our love blooms (like flowers in the spring)

new addition

Their carriage finally arrives at their house. Jack feels the sensation of being home yet again in his chest. He opens the door and steps out. He then helps his lover.

They step into their home, and Zach breathes in. Somehow, the smell of violets lingered in the air. "Home, sweet home." He smiles.

Jack wraps his arms around him. "What if we took a bath, ate, and slept out in our garden on this delightful afternoon?"

Zach hums. "What if we instead read in your study? We must sleep at night."He reminds him.

"I will agree on one condition and one cost." The brunet hums, as if telling him to just spill it. "We share our thoughts on our books -"

"Obviously,"Zach smiles. "And the cost?"

"Well, it will cost you three kisses."

The brunet turns around and presses three quick kisses on his lips. "I will tell the maids to warm up our water. You check on Isla." Zach looks at him in the eyes. "Do not take too long."

Jack gives him one more kiss and eagerly allows him to go. Once he is out of sight, he rushes into his office.

Isla was there, as well as Mrs. Hanson... and a dog. A very cute puppy. It's an Irish Setter, it seems.

Jack smiles and pets the dog. "Two very important things. Ava has given birth to twins. Both boys." He announces."John and Edward." He smiles even more widely. "Please send a letter to my mother informing her."

They gasped excitedly.

"We are taking a bath, eating and coming here. I will ask him to close his eyes to surprise him. Is that alright?"Jack questions.

They nod. "Perfect. Isla, thank you so much for everything. " Jack gives her a hug.

***

Once the bathtubs were set in their quarters, the maids stepped out. Jack had insisted, very early on, that he is more than capable of bathing himself. Zach did not oppose this rule of his.

Jack's water was boiling hot, as the maids already know he always bathes his lover first.

He lifts up his sleeves and gently wets his hair. Jack scrubs the soap well into his head. Zach adores how he massages his head in such a relaxing manner. Meanwhile, Zach is scrubbing some essential oil onto his skin with a cloth.

Jack rinses his head with a bowl ever so carefully to not wet the floor. Once he is done, he scrubs his back with the cloth. His smell was maddening. He presses a kiss onto his shoulder.

Zach stands up, and Jack helps him step out of the bathtub. He dries him quickly, and the brunet wraps the towel around his waist.

He helps Jack undress and step in his tub. From there, he gives him the same treatment.

"I love the freckles on your shoulders." Zach comments quietly as he goes over them with the tips of his fingers.

Jack chuckles lightly. "That tickles, my love."

Zach continues cleaning him. Once he is done, he helps him out, and they get dressed modestly. A shirt, pants, and a vest suffice.

The curly head presses several kisses on his lips before they head into their dining hall. They are served tea and a platter of biscuits-something to ease their hunger before dinner.

Jack leaves him his favourite biscuits and holds his free hand every chance he gets. Zach smiles softly every time he does. They speak quietly of their wedding in the Netherlands, how Zach chuckled every time Corbyn cracked a joke mid ceremony. How they feel that their ear piercings are healing nicely after spending three days on a ship, catching the salty sea air.