Love in a Cup

Epilogue

Parker

Four Years After 'I do'

"You know I hate surprises," Sawyer said for the fifth time that hour. I'd planned this day months ago, but I only told her today. I knew she'd get antsy with anticipation, so I held it in as long as I could. But I had no other way to explain a three hour drive to Taylorsville other than telling her I had a surprise for her.

Written Love, my little brother's tattoo studio, was years in the making. Graham was a genius. He'd graduated high school with an associates degree and spent the last year working toward a bachelor's in art. I couldn't be prouder, and that's why I called him and asked if he'd do a piece for Sawyer for our anniversary.

We'd been married for four years, and over the course of those years, she'd talked a lot about wanting a tattoo. Too many things got in the way, though. Between her finishing school, taking her dad's architecture business over, and the nonstop projects she poured over every day and night, she'd not had a lot of time to plan something.

Of course, there was always the chance she wouldn't like what I had Graham draw for her, but that'd be okay. I just wanted to give her an idea and hopefully she'd see the day as the perfect time for her very first tattoo.

"You hate surprises because you love them," I said as we loaded into the truck. I'd decided being married to Sawyer meant small cars were impossible. Making seven trips to and from home improvements stores on any given day was no fun, no matter how attractive I thought my wife was. So, we'd went out and found a truck I never saw myself driving. Turns out, I loved it.

"Parker, I have hives," she admitted, scratching at her arm. I laughed.

"You'll be alright, baby."

"Parker! I need to know what's happening."

"No, you don't."

"I'll divorce you."

"Okay," I laughed. I couldn't help it.

"Why don't you believe me?" She demanded.

"Because, Sawyer, you're obsessed with me."

She scoffed. "Full of yourself much?"

"No, actually, I'm not at all. You're just really bad at hiding when you're staring at me. It's like you literally stalk me."

"I do sometimes."

"We're married!" I chuckled.

"I can't help it, okay? You're so hot! Sometimes I just like to watch you." She went on, and the more she talked the redder I felt my face get. "How in the world can I still make you blush?" She giggled.

"Woman, I think you could make a tree stump blush." I looked in the rearview mirror and reached over to unbuckle her. "Scoot over here."

She moved to the middle and put her seatbelt back on before lying her head on my shoulder. I grasped her hand in mine. "I hope you know how much I love you," I said.

"I do know," she answered. "But I bet I love you more."

When we were closer to Taylorsville, she started asking more detailed questions about what we were doing. My grandma, aunt and uncle, and brother were all the family I had left in this little town, but even if I'd never lived here, it was still special to me for a lot of reasons.

"Are we buying a car?" she asked, confused. Since Pop had passed away, Aunt Sam had taken over Cooper's. She still sold cars and did work whenever someone had car trouble. "Are we here to hangout with you brother?"