Chapter 16 - The Question Ethan Wouldn't Ask
Ethan noticed the ring at breakfast.
He almost dropped his coffee.
Clara pretended not to notice.
Noah did.
“Mommy has the shiny thing!”
Ethan looked at her.
“Apparently she does.”
Clara smiled.
“Don't make this weird.”
“I wouldn't dream of it.”
For three days Ethan said nothing.
Finally Clara became annoyed.
“You aren't going to ask?”
“Ask what?”
She glared.
He smiled.
“You told me once you needed to choose your own future.”
“I did.”
“So I'm waiting for you to tell me what you've chosen.”
Clara stared at him.
“You've become irritatingly mature.”
“Trauma does wonders.”
She laughed.
Then became serious.
“I don't want our old marriage back.”
Ethan's smile faded slightly.
Clara took his hand.
“I want a new one.”
He stared.
“With you.”
“Clara…”
“No secrets. No protecting each other by deciding what the other person can handle.”
“Yes.”
“No disappearing.”
“Strongly agree.”
“No enormous society wedding.”
Ethan glanced toward the mansion.
“That might disappoint approximately three hundred people.”
“I don't care.”
“Neither do I.”
Noah entered carrying a toy dinosaur.
“Can I come?”
Clara laughed.
“Yes.”
“Can Mr. Roar come?”
Ethan considered.
“He'll need formalwear.”
Noah gasped.
May you like
“I HAVE A BOW TIE!”
And suddenly their second wedding had a best dinosaur.
