5

Marley enjoyed going to work everyday, but she couldn't help but worry about her son every waking moment of the day. She wanted to stay home and just be with him. She would worry that she would miss something important, or wouldn't be there when he was crying and needed his mother. The thought that Marley had to take her baby to her Sister-in-law's for 8 hours of the day just made Marley feel depressed. This feeling eventually led to Marley asking to take an extended leave from her teaching. If there was no better moment for an "I told you so" than when Marley told Brian her decision to stay home with Jordan. But Brian being the humble man he was didn't say that, but instead hugged them both and decided that they needed a vacation of their own. 

Now taking any baby on a vacation isn't idea, but with Marley finally taking a leave from her job, and Brian's work slowing down for a moment, there was no time like the present. That night they loaded into the truck and drove several hours to Brian's ranch. The ranch wasn't as big as he remembered it growing up, as for his parents had decided to sell the majority of the cattle, horses, and other livestock. There just was no one anymore to take care of the ranch so keeping it as low maintenance as possible was the best thing for his parents who just simply couldn't do it all.

This just tore Brian up inside, he wanted to but the ranch from his parents and hire people to run it for him when he had to be at work. But his father, Stan, couldn't see that ever happening. There was no way that Stan would let that happen, its been a family owned and run ranch. Marley always loved "visiting" the ranch but didn't ever want to make it a lifestyle. She enjoyed their home just outside of the city, she liked having neighbors that came over to check and make sure she or Brian didn't need anything. Brian was the same, as much as he wanted to move back home he too loved the suburb lifestyle, well he mostly loved the block parties so he could show off his BBQ skills, which always left people speechless, because the neighborhood didn't understand that because something is charred it isn't burnt. 

The best part about the ranch was that there were always horses and places to ride to, As soon as they arrived Brian unloaded Jordan and their bags and Marley fetched the horses, That was always their first thing to do. Brian took Jordan to his mother, Linda and she could not have been more excited to see her grandson. Jordan was Linda's third grandson, she had yet to have any granddaughters. But that didn't stop her from getting all the loving on Jordan she could. Brian's parents weren't anti city life but they didn't enjoy spending longer than a few hours in the city, and that usually included them passing through. They were simple folk. But in their old age Brian felt that they needed to find somewhere to retire and relax. He hated the thought that one or both would pass and no one would know until the next person visited the ranch.

Off they rode towards the treeline. Marley and Brian hadn't visited the ranch for almost a year, they really enjoyed staying home and being with Jordan. While out riding Marley quietly said, "you were right."

"Woaaaahh." Brian shocked pulled on the reigns. "What did you say, and why?"

"You know damn well what I said. You were right on the whole me staying home with Jordan." Marley rolled her eyes

"Don't get me wrong I love that you ended up quitting to stay home. And I know how hard that was for you. I never want you to do anything you don't want to do." 

"I'm happy you were right. I'm happy I get to spend all this time with my son, and with you. I see you when you leave then I see you when you get home. I hate to see you leave each day, but I love to watch you go...you know because your butt, yeah it looks good." Marley chuckled

"We never can have a decent conversation without you trying to be funny." Brian said. And before he could start another sentence Marley kicked her horse and ran off. 

"Feel free to try to keep up." She hollered from up a ways.

The two rode for a few hours before they got to their spot. Brian called it "Our Spot" because it was the spot he knew without a doubt in his mind that Marley was the one person who was going to make the rest of his life the happiest he had ever hoped it would be. She didn't know it but Brian sure did. It was all perfect, the way she just sat there and didn't say a word, looking off into the sunset, taking in all the beauty of the mountains. From this spot they could see the ranch, the small down way down in the valley, and the river that ran through the valley. It was a picture perfect spot. 

Marley sat there just as she did 4 years ago, quiet and in awe. "This place hasn't changed and its why I love it. Its just a simple life." Brian hopped off his horse and helped Marley off hers and they say down over by the tree they carved their names into.

