Chad, the end.

The following weeks were filled with many restless nights. Between Chad dealing with his own grief and the children’s things remained somber around the house. Understandably Chad and I hadn’t had sex in weeks. I spent many nights sleeping in the guest room which was where Chad used to sleep when Natasha was alive. But ever since her passing he had been sleeping in the master bedroom, most nights accompanied by a crying Aurora. Philip seemed to be coping well with his mom’s death. I took them both to school each morning and came and got them afterwards. Chad had cut his worload back so he could be at home more with the kids.

After Natasha’s death her will was read and Chad was left everything besides items for friends and family. He had sole custody of the children. Afterwards while saying goodbye to some realtives her lawyer came up to me.
“Are you Glen?” he asked, he was a short stocky man with glasses and a greasy complexion.
“Yes, I am.” I replied
“Natasha left you this, she wants you to read it in private.” He handed me a sealed envelope with my name written on the front.
“Thank you.”
He left and went over to speak to Chad. I was puzzled as to why she had written me a letter. I had spent so much time with her prior to her death that I had figured she had told me everything she wanted. I joined Chad and said goodbye to Natasha’s family. I had met them when they had come over to visit her and the children before her passing. They were a very nice family and seemed to realize what was going on but didn’t care. We left shortly after and drove home. It seemed weird calling his place home but it was. I had pratically moved in without actually moving in. We sat in silence for most of the drive.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Chad asked me
“Yeah that would be nice. Let’s go to High Park” I replied
He parked the car and we headed out along a winding path through the trees holding hands. I hadn’t felt this close to him in awhile. It was nice.
“I know I haven’t been myself lately.” Chad said
“Well it’s understandable. You lost your best friend and the mother of your children.”
“I am really grateful for your support. You’ve been really amazing with the kids and I love you for that. I also love so many other things about you.” He took me in his arms and held me tight. He began to cry.
“Hey what’s wrong?” I asked
“I am just so thankful that you came into my life. and if it hadn’t been for Tash I never would’ve met you. She knew for awhile that this was coming that’s why she wanted me to start living my life the way I should and be who I really am.”
“I know she told me the first night I met her when we went out for dinner.” I said
“Do you remember just after she died when you said you wanted to be with me through the good and the bad?”
“Yes. I sort of said it without realizing it.”
“Well did you mean it?”
“Yes of course.I love you with all my heart Chad.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
Chad got down on one knee and pulled a small box out of his pocket. He opened the small box to reveal a ring. A beautiful band of white gold. It seemed to glow in the sunlight.
“I know we’ve only known each other less than a year but I can’t picture my life without you. Will you spend the rest of your life with me Glen?” he asked
“Of course I will Chad.” He stood up and put the ring on my finger and kissed me like he used to kiss me. He tongue swirling and dancing with mine. We sat down on a nearby bench and gazed out across the park. Children were playing people were walking their dogs and couples strolled hand in hand.
“Do you have the letter Tash left for you?” Chad asked
“Yes, how did you know she left me a letter?”
“She told me the night she died. Go ahead read it.” I fished the letter out of the pocket of my coat and opened it. I could smell the light scent of her perfume on the paper.

Dear Glen,
I hope you have said yes to Chad’s proposal. I know he loves and adores you.
I want to thank you for all of your love and support over these past months. It’s not often that a woman ends up finding friendship with the man her husband is sleeping with You are one of the kindest most caring people I have ever met.
The children love you and I am so glad Chad will have your help in raising them. I know you will never let them forget me. I wish you all the best. Take care of yourself and your new family. If you don’t I’ll have to come down and haunt you!! Thank you my friend.

Love
Natasha

I folded the letter and put it back into my coat. I turned to look at Chad who had a smile on his face.
“She knew you were going to propose?”
“Yes, who do you think helped me pick the ring?”

After that day my life changed forever. I was apart of a family I had always dreamed of. We decided not to do a “wedding” just signed some papers at city hall and had some friends and family over to celebrate. The kids were so happy to have me around all the time and I loved being with them. Chad’s family pretty much gave him the cold shoulder and stopped speaking to him altogether. Chad no longer cared about what his Dad thought. He began to live and open and honest life with me. Days turned into weeks. weeks into months and months into years. The children grew up with 2 loving parents and we never let them forget their mother. My life became what I always wanted. I had it all now. The great job, good friends, a husband, kids, a family. I had never been so happy in my entire life.

And just like any fairy tale……we lived happily ever after.

The End.