What a healthy marriage looks like

Promises, promises

"Not as bad, hm?", "Four hours...", "But it is better with company, non?" Spy said to Caroline as they got their nails done. "Four hours! I am never going shopping with you again.", "It was not that bad-", "Four fu-freakin' hours!" He shrugged, "Three and a half.", "Three hours, forty-five minuets." Lewie interjected helpfully and Caroline looked at Spy pointedly. He just shrugged again, "But you found a better dress, is that not worth it?", "...I'm debating that." Lewie said, "I agree with maskey. That dress looks so much better on you than the other one." Spy rolled his eyes at the nickname, but Terry and Henry nodded. While Caroline agreed, she was really just tired. Three hours and forty-five minutes of trying on dresses and veils and shoes and- the whole mess while an audience commentated was exhausting. All that being said, she did end up finding a gorgeous gown she was excited for Mick to see. After that, Heavy's sisters wanted to explore the city so their mother went with them to make sure they stayed out of trouble. The rest of them went out to eat a late lunch, and then they came back to the hotel and Mick's mom decided to head up early. The remaining few of them collectively decided that they needed some spa time before they turned in for the night. Caroline sighed and said, "Well, at least it's done. The only things now are the rehearsal tomorrow- and the wedding of course.", "Don't forget your bachelorette party!" Lewie added. Caroline shrugged, "We're kinda doing that now.", "Whaat? But we're not smashed yet! and is it really a bachelorette party without at least one stripper?" As Caroline's nails were finished, she got up and said, "Thank you- If that's what you guys want to do, go ahead- but I've got other plans.", "Other plans? Like what?", "Like... Giving Mick his birthday present." Terry asked, "What did you get him?" and Caroline grinned, "I'm not telling you. Anyway, all you guys are good for the night? You all have keys?" Lewie laughed,"Ah! That's what you're giving him...", "That's part of it, yeah." They all laughed, except Spy who just looked uncomfortable. She pat his shoulder and said, "Sorry." He shook his head, "We are fine. Just go.", "Thank you." She replied and waved as she left. She went to the front desk and got another hotel room, just for the night, then she went up to her suit and got Mick's present, taking it up to the other room before coming back down and knocking on his door. After a moment, a very drunk Jeremy opened the door. Seeing her, he slurred, "How are you doin', baby?", "I'm fine, thank you. Is Mick there?", "Lemme check..." He turned around and then turned back with a grin, "... I forgot what I was doin', but if you was lookin' for some company, doll, I can keep you... Company-", "Oh, heya Caroline." A much less inebriated Dell greeted, "You lookin' for Mick?" Caroline nodded, "Yes please." and Jeremy glared at Dell as he went and grabbed her fiancé. They returned only a moment later, Mick running over and wrapping his arms around her, "Heyy darlin'!" She could smell the alcohol on him and she sighed, "Are you drunk?", "Me? Noo! I'm buzzed, there's a difference." He ran his hands down her waist saying, "and might I say, you're lookin' fantastic darlin'. Like, fuckin'- amazing... By the way... Anyway, what can I do for you?" She pulled his hands off her and held them in her own, saying, "I was gonna give you your birthday present, but it can wait.", "You got me a birthday present? I told you don't get me nothin'.", "I know, but I couldn't resist." He tried to look grumpy, but just broke into a fit of giggles, "Oh, I can't stay mad at you. Especially for that. So, what'd you get me?" She pat his chest, "It can wait until you can remember.", "I ain't drunk, Lynn. You've seen me drunk.", "I have and it looks pretty close to how you're looking now..." He straightened himself up and looked into her eyes sincerely, "I ain't drunk Lynn, I promise. I'm just a little buzzed and we were all jokin' around- But I'm fine. Show me what you got." She studied him for a moment and saw he was telling the truth. She nodded, "If you're sure... It's up in the room I got a couple floors up... That is, if you can sneak away for a bit?" His eyebrows went up, and then he smiled, "For