Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 70~

~Colby~

I woke up to the soft light filtering through the curtains, the Alaskan sun barely peeking over the horizon. Emily was still nestled in my arms, her hair splayed out across the pillow. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her sleep, her face peaceful and content. This was our first morning as husband and wife, and I wanted to savor every second of it.

"Good morning, wifey," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Emily stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled sleepily, "Good morning, hubby."

We spent the morning cuddling in bed, relishing the warmth of each other's embrace. The outside world seemed a million miles away, and we were perfectly content in our little bubble. Emily suggested we watch a movie, so we picked out one of our favorites and snuggled under the covers, laughing and sharing quiet moments of affection.

"Do you remember the first time we watched the family stone?" Emily asked, her head resting on my chest.

"Of course," I replied, stroking her back. "We were at your house, it was the first time we hung out."

She giggled, "I knew then that you were the one."

After the movie, we decided to take a dip in the nearby lake. The idea of skinny-dipping felt adventurous and exhilarating. We grabbed some towels and made our way through the forest path, the cool air invigorating our senses. When we reached the lake, the water was crystal clear, reflecting the surrounding mountains and trees.

"Ready?" I asked, already starting to strip off my clothes.

Emily laughed, her cheeks flushing with excitement. "Ready!"

We plunged into the water, the cold shock taking our breath away. But soon, the initial chill gave way to a refreshing sensation, and we swam around, laughing and splashing each other. It felt like we were the only two people in the world, free and unburdened.

"This is amazing," Emily said, floating on her back, her eyes closed in bliss.

"It really is," I agreed, swimming over to her and pulling her close. We shared a kiss, the water rippling around us.

After our swim, we dried off and headed back to our cozy cabin. The sky was beginning to darken, promising a spectacular display of the northern lights later. Emily decided to cook dinner, and I offered to help, but she insisted I relax.

"Let me spoil you tonight," she said with a wink.

I watched as she moved around the kitchen, preparing chicken Parmesan with practiced ease. The aroma filled the cabin, making my mouth water. I opened a bottle of wine and poured us each a glass, raising mine in a toast.

"To us," I said, clinking my glass against hers.

"To us," she echoed, her eyes sparkling.

We enjoyed our meal by the fireplace, the flames casting a warm glow over the room. The chicken Parmesan was delicious, and we savored every bite, feeding each other and sharing stories from our wedding day.

"Do you remember Gigi and Blake's dance moves?" Emily laughed, nearly spilling her wine.

"How could I forget?" I chuckled. "They were the life of the party!"

After dinner, we settled on the couch to watch "The Corpse Bride," one of our favorite movies. This was one of the ones we also watched our first time we ever hung out. I remember that day so vividly.

As the fire crackled in the background, adding to the cozy atmosphere in the cabin, we wrapped ourselves in a blanket. Emily rested her head on my shoulder as I pulled the blanket over us and kissed her forehead.

"I love this movie," she sighed contentedly.

"Me too," I agreed, kissing the top of her head.

As the movie played, we talked about our future, our dreams, and our plans. It felt so natural, so right, being with her like this. The northern lights began to dance outside, their ethereal colors painting the sky.

"Come on," I said, taking her hand and leading her outside.

We stood in awe, watching the lights swirl and shimmer above us. It was a magical moment, one that felt like it was just for us.

"It's beautiful," Emily whispered, leaning into me.

"Not as beautiful as you," I replied, kissing her softly.

We stayed outside for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, before heading back inside to finish the movie. As the credits rolled, we stayed on the couch, talking and laughing until the early hours of the morning.

"I can't believe this is real," Emily said, her voice filled with wonder.

"Believe it," I said, holding her close. "This is just the beginning."

We eventually made our way to bed, exhausted but blissfully happy. As we drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but think about how lucky I was to have her in my life. Our first day as a married couple had been perfect, and I knew that every day with Emily would be just as wonderful.

"I love you," she murmured, her eyes closing.

"I love you too," I whispered back, kissing her forehead the world, completely free and alive in the moment. After a while, we floated on our backs, staring up at the sky, holding hands.

"This is perfect," Emily said softly. "I never want to forget this day."

"Me neither," I agreed, squeezing her hand gently. "It's just the beginning of our many adventures together."