"So, we've been at this a while." Brian said

"Uh yeah.." Marley replied confused.

"What I mean is I'm not perfect and on occasion you drive me bonkers. BUT I wouldn't change anything about us for anything. I met you my second, your first, year of college. You had a great head on your shoulders, and I kinda was head over heels for some girl that had this thing for chicken nuggets and milkshakes. I didn't know I would spend the next two years falling more and more in love with you. I did know I wanted you to be mine forever. I didn't know you were so patient when I said I didn't wanna get married until after I finished law school. I didn't know you planned our entire wedding and included EVERYTHING I wanted. I didn't know I would give up my simple life to move to work in the city, and you be totally fine with it." Brian explained

"I didn't have much of a choice.... I kinda liked you." Marley laughed

"Woman, focus." Brian laughed. "I'm trying to be serious. You went on some crazy trip to Italy with some talk drink of water. You worked to fulfill your dream, and you did. You brought this perfect bundle of joy into our lives. And you then, after us getting into an argument, realized I was right and realized how much you wanted to stay home with our son. You have given up everything so that I can work day in and day out so you don't have to. All I want to know is what do you want? You never complain or ask for things, but I want to know what you want. Where you wanna go from here."

"I can't ask for things that I already have." Marley quickly responded.

"After 5 years of marriage what has changed. What do you want to change?" Brian asked

"So much has happened in those five years. We moved to the city. You and I both landed our dream jobs. You and I both are home at night and in the mornings. I quit my job so I could be with Jordan. But to be honest I wish I didn't. I love being home but I want to go back to teaching. AND I want us to visit my family this summer." Marley slugged Brian. See, Marley's parents live in Seattle. And its not a short drive from Chicago like Brian's parents are. 

"I think I can get on board with both of those. Just as long as we don't stay more than a week at your parents." Brian laughed and then Marley punched him so hard he fell off the log they were sitting on. They both sat there watching the sun set over the valley, Marley leaning on Brian. Brian kissed Marley's head, "I don't think my life could get any better but you always find a way." And just like that Brian started to sing, "You're more than a lover. There could never be another. To make me feel the way you do. Oh we just get closer. I fall in love all over. Every time I look at you I don't know where I'd be without you here with me. Life with you makes perfect sense. Oh Marley, YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND."

"And you can't carry a tune if your life depended upon it." Marley laughed. "Let get back." She leaned over and kissed Brian and then said, "Race you back?"

4

And just like that, what they thought was perfect was nothing compared to what they were about to have in their lives. Brian persisted that Marley stay home and be a full time mom, but Marley wanted to be a teacher, she felt that she was changing lives everyday. Marley applauded those who were full time moms, but it just wasn't for Marley. This slightly upset Brian. He had hoped she would stay home, he made more than enough money to support him and his family. But that wasn't it, Marley didn't want to be cooped up in the hose. She felt that her dreams were of being a teacher were reached then only a year later she had to give that all up.

Brian loved Marley with all his heart and was hoping that she would see that staying home was the best option for their situation. No matter how much he tried to convince Marley to become a stay at home mom, she ignored him. Every time the conversation was brought up Marley avoided it like the plague. Brian was starting to catch on, this only made him more angry.

"Why won't you talk to me about this!" He yelled from the kitchen.

"Because you're telling me that I have to give up my dreams of being a teacher to stay at home with our baby. There's nothing wrong with both of us working. Just because I want to work does not mean that I'm a bad mother. I still get to come home each night and see my child and husband. And for crying out loud, I have every weekend, holiday, AND summer off."

"That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying I'd like if you stay home, you are fee to choose whatever you want.I don't want you to be mad at me. You got mad at me before we could even discuss this. I wouldn't ask you to do anything that made you unhappy. Whatever you decide I will stand by and support you. You just have to talk to me and let me know, quit bottling up your emotions, because quite frankly you're not very good at hiding them."

