Like That

Chapter 33 - The Venue

Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry. - Tom Mullins

Chapter 33 - The Venue

Cooper's POV:

Emily is curled up with a blanket on the couch sitting with her feet under her, looking over the back of the sofa at the river beyond. Her cheeks are flushed, lips are swollen, and she looks thoroughly loved...and she it.

I pour a cup of coffee, sit it on the table, and join her. "I missed waking up with you." I whisper in her hair as she sinks her back into my chest.

"No, you didn't. You woke up with me at 2:00," she says and her voice is playful with a slight sleepy sound to it.

"I'm not sure that should count, that was just for round three."

"Are you saying round three doesn't count?" She giggles and tilts her head back for me to see the huge smile on her face. I smile, but try to hold my face muscles tight to hold it back.

"You can stop looking at me like that. That little smile you have on your face, buddy, that's what started round two." She waggles her eyebrows at me.

"I was wondering what brought that on," I say without changing my expression.

"It was you, looking all smirky and edible."

"Really?"

"Yes, really." She lets out a big fit of giggles as I pick her up and put in my lap. I begin peeling off the blanket she is holding tight to her body. I let out a groan and she feigns an innocent look, "What? I didn't unpack my pajamas and I didn't want to wake you up looking for them." She says.

"So, your choice was naked?" I put her down on the sofa and begin leaning over her, and she continues to giggle. "All I have to say about that is, round four." With a squeal from her lips, the blanket is removed from around her shoulders, and I cover us both.

---

That was six weeks ago, six wonderfully glorious weeks ago. We did end up celebrating her birthday the next weekend, with friends (even Gavin) and family. Since we both agree that gifts between us are personal, I gave her my gift before everyone arrived. I bought season tickets to the symphony for us, and season tickets to the pops for us and another couple (to be asked later)...this way we have to have at least a date each month. Emily loved it, and I was thoroughly rewarded for the thoughtfulness later that night.

Everything became a little bit busier. My house is on the market, and I have had one serious offer. We're still waiting for the counter to come back. Hopefully, it will sell quickly, and be off of my hands. Mason has fall soccer. Emily and Linda signed the girls up for a self-defense class that they loved it so much that they both ended up registering for Ta Kwon Do, also. This is our first non-busy weekend since our engagement...sort of non-busy.

"Hey, babe. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"I'm on my way to pick you up." I tell her.

"I'll be waiting outside. I just woke up Mom, and she'll have the kids ready by the time we're back." Emily and I are running a 5K this morning. This was her idea. She thought it would motivate her to build her strength back. She's amazing.

I pick her up and she is a nervous bundle of energy, very unlike herself today, but then again I know why. I take her hand and she begins to settle. "How do you do that?" She asks, looking at my hand.

"I don't know, but I could ask you the same question. You have that same power with me." She beams her huge happy smile at me, and leans over to kiss me. "You ready for this?" I ask.