Tides and Tidings

Chapter 49

Blythe

C harlie set up the tree while Wren and I supervised.

“A little to the left,” I instructed. Charlie adjusted the tree. “Too much to the left.”

He looked over his shoulder, his blue eyes boring into me. “Would you like to do it then?”

A giggle escaped. “No, you’ve got it. Right there.”

“Daddy, it’s not straight.” Wren chimed in.

“You two…” Charlie shook his head. “Are perfectionists. I think the tree is straight.”

“If you come back here with us, you will see it’s not,” Blythe said through giggles.

Charlie stood beside us to see that the tree was far from straight in the stand. “Damn it.”

He adjusted the tree once more in the base. “How about now?”

“Perfect!” Wren and I said in unison.

Charlie stood up and admired his work. “It’s about time.”

“I’m hungry,” Wren announced.

I glanced down at my watch and it was rapidly approaching dinner time.

“I’ll go order pizza, and you two can put the lights on the tree. Does that sound like a plan?”

Wren gave me a thumbs up.

I knew that if I helped hang the lights, I would do Charlie a huge favor, but after a day away from his best girl, I knew they needed time together. I made my way to the kitchen and reached for my phone to order our pizzas. My task took a few minutes, but from the giggles I heard from the living room, Charlie and Wren would be a while.

Instead of interrupting their quality time, I got our dirty laundry in the washing machine, fed Marsh, and made my way to the back porch.

I leaned my elbows on the wooden railing, looked out at the water, and watched the sun set. I inhaled deeply, taking in the salty, cool December air. The trees were bare and lifeless. Even though everything was dead, there was still beauty to it all. The rebirth that begins each spring is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a clean slate.

Before moving to Wippowa, I felt like I was living in an eternal winter—literally and metaphorically. I felt dead inside. Nothing brought me joy. I went through the motions each and every day. Now, I thrive. Every day is a new opportunity to make it unforgettable. Each day has beauty within it and is filled with countless possibilities.

I’m not sure how much time has passed because I got lost scrolling through pictures from the weekend. I don’t remember taking half of these photos, but I will cherish them forever. The last one in my camera roll was the photo Charlie had the guy take of us at the Christmas tree farm. Wren’s smile went from ear to ear, identical to Charlie’s.

Who am I to be so blessed with such an incredible life? A life I was once adamant I didn’t want. I have people in my life now who love me how I should have been loved my whole life.

“Birdie! Come see how Daddy and I did with the tree!” Wren opened the back door slightly and yelled out to me.

I spun on my heel and made my way inside. They had turned all the lights off, so the only light was coming from the tree. Charlie and Wren—mainly Charlie—had pushed it to the left corner of the room so it was next to our television.

“Guys, this is beautiful.”

They used the twinkling lights, and the house had the most incredible warm glow. Our house was always cozy, but this was next level.

Charlie wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed my head. “Does it look okay? Any feedback for improvements?”

I shook my head. “None. It looks great.” I scanned the room. “We just need to get the ornaments.”

He bent down to be at eye level with Wren. “I’m going to go get the ornaments and the decorations. Why don’t you go play for a little bit.”

Wren nodded. “Can I go outside?”

“Only if Birdie goes with you.”

I extended my hand for her to take it. “We can go outside. Should I grab your sidewalk chalk?”

She shook her head. “No, I wanna ride in my car.”

“We can do that. can you go put a jacket on?”

“Do I need to?” Wren pouted.

“If you want to go outside, you have to.”

“Okay!”

Wren ran off to put a jacket on.

“That’s one way to do it,” he murmured against my lips.

“I love you.” My green eyes met his bright blues. “Thank you for this life.”

“I love you more.” He wrapped his arms around me. “I meant what I said earlier about today being a core memory for me.”

A smile tugged at my lips. “It was for me too.”

“Getting to do life with you is the best thing, Bee.” He responded honestly. “I never imagined life could be so worth living.”

My heart swelled. I loved this man with every fiber of my being.