Brian walked over to his wife, sitting on the couch, leaned over placed one arm around Marley and put his other hand on her belly and said, "I wouldn't want anything less than happiness for either one of you."

Marley knew that already, she just felt as though she was eventually going to end up as a stay at home mom, her worse nightmare. Marley wasn't cut out for the cooking and cleaning, the running kids to school, grocery shopping, shoot she and Brian ate out four times a week. Marley wasn't much of a cook, she could whip you up an amazing box cake or top ramen, those were just her specialties. As for cleaning, she tied to clean up after herself so that she didn't have to dedicate several hours or even worse, a whole day, to cleaning. It just wasn't Marley's dream to become a "stay at home" mom. 

They prepared for months and when the time came they still didn't feel like they were ready to have a baby boy. No parents are really ready for kids. They're the biggest plot twist in any life. On March 13, weighing 6 lb 7 oz Jordan Brian Scott was born. Marley and Brian once thought that they had the perfect life, but that all changed when they held their son for the first time. 

At one point in Brian's life he had dreamed of having a son to grow up on the ranch ride horses from the day he was born, to moving cattle, to wearing boots and a cowboy hat. That all changed when he moved to the city, had to wear a suit everyday for work, and rarely visited the ranch on holidays. Now Brian saw a star athlete, one who would never ride any bucking anything, a boy who would drive all the girls wild, a gentleman, a son who would throw the pig skin on Sundays, a son who would follow in his old man's footsteps and find someone as amazing as his mother to marry and have a few kids of his own. Brian was so overcome with emotion he couldn't help but let out a few tears. 

Brian had only cried two other times until today. Brian covered his face with his hand while holding Jordan with the other. Marley watched and said, "I always thought I was a happy person, but there are no words to describe the joy I have right now for my perfect son."

Perfect is the accurate word to describe Jordan. Two weeks after he was born he had not cried even once. Marley was certain there was something wrong, but there wasn't. Jordan was all smiles, but always aware of his surroundings. Though he hardly slept, that didn't stop him from being perfect. Marley was always concerned there was something wrong, no newborn was ever like this. But doctors assured her that there wasn't. Healthy and happy were the response. The only things that Jordan didn't like, his daddy's singing and his mommy's "funny" faces. 

Every person that held Jordan said the same thing, "Boy isn't he just perfect."

And every time Marley would respond, "He sure is, he sure is."

3

The aisle was covered with white flower petals. The sun shone through the cracks through the barn walls. The guests carrying on with quiet chatter. Suddenly it stops, finally the moment they all had been waiting for. Brian standing tall and not in a typical cowboy look, but a tux, which was his soon to be wife's request. Anxiously waiting all day for this moment, he finally didn't have to wait any more. Dressed in a white lace dress, hair accented with wild flowers that matched her boquet. To Brian, she couldn't have looked more perfect.

She walked down the aisle, but it wasn't a walk, her walk so graceful it was like she was floating. Brian waited with tears in his eyes and hand over his mouth, she could't have looked more perfect. "How is she keeping her composure" Brian thought. He just wanted to run to her scoop her up and run away. He reached down, took her hand and with tears in his eyes he said, "gosh I love you."

The "I dos" came, the big ol' kiss, and finally the announcing of Mr. and Mrs. Scott, followed by cheers and clapping. This day couldn't have been more perfect. Marley, skeptical of having a wedding in a barn out in the boondocks had the wedding of her dreams. All of their families were in attendance along with their friends, there was a dance floor, food, drinks, and even a firework farewell. Instead of driving away in Brian's ol' hunk of junk they rode down the road on horseback, yeah that was Brian's idea since he couldn't wear boots and jeans to his own wedding.

They drove straight from the reception to the airport where they boarded a plane to Italy. Marley always dreamed of a wedding in Italy, but since she wasn't rich and famous, she settled for a honeymoon there instead. They visited Rome, Milan, Pompeii, Venice, and everywhere in between. It isn't every day that you visit Italy. Brian's parents decided that after he graduated from Law School they would buy him a graduation present and instead they sent him and Marley to Italy. This was a big celebration for both of them. Married, Brian had landed his dream job of being a lawyer at the firm he had interned for while in law school.

