Amber had long given up on love. After years of disappointment and heartache, she thought she’d never find someone who could truly make her feel the way she imagined love should be. But everything changed one sunny afternoon when she pulled up to her parents’ house.
She stared at the line of cars parked across the lawn. “What’s all this about?” she muttered to herself, already preparing for whatever unexpected family gathering awaited inside. Grabbing her purse, Amber locked her car and headed toward the house, hoping it wasn’t going to be anything too chaotic.
As soon as she opened the door, the familiar smell of grilled meat filled her nose, and the sound of her dad’s loud, hearty laugh filled her ears. She stepped into the living room and peeked out the back window. Sure enough, her dad had invited a bunch of people over for an impromptu BBQ—most of them from his auto repair shop.
“Amber!” Her dad’s booming voice cut through her thoughts as he flipped a burger with the same old apron he’d worn for years. “Come on, grab a drink and join us. It’s just the guys from work.”
Amber couldn’t help but groan quietly. “Looks like the whole town’s here,” she mumbled to herself, slipping off her shoes.
Before she could join in, the doorbell rang. Her dad tossed his spatula aside and wiped his hands on his apron. “That must be Steve,” he said, almost to himself. Glancing at Amber, he added, “You haven’t met him yet, right?”
Before Amber could respond, her dad swung open the door.
“Steve!” He clapped the man on the back, his voice loud and welcoming. “Come on in, you’re just in time! Oh, and meet my daughter, Amber.”
Amber’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up. Steve was tall with graying hair and a rugged yet handsome appearance. His eyes were warm, deep, and calm. When he smiled at her, she felt a flutter in her chest that she wasn’t prepared for.
“Nice to meet you, Amber,” he said, extending his hand.
Amber, a little self-conscious, shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too.” From that moment on, Amber couldn’t stop glancing at Steve. He had this quiet confidence that made everyone feel at ease. She tried to focus on the conversations around her, but every time their eyes met, it was like there was a spark, pulling her in.
It was ridiculous. She hadn’t been thinking about love in a long time. Not after everything she’d been through. She had practically given up on finding “the one,” and was focused on work and family. But there was something about Steve—something that made her want to reconsider, though she wasn’t ready to admit it to herself.
The afternoon wore on, and when it was finally time to leave, Amber said her goodbyes and headed to her car. But of course, her car had other plans. The engine sputtered and died as she tried to start it.
“Great,” Amber muttered, slumping back in the seat. She considered going back inside to ask her dad for help, but before she could, there was a knock on her window.
It was Steve.
“Car trouble?” he asked, flashing that warm smile that made her stomach flutter.
Amber sighed, relieved. “Yeah, it’s not starting. I was just going to get my dad, but…”
“Don’t worry about it. Let me take a look,” Steve said, already rolling up his sleeves.
Amber watched him work, mesmerized by how quickly and confidently he fixed the engine. Within minutes, her car roared back to life. She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath until she exhaled.
“There you go,” Steve said, wiping his hands on a rag. “Should be good now.”
Amber smiled, genuinely thankful. “Thanks, Steve. I guess I owe you one.”
He shrugged and gave her a look that made her stomach flip. “How about dinner? We can call it even.”
Amber froze for a second. Was he asking her out? A flicker of doubt crept into her mind, the voice that always reminded her of why she shouldn’t say yes. But something in Steve’s eyes made her want to take the chance.
“Yeah, dinner sounds good,” she replied, surprising even herself.
And just like that, Amber found herself saying yes. Little did she know that Steve was exactly what she needed to heal her wounded heart… or how much he would change everything.
Six months later, Amber stood in front of the mirror in her childhood bedroom, staring at herself in a wedding dress. It was surreal. After everything she’d been through, she didn’t think this day would ever come. At 39 years old, Amber had given up on the fairy tale, but here she was, about to marry Steve.
The wedding was small, just close family and a few friends—exactly what they both wanted. Amber remembered standing at the altar, looking into Steve’s eyes, and feeling a sense of calm wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t second-guessing anything.
“I do,” she whispered, fighting back tears.
“I do,” Steve said, his voice thick with emotion.
And just like that, they were husband and wife.
That night, after all the hugs and congratulations, they finally had some quiet time alone. Steve’s house—now their house—was still unfamiliar to Amber, but she slipped into the bathroom to change into something more comfortable, her heart light with happiness.
But when she returned to the bedroom, she was greeted by a shocking sight.
Steve was sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to her, speaking softly to someone who wasn’t there. Amber’s heart skipped a beat.
“I wanted you to see this, Stace. Today was perfect… I just wish you could’ve been here.”
His voice was full of emotion, and Amber froze, trying to make sense of what she had just heard. She stepped closer.
“Steve?” she called, her voice shaky.
Steve turned around slowly, a flash of guilt crossing his face.
“Amber, I—” he started, but she interrupted.
“Who… who were you talking to?” Her voice was small, uncertain.
Steve sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. “I was talking to Stacy. My daughter.”
Amber felt her chest tighten as his words sank in. He’d told her that he had a daughter, but she didn’t know this part of the story.
“She died in a car accident, with her mom,” Steve explained, his voice strained. “But sometimes, I talk to her. I know it sounds crazy, but… I just… I feel like she’s still here. Especially today. I wanted her to know about you. I wanted her to see how happy I am.”
Amber sat down beside him, the weight of his grief pressing down on her. She didn’t know what to say, but she felt this overwhelming sadness for him. His grief was raw and palpable, and it hurt her too.
She took his hand. “I get it,” she said softly. “I do. You’re not crazy, Steve. You’re grieving.”
Steve looked at her with tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner. I didn’t want to scare you away.”
“You’re not scaring me away,” Amber said, squeezing his hand. “We all have things that haunt us. But we’re in this together now. We can carry this together.”
Steve’s tears fell freely, and Amber pulled him into a tight embrace, feeling the weight of everything he had carried alone for so long.
“Maybe… maybe we can talk to someone about it,” Amber suggested gently. “A therapist, maybe. It doesn’t have to be just you and Stacy anymore.”
He nodded, holding her tighter. “I’ve thought about it. I just didn’t know how to start. Thank you, Amber. I didn’t know how much I needed this.”
Amber pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, her heart swelling with love. “We’ll figure it out, Steve. Together.”
And in that moment, Amber knew they would. They weren’t perfect, but they were real. And for the first time, that felt like enough.
That’s the thing about love, isn’t it? It’s not about finding someone perfect, without any scars. It’s about finding someone whose scars you’re willing to share, someone who will hold you through the roughest times.
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