you? Always." He turned and shouted into the room, "I'm leavin'! Don't nobody blow anythin' up, you wankers!" Jeremy called back, "Yeah, whatever!" Before shouting, "Medic! Quit makin' out with Heavy on the couch! I don't wanna fuckin' see that!" Fritz shot back, "Halt deinen Mund, you homophobic Depp!" Jeremy responded, "I ain't homophobic! I just don't wanna see you two- fuckin' doin' it..." Then the door closed. Mick and Caroline looked at each other for a moment, then they burst out laughing. He hooked an arm around her waist and led her to the elevators as he said, "It's been like that all day.", "Heavy and Medic making out on the couch?", "No, just... One thing after another... It's so nice to have the boys back together again, I've missed em'." An elevator opened up and Caroline hesitated, "I'm not taking you away at a bad time, am I?", "Darlin', never." He ushered her into the elevator, then looked at her expectantly. She hesitated again, "...I don't want to pull you away from your friends just for me-", "Lynn." He cupped her face, "I've been with them all day. Please let me spend the night with you." She blushed a bit, then nodded and pressed the button. The elevator closed and they rode it up as he smiled, holding her happily, "So, what have you girls been up to all day?" Caroline sighed, "We went dress shopping.", "Dress shopping? But I thought you already had a dress?", "I do. But apparently since you've seen it, that's 'bad luck' or something.", "Hm.", "Whatever. Anyway, got a new dress, we ate lunch, got my nails done-", "Oh, let me see!" She showed him her nails and he nodded, "Very nice.", "Thank you... and that's it." He nodded and the elevator dinged. They moved out onto the floor and Mick followed Caroline as he asked, "Where's the room at?", "Hm? Oh, it's at the end of the hall." He nodded then stopped her, "...You're really you, right? You ain't Spy?" She grinned, then grabbed his shirt, pulling him down to her level so she could kiss him hard. When they broke he was seeing stars in his eyes as he sputtered, "Y-yep. You're real." She laughed, "I spoke to Spy. He said he wouldn't do that again.", "Mm... and if he does?", "Then I'll help you rip his spine out and beat him to death with it." He chuckled, then gave her a heated look, "I may hate the bastard, but he did give me an idea.", "Oh yeah? What is it?" He leaned down and kissed her ear before murmuring, "I'll give you a head start." She blinked, confused, "What?", "Run.", "...Run?" He nodded and tapped her on the butt, "Run." She blushed hard and he grinned. She looked down the hall, and then back to him and he gestured for her to go. She could feel heat pool in her stomach as she started walking down the hall. He said, "That ain't runnin', darlin'-" and she broke into a sprint. "That's more like it!" He called, and she could hear him start running after her. Her heart leaped and she pushed her legs harder as he chased her down the hall. She nearly slammed into the wall to turn the corner, and only a second later she heard him follow with a laugh. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck-!" She exclaimed as a mix of adrenaline and excitement and fear and desire coursed through her all at once. As she was running, someone came out of their rooms a few doors down and she stumbled as she tried to slow her momentum. She didn't manage to stop, but she did manage a quick maneuver to keep her from slamming into them, turning back to say, "Sorry-" Then she saw Mick gaining on her and her heart leaped again. She turned back around, pushing herself again, but that move had cost her. She yelped in surprise as Mick picked her up, and the game had been won. He slowed to a stop and she looked up at him, breathing hard as her heart thumped in her chest. Mick gulped air as he asked, "So... Where was the room...?", "... On the other side... We passed it...", "Ah." He said, walking back where they had just came from, still carrying her. Neither of them spoke, just catching their breath as they got to the right door and unlocked it. Once inside, he ignored the long box on the bed, instead laying her beside it and crawling on top of her. He kissed her deeply, moving his mouth over hers for a moment before pressing kisses down her jaw. She asked, "Don't- Don't you wanna see what I got you first?", "It can