Forever Yours

CHAPTER 13

I just want you to know that I'm serious about us.

As Emily returned to her office after lunch with Henry, her thoughts kept drifting back to their conversation. His simple gesture of bringing her lunch had made her heart flutter, and she couldn't stop smiling. The idea of a future with Henry, something she hadn't let herself fully entertain before, was beginning to seem more real—more possible.

The day dragged on with back-to-back meetings and piles of paperwork. Emily powered through, but her mind remained elsewhere. Every time she glanced at the clock, she wondered what Henry was doing, whether he was thinking about her, too. The comment she made at the cafe about being a happy wife to someone like him had slipped out without much thought, but the way Henry had smiled—almost like he was imagining it too—stuck with her.

After work, Emily decided to text Henry to thank him again.

Emily: Thanks again for the lunch today. It really helped me survive the afternoon. You're the best!

Henry's reply was almost instant.

Henry: Anything for you. I'm glad you liked it. Hope you didn't overwork yourself today.

Emily's smile grew wider as she read his message. She could feel the genuine care behind his words, and it warmed her heart.

Meanwhile, Henry couldn't stop thinking about the moment they shared at the cafe. Emily's comment about being a happy wife had sparked something deep within him. He had always known that his feelings for Emily went beyond just friendship, but now, the possibility of them having a future together felt closer than ever.

As he finished up his workday, Henry found himself daydreaming about what their life could be like—weekends spent together, quiet mornings where he would make her breakfast, and maybe one day, a home they'd build together. The thought of Emily in his life long-term filled him with a sense of purpose and happiness that he hadn't realized he needed.

After clocking out, Henry stopped by a local florist. He picked out a small bouquet of Emily's favorite flowers. He knew it might be too soon for grand gestures, but he wanted to show her how much he cared.

That evening, as Emily was settling down after a long day, there was a knock on her door. When she opened it, she found Henry standing there, a shy smile on his face, holding the bouquet.

"These are for you," he said, his voice soft.

Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "Henry, you didn't have to—"

"I wanted to," he interrupted gently, stepping closer. "I was thinking about what you said earlier. About being a happy wife with a caring husband." His gaze softened as he handed her the flowers. "I want to be that for you someday, if you'll let me."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Henry to take her comment so seriously, but hearing him say it aloud made it feel so real. She took the flowers, her fingers brushing against his. "Henry... I—" she stammered, unsure of how to express the rush of emotions swirling inside her.

"I'm not rushing anything," he added quickly, sensing her hesitation. "I just want you to know that I'm serious about us."

Emily smiled, her eyes glistening with emotion. "I know you are. And I... I want that too. Maybe not right now, but someday."

Henry's smile grew, his eyes lighting up with relief and happiness. "Someday," he repeated, stepping closer and cupping her face gently. He leaned in, and this time, the kiss was slower, filled with unspoken promises and shared dreams of a future they both wanted.

After the kiss, they stood together for a while, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence. Emily's apartment felt small, but with Henry there, it felt like home. They spent the evening together, talking about their days, laughing about little things, and savoring the newfound depth in their relationship.

As the days passed, their routine returned to normal, but something had shifted between them. Emily's hectic workdays were now punctuated by sweet texts from Henry, and she found herself looking forward to their lunches together or the quiet moments they would steal after work.

Henry, too, was thinking more and more about their future. He found himself browsing online for little things—a bookshelf for her place, a coffee maker they could both use, a comfortable sofa for lazy weekends. He was starting to imagine what it would be like to truly share a life with Emily, and the thought of it filled him with excitement.

One evening, after a particularly long day, Henry surprised Emily once again—this time with dinner at her favorite restaurant. They sat by the window, the soft glow of the city lights setting the perfect atmosphere. As they talked about their days, the conversation inevitably turned to the future once more.

"Do you ever think about where we'll be a year from now?" Emily asked, swirling her drink in her glass.

Henry looked at her, his expression serious yet tender. "I do," he admitted. "And I hope that wherever we are, it's together."

Emily blushed, feeling her heart swell with affection for him. "You're making it really hard not to fall for you more every day."

"That's the plan," Henry replied with a playful grin, leaning across the table to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want to be someone you can always count on."

And in that moment, as they exchanged smiles and shared quiet glances, both of them knew that their relationship was more than just a passing romance—it was the start of something much bigger, something lasting.

As the night came to a close, they walked hand in hand back to Emily's, the future no longer feeling distant but something they were both stepping into, together.