She felt his presence as he sat down beside her on the concrete step. He didn’t speak, and neither did she.

 

The susurrus sound of rippling waves washing in upon the shore mingled with the laughter of happy couples in rowboats. A sanderling twittered by the dock. An old woman by the parking lot was handing out roses for Valentine’s Day.

 

Mia took a deep breath as a cool Florida breeze caressed her face and blew a lock of hair back from her face. She stared down at the diamond ring on her finger. Brody had slipped it on her finger six years ago today.

 

How things had changed since then.

 

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean what I said yesterday.”

 

“It sure sounded like you did.

 

He shook his head. “No. I love you, Mia…more than anything else in this world. I know things haven’t been good between us for a long time, but…our marriage is worth fighting for…you’re worth fighting for.”

 

Mia blinked back the salty wetness that stung at her eyes, and turned to meet his gaze. “I love you too…but I can’t save our marriage on my own.”

 

“I know…I’ve been a lazy jerk and all kinds of a fool…but, I swear, things are going to be different. I can’t imagine my life without you, Mia. I guess I just started taking our love for granted…but, when you walked out yesterday…I knew one thing for sure…you mean everything to me and I’ll fight for you, I’ll fight for our marriage. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

 

A solitary tear trickled down Mia’s face and left a wet path down her cheek.

 

Brody got down on his knees and took her hand in his. “Mia Turner, will you marry me…again?”

 

She laughed and nodded, tears running down her face in mascara-tinted rivulets. “Yes. I’ll marry you…again.”

 

Brody smiled even as tears escaped from his own eyes, and he took her in his arms. He kissed her passionately, entwining his fingers in her soft auburn hair and savoring her nearness.

 

This love was worth fighting for.

 

© Whitney L. Schwartz

 

Written for Thursday 360