wait..." He whispered, running his hands under her shirt, "I've been waitin' for this..." He pulled her shirt off before reached behind her back, unclipping her bra and taking that off too. He pulled back to just look at her and she asked, "Can you... could you do the- the growley thing?", "The growley thing?", "Yeah.. You know-" He snarled, "That thing?" She bit her lip and nodded, so he got down by her ear and asked, "You like it when I do the growley thing?" She closed her eyes and nodded again, holding onto his shoulders, and he grinned, "Oh, you're gonna have to do better than that, sweetheart." She took a breath and stammered out, "I-I love it wh-when you do that...", "Better." He mused, and snarled again. She let out a squeak and he did it again, but louder. She squirmed under him, whining, "Fuck, I'm so wet. Can we just skip the foreplay tonight?", "Nope." He grinned and moved down to her chest, massaging her breasts, "It's my birthday.", "Not until- until to-tomorrow." He smirked and asked, "You sayin' you ain't my birthday present?", "I never said that..." She grinned, and then moaned as he took one of her nipples in his mouth, teasing it lightly with his teeth. He squeezed the other between his fingers and she whimpered at the dual sensations, "M-Micky...", "Yes?" He asked, smiling sweetly while still teasing her with his hand. She bit her lip and he sat up, using his other hand to continue massaging her other breast, "Yes, darlin'?" She squirmed under him, breathing hard, "It's too m-much! Mhn-", "Do you want me to stop, then?", "...No.", "Good." She shivered, and he snickered playfully as he teased her, "You're takin' it so good anyway, Lynn. You're such a good girl." Her eyes shot open and he laughed, "Yeah, you thought I forgot about that didn't you?", "I was- kinda hoping-", "Were you?", "...Maybe..." He squeezed her a little harder and pressed, "Were you?", "No-", "Then say it." She hesitated and he pressed her again, "Say you like it.", "I love it wh-when- when you- when you p-praise me.", "I know." Her blush overtook her face and he decided to stop torturing her, moving his hands down her waist and pulling off her pants and panties. Starting at her knees, he pressed kisses up her thighs to her hips, doing both sides before tapping her, "Flip over." She did and he took the opportunity to strip himself before giving his next command, "Hands and knees." She got up on her hands and knees and he ran his hands up her thighs, "So obedient tonight, usually you'd at least be crackin' some snark.", "Yeah, well maybe I'm just trying to prove how good I can be so you'll skip the foreplay.", "You are good, darlin'." He mused, getting over her like he was going to mount her, but instead sliding a hand underneath her and running his fingers through her folds. She gasped and caught herself of her elbows as he bent down and planted kisses on her back. He asked, "Should I be nice? Or really nice.", "R-really nice." She responded immediately and he chuckled, "If you insist..." He stuck two fingers inside her and she moaned, planting her face on the bed to muffle herself. "Oh, no you don't..." He said, grabbing a handful of hair and pulling her head back. "You need to make some noise, then make some fuckin' noise, darlin'." He drew his fingers against her G-spot hard and she whimpered, "What about- what about the-the other g-guests?", "You let me worry about that. You just enjoy yourself- and if you feel so inclined, you can go ahead and scream my name." She barked a laugh before he drew another moan out of her. He let go of her hair and she kept her head up so she could still be heard as she moaned and whimpered and cursed and let him hear all the noise he was pulling out of her. Once his fingers started to cramp, he took them out and circled her clit. She gasped and gripped into the bed shouting, "M-Micky! Fuck! I'm gonna- I'm so fucking close-", "Cum for me, darlin'.", "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck- Ngh-! Fuck!" She shuttered as she came and the moment she did, he lined himself up and pushed in. She shouted, "Aangh! M-Micky- Fuck!" and he thrust into her hard. She was very vocal about her pleasure in this and he even groaned at how wet she was. He tried not to hurt her as he gripped her hips, but he knew she was going to have bruises from