This didn't overshadow Marley and her determination to pursue her dreams. While she was planning the wedding she was also finishing up her finals within the education program. She had been working for years to become a high school English teacher. She loved kids and had a passion for writing and teaching. It just made sense for her to become an educator. Unfortunately she had to travel for work. Brian worked in the city and her school was about 1/2 hour away from their new home. This was not a big deal for either of them. As long as they both got to come home at night and saw each other for breakfast in the morning they could manage.

As newlyweds it was a little bit of a struggle. Its new, you're married, you're living with this new person, you're never home, it just adds up. But that didn't stop Brian from being the optimistic person he was. He had to be. See, Brian was a defense lawyer. He defended all sorts of people, so when he came home he just wanted to hug and kiss his wife each day and hear about her and the kids she teaches. Each day Marley would have all sorts of stories to tell Brian. Marley knew not to ask about Brian's work, no matter how much he tried to cover it up she could tell that there was something that happened or something that is bugging him. Brian would persist that nothing is wrong or that it wasn't anything to worry about. He was good about taking the attention away from his bad day and focus it on her.

On one of the hardest of days, Brian wanted to break down and explain how he lost a case that led to a son being taken away from his parents because they didn't love him and had him fend for himself. Brian came home, threw his bags on the floor, and plopped on the couch. Tears filled his eyes, he knew what he did was for the boy's better interest, but it just hurts knowing how long the boy had to be on his own and felt disregarded for most of his life. But he didn't want to bombard his wife with this sad story. Instead he just sat there on the couch with his hands on his face. Marley walked over and hugged him. They sat there in silence, Brian finally looked into Marley's eyes and asked her why she was crying. "Am I crying too much? Does she think I ran over our dog?" Brian thought.

Marley grabbed his hands, "Brian, I'm pregnant."

2

Loneliness was the last thing Marley expected when she left for college. Yeah sure, you're moving out on your own but you're getting roommates, friends, classmates, coworkers, there's nowhere to be alone. But It didn't matter how many people she had by her side, she still felt all alone in this big world. 7.2 billion and somehow she never felt more alone. Sure she was the happy go lucky person in public, not afraid to be outgoing and different, but something was missing. Day in and day out was the same thing; go to school, come home change, go to work, go to the gym, talk to the roommates then off to bed. Marley loved structure and routines.

The girl was a walking contradiction. Around others she loved to be loud and obnoxious, but alone she loved the quiet and peace. Marley could see both sides to most situation, and if not she was definitively open to other options, no matter how bias she could be. In the comfort of family and friends she would voice her opinions and quirky comments, but at school and work she was the person to sit in the back and keep to herself. Being musically inclined was one of her best traits, but if you ask her she would meekly tell you yes but would refuse to demonstrate her skills.

You could probably say that she chose to feel alone all the time. She chose to stay home and be alone instead of going out to the movies, or to parties. She would on the rare occasion attend various parties and events after the long pleading and pressuring from her roommates. "Give me one solid reason to go," was the usual response from Marley. The reasons varied but she was only interested if there was food present.

Exhausted from work, Marley walked through the door, tossed her bags on the floor, then fell onto the couch. "Hey, party out at the dunes, wanna go?" One roommate hollered from the bathroom.

"I'm good, thanks though." Marley sighed.
Trying to sneak back to her room before her roommate came into the living room to plead her case, she was too slow. "You're going. We're leaving in 20. You're GOING."
Too tired to fight she agreed.

She wasn't one to get out and socialize at the parties. Marley would sit on the couches and maybe carry on a small conversation with whoever would sit next to her. It would eventually end either with the other person passing out, or them getting tired of trying to keep the conversation going.

As soon as they arrived Marley split up with her roommates and picked the farthest tailgate away from the fire and sat down.

