Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

Family Matters

"Okay, I have one more. This is the one I like the most, all right?"

Aurelie sat in the middle of the bed that she and Harlan shared, gently combing through her hair with her fingers. They'd just returned from a long camping weekend, and she'd already finished unpacking, showering, and changing into her pajamas. Meanwhile, she'd also been subject to the corniest puns and plays on words that Harlan could come up with.

"I don't know how much more of this I can stand to be subject to, Harlan," she replied, laughing softly.

"It's the last one. I promise," he held his left hand up (Harlan is left-handed), before realizing that was the wrong hand and putting up his right.

"Fine. What is it?"

Harlan smiled, shutting the dresser drawer that he'd been putting clothes into. "What is the difference between a dirty bus stop and a large-breasted lobster?"

Aurelie frowned. "I don't know- what is the difference between a dirty bus stop and a large-breasted lobster?"

"One is a crusty bus station, whilst the other is a busty crustacean."

"What-" Aurelie squinted at Harlan before they both started laughing.

"I never would've thought the man I'm marrying would be so corny," Aurelie said between laughs.

"Hey, I make you laugh, though, don't I?" Harlan took off his pajama top before climbing into the bed with her. "The best marriages are the humorous ones, I hear."

"I'm inclined to agree, bearing witness to my parents and their odd sense of humor," agreed Aurelie. "It may not seem that way to others, but they're very much in love. My dad does pretty much what you just did all the time with my mom- and Nora and I, actually. I've been subject to my dad's corny puns for years."

"I hope to corn up our marriage for many years to come," Harlan said, smiling.

"Um... thanks?" Aurelie began to laugh again. "As much as I love exploring, I am really happy to finally be back in my bed..." she straightened her legs and rested her head on her pillow with a content sigh.

"I think you mean our bed," Harlan corrected as he lay next to her, taking her glasses off of her face, and putting them on the nightstand.

"Yes, if you must be so possessive, our bed." Aurelie looked up at Harlan, who smiled at her before giving her a kiss, and putting an arm around her waist. "This was my apartment first," she laughed. "Do you want to make love?"

"Ah, as enticing as that idea is, love, I was counting on getting some rest." Harlan put his face into Aurelie's pillow and said, muffled, "I have an early day tomorrow."

"Okay." Aurelie gently patted his red hair. "Sleep will be good for us both, anyway."

"Is that offer of yours rain-check eligible?" asked Harlan, still muffled.

"Always," replied Aurelie, smiling as she turned on her side.

"You are the perfect fiancée." Harlan turned as well, spooning her, squeezing her tight for a second before gently nuzzling against her face.

"Your beard tickles," she said, giggling.

"Yes, and I know you love it." Harlan chuckled, giving her a few kisses on the cheek before suddenly stopping and sitting up straight. "I didn't get the mail."

"Harlan, it's 2 a.m. You can get the mail tomorrow." By the sound of Aurelie's voice, she was already drifting off to sleep.

"No, no, I need to get it now. We've been gone five days, Auri. The pile of documents I could've gotten in that time is probably obscene in amount." He got up, slipping his house shoes on. "I promise I'll be brief."