where his fingers were digging in. She let out a cute little feminine gasp and he grit his teeth, "You're fuckin' amazing, Lynn- I fuckin' love you-", "Nngh! I love you too, Micky-", "Louder.", "I love you, M-Micky!", "Louder!" She practically screamed his name between her moans like it was a call of praise itself and it sent him over the edge. He felt his orgasm come over him and he cursed as he pulled her hips against him tightly, cumming into her in waves. Once he finished, his energy went with it and he pulled out of her, collapsing on the bed with an, "Oh,  fuck-" She asked breathily, "Are you alright?" and he nodded, "Yeah... Better than alright... Come here..." He held his arms out for her and she cuddled up against him as he came down from his orgasm. They just rested there for a long moment until she mused, "Wow... I think that's the hardest you've ever made me cum.", "Really? Because that's certainly the hardest I've ever cum.", "Really?" He nodded and she laughed, still catching her breath, "Fuck...", "What?", "Nothing, just... Wow." He chuckled and just held her in her arms for another long moment, feeling her sweat pricked skin and listening as she found her breath again, just existing with each other for a long moment... Then she spoke up again, "...Alright. I gotta pee.", "Yeah, me too." He got up, watching Caroline get up, making sure she was steady on her feet before leading her to the bathroom. She sat on the toilet and he hopped in the shower, turning it on after they had done their business. Then, she hopped in with him before immediately jumping out of the stream of water, "Ack! Cold!" He chuckled, messing with the shower dial until it was a better temperature before pulling her back under the water with him. With the water now warm, she sighed as it hit her and she rested against his chest. He just smiled to himself, running his hands over her wet skin as he mused, "You remember our first time?" She smiled to herself, "Yeah. You fucked me so hard I couldn't walk." He laughed, gently swiping her hair out of her face, "Yeah, I remember that... I also remember when we were done and we got in the shower together..." She nodded, "Yeah, I think that was the sexiest thing I'd ever experienced up to that point.", "-What? Me washin' you?", "More than that. It was the- the- the way you fucked my brains out and then you were such a gentleman afterwards- and then you continued that.", "Continued what?", "Continued... The- the both. Both rough and gentle. Hard and soft. Knowing when to get wild and when to pull on the reins- and then just being consistent. Now that's sexy." He let out a laugh, "Well, thank you. I try my best.", "You try very well." She grinned, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss him. He kissed her back for a moment and when they broke he said, "But, I meant- You remember how when we took that shower and after I washed you, you insisted on washin' me?", "Yeah?", "Well, I think that was when I wanted to marry you." She blinked at him, wide eyed, "Wait, really?", "Not in so many words, but in hindsight, yeah. That's when I knew.", "Wow... I don't know when I wanted to marry you... I really hadn't thought about it until you asked me- But I remember when I fell for you.", "Mm. Yeah, that first date?", "No, before that- when we met at the bar and I took you back to my place and instead of fucking we just ended up talking all night." He blushed a bit, "Yeah... I'm really glad we didn't end up havin' sex that first time.", "Why?" He blushed more, "Because then I wouldn't have givin' you a chance." She raised her eyebrows, "Really? Why?", "Because... I mean- I'd done that shit before.", "... Done what?" He scratched at his neck, "...You know I didn't really date before you. Right?", "Right.", "Yeah... But- uh, I did have... Casual sex... Occasionally...", "Right...?" He shrugged, "I mean, it's a different kind of interaction. Different expectations. You don't follow up with a one night stand because- I mean, because it's a one night stand. That's it." She gave him a look, "So, if we would have had sex that night, you wouldn't have taken me on that date?" He squeezed her tighter, "Like I said, I'm glad we didn't because then I wouldn't have gotten to see all of you- or realize how kind and caring and smart and- fuckin' stubborn