarryoneof our dogs out to the living room of our home, I see my beautiful wife scrambling around, trying to get everything ready for the family Christmas party we’re hosting. My parents flew in the other day, and Ella’s dad and sister are on the way as well. Part of me feels nostalgicseeing Ella run around like this, remembering how she bossed me around the first time I freaked out about hosting our friends.

It’s funny how things never seem to change much.

“Ella, darling,” I say as she looks over at me, “do you want some help?”

“You’ve got Rosie girl in your arms,” she tells me as she hangs our decorations on the tree. “Do you think she’ll let you put her down to help me?”

I shrug. “I can at least get the food out.”

“That actually would be helpful,” she tells me as I walk by, grabbing her in my free arm and spinning her around, needing to feel her lips on mine. “What was that for?”

“Why do you question me every time I want to kiss my beautiful wife?”

“Because you always seem to want something after.” She smirks, knowing I’ll never be able to get enough of her, in this lifetime and the next. She’s all I’ve ever wanted, and the life we’ve created together is just as I imagined.

We have two codependent dogs, no children, and beautiful properties around the States and back in London. We vacation a lot, despite how hard it is to pull my wife away from her business—which continues to thrive as the years pass.

I’ve officially taken over Loft Media since Imogen moved on to bigger and better things. The transition was rough, but I’m grateful to be able to run the company I started at all those years ago. Not only did I work my ass off to get where I am, but I was able to do it with Ella by my side.

“Am I too early?” my sister says as she waltzes through the door.

“I regret giving you a key now,” I say as I hug her. “But I am glad to see you.”

“Alissa, thank fuck,” Ella sighs. “Can you help me set up everything before our parents arrive?”

“Is Lizzie coming too?”

“Yes, and her husband.” Ella smiles. I let the two of them settle in and finish up everything while I get the food ready.

I’m grateful my parents made the trip over here. Obviously, we stay in touch, but I’ve missed actually seeing them. Ella and I got to London over the summer, but it’s still been too damn long.

Soon, this house will be filled with two families, lots of laughter, and probably too much cursing, but I love it. I was so afraid of missing out on things being in the States, but now that I’m older, more secure, Ella and I are able to travel and see them whenever we can.

No longer am I worried I’m not doing enough for my family—Ella wakes up every morning and tells me I’m enough for her. Those words are all I need, and I can’t believe she still deals with my annoying arse.

I thought she would tire of me. I thought she would get sick of me one of these days, but every morning, I get to wake up to her beautiful face, those curls sticking to my face as our dogs lay between us. I thank my lucky stars she opened the damn door for me all those years ago.

I’ve reached the other side of the monkey bars, all thanks to Ella, and I can’t wait to see where this next phase of our life takes us.

“Leo?”

“Yes, darling?”

“Can you get the door? I think everyone is here.”

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