"You know what they say about Fords," a voice said walking over.

Marley couldn't make out who it was but she responded, "that the tailgates are the most comfortable seat because they need somewhere to sit after it breaks down on the side of the road."

"Exactly," the voice chuckles. His face finally lit up from the fire, "Howdy there, I'm Brian, you are...?"

"Marley, I wasn't trying to make fun of your truck, sorry," She says shyly.

"Oh heavens no, I wouldn't drive one of these by choice. Its just the one I've had since high school. I'm not gonna complain too bad, my pops gave it to me when I turned 17." He said proudly.

Condescendingly to which Marley replied, "Wow, I can't tell if you hate it or really proud of the fact that your parents GAVE you a truck, whereas other people bust their ass to buy their own vehicle."

"No, its just that I'm not going to complain that my parents gave me a vehicle, but I did however bust my ass day in and day out since I was a kid working on our farm. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm PROUD. Didn't mean to offend you but just because I didn't hand money to someone doesn't mean I earned this."

"You're right, haha, I literally had my parents do the same thing. I was just giving you a hard time. At least you could have had some input on what kind of vehicle you wanted." she chuckled.

That half smile, and the way they she looked at him while talking, instead of through him, made Brian feel like he was being heard. Brian now, he has seen his fare share of girls who only want to talk to him because he has a country accent, tall, built just like a tough cowboy, well they only talked to him because he WAS a cowboy. You could probably say that was the new thing, dating a cowboy. Its hard when you're one of a few that go to a big city college instead of some rural one. Brian never had a girl he immediately liked. They usually took several encounters as well as a few drinks.

What wasn't to like about Marley? She was tall, pretty, maybe not super girly, smart, and had a sense of humor. Every girl was the same, they want you to make them laugh. Brian had a sense of humor but it wasn't the funniest. They're never the funny one. But it was Brian's fault he always dated the same type of girl, short, super girly, clingy, and always looking to go partying. Hoping he wasn't wrong about Marley, he asked to get her digits, and then bid her a good night.

Marley, didn't think anything about it. Just a new friend. She literally gives her number out to everyone who asks, unless they're creeps. She doesn't mind making new friends.

Being a typical guy, Brian didn't wanna rush into anything. "Should I text her and ask her out right now? Should I wait a few days, maybe a week.." All sorts of questions ran through his head on his drive home.

"Who was that you were sitting with, he looked cute."

"I think he said his name was Brian or something. Yeah he was ok."

"For real, he was totally hitting on you."

"Hakuna your TaTas, Sara, I kinda pissed him off. Oh well."

"MARLEY, you gave him your number. He text you yet?"

"I literally give everyone my number."

"Uh no, my brother asked you."

"You're brother is an idiot who wears skinny jeans so tight not even the girl of his dreams could get them off," Marley snapped. They both laughed, Sara turned up the stereo and those two sang their hearts out all the way back home.

*BUZZ BUZZ* Marley's phone vibrated on the table. The professor calmly turned around and asked, "You couldn't have a louder vibrate on your phone, could you."

"Vibration is not a volume, but I'll turn it down." Marley, embarrassed tucked the phone into her backpack. And then started a new page of notes on the lecture.

For the next 10 hours Marley completely forgot about her phone in her backpack. Brian however, thought that he was being annoying and that she was pretending to not see the messages. Finally he called her and left a message, "Hey, you might not recognize my number. I'm Brian Scott from the bonfire at the dunes a week ago. Hopefully you don't think I'm too clingy, I just didn't know if you saved my number. Aaaaannnyways, I guess I'm asking if you want to go to the rodeo on Saturday. Yeah, so, um, if I don't hear from ya I'll get the memo. Uh, yeah, let me know. K, yeah, deuces. Oh man I mean catch ya later. Oh hell, I mean to say is BYE. Not a mean bye just a normal bye. Just let me know if you wanna go. Thanks." He quickly hung up and tossed his phone onto the counter and could't believe the baffoon he sounded like. "Holy cow, talk about embarrassing.

