Crestfallen [COMPLETED]

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ - 9

Joanna

After spending that night together at my place, Alex and I kept initiating random dates. Him suggesting we visit the book club again, me wanting to go dancing on weekends.

Us renting skates, to go ice skating.
Him bringing home cooked meals for me, despite my refusal.

I didn't like to cook and
had this endless pile of canned food in my fridge.
But Alex was hell bent of changing my unhealthy habits.

We didn't speak of our growing closeness.

As this, none of us wanted to name this, whatever we had between us, yet.

We were dancing around a familiar territory, that tested waters of our patience, and our prolonged denial.

But I knew what it was.

I was falling for this amazing guy.

We explored each other physically and it indeed was a revelation but nothing comes closer to our emotional connection.

Alex told me about his parents. They are renown lecturers,
at the university of Columbia.
And have published several award wining research papers in anthropology.

He was proud of them. But he never really had them much growing up.
He had to accustom, to them missing out on his childhood.

I knew he felt vulnerable when he said that.

I too bared myself to Alex.

The brutal truth of losing my parents in a car crash. How I still grieve them everyday. How a part of me died with them and I may never heal from that, ever.

Also about an estranged elder sister, who didn't stay back with me.
Because she had better things to care for, than providing for me. Things like going far away to start a new life for herself.

I had buried her existence entirely within those memories, living the life of someone who had no one in this world. An orphan in every essence.

The reason why I couldn't let myself get attached to people.

I was abandoned by my closest confidant. And somewhere deep down I still aggrieved her loss.

I didn't know how but, Alex brought me to accept things I never addressed. Feel courageous even in a way. He made me want things, wishes I would rather bury.

The hurt had become to lessen gradually.
Like some magic sprinkled in my monotonous life.

I had never felt anything like this, anything even close enough.

I was in love with him.

And so was Alex. With me.

I knew it in those lingering kisses. In the nights we lay bare, his hands travelling the expanse of my skin, concocting pleasure, and comfort.

His low whisper once, at midnight, in the crook of my neck.

"Jo, I love this. Us. I love you."

My breath hinged as his words weighed down in my chest. My body instantly reacting to it.

I returned his words back, that night.

Everyday was a discovery with Alex.
Memories. Worth gatekeeping for aeons.

Time seemed to stand still as we made two and a half years, together.

Until he bent down on his knees, one day, in the comfort of my home. His face flushed with warmth, when, as pulled out the ring.

"Marry me Joanna Adams. Let me make you mine, forever."

I had the widest smile then, and yes, welled up eyes.

I bent down with him as I kissed the centre of his palm.

Telling him. How much I loved hearing him say that word, Forever. Associated with me.
Him. Us.

We met his family a few weeks later to make it official.

I had met his sister Nicole, last Christmas, back when we were only dating.
She and her husband Nathan were the sweetest people ever. Along with their son Leo, they made a beautiful family.

And, I was so ready to forge connections with them, finally.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

We both teared up at our wedding.

Walking down the aisle, my eyes locked onto Alex's.
As the world around me seemed to fade into a blur.

When we exchanged our vows, I knew I wanted to be his forever.

Our wedding. It wasn't a much lavish affair. Attended mostly by family and Alex's closest friends.

But it was never about grand gestures or elaborate details. It was a celebration of the relationship I shared with Alex, and the promises we made, to hold each other until death and beyond.

After the wedding, I moved in his apartment with him. The two bedroom house was enough for us then.

Alex started his practice as a heart surgeon. And I was hired by a prominent firm.

Gradually, we both
started settling well in our careers.
Advancing and growing as we gained the experiences.

After three years in our marriage.
We could finally buy a house together.

We visited several duplexes but it seemed like our search was meant to end on the last.

As we stepped across it's threshold, our eyes met. This felt more than just a house. We both approved of it at first glance.

With every room we explored, our opinion became steadier, as if we could envisage the promise of new beginnings here.

We contacted our realtor first thing, confirming with him, we wanted it.

It took some time, with all the process coming around.

But the end project, our new home, was worth it.

. .. .. . .. ..

Alex and I lie on the carpet, clinking our champagne glasses, as we smile at each other.

"I think we need to change the color there, and the ceiling could do better," I say pointing out to the spaces glancing across the living room.

"And. . ."

Alex gives me an amusing look.

"Keep pointing out all the flaws," he nods mocking my critical survey.

"Someone needs to, Alex," I reason reaching out for my planner on the table.

But Alex pulls me closer to himself.
Pecking me softly on the lips.

"You worry too much." A smile curls on his lips, as he lifts my chin gently.

"Just look around you,"he murmurs. "It's perfect."

And I do, as he directs my gaze from our pictures hanging on the wall, the key holder, to the coat hanger behind the door, and then back at our well lit living room.

And it, indeed is perfect.

"This is our home, now. Our entire lives ahead of us spent here. You and me, Jo, How can it be anything less?" he whispers leaning closer to me.

I put my arms around him, slowly closing my eyes.

I just can't wait, to start it all.
Everything again. Here. In our new home.With this wonderful man by my side.