No, I did not miraculously save the file (I wish!). However, I did notice that my next chapter was planned as being Iris Bianca and Bubba's second wedding anniversary, and they had a really wonderful day, so I figured that would be a good way to finish off the dynasty. I'm still searching for a solution, but you should probably be resigned to the fact that it is, indeed, ending. So, without further ado . . .
The Walk "
Remember what day it is?" Bubba asked me that morning, practically bouncing with excitement.
"
Oh, well, yes, I . . ." I searched frantically in my mind. Mail day? No, that was every day. Did Bubba get a promotion? He was already at the top of his career. "
Oh, right! There's that huge scientist convention at the Alien Research Center! I hear there's supposed to be an amazing discovery on the subject of Plantsims--"
"
Oh, no, this is not happening!" He rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "
The husband is supposed to forget the second wedding anniversary, right? Shouldn't you be lording this over me right now?"
"
All right, all right--from your enthusiasm, I assume you have something very special planned?"
"
You know I do!" He crowed, then snapped his fingers and winked. "
And I am going to blow your beautiful, strangely not-senile mind."
He made me close my eyes the moment we got into the car--which, as I told him, is very unsafe--then walked me down a hill, towards the sound of water. Finally, he allowed me to open my eyes, and I looked around and saw-- "
This is the beach where you proposed, isn't it?"
Looking into each other's eyes, we both saw that night so clearly.
"
Marry me, Iris Bianca?" He teased, gazing into my eyes.
"
How soon will the wedding be?"
"
Oh, maybe two years ago, if I skip my bachelor party."
He swept me up into his arms, a little thinner than I remembered but just as steady.
"
Wasn't I in my swimsuit when you proposed, love?"
"
You know, I don't see you nearly enough in lingerie these days." I smacked him playfully, laughing.
"
Do you remember doing this last time, Bubba?"
"
It hurts that you don't believe in me, babe. That was the second-happiest day of my life, and you think I didn't memorize every moment?"
We both shifted a little to the right, and maybe anyone looking at us from behind wouldn't have even noticed we were old people, now. So, in a way, we were going back in time. Remembering the happy days that led to happy days that led to more happy days.
"
Seriously, though," he continued as we separated from a long kiss, "
I was not kidding about never seeing you in lingerie any more. Is it not available for elderly supermodels?"
"
How about we compromise and go for a swim," I laughed, and we jumped together into the water and engaged in an epic water battle.
"
All right, what next?" I asked as we dried ourselves off.
"
Now, we're going to relive the happiest day of my life."
"
Our first kiss."
"
Did it go something like this?" I leaned forward and kissed him in the middle of the courtyard.
"
Are you kidding? You were an animal!" He tried to duck as I slapped him flirtatiously. "
But you were a little more refined when I asked you to be my girlfriend."
"
Remember what else happened on that happiest of days?"
"
What, when you took me to that park bench and said . . . "But it's fun--and anyway, kissing is a normal part of a romantic relationship. Why don't we compromise: we'll kiss once, and if you want to continue, we will. Cool?"
"
Oh, that she remembers--"
"
Shut up and kiss me, you ridiculous man."
I thought about it for a moment and nodded, then we slid closer together . . .
I drew him up and stood with my hands on my hips. "
What did you mean before, that I was 'like an animal' the first time we kissed?"
"
We both know that you attacked me like a purple panther in heat," he laughed.
Before he could finish his sentence, I stepped forward.
Until finally, one day, I decided to shut him up.
He still responds the same way.
All these years, and he's just the same Bubba I fell in love with.
Instead of pulling away like I expected, Bubba pulled me into another, deeper kiss that lasted for hours, until I could barely breathe but didn't want to let go to inhale oxygen. Who needs oxygen, anyway?
Skip the rest of the drama and go straight to the next chapter