Brian waited all afternoon and most of the evening until about 10 pm he got the message, "I would love to go. You gonna pick me up in your Ford so we can walk most of the way or do you want me to  drive?"
"No, actually the thing starts at 7 but you should definitely show up about later. You could meet me there."

Marley confused says "Ok,,,," Thinking that most dates TAKE their date on a date, not tell them to show up an hour later.

"Trust me, I'm full of surprises, You WON'T be disappointed."

8 pm Saturday night Marley walks through the crowd finds a seat somewhere in the middle mostly away from people. The announcer comes over the PA system saying that the Steer Wrestling is on its way. And the first name read off was Brian Scott. "Yup, he said I would be surprised, and I am." Marley smirks. She watches as he slips off his horse, grabs the steer by his neck, lifts the nose and pulls it to the ground. He looks up to the stands to acknowledge his applaud and locks eyes with Marley, and gives her a wink,

He makes his way back to his trailer to put his horse back up and then makes his way to the stands to get his date. "Good job Brian." "SCOOOOTTT, atta boy!" "Great run you got the fastest time still!" All sorts of comments were made as he walked through the stands to get Marley.

"I didn't know you were a legit cowboy. Hmm its not roping or riding anything that bucks though..." Marley shoots a quirky smile at Brian.

"No, no its not. But I need to keep the money maker semi together."

"Oh my hell." Marley says rolling her eyes.

"Hey lets go, I'm slightly hungry and could use a milk shake." Brian tries to persuade Marley. But shes always down for food, especially if someone else buys it. They drove around until they could find a McDonald's. They pull up to the drive through, "Hi welcome to McDonald's can I take your orda?"

Brian orders a McFlurry and some Chicken Nuggets. "You want anything?"

"Yeah, actually just double that order I guess." She chuckles. That's all she ever orders when she eats out. A Milkshake and chicken nuggets.

"I always play it on the safe side and usually only order nuggets and a milk shake." Brian says embarrassed. "I'm not very adventurous.

Marley bursts out laughing, "I was literally just thinking about how I never get anything besides chicken nuggets and milkshakes when I eat out. I'm way too safe." The two carry on a conversation about chicken nuggets and how you can never go wrong with milkshakes and chicken nuggets/strips.

The two drive back to the rodeo, "Soooo is that your horse you ride or did you just borrow it." Marley asks.

"Yes the horse is MINE I bought her a couple of years ago. Her name is Shooter." Brian explains, "I'l take you to her. We need to take her home I guess. The two go and load her up hook up the trailer.
"Hey hold on for a minute, I'll be right back." Brian quickly runs off and is gone for a little while. Shortly he returns.

"Where did you go?" Marley questions

"You really didn't think I wasn't going to collect my winnings. I'm not the best but I'm pretty darn close."

"Did you win?"

"Sure did. Lets go."

"You're agg-science class is going to explode when you tell em you won."

"Actually Pre-Law. Contrary to the stereo type, I'm going to school to be a lawyer. You could just call me the modern Matlock." Brian corrects.

"You said I was going to be surprised and this whole night has been full of surprises." Marley shakes her head. The two bid each other good night as well as stayed up the rest of the night talking on the phone together. Brian talked until he realized Marley was asleep. When Marley woke up in the morning she couldn't wait to tell Sara all about her date. Even telling Sara the entire conversation about chicken nuggets.

Marley just loved talking about Brian and how he was full of surprises. He made her laugh, even when he wasn't trying. She wasn't laughing at him, but he wasn't saying anything funny. She just felt so happy to be with him, to talk about him. She didn't know what to to, shes never had someone like Brian. "He was so kind, humble, and he wants to be a LAWYER Sara!" Marley exclaimed.

Confused Sara asks,"A what? Isn't he a cowboy or something?"

"Yeah, like I said, surprises! I love it." Marley dazes off.

