Chapter 11

Two years later, Freddy and I didn't throw a big wedding. We just invited our family and had a small dinner by the sea. When my dad placed my hand in Freddy's, his eyes were a little teary. Freddy squeezed my hand gently, whispering, "I've got you now." We didn't even buy wedding rings. Instead, we picked out a piece of land together and built a small farm. "Rings get lost," he said. "Land lasts." On weekends, we'd go out there together. He'd plant vegetables while I picked fruit, both of us coming back covered in dirt. I took over part of my family's business, and Freddy's company did well. We often worked in the study together, each focused on our own screens. He frowned at his laptop. I sighed at spreadsheets. Sometimes, we'd look up at each other and couldn't help but smile. When we got tired, we made a simple bowl of noodles and ate together, talking about everything and nothing at all. Emma Gale lay on the carpet, building with blocks, her little bottom in the air. Fre