Ryan approached later.
More cautiously.
“Ethan looks happy.”
“He is.”
Ryan nodded.
Then:
“I saw the bracelets.”
“Apparently our son has become sentimental.”
“He gets that from you.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Ryan laughed softly.
Then became serious.
“I am sorry I made the word always into something embarrassing.”
I looked at the engraving.
“It's not embarrassing.”
He looked surprised.
“It was true when we meant it.”
His eyes filled.
“And then?”
“And then it wasn't.”
I smiled sadly.
“That doesn't erase the eighteen years.”
He nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Don't thank me.”
“I'm not doing it for you.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
Then Oliver came running.
“Dad!”
Ryan turned.
“Yes?”
“Max says I can have cake twice.”
Ryan looked toward me.
I lifted both hands.
“Not my jurisdiction.”
Oliver grinned.
Then looked at me.
“You want some?”
“Yes.”
He took my hand without thinking.
Pulled me toward the dessert table.
Ryan followed.