Many more rodeo dates followed, along with regular movie and dinner dates, those turned into study dates, and those turned into watching Netflix until all hours of the mornings. This is something that Marley could only dream about. She wanted this forever, Nothing to change. She felt like she was always with Brian, and even when they weren't physically together, they were texting, calling each other, they were never apart.

As perfect as it all seemed they did fight, they had those fights over jealousy. There were times where Marley thought something was going on while Brian went to rodeos out of town and she couldn't go. At one time Brian accused Marley only being with him because he and his family "have money." Yeah Brian and his family were well off but so was Marley. She was an independent woman who worked very hard to have the things she has, she didn't need Brian to buy her anything. She LET him buy her things, because she bought him things. "Its what you do in relationships. YOU BUY EACH OTHER THINGS BECAUSE YOU LOVE 'EM." Marley explains.

There were times where the couple would go on breaks and not talk to one another because they just needed time apart. After their final break Brian tells Marley that this is the last time. "Its not worth not bein' without you. All those times we weren't talkin' I was talkin' 'bout you. You're what I want in life. There's nuttin' I want more than to talk to you. I see you and I know that there's nothin' that makes me happier than when I'm with you. Marley, Life just makes sense when you're with me. I'm not a dumb ol' cowboy. My accent and upraising hasn't kept me from breakin' out from the norm. I see something and go after it. I see what makes me happy and I do it. If I wanted easy I would have just been a farmer, I would have not gone to school, I sure as hell wouldn't have dated you. But you're what I want. I want someone who makes me smile even when I'm not next to them. I want someone who makes me laugh so hard I can't see straight. I want someone who loves me for me. I want someone to tell me it's going to be alright when things are rough. I NEED someone to be real with me. I need someone to keep me grounded. I want someone who wants me. I want to come and hold you and never let go. I WANT YOU. I want those kisses you randomly give. I want you kicking open the bathroom door to throw flour on me, no matter how embarrassing that was. I want you next to me under the stars in my 'beater' ford in the mountains. I want the happiness you give me."

*Brian kneels* "Marley Benson.."

Marley interrupts, "This is not how I saw this going at ALL."

"Marley Benson, I'd ask you to make me the happiest man on earth but,"

Interrupting again Marley says, "and that took another turn. I'm on a roller coaster of emotions. What in the hell is going on?"

Brian continues, "I'd ask you to make me the happiest man on earth BUT, you already do that. I want to make you just as happy as you make me feel each and ever second of every day. I'm not going to ask you to marry me, I'm telling you, Marley, marry me."

Confused, "A normal person would say yes. But since you're not asking... how am I supposed to respond?" Marley wraps her arms around Brian and kisses him.

"You didn't need to say anything. I already knew the answer."

1

She waits in the living room, waiting for that call that she knows is coming. Knuckles white, the phone in her shaking hands starts to ring. One ring goes, two, three, "I can't do it. Don't want to," she just can't think of how to answer. Someway she brings herself to press the button, END. Quietly she sits on the couch. She knew what was on the other side, bad news, its always bad news when its this late. Glancing up to the clock on her tan living room wall, no good happens after midnight, 3:33 am. "Is it really that late, or early?" She chuckles, "I guess this is one way to start a day." Legs swung onto the couch, she lies down. Staring at the ceiling fan, she hopes she's just dreaming. Laughing, smiling, and thinking about all that has her life has become, and what its going to be.

Knocks on the door.

Sobs. "This really is it. They don't come to your house unless its bad. He finally did it." Marley sees the red and blue lights in her driveway. Where her husband parks his truck each night, there was a white SUV with two men getting out and walking to her door.

"Are you Mrs. Scott; wife of Brian Scott?

"Yeah, what ha.."

"Ma'am you need to come with me," Officer Dobbs sincerely states, "its Brian, there's been an accident."

"Let me get my kids."

