“We should invite the girls over. Look how big JJ’s gettin'.” Joel tells you, tilting his phone towards you, showing a picture Ellie posted on The Instagram ( as he likes to call it ) of the toddler playing on the floor.

You're just stepping out of the bathroom, night routine freshly done. The scent of lotion makes it more relaxing.

“You look soft.” ( And shiny, but that was the point of all the different… how did you call it? Moisturizer, cleansing or whatever. He just knows it makes you all smooth and sometimes sticky to kiss. )

He shifts a little, letting out a small grunt as he fixes the pillow supporting his back since the years are definitely catching up. He carefully makes space for you on the bed, allowing you to get under the warm, fuzzy covers next to him.

Marriage is so nice.

Contrary to what Joel's insecurities and bad experiences had warned him about.

He's so damn glad Tommy—and Sarah, actually—kept telling him over and over that maybe he could give the whole dating stuff another chance. Maybe it'd be good for him, a distraction from work and all. Maybe he should spend time with people other than the two of ‘em and the regular strangers one has to interact with to get through the day.

His thirty-something self would not believe that he'd be spending his life re-married, retired, doing woodwork at the comfort of his own home and spoiling grandchildren.

What a life.

“Sarah called earlier. She took the kids to an amusement park, and asked how we were.”

He can't really help but smile while taking off his reading glasses to put them on the nightstand with his phone, looking back at you. Even after all these years of being together he looks at you the same exact way.

Absolutely lovesick.