"Going slow" became a much more difficult task in the coming days. At the end of the night, you would invite me up for a nightcap. One kiss became two, three, and four. And I tried to prepare myself for the inevitable moment when you would pull away, which became later and later.
One night you didn't pull away. You were accepting of every kiss and every touch. And as I was mentally preparing for the inevitable, you whispered, "make love to me Bill." I stopped to process this for all of one second before I picked you up and carried you to the bedroom.
As you closed your eyes and laid you head back, I traveled down your neck, thinking of how many nights I dreamt of this. How many jealous fits I suppressed when I saw you with Jock and Sloan. Wondering, why them? They could never love you as I do.
As you breathlessly whispered, "Oh, Bill," I stopped thinking altogether.
And we made love for the first time.
Afterwards, I couldn't stop kissing you, whispering over and over, "Mary, my darling…I love you… I've always loved you…"
"I love you too Bill," you looked down at me, ruffling my hair, and as looked into your eyes, I knew it was true. "I guess I always have. I took you for granted. I don't even remember what I saw in Jock. I was such a fool."
You suddenly got a sad look across your face and said, "But I don't know if I'd be right for you Bill."
"What?" I sat up shocked, "you"re kidding right?"
"I can't have children Bill," tears welling up in your eyes, "you'd be giving up your chance."
"Oh darling," I relaxed and wrapped my arms around you, "don't be silly. We can adopt. I know a lawyer that specializes in these things," I kissed your moist cheeks, "you can have ten babies if you want."
You managed a smile through your tears, "I would be happy with just one."
I squeezed you tight and said, "then we'll have one."
And one month after your divorce was final, I took a knee off a bench at our favorite park in Bar Harbor and proposed.