“You went without me?” I question, disappointed. I desperately wanted to be there to watch him get his first tattoo.

“Can you put some ointment on it?” He hands me the small tube, and I start to unscrew the cap.

I get up on my knees and start to unpeel the taped corners. “What did you get?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer, instead remaining completely still. As the tattoo becomes visible, I’m happy to see he got the exact nautical star I pointed out to him in Colorado.

“Do you like it?” he asks, his voice etched with worry.

“Of course, I picked it out,” I say. As my eyes take it all in, I notice that at the corner of the north point rests a set of initials. A gasp escapes me when I see the letter ‘J’, but then I notice the ‘B’ right after it. “Are these your mom’s initials?” I question, letting my hand lightly glide over them.

“No,” he says with a laugh, and confusion hits me. I look at them again, but before I can say anything, Grant turns around and gets on one knee in front of me. “They’ll be yours, if you agree to marry me.” He opens up a black velvet box that holds a stunning, diamond solitaire in the shape of an oval. “And if you take my name,” he adds. I laugh, nodding my head. “Say it, baby,” he nudges.

“Yes!” I exclaim and jump into his arms.

Three Months Later

Grant

Jessa and I both graduated last month. She’s working in an art gallery in a neighboring city, and I’m still searching for a full-time job. In the meantime, the owner of Barbells has offered me a full-time management position, enabling us to afford the house. We’ve slowly been able to furnish it with mismatched furniture, which isn’t high-end but it’s ours. One day, I’ll give her the house she deserves, but for now we’re happy and that’s all that matters.

I lean against the trunk of the large oak tree in my tuxedo, while my gorgeous wife sits in a chair by my mom’s gravestone. Her long silky gown complements her stunning body. The revealing open back exposes the slightest trace of her lotus tattoo. She’s a breathtaking sight every day, but today she truly stopped my heart when I saw her walk down that aisle. I’m still not sure how an asshole like me managed to capture her heart.

After I proposed and she accepted, we quickly planned the wedding, seeing no reason to wait. In a small, outdoor ceremony filled with only close friends and Jessa’s family, we committed ourselves to each other for eternity.

We were on our way to small reception, but I asked her to stop here so she could open my mom’s last letter. A letter that I worried would never be opened now rests in the hands of my lovely wife.

Jessa

We pull up to the gravesite. I’ve come many times with him recently, and I thought he would want to stop here after the wedding, but when I saw the white folding chair placed by her heart-shaped stone, I was completely taken aback. Escorting me out of the limo, he places the discolored envelope in my hand. I already feel the tears welling up in my eyes. To My Daughter-In-Law is written in a beautiful cursive penmanship. Leading me up the path, he stops at the old oak tree, letting his hand drop out of mine. Nudging his head in the direction of the grave, he slowly walks toward the tree to wait for me.

I hesitantly walk up to the headstone and place my hand on top of it, hoping to feel the presence of a woman my husband loves, but that I never knew. I sit down in the chair, crossing my ankles. With a deep swallow and slow release of my breath, I run my finger along the flap, careful not to tear it. My shaking fingers take the letter out and a whiff of now familiar perfume hits my nostrils. Unfolding the paper, I will myself to get through this. With one last look at Grant by the tree, I turn back around and start to read.

Dear Mrs. Bishop,

Congratulations, Mrs. Grant David Bishop. Since my son gave you this letter, it must mean you hold his heart in your hands. This also means that he’s no longer mine. I know it must seem odd for me to say that, but even though I’ve passed away, I’ve still been the woman in Grant’s life. This is the last letter I’m writing, and it’s only fitting that it goes to the woman taking my spot.

Although I only had him for fourteen years, I hope I instilled in him the values a husband and father should possess. I won’t give you silly mother-in-law advice. I don’t care if you cook for him or clean after him. All I ask is for you to love him, fiercely and purely. Entrust him with your dreams and let him try to make them come true. Work together to keep your love alive and constant throughout both of your years. If you hold each other’s hearts and you love and respect one other, nothing will be able to come between you two.

Please take care of my baby ; he’s been without a woman in his life for far too long.

Love,

Your Mother-In-Law

XOXO

I gently wipe the tears from my eyes. Even though I never knew her, I somehow feel closer to her now. I take a few minutes to compose myself before folding the letter and placing it back inside the envelope. Kissing my fingertips, I brush them against the headstone when I stand up. His footsteps move closer and I feel his hand on the small of my back before he leans over and kisses my temple. We don’t say anything for a few minutes.

Then Grant’s voice crackles as he starts, “Hi, Mom. As you already know, Jessa and I got married today. Even though you weren’t there with us physically, I still felt you with me and I still miss you every day. Love you, Mom.” He finishes by placing a white rose at the base of the heart.

After one more goodbye, we turn around to make our way back to the limo. “So that was the last letter?” I ask.

“Unfortunately, yes,” he confirms with disappointment.

“Oh, I was hoping there was one for the father-to-be,” I tell him. He stops mid-step and stares at me. I place his hand on my belly, and his blue eyes flicker down and then back up to my face.

“No…” he says, obviously surprised. I nod my head, smiling over to him. Without speaking another word, his lips turn up and he wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me up. “You just gave me the best wedding gift any man has ever received,” he declares, genuinely excited. Holding me close, he turns back around toward where we just came from and calls out, “Did you hear that, Mom? You’re going to be a Grandma.”

When my feet touch the ground, he places his hand back on my belly, spreading his fingers over its entirety. Bending his knees so his mouth is at my stomach, he says, “Hey there, little guy.” Grants looks up and smiles at me, then continues to speak to my belly while staring into my eyes. “Or girl,” he adds. His expression turns serious when he says, “Whatever you are, know that your mom and dad already love you and nothing can ever change that. And I promise to do my best not to fuck this up.” I cock my eyebrow at him and he quickly makes amends, saying, “Sorry, I’ll work on that.” We both laugh.

His next words halt my humor abruptly. “What I’m trying to say is that I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve let down people close to me when they needed me most. Not that I’m going to be perfect all the time, but I give you my word that I’ll love you and your mom with everything I have and I’ll do my best to never let either of you down. You are both my world now, and nothing else matters to me except for the two of you.”

Tears course down my face and I wish I could blame these damn hormones, but I know that those heartfelt words would have made me cry no matter what. I really don’t know what I did to deserve this man, but I silently pledge the same sentiments that he just verbalized to our baby.

Grant stands up, places a gentle kiss on my lips, and nuzzles me close, his hand still resting on my belly. With a brief kiss just outside my ear, he whispers, “Our lives won’t be perfect, Jessa, but they will be filled with love and happiness. I promise you that.”