“I promise to bring you dinner when you go back to school, because we both know you’re not good at making time for necessities like food.” We’d discussed my finding a program in Oregon where I could transfer my credits, but I wasn’t ready for the stress of that yet. Maybe someday.

“I promise to turn my socks right side out before I throw them in the hamper, because even though you’ve suffered in silence, I know it drives you crazy.” I couldn’t hold back my laugh, and he grinned proudly.

“I promise to always try to make you laugh, even when you’re mad. I promise to share my family with you. I promise to support you in everything you do. I promise to never let you feel alone. I promise to give you children when the time is right.”

My eyes watered. He wasn’t done.

“I promise to always open your doors when we go on a date. I promise to learn how to cook that matzo ball soup that you love. I promise to get along with your family even when they piss me off. I promise—”

“That’s a lot of promises,” I said, cutting him off with a watery laugh.

“Remember what I told you?” he asked, wrapping his arms around my hips and resting his chin on my stomach.

“What?” I whispered, smiling down at him.

“I’ll give you everything,” he whispered back.

And he did.

Epilogue

Alex

I was really hoping you’d do a Jewish wedding,” Ani said as she leaned against the wall beside me. “I wanted the whole step-on-a-glass, mazel-tov thing.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” I replied drily, taking a drink of my champagne. “Sarai wasn’t comfortable with that. She did invite her rabbi to the party, though. So that’s something.”

I smiled as I watched my wife dance across the room with Shane and Kate’s son Keller. She was laughing at something he’d said, and Keller’s face was so full of mischief that I chuckled. He was probably hitting on her, the little punk.

“Has she been to church yet?” Ani asked.

“Nope.” I shook my head slightly. “Just long conversations with Rabbi Stevens at a coffee shop for now.”

“Well, good for her. Baby steps, right?” Ani said seriously. Then she grumbled, “I can’t believe she made me wear a bridesmaid dress when you didn’t even have an actual wedding.”

“Why are you over here harassing Alex?” Bram asked as he brought Ani a drink. “It’s his wedding reception—give the guy a break.”