“I just thought, maybe were not a normal family,” Emily murmured, leaning into her husbands embrace.
“Its so good to have you,” replied William, holding her close.
“And Im happy to have you!” she said with a smile.
“Who else would I be with?” William chuckled. “Only you, of course. Youre my destiny. The best woman in the world.”
Emily didnt answer, only kissed his cheek before hurrying to the kitchen to take the pie out of the oven.
Today, the Campbells were celebrating their silver wedding anniversary. Theyd decided to keep it simple, just the two of them and their children. Their son, James, was in his last year of secondary school, and their daughter, Charlotte, had recently graduated from university, started her first job, and moved into her own flat.
Emily had tried to persuade her to stay. “Why waste money on rent when youve got a room here? We all get alongwhy leave now? Wait until youre married!”
“Mum, I love you and Dad, and I know youd never push me out, but I want to try living on my own. And dont take this the wrong way, but your cooking is too good! You stay slim no matter what you eat, but I didnt inherit that. If I stay, Ill never keep fityour desserts are impossible to resist!”
Emily laughed, looking at her daughter. Charlotte was nothing like her in appearance. Emily was petite, almost delicate, with plain features. She rarely wore makeup, tied her hair back in a simple ponytail, and dressed modestly. Charlotte, on the other hand, was stunningshe took after her father.
William had always been strikingtall, well-built, with a handsome face. Even now, at forty-eight, he turned heads. Emily knew she faded beside him, but she didnt mind the whispers. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
***
Theyd met when Emily was twenty, William twenty-two.
That September, shed been on her way to her friend Sophies birthday party, stopping at a florist to pick up a small bouquet. Inside, the only other customer was a young manexceptionally handsomechoosing flowers. The shop assistant, clearly taken with him, suggested various arrangements while Emily discreetly admired him too.
He noticed her and asked, “Which do you preferthe red roses or the peonies?”
Flustered, she answered, “Peonies, though most girls like roses.”
The shop assistant chimed in, “And what does your girlfriend like?”
“My girlfriend?” He laughed. “I dont even know the girl these are for. My mates dragging me to his cousins birthday, and I couldnt show up empty-handed.”
Emily suggested roses, but he seemed to prefer the peonies. “I love wildflowers best,” she admitted when he asked.
“So do I,” he said, his face lighting up. “Theres something special about themunderstated, but breathtaking if you look closely.”
He left with roses, flashing her a smile.
At the party, Emily was stunned to see him again. His name was Will, and hed come with Sophies cousin. All evening, he kept glancing at her, eventually sitting beside her. When she left, he offered to walk her home.
The next day, Sophie was cold toward her. “You ruined everything!” she snapped. “My cousin invited Will for meId seen his photo and liked him. But you flirted all night and stole him!”
Emily was hurt. She never flirtedshe didnt even know how. But later, when Will called and asked her out, she realized something beautiful had begun.
Their love defied expectations. Many doubted a man like him would stay with someone like her. But he did, marrying her a year later. Once, a decade into their marriage, she asked why he chose her.
“Can you explain why you fall in love?” he replied. “But if I had to tryit was your eyes, your voice, your soul. Youre like a wildflowerquietly beautiful. Not everyone sees it, but I did. And Id never trade you for any rose.”
***
Their anniversary dinner was warm and full of laughter. Their childrens kind words were the greatest gift.
At the center of the table stood a bouquet of wildflowersWilliams traditional gift for her birthday in July and their anniversary.
As they lay in bed that night, Emily whispered, “Will, Ive been thinkingmaybe were not a normal family.”
“Why?” he asked, amused.
“In twenty-five years, weve never once argued. Is that even possible?”
“Do you want to argue?” He grinned, tickling her until she shrieked with laughter.
“No!” she gasped.
“Good,” he said, kissing her. “Because I dont either.”
And so, their love remainedunshaken, uncomplicated, and utterly theirs. True beauty isnt always loud; sometimes, its the quietest things that last the longest.