and- and how beautiful you are. Inside and out." He brushed a hand over her face and she melted at his touch, "Well then... I'm glad too... I guess my aunt did something right by interrupting us... I guess... Whatever, anyway- I didn't bring up my shampoo or soap or anything. I didn't think about it.", "That's okay. You wanna get out?", "...Yeah- Oh! Your present's still on the bed!", "Oh, right!" He mused, turning off the water and grabbing one of the hotel towels, wrapping it around her shoulders. She took it and wrapped it around his shoulders, but he just grabbed another towel and put it around her again. They stepped out and moved back into the main room where the long, wrapped box was still waiting on the bed, undisturbed by their previous antics. They sat down and he picked up the box, feeling the weight in his hands. He gave her a curious look and asked, "Is it a gun?" She shrugged with a smile, "Maybe." He smiled too and ripped open the wrapping paper. He opened up the cardboard box underneath before going through the packing material to pull out the odd looking rifle inside. His eyes went wide, "Whoa..." He held it up to get a better look at it, "What is this?", "One of my special clients calls it a Jezail, but looking into it I think that's only partially true.", "What do you mean?" He asked, putting the curved stock up to his shoulder. She shrugged, "Traditional Jezails- Well, Afghani Jezails at least, were typically custom built rifles made out of flintlock or matchlock muskets- that and they were also much longer barreled then this one because they were made for shooting down from mountains and stuff. That's actually also why they have this curved stock." She ran her fingers over the wood, "That's from what I read about traditional nineteenth century Jezails, at least. This one's obviously not a flintlock or a matchlock, so it was either converted to a centerfire or it was a replica from the start. I'm leaning toward replica just because of that centerfire action, plus the barrel is a bit too short and the fact that this one has a trigger guard, which traditional Jezails don't have- But regardless: I thought it was cool, I got a good price on it, and thought you might appreciate it... Happy birthday, Micky." He put the rifle down and grinned at her, "You're such a nerd." She flushed and ducked her head, "I just- I just thought it was cool.", "No, I mean... I love it. Thank you, darlin'. and thank you for the history lesson, that's really fascinating", "It's... Whatever.", "No, I mean it!" He moved onto the bed and gestured for her to join him. She hesitated, but crawled up next to him, letting him envelope her in his arms, "Sorry I called you a nerd. I meant it in an endearing way.", "I know.", "I really do love it. It's gorgeous." She nodded, "I also got it gauged for a 7mm, so it should work with your regular ammunition.", "Oh, you think of everything, don't you?" She shrugged, "I try my best.", "You try very well." He kissed her cheek and she giggled. He started pressing kisses down her neck and she pushed him back with a smile, "Slow down, we just finished.", "I know, but when you do something so nice and thoughtful for me, I just wanna kiss you everywhere." He kissed up her jaw and cheek and she giggled again, "I'm not quite ready for round two-", "Who said anything about round two-?", "But... If you want to lay down on my lap, I'll give you head scratches and tell you how much I love you." He blinked at her, then nodded, "You strike a hard bargain, madam. I accept.", "Get over here, you goof." They laughed and he laid his head down on her thighs, closing his eyes as she ran her fingers through his hair, "I do love you, Micky, and I'm excited to get married to you... Re-married." He chuckled, "Only a few months in and we're already renewin' our vows.", "We didn't really do vows last time.", "The judge said the vows.", "I know, but we didn't really do vows.", "...Did you wanna do them this time?", "I mean, yeah. I have mine written." He sat up, "You do?", "Yeah, don't you?" Now he was panicking, "I-I didn't know we were doin' that, but I can- I- I can come up with somethin'-" She brushed a hand over his face soothingly, "It's fine, baby. We don't have to-", "No, no- It's fine, I can come up with somethin', I just gotta..." He got up and Caroline let out