Between Tessa's new gallery, the kids busy schedule, and having to commute between Tessa's house and work...let's just say that our date kept getting pushed back. But now after speaking with my boss and getting my work transfer approved, we finally got that date scheduled. I was in the living room, sitting in my tux while watching Mallory play with a friend from school, I think his name is Thomas or Tommy?

"Hey, Mals?"

Mallory glared at him; she hated that nickname. "What Tommy?"

He was so nervous around her. "Um...uh... never mind."

I try to hold back a chuckle as she crosses her arms. "Hmm." She looks pretty satisfied with herself.

I lean in and whisper to Mallory. "You should be nicer to him. I thought you liked him?"

She cringes. "Ew! Boys are icky and gross."

Thomas overhears the conversation. "Yeah, well girls have cooties!"

"Hey! Inside voices please." I hear Tessa say while walking down the stairs. Every time I see her, she takes my breath away, and this time was no expectation. Her brown locks were pinned up in a bun, and the mascara on her lashes made the blue in her eyes pop. Pouty lips were painted red and a black velvet dress hugged her curves in all the right places.

"Wow! You look really pretty!" Thomas exclaimed.

Mallory was to cover Thomas's eyes with her hands. "Quick looking at my mommy!"

Tessa bursts out laughing. "Thanks, Thomas." She gives me a once-over and bites her lip. "You look good."

I get up from the couch and walk over to her. "Why thank you, Sparky." She rolls her eyes and kisses me on the cheek.

"Ew! Germs!" We both laugh at Mallory.

"Are you ready?"

"Yep, the new babysitter should be here any minute."

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

"I got it." She opens the door and lets the young woman inside.

"Hi, I'm Mary." She and Tessa shake hands over a few rules like bedtime and what they can watch on TV. Mary walks into the living room and introduces herself to the kids while Tessa and I head out.

We drive to a new restaurant in town that Tessa always wanted to try. We walk inside, amazed by the decor. "Wow, this place is fancy," I say and pull out a chair for her.

After a few bites of delicious food and a couple of drinks, we start to reminisce about our relationship.

"I hate to say it, but this beats our last date," Tessa says.

"Oh, how so?"

"Well, for one, we're not surrounded by your siblings. No one is getting bit by mosquitoes."

"Hold up, that bonfire was not our last date."

"It wasn't?"

"No, it was at the country club."

"Yeah! I loved that place, I had so much fun!"

"Really? Because you were literally shaking in your boots."

"Oh, hush."

I chuckle and move my chair next to hers. "So, I have that promotion coming up."

"Yeah?"

"Maybe I could set some money aside so we could have more date nights like this."

"I'd love that." She kisses my cheek.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What made you choose the name Katherine?"

"I don't remember, I think it was the name of my first buyer at the gallery."

"Hmm."

"Why? What would you have named her?"

"I would probably name her after my grandmother, Ruth. She passed when I was a little kid, but I always had the best time going over to her house and stealing cookies from the pantry."

"Ruth, I like that name."

"Maybe one day we can have our own little Ruth running around," I say with a smirk.

"Matt, I just laid off two people from the gallery, I can't afford another kid right now."

"I'm kidding." I place my hands over hers. "We can wait until the time is right for both of us."

"So, you do want more kids?" She asks and makes a face.

"Tessa, what's going on? You're making that serious face."

"I have to tell you something...and I don't know how you'll handle it."

"Okay."

She takes a deep breath. "I can't have any more kids."

"What?"

"Katherine's birth was so complicated, and I could tell that something was wrong...the doctors said it was a miracle that came she out...alive."

"What does that mean?"

"I almost lost her.... I almost had a miscarriage, Matt."

My heart breaks for her after hearing those words. I pull her close and comfort her. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't there. I hate that you had to go through that alone."

"It was really hard; I had an emergency c-section. I was in the hospital for weeks." She looks at me with tears in her eyes. "I can't through that again, I won't."

"Tessa, I love you and the family we have now. If you don't want any more kids, then we won't have any more kids. It's plain and simple."

"Matt-"

"Tessa, you went through something, unimaginable...and I won't put you through any more pain."

"You really mean that?"

"Yes, besides...if you ever change your mind we could always adopt."

"I love you." She says and pulls me into a kiss.

"I love you more."