Anchor - M. Mabie Page 0,39
you, for both of us.
I know I won’t be there when you realize she’s it for you, but I saw this in a wedding magazine that Micah left here. I called a jeweler and purchased it.
I might be way off and you might not be the one who finds this. But the thought that it’s possible is helping me through the thoughts of not seeing it happen for you myself. Not seeing you grow into an even stronger man with love in your life, watching you become a father, and watching you love your family like I’ve loved mine.
I pray so damn hard that all of those things happen. It brings me peace believing they will.
So when they do, love her with all of your might. Love her until you feel like a fool. And let her love you back.
I won’t be there to see what you do with this ring, but in some small way, if you find it and give it to her, know that it’s the thing I most wanted for you … and your sweet honeybee.
Love, Mom.”
When Blake finished reading, through sniffles and emotion catching in her throat, she folded the paper and placed it on the table beside the bed and turned off the light. She turned in my arms and laid her head on my chest. Every few minutes she’d kiss my skin and I’d feel a tear roll across my skin and down my side. I stroked her back lazily with the ends of my fingertips until I felt goosebumps blanket her flesh.
And I thought.
I thought about how my mom hadn’t told me how sick she was because she wanted to see me happy—specifically, with Blake. I thought about how I took care of my mother in those last days, and all of those times she asked me if I’d heard from Blake. I thought about how it was my mom’s passing that brought Blake to me last October, and how those days seemed so far back in history I couldn’t even feel how brutal the pain was anymore.
Moms are always right.
I loved my mom, what kid doesn’t? I wished I had the chance to thank her. For her love, for her forethought, for always wanting my happiness, and for her generous heart. But for the first time since she’d left, I felt like I did something that would have made her genuinely happy.
Most of all, I hoped wherever she was, she knew.
I thought Blake would be reserved with the news of our engagement, as it’s in her nature to be nervous of what others think. In that respect we were totally different. Where I’d slept that night with thoughts of calling everyone I knew—hell, I considered renting a billboard and taking out radio ads with the news—I just guessed she’d tell people, but in a moderate way.
Boy, was I wrong.
My girl beat me to the punch. While I was sleeping and dreaming of spreading the news, she was up doing it.
“I know and, Mom, the ring. I’ll send you a picture. It’s stunning. Absolutely perfect,” she gushed over the phone. “I’m so happy.”
Every single inch of me absorbed the sight and sound of her bliss. She wore my favorite tank top; the one I’d given her a long time ago. We both knew it was a one-sided gift. I could see her breasts through the long armholes when she spun around and caught me watching from the doorway.
“Yeah, he’s up now,” she said, laughing. “Sure, just a second.”
Pulling the phone away from her ear, she wiggled her eyebrows and said, “She wants to talk to you. And good morning.” She leaned over the island we’d scandalized the day before and kissed me as she handed me the phone.
Maybe I was still dreaming.
“Hello,” I answered, clearing the morning gravel out of my throat.
“Good morning, Casey. Congratulations and thank you,” she said as she choked up a little. “You’re making my daughter so happy.”
It was so sweet. I stuck my bottom lip out to convey what I could about what she was saying to Blake. She made the same endearing, pouty face back.
“Well, she’s making me very happy too.”
“Good, now let us know when you guys are coming back to town. I’m not sure what your plans are, and you don’t have to have any yet.” She chuckled and gave a little whoop. “Enjoy it and we’re here for whatever you two need.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Warren. We’ll keep you posted.”
“Call me Kara—or heck—just call