a soft, "Oh..." He looked back at her as her newly empty arms fell awkwardly to her sides. He hesitated, wanting to get started on the vows, and at the same time he couldn't just leave her... Not after they just had sex. He moved back to lay in her lap a bit more tense than he thought he should be as he said to her, "... It can wait..." She ran her hand through his hair for a moment, then sighed and pressed a kiss to his forehead, "Go.", "...What?" She gestured to the door, "You can go. I'm okay." He sat up again and touched her face with a hand, "Lynn-" but she just pulled his hand into her own and pressed a kiss to his knuckles, "I know you, and I know how you get when you need to do something but can't.", "...Excited excited?" He tried jokingly and she cracked a smile, "More like 'anxious anxious'... Go, I'll be fine.", "...Are you sure?", "Yes, now go." She gave him a knowing smile, even as she pushed him away. He didn't know what he was feeling at that point, but he didn't like it... At the same time, the sooner he got it done, the sooner he could come back. He nodded, quickly redressing himself as he said, "Just give me a bit- maybe a hour. I'll be quick.", "You're fine, Micky." She said and he pressed a kiss to her forehead, before bundling up his new rifle in its box, "See you soon-", "Hey Micky?", "Yes?", "Do you want me to look after that for you?" She gestured at the box. "I'm just gonna put it up in the room, it'll be fine.", "I don't mean to point out the obvious, but you're sharing that room with eight rowdy men- Well, seven rowdy men and Pyro... I don't know what Pyro is- are they a man-?" He sighed, "I get your point, darlin'." and put it back down. She gave him a nod and said "I'll take care of it.", "I know you will... I love you. I'll be back as soon as I can.", "Don't worry about it, Micky- and I love you, too.", "I'll be back- keys, please." She sighed and tossed him the room key and he opened the door saying one more time, "I'll be back." She shrugged, "I'll be here." and he nodded, moving quickly down the hall. He rode the elevator down and ran over to his suit, opening the door and shouting, "Ey!" Everyone looked over at him and Tavish called, "Welcome back Mickey Mouse! You have a good shag?" Everyone laughed except for Mick, who responded, "Ha, ha. Hilarious-" Jeremy interrupted from the couch, "That was pretty quick, it couldn't have been that good.", "Not as quick as you I'd reckon." Dell shot back and they died laughing again. Mick tried again, "Guys! Ey-" But Jeremy glared at Dell and responded, "Hey! Ladies love efficiency. Hit em' quick, hit em' hard, bada-bing, bada-boom! They love it!", "You did not seriously just say that." Dell mumbled, dumbfounded and Jeremy shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a ladies man. Fuckin'- Mickey mouse over there should be takin' notes!", "Well, He's the one gettin' married and you ain't so I think-", "Guys!" Mick shouted over them, "I need help." The guys blinked at him, all in various stages of inebriation, and Jeremy commented, "I'll say. Your game needs serious work, my man-", "Quiet, Scheisser!" Fritz snapped before looking at Mick, "What do you need, mein freund?" Mick scratched at his face and said, "How do you write wedding vows?" Fritz narrowed his eyes at him, "Your wedding is the day after tomorrow and you have not written your vows yet?", "I didn't know we were doin' them, but then Caroline said she'd written hers and- and I don't even know where to start." Fritz face-palmed, muttering in German before standing up, "Alright, get a pen and paper." Mick looked around and Jane shouted, "Someone get this man a pen!" He started running but Dell stopped him, pulling out a small notebook and a pencil, "Here." Jane grabbed it from him and kissed his head, "Thank you, you beautiful man!" and he brought it over to Mick, leaving Dell starstruck behind him. Mick just took it with a, "Thanks, mate." and flipped it to the first empty page, looking up at Fritz expectantly. Fritz nodded, "Alright. Here's what you say: I- uh, Mick, promise to be loyal to you in good days and bad, in health and sickness, to love and respect until death parts us, forevermore." Mick stopped writing and looked up at him, "That's a bit dark, ain't it?" He shrugged, "Those were my vows." Mikhail laughed, "That was