Walking up the stairs she feels like her legs are jello, "I haven't been to the gym in several years, not since the kids. I know I'm not that out of shape." She knew exactly what was going on. Why tonight of all nights? The one night the kids went down with out a hassle. The night they fell asleep from laughing. The night just seemed too perfect. 

Quietly, she opens the door to the kid's room, Jordan sleeping on the bottom of his bed, as normal, and Addison in her crib. How could Marley possibly wake up her kids. Quietly she tells Jordan that they're going for a ride and needs help mommy by getting his clothes on. Marley cradles Addison in her arms and lets a tear roll down her face. "Pull yourself together, they can't see you like this." This was one of those things that you just simply have to push it all down.

"Mamma, can we listen to the radio pleeeeeeaaaseeee?" Jordan begs from the back seat. 

"What do you wanna listen to bub?" Marley stared at the police escort in front of her.

"I dunno, maybe our favorite song?" Jordan asks with those big sappy puppy eyes no one could ever turn down.

"Of course! Start it out, but keep quiet Addie is still sleepy."

"I never had no one I can count on..." out of tune but note for note Jordan sang it. The song Marley and Brain first danced to, danced at their wedding, and just last night.

Marley chimes in, "for the first time I didn't feel alone, you're more than a lover, there could never be another that make me feel the way you do. Oh we just get closer I fall in love all over every time I look at you.." Choking back tears Marley looks into her rear view mirror to see her two perfect kids, one sleeping, and the other smiling ear to ear singing. Its simply perfect.

Walking into the room at the hospital, wires everywhere, machines, monitors, tubes, Marley almost loses her dinner. Quickly Shane, Marley's brother, takes the kids to the waiting room. Shane already knows. Shutting the door behind him Shane hears, "Uncle Shane, whats wrong with daddy?" Marley heard it too. Instead of answering Shane pulls out some M&Ms from his pocket and said lets go eat some candy and not tell mommy. "I never tell mommy when you give me candy after bedtime." 

Staring at what used to look like her husband, Marley tries to piece together what could have possibly ever happened. "Ma'am, you need to ready yourself." A doctor, who easily appears to only be 21, reaches out to console her. Marley steps back. "You'll let me know when you're ready ok?" Barely nodding her head yes, because she couldn't get her lips to stop trembling. 

Grabbing Brian's hand, well where it would be, she grasps the mangled hand bandaged and broken she squeezes. Not even a flinch from him. At this point Marley has no emotions. She doesn't need some fancy doctor to tell her what she already knows. You don't need a medical degree to know that you're husband isn't coming back. "Guess I may need to know the medical terminology for what has happened."

It did't matter what that doctor said Marley wasn't going to remember anyways. She just needed to hear it. She needed to hear that her husband of 5 years, best friend for 10, father of 2 beautiful children who look exactly like him, wasn't going to make it through the night. Inside she was broken, but on the outside she held herself together. "Give me a few minutes with him, then we can do it." Those words echoed inside her, "'do it,' what is wrong with me, he's not an animal to be put down. How insensitive can one person be? He's my husband...." She stood there quiet. "I need to be alone." Marley walks out of the room, past the waiting room-not even looking at her family, down the elevator, out the doors, and to her SUV. 

Keys in hand, "I can just drive away, far from it all." The vehicle unlocks, she climbs in the driver seat, sits in the seat and looks in the mirror. Tears fall down her face, she can't stop them, now the runny nose, "everything hurts. I can't do it." That booster chair and car seat, the only two things in the car that weren't goldfish, cheerios, or juice boxes. Marley blows that runny nose, looks in the mirror, "as if my nose couldn't have gotten any bigger." She tried to laugh but simply just couldn't do it externally. Walking back to the room in which her husband lay in a bed, she got it all together. Her heart stopped hurting, her eyes stopped crying, nose stopped running, and all the aches and shakes stopped. "I can do this, I have to." And just like that, all of those years spent going to the gym made her feel stronger than any person in the world, because she had the weight of her world on her shoulders.