This Year is My Year

James Bond

"I don't want to," I whined, collapsing onto Y/N dramatically. She laughed and propped me up, pinching my sides.

"I want to surprise you!" she replied, pushing me back. I frowned dramatically and wrapped my arms around her waist, kissing my favorite spots along her neck. 

After we were done in bed, we had used the spacious shower to get ready for dinner. I had experimented with all of the fancy soaps and lotions, making her laugh as I made different faces when I smelled them. Once we had finished, she convinced me to get dressed before her, and I was in the only set of nice clothes I owned - a black suit Wayne had bought me for a school dance and a black button up. She was wrapped up in a fluffy robe, her hair was pulled up into a towel and makeup was done.

"I want to go downstairs with you," I said, pouting. Normally, she fell for it when I was like this. She shook her head and knew that she was going to push back this time. She hooked her arms around my neck and kissed me quickly.

"Go sit at the bar like James Bond, and I'll come down and surprise you," she ordered. I felt my mouth twist into a smile and kissed her hard. I pulled back and grinned at her.

"Alright. Don't make me wait long," I said, squeezing her sides. She nodded and shooed me out the door. I sighed heavily and started down towards the lobby bar. I wanted to have her on my arm when I went down, but her meeting me would have to do.

I got downstairs, still thrown off by how fancy everything was. When I had made the reservation, I did very little research, wanting only to treat Y/N to the best weekend with me. I might have overshot a bit, but there were worse things than high thread count sheets and fancy doormen. I made my way to the bar, still smiling as I thought back to this afternoon. I sat at one of the barstools and nodded at the bartender. He made his way over to me.

"Good evening, sir. What can I get you?" he asked. I felt overwhelmed – I was an adult, but I felt like a child in this place. I cleared my throat.

"Whiskey. Neat, please," I answered, remembering an order Wayne had often made. The bartender nodded and started bustling behind the bar until he handed me a short glass with the brown liquor.

"Enjoy," he said, smiling kindly. I nodded and took a sip, my throat burning. He watched me for a beat. "What brings you to Chicago?"

"Never been," I answered, smiling back. "Wanted to visit."

"Welcome. I saw you check in with that lovely young lady," he replied. I felt a surge of jealousy then pride, and grinned wider when I remembered something.

"My wife," I lied, taking another sip of my whiskey. "We're newlyweds."

His eyes widened and he smiled.

"Congratulations. You two make a lovely couple," he said. I felt a spark of joy and nodded.

"Thank you. She's the best thing that ever happened to me," I insisted. This was the truth. The bartender started drying glasses.

"I'm glad to hear it," he answered. "This is your honeymoon then?"

I smirked and shook my head, leaning into the story.

"No, no – just a fun trip for us. We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon," I continued to fib. I sat back in the chair.

"I've never been – how was it?" he asked. I stopped. Shit. How was it?

"Absolutely beautiful," I continued, remembering pictures I had seen. "I had never been to the beach before, and I wanted to make sure she had the best. We even saw a dolphin when we were on the beach."

"It sounds like it," he answered, impressed with me. I felt a flash of pride. I was proud of the fake honeymoon I had taken Y/N on. The bartender's eyes lit up as he looked behind me. "Ah, welcome, ma'am. Your husband was telling me all about your honeymoon."

I felt my stomach drop as I turned to face her. My jaw dropped as she made her way across the lobby. She was right to make me wait downstairs for her. Y/N was beautiful – her hair was in soft curls, tousled over her shoulders that were exposed. Her red dress was snug but gave way for slight movement around her knees as she walked. I was absolutely smitten as she set a hand around the back of my neck and grinned at me.

"He was?" she asked, her eyes full of mirth. My heart was pounding as she leaned in to kiss me softly.

"Sounded like it was a wonderful time," the bartender replied. She watched me and nodded, winking quickly.

"It was the best," she lied, continuing our story. I stood from the bar chair and set some cash on the counter.

"Thank you – we need to get to dinner," I explained. He took the bills and nodded.

"Have a wonderful time. Congratulations, again, on your marriage," he replied. I snaked an arm around Y/N's waist and pulled her close as we made our way to the hotel restaurant. I beamed down at her.

"You, my dear, are a knockout," I complimented before kissing her forehead. She smiled coyly.

"You think? I've apparently got a recent marriage to celebrate, so I wanted to dress up. I wish I could remember our honeymoon though - it sounds like it was amazing," she teased. I blushed and shrugged.

"I couldn't help it – he asked about you, and I think my last name suits you," I flirted. Her mouth twisted and she buried her face in my shoulder.

"You make me so nervous sometimes, Mr. Munson," she replied, using our code. I smiled, my heart picking up as I kissed her again.