not all your vows-" and Fritz shushed him, "That is the part he needs to know." Mikhail just chuckled and shook his head as Mick looked at what he had, "That's it?" Fritz shrugged, "What's wrong with that? Simple, straight to the point, perfect.", "I don't know... What were your vows, Heavy?" Mikhail shook his head, "That is private." From the spot he was sat Jeremy whined, "Aw, come on! Now you've got me curious!" Fritz laughed, "Sorry freunde! Those were for my ears only." Then Jane proclaimed, "Those arn't vows! I'll give you some real vows, son!" He hooked an arm around Mick's neck and stated boldly, "Here's what you say: You shout loud and proud from your chest- I am an American soldier! I am a warrior and a member of a team! I serve the people of the United States and live the Army values!" Dell countered, "That's just the soldier's creed.", "Exactly!" Jane grinned proudly, "It's perfect! and you do not mess with perfection, because it will seek revenge- and trust me, you do not want perfect revenge, son." Mick pulled Jane's arm off his shoulder and just said, "Thanks. Anyone else?" Dell shrugged, "I never really thought about it before-", "I have!" Jeremy shouted, standing up, "Okay, so here's what you say: Girl, you ain't got nothin' to worry about now, because now you have me- and hey, I'm pretty great. I'm strong, I'm fast- lightning quick... But not too quick if you know what I'm sayin'... Nope! There ain't nothin' that you and your cute little glasses have to worry about, cuz' I will always be here to protect ya." He gave a little flourish and Dell said, "That was actually kinda sweet... Until you started talkin' about Miss Pauling.", "I was not!... Caroline wears glasses too, don't she?" He looked at Mick, who shook his head. "Oh." Jeremy said, "Well, nix that part, keep the rest and- BOOM! Perfect wedding vows. I should get an award or somethin' for comin' up with this shit." Mick looked over at Tavish and asked, "You have anythin'?" He shrugged and Mick sighed. He had really chosen the wrong crowd for this. Pyro mumbled something and Dell translated, "They said... Just to tell her how she makes you feel- Aw, that's really sweet, buddy!", "How she makes me feel? I think I'd need a whole book for that..." Fritz pished, "Don't overcomplicate things. Worst comes to worst, you just won't have vows.", "Or you say them privately." Mikhail offered, "Or you knock her socks off and give her the pure blooded American vows!" Jane added. "Or," Jeremy said, "You tell her what I told you- and you'll hook her for sure, guaranteed. Two words: Panty, dropper." Mick just ran a hand over his face and Dell moved over to give him a pat on the back, "Why don't you sleep on it? You've sill got time." Mick mulled it over before saying, "I guess... Thanks Dell." Mick offered him his notepad back and Dell shook his head, "Keep it for now." and Mick nodded, putting it in his pocket, "Thanks... I think I'll take a walk." , "You want some company?", "No, I'll be fine. Thank you, though. Night guys.", "You ain't coming back?", "Not tonight." Mick said, then he grinned, "Caroline's still waitin' for me upstairs." They boys hooted and hollered as Mick left again, going back down the hall. He made it to the elevators and went to press the 'up' button, but stopped. He pulled the notebook out of his pocket then looked up at the clock in the hallway, it hadn't even been ten minutes. He still had some time before he said he'd be back. He pressed the 'down' button and rode the elevator to the lobby. It was pretty empty this late in the evening and the cloud cover outside made it look even later. He moved over to an empty seating area and sat down, flipping open the notebook and looking at what he'd written down. 