Sweetheart Series I: The Politician's Wife

Chapter VIII

Chapter VIII
Loveless

-KASSIE-

The whole three days of our honeymoon slash mini-vacation felt like a dream – on our last night at the resort, we had a romantic candlelight dinner in a floating cottage, surrounded by the soft glow of candles and the gentle sounds of the water. It was the perfect way to cap off our trip.

As we arrived back home, I felt a mix of excitement and nostalgia. The memories of those three days danced in my mind like the sunlight glimmering on the ocean waves. When we stepped into the arrival area, Mama Merriam greeted us with her usual cheerfulness, wrapping me in a warm hug that felt like a comforting embrace.

"Welcome home, newlyweds!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"You didn't have to pick us up, though, Ma," Richard replied, a smile spreading across his face as he returned her embrace.

"Who says I don't?" she shot back playfully, narrowing her eyes at him.

"And besides, I didn't come to see you; I came to see Kassie!" she added, a teasing grin on her lips.

I couldn't help but blush at her words. It was heartwarming to see how much love and excitement Mama Merriam had for our new marriage. Richard let out a small chuckle, his laughter infectious, as he made way for his mom and me to bond while he and his dad took care of the trolley full of our bags.

"How was the vacation, son?" Richard's dad asked, giving his son a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"It was great, Dad. How about you? How's the family business?" Richard replied, engaging his father in conversation as he expertly maneuvered the trolley.

While they chatted, I took a moment to soak in the atmosphere. The air was filled with warmth and laughter, and I could feel the love surrounding us. It was a stark contrast to the nervous energy I had felt before our wedding, and I realized how far I had come in just a few short days.

Mama Merriam turned to me, her eyes shining with curiosity. "So, Kassie, did you have a good time?" she asked, genuinely eager to hear about our adventures.

"Absolutely! It was amazing!" I replied, my excitement bubbling over.

"We got to see so many beautiful places, and swimming with the fish was surreal. Richard was a great partner, too."

"Oh, I knew he would be," she said with a proud smile.

When we arrived at the house, I volunteered to help Mommy Merriam prepare the food while Richard kept his dad busy with a few sets of chess games. I felt a little nervous in the kitchen, but Mama Merriam's warmth and enthusiasm were infectious.

"You should tell me what your favorite dish is so I can cook it for you next time!" she cheered, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she carried a steaming plate of freshly cooked pasta to the dining table.

"I have no favorite food in particular..." I shyly replied, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. "But I do occasionally enjoy eating hot spaghetti," I added, feeling a little more at ease.

It was true—I didn't have a particular favorite. I had always just eaten whatever was served at the table, a habit instilled in me by my father and nanny.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed, her joy radiating. "Hot spaghetti is also one of Richard's favorites!"

She continued, her voice filled with nostalgia, "As a kid, his number one request was that I cook spaghetti for him as a snack." She chuckled before sighing.

"But when he went to college, I could barely do it for him because he studied at a university far away."

I smiled at the thought, realizing how lucky Richard was to have such a loving mother who cherished those moments. Part of me felt a pang of envy, wishing my own parents could have been as present in my life.

"I suddenly miss the old days—back when he was still a clingy little chubby baby," Mama Merriam laughed, her eyes sparkling with memories.

"Ooh! Reminiscing those days just makes me look forward to the day you give birth to my grandchildren!" she giggled, her excitement palpable.

I was taken aback by her words. G-grandchildren? My cheeks burned crimson. I mean, most married couples are expected to have children, but I didn't think that would be happening anytime soon for Richard and me.

Just as I braced myself for the conversation to delve deeper, Richard and his dad entered the kitchen, breaking the tension.

"What are you two ladies talking about?" Richard's dad asked, leaning over to kiss his wife on the cheek.

"And why are Kassie's cheeks red?" He chuckled.

Richard approached me, concern etching his features. "Are you feeling sick?" he asked softly.

I shook my head quickly, letting out an awkward chuckle.

"I-I'm fine..." I stammered.

"Your mom and I were just talking about things," I explained, relieved when Richard nodded and smiled, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

After setting the table, we gathered around the wooden eight-seater rectangular table for dinner. As we settled in, Richard was thoughtful enough to serve food onto my plate and pour fresh orange juice into my glass.

I looked at him, my heart warming at his sweet gesture.

"Thank you..." I said, giving him a genuine smile.

He met my gaze with a smile of his own, and I could see a hint of pride in his eyes.

Mama Merriam watched us with a wide grin, her happiness radiating from her. It was as if she were watching her favorite rom-com movie unfold before her.

"Ricky and I were also like that during our first day..." she chimed in, making Richard and me shift our attention to her.

"Your dad was the sweetest gentleman..." She smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Papa Ricky.

"I still am a gentleman, honey," Papa Ricky replied with a playful chuckle, winking at Merriam.

"That's true," she affirmed, a fond smile gracing her lips.

"And it's one of the reasons why I continue to fall in love with you every single day, despite your stubbornness," she added, her tone light but filled with sincerity.

"Thirty-five beautiful years... and counting," Papa Ricky said, holding Merriam's hand and guiding it toward his lips to plant a soft kiss.

As I watched them, my heart swelled with hope. I wished that Richard and I could build a marriage filled with as much love and joy as theirs—a bond that would last not just years, but a lifetime.

Is it even possible for a marriage like ours – one not built because of love?