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.
"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?"
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