'I, Mick, promise to be loyal to you in good days and bad, in health and sickness, to love and respect until death parts us-' It was just making promises, right? Mick didn't know, he hadn't been to many weddings, but that seemed to be the gist of it. He started writing, but everything he thought up was lame. He got up and paced around, searching for the right thing to say, "I promise you... I promise you I'll be loyal- no... I'll be faithful- faithful? How bout... devoted? Steadfast? Stalwart? Mm... What about 'how she makes me feel'?... When I'm with you, I feel... Love? Uhg! That's lame... GAH!" He exclaimed, scribbling what he had on the notepad, "Fuckin' hell. What am I doin'?", "I do not know, but that was sad to watch." Mick jumped and looked over to see Spy sitting in a chair, watching him. Mick growled, "You have a lot of bloody nerve showin' your face to me again!" Spy raised a covered eyebrow and Mick amended, "You know what I mean!" Spy shrugged and said, "If you do not want help, fine- So be it." and he disappeared. Mick called, "Wait-" and he reappeared again. Mick hesitated, then sighed, "Fine... You're good with all this fancy word shit... What would you say?" Spy looked at him for a moment, then sat back and thought about it. "What would I say? Perhaps something like... Ma chérie: je suis amoureux de toi. Toutes les étoiles dans le ciel ne peuvent pas être comparées à toi. Sans toi, je ne suis rien. Je te donne mon coeur, mon amour... ma vie. Je suis à toi pour toujours...", "...I don't know what any of that means.", "You do not need to know.", "But I thought you were gonna help me-", "That's what I would say, but you do not need my words.", "But I don't know what to say!", "Do you really not?", "That's what I just said you bloody- Grh!" He stomped away and Spy just waited. Mick took a breath and turned back around, ranting, "Everything I write sounds dull. Everything I say sounds dull. I know how she makes me feel, but- but nothin' I put down does it justice- does her justice... She's just so kind and loving and thoughtful and I... I- I just want to make her feel how she makes me feel...", "So why not write that?", "Because- I've already told her that! I've told her all this! She already knows because I tell her just about every day- and it's like, I don't regret telling her how much she means to me, but at the same time... What do I do now?", "The first thing you should do is calm down.", "Easy for you to say, Mr. Perfect!", "The second thing you should do is get some damn confidence, boy! You are flailing around down here, stuck in your own head- tripping yourself over details that, truly, do not matter." Mick paused. He hated to admit it, but Spy might have been right. He realized now that what he was feeling was insecurity. The shit that he knew he shouldn't worry about had been coming back up under his nose, and now that he recognized it he sighed. "...I guess... I guess you're right..." Spy lit a cigarette before offering one to Mick, "I know." Mick took it, still a little peeved at him, but took a puff regardless- then he started coughing, "Fuck- I guess it's been a while." Spy raised an eyebrow, "Only a few months out and you already quit?", "I didn't quit I just- You know, we just got kinda busy and I didn't really think about it." Mick considered the cigarette in his hand, the bitter taste lingering on his tongue, before he put in out in the ashtray, "Sorry for wastin' a cig, mate." Spy watched him do this, looking at the cigarette in the ashtray for a moment, and then he glanced up at Mick, "What are you doing here?" Mick furrowed his eyebrows, "What?", "Why are you down here writing words when you could be up there with her, proving them?" Mick considered him, then looked over at one of the wall clocks and his eyes widened. It had been nearly an hour. "Shit! I gotta go!" Mick shouted, not bothering to say 'goodbye' as he ran over to the elevators and rode the next one up. He sprinted back down the hall and opened the door to the room Caroline had got- and she was asleep. He was such an idiot. He considered leaving again, but he knew better than to give into his insecurity. He sighed and moved inside, closing the door quietly behind him. He sat on the bed beside her and watched her sleep, gently brushing her hair out of her face, "I'm sorry, darlin'. I should have known better... I just- I just want to make this perfect for you... and I know you won't care if it's perfect- but you deserve it... You deserve the best. You deserve all I can give you and more because- because you're the love of my life... and-and I wanna spend every day with you... I wanna start a family with you, I wanna build a home and get old with you- and love you until we die and then some... and with everything that I am, I just want you to be happy..." He paused, thinking about that, then he pulled out the little notepad again and started writing.