more than i can hold in my heart.

the last time

a/n : inspired by the song "the last time (taylor's version)" !!

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The first time he waited outside after a fight was 5 years in their marriage.

He used to stay on the couch when he did something wrong, but that time, she was so mad. Her little hands pushed insistently at his chest, he had no time to stop her.

He had two pairs of pants and a single shirt, along with the clothes on his back. He tried to ask her to let him in, but she took his keys and left him outside.

Tucker had scratched his head, wondering what he did wrong. Then her strong, annoyed voice echoed in his head and he grimaced.

"You were flirting with her!" She sneered at him, and even if she was a small woman, he felt fear grip his torso.

He scoffed though, hoping his charms would once again save him. He would just stay on the couch anyway, once this was over.

"I wasn't!" He defended himself. "I was just being friendly. Come on, Mandy."

"Don't Mandy me." She gritted her teeth and pushed her glasses up her nose. "I may have glasses but I am not blind, Tucker Jones. Nor am I stupid."

"Now who said you were stupid?" He asked, fake concern clouding his tone. He stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders gently. "Babe. Baby. Come on, I only have eyes for you."

Miranda's eyes softened, and he inwardly grinned. It worked.

Then her eyes turned liquid lava, fury burning in her pupils. "Yeah, right."

She stomped away, and he let go of the breath he was holding. She rarely got mad, but when she did, she was so damn scary.

Tucker followed her tracks upstairs. He heard her in their bedroom, and he went inside, only to be pushed back.

"Woah," he barely got out as she pushed him, her hands throwing his clothes at him. "Mandy, wait—"

"You can wait in a hotel." She said with finality as she closed the door on him. He heard the door lock and he stood there, his mouth agape.

He stayed in a hotel, just as she said. The next day, he came back early, but he found that she had gone to work.

Tucker was pissed she had the guts to do that, but he stayed outside for the whole day. His job had to wait. He needed his wife.

For a second, he closed his eyes, and when he woke up, he almost hit his head on the pavement.

He looked around. It was dark. He checked his watch. It's around 8 pm. He wiped his mouth, and realized Miranda was still gone.

With great difficulty, he stood, brushing off the dust and soil on his pants, and he wandered off.

He wasn't a bad man, he thought. He was nice, friendly, and he loved his wife. Sure, he flirted, but that was nothing. He just liked talking with the women, and liked the attention they gave him.

Tucker wasn't trying to up and leave Miranda, no, of course not. She kept him sane, kept him on the right track. He was lucky she loved him.

But being a surgical intern took up all of her time. He barely saw her. When he did, she was tired and all she wanted to do was sleep, or go to the hospital.

He sighed, and turned the corner. He walked a few more meters and found himself back at their house.

Miranda's car was parked in the driveway, and he breathed in relief. He didn't know what he'd do if she stayed at the hospital tonight. He didn't know if he could take another night where they weren't on good terms. She was his home. He'd always, always come home to her.