Chapter 15
Italy was everything I had dreamed of and more.
We went to Rome. Florence. Venice. Tuscany.
We ate amazing food. We drank wonderful wine. We saw incredible art. We walked through ancient streets.
We made love in hotel rooms with views of the city.
We talked. We laughed. We dreamed.
It was perfect.
On our last night, we were in Venice.
We were sitting in a small café, watching the gondolas go by.
Lisa took my hand.
"Remember when we first met?" she said. "In that restaurant. Hating each other by all rights. And now look at us."
I smiled. "Look at us."
"Who would have thought?" she said. "The wife and the mistress. Best friends. Lovers. Wives. Partners in everything."
"Life is funny," I said.
She nodded.
"It is," she said. "And I'm so grateful. For everything. For the bad times because they led me to you. For the good times because they're with you."
She paused.
"I want to renew our vows," she said. "Right here. In Venice. Just the two of us. No guests. No fanfare. Just us. Recommitting to each other. To our future."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I'd like that," I said.
The next morning, we found a small church.
We found a priest who was willing to perform a small ceremony.
We exchanged new vows.
New rings.
We promised to love each other for the rest of our lives.
It was simple. Intimate. Perfect.
When we got back home, life continued.
But it was even better now.
We had reconnected. We had recommitted.
We were stronger than ever.
Emma graduated from college and went to medical school.
Ethan graduated from high school and went to college to study education.
They were growing up.
Building their own lives.
And Lisa and I... we were enjoying our empty nest.
We traveled more. We spent more time together. We focused on our relationship.
We were happy.
May you like
Truly, deeply happy.
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