My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Chapter 1135

Marcus and Valerie were in the garden of their home, enjoying the quiet. Alden and Serenity had taken the kids

to their house for the evening-something Marcus had asked his daughter for, since today was the day before

their anniversary and he had planned a romantic dinner for the two of them.

"How many years has it been?" Valerie asked, watching her husband set the food on the garden table.

"Eighteen years. We've been together for eighteen years now... and | still feel like it all happened just yesterday,"

Marcus said, looking at her fondly.

"It's been a long road. Not always easy. Look at us now-calmer, more settled. We're not exactly young anymore."

"You still look like the woman | met all those years ago..." Marcus said, kissing her cheek.

"You seethrough love's eyes. It's been twenty years since we met."

"I know. But every one of those years has only madelove you more."

"| love you too, Marcus. And | want you to know that thanks to you, to being with you, I've becwho | am.

"No one had ever expected anything frombefore. | was just the girl who had suffered... and you, without

hesitation, pushedto grow. You showed| could carry the world on my shoulders—and more."

"And you did, didn't you?"

"Yes. Definitely, | did."

"Then there's nothing to regret, my love. | never would've asked anything of you that you couldn't give."

"Thank you! Thank you for showing up in my life! Thank you for not leaving us alone! Thank you for all the

patience you've had with me!"

"Now that we're in a calmer stage of life... Can | ask you something?"

"Of course. Go ahead," Valerie said softly, calmly, like someone at peace.

"Do you still think about your twith Peter?"

"Marcus..."

"I'm not asking to start a fight. | just want to know what you think about it all now. What goes through your

mind?"

"First of all, you need to know I love you. There's no one else I'd rather be with. I'll never regret a single moment

of these twenty years by your side.

"Now, Peter was an important man in my life. Obviously, I'll never forget him-he marked a before and after in my

life in Valentia. Just like his brother did, actually. He was the first man | ever noticed, back when | was just a

teenager.

So, to be totally honest, yes, | remember them-both of them. But it's with affection, not love. Not like the

memories | have with you.

For example, the memory | treasure most with you is the first night we slept together. No, don't get the wrong

idea," Valerie added, seeing Marcus's teasing smile. "I mean the night you tookhome, and you stopped by

Serenity's room. You fell asleep with her in your arms. That moment-it still fillswith love and hope when |

think about it.

"Every single moment we've lived together over the years, | treasure it. | love building new memories with you. |

love how our new life is shaping up.

"Our kids grow more and more each day. John's not a baby anymore-though he'll always be one to me. And our

little ones, who aren't so little now, are wild and full of energy. They wear us out, but even so, | enjoy every

single moment they give us."

"Now it's my turn to ask you something..." Valerie said, her voice calm. "Go on, what is it?"

"Do you think you'll ever be able to forget everything that happened?"

Marcus frowned. He went silent for a moment, taking tto choose his words carefully. He didn't want this

dinner to spiral into something it wasn't meant to be. For a moment, he even cursed himself for bringing up the

sensitive topic.

"Valerie, we've been through so much together. We're a family. | love you all-yes; even Alden. I'm finally starting

to warm up to the guy," Marcus said with a faint smile. The reason | asked you that is because Peter is something

we've always avoided talking about. But lately I've been wondering-have we even remembered why we avoid it

anymore? That's why | asked," he added, trying not to sound uneasy.

Valerie smiled at him, then said gently, "My love, Peter has his life now, in

Valentia, with Celeste, his daughters, and the family he just found. I think the three of us have all closed that

chapter.

"I'll never lie and say | won't remember him with fondness-but that's not the sas remembering someone

with love. The love we have, the love we give to our family, that's something else entirely.

Fel

"He's part of our past. | know you still deal with him now and then, but honestly, you don't need to worry. You

really don't need to be nervous like you are right now. Yes, we had

our fair share of rough patches, but today, I'm happy. I'm fulfilled with what | have. You and our family are my

everything, and | wouldn't trade it for anything from the past-not even for a second."

"Thank you, Valerie. You don't know how important this talk is to me. | love you—

and I'll love you until the end of my days. Never forget that."

Valerie smiled and then, teasingly, asked:

"What do you think of Dr. Olsen?"

"What? Wait-what? You still remember her?"

"How could | forget?"

"That's ancient history... That... that ended ages ago."

"Well then, there's your answer about Peter," Valerie said, still smiling.

She knew that the Olsen topic wasn't as loaded as her history with Peter, but it was still a part of Marcus's past.

To what extent? She didn't know. But there was something there.

"Alright, let's stop digging up the past before the food gets cold," Marcus said, sitting beside her and pulling her

gently onto his lap.

"I love you like the very first day | realized | was in love with you. | want you even more than the day | first made

you mine. Remember that day?"

"Hm... | don't know... It's a vague memory. Kinda fuzzy. My mind isn't what it used

to be... I'm an old lady now!"

"Valerie!"

"I need details! Refresh my memory-and don't leave out the dirty parts!" "Valerie! You're definitely trying to drive