Under the Grit

Better Together

Evangeline stepped into her apartment, her hand still gripping her keys as the door closed softly behind her. The familiar scent of her home was immediately overpowered by something sweet—roses. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the soft light filtering through the living room window. Dozens of roses were scattered across the apartment. Bouquets sat in vases on the kitchen counter, more flowers were arranged neatly on the coffee table, and petals were sprinkled across the floor, leading toward the bedroom.

She stood frozen in the doorway, her heart skipping a beat. The air was thick with the overwhelming scent of roses, their beauty undeniable but unexpected. Her first thought was of Ben. He had always been thoughtful, but this...this was unlike anything he'd done before. She swallowed hard, her fingers brushing over the petals as she slowly stepped forward, feeling as though she were in a dream.

He had always been thoughtful, but this was something else. Stepping further into the room, she brushed her fingers gently over the delicate petals, her heart swelling with joy. Every corner seemed to have been touched by his care, a reflection of how much he missed her, and it filled her with a deep sense of love. No doubts or questions clouded her mind—just pure happiness that he would go to such lengths for her.

She laughed softly to herself, feeling light and giddy, thinking about how special Ben always made her feel.

As Evangeline admired the roses, she heard the faint sound of footsteps behind her. She turned, her heart skipping again, this time from excitement as Ben stepped out from the kitchen. He had a sheepish smile on his face, rubbing the back of his neck like he wasn't quite sure if he'd overdone it.

"Surprise," he said, his tone playful but warm.

Evangeline's smile grew even brighter. "Ben, this is... it's beautiful," she said, unable to hide the joy in her voice. She moved toward him, her heart fluttering as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I love it."

Ben wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Evangeline felt the familiar comfort of his embrace, the scent of his cologne wrapping around her as he held her. His chest was solid beneath her cheek, his tall frame always making her feel small in comparison. He wore a simple button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his toned forearms—something that she always found strangely attractive. His black hair was neatly styled, a sharp contrast to the laid-back smile on his face. The faint scruff along his jawline added a ruggedness to his otherwise polished appearance, but to her, he looked perfect.

As she held onto him, a wave of contentment washed over her. This was the Ben she loved—the thoughtful, caring man who always knew how to make her feel special. She didn't overthink it, didn't let her mind wander into places where doubt might creep in. Instead, she allowed herself to bask in the moment, in the love and effort he had put into surprising her. The sight of all those roses filled her with warmth, a sense of security she hadn't realized she'd been missing.

"I wanted to do something special for you," Ben murmured, his voice low and soothing. He pulled back slightly to look down at her, his blue eyes soft and filled with affection. "I know I've been away, and things have been... busy. But I missed you."

Evangeline's heart swelled at his words. She had missed him too, more than she could say, but having him here now—seeing this grand gesture—made all the frustration and the time apart feel worth it.

"I missed you too," she whispered, reaching up to brush a hand through his hair. "This is more than I could've ever expected, Ben. You didn't have to do all this."

He shrugged lightly, his smile widening. "I wanted to. You deserve it."

In that moment, Evangeline felt like everything was falling back into place. The distance between them, the long hours of missing each other, faded into the background. Ben was home, and it felt right.