"The Husband I Never Knew I Had..."

"Choice..."

"Don't!"

"But it's true."

"Just stop Cas. I've made up my mind. I'm going with my gut feeling about this. We're married... nothing you say will make me believe otherwise."

"You don't understand..."

"I don't have to. This girl, the one I was supposed to marry, you keep telling me she came first before you. That you stole me away from her. If that were the case then I'd say she didn't really love me."

"How can you say that?"

"She let you win, didn't she? She let go of all this." I made a gesture to indicate my body, and I saw Cas blush.

"We don't know that for certain. What if she wanted you, but was too proud to tell you?"

"Pride has no place in the heart when you truly love someone."

"Don't be too quick to judge her. We both don't know what her story is."

"And I don't need to know. As far as I'm concerned, if she is the daughter of a politician and she wanted to find me, it would've been quite easy for her to use all her resources to locate me. Same holds true for my father. If what you say is true, that he's filthy rich and has a lot of connections, don't you think he would've sent someone to fetch me by now?"

I saw Cas smile slowly, and I felt my heart jerk in my chest. I was getting through to him, slowly I was chasing his fears away.

"There's no one out there who values me more than you Cas. No one took care of me, or showered me with love and affection, more than you have. I'm happy I have you... don't ruin that for me. Please?"

"We're in the middle of nowhere. In a tiny little hut, with a small uncomfortable bed. No running water. With electricity that goes out at the slightest increase in wind pressure. No fine dining. No cars or luxury items for you to enjoy. How can you be happy?"

"I have you." I saw him quickly avert his face to hide his smile, and I chuckled.

"There is nothing more I want in this world than you Cassie. Just you. So please believe me... I'm happy. You make me happy. I mean I could be happier if we were more intimate, but I'm not gonna push my luck if it means losing you. So fine. Take your time. I'll just be here when you've realized how you're saying no to all this sexiness." I tickled his right ear and he giggled.

"What if in the near future you regret this?"

"That's in the future. We're not there yet. What if that never happens? You're worrying too much."

"But your memories..."

"Are in the past. That's finished. Over and done with. We can make new memories... together. Happy ones."

"I want to believe you Adonis. I really do. But I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"Losing you."

"Don't you think I fear the same thing? We're together now, that's all that matters. If in the future I find myself hating you, and we drift apart... atleast we had today where we're both happy. And in love. Because Cassie, no matter how you try to drive me away the fact remains... I love you, and that's not going to change anytime soon."

"How can you be so sure?"

"It's a choice. I choose to be happy. I choose love. I choose you."

I felt him fling his arms around me, his hair messy from sleep, his hair smelling of those goddamned guava leaves, his kisses raining on my cheeks, ears, and neck.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Choosing me."

"So..."

"So?"

"Are you ready to sample all this hotness before you?"

"Shut up!" He gently pushed me away, and I had to laugh at how his cheeks have turned red.

"Never." I hugged him from behind, as I pulled the covers over us, ready to retire for the night.