At My Wit's End

Ch 9 Skin.

Carly's POV

I opened the door to my apartment, and put my keys and purse down on the end table where they normally sat. It was so nice to see the old wallpaper that lined my walls, and even the lamp that my grandfather had given me before I moved away. I loved how my home made me feel. I felt safe. Even though my childhood home was a state away, this one reminded me so much of that one. Maybe it was all the silly trinkets and items that my grandparents had bought for my home over the year I had lived there. I loved that my home was a constant for me, since I never really had that throughout my childhood when I lived with my mother and father. The only difference about this evening was the man walking behind me holding my hand...Marshall. 

This was the first time he had come inside of my place, so I was just a little nervous. Had I known he was coming, I would've maybe cleaned up a little more. Louie ran right up to me, meowing like crazy. I suppose he wasn't used to me not being home as much anymore.

"You didn't tell me you had a cat," Marshall said as he leaned down to pet Louie's head.

"His name is Louie. My grandparents gave him to me when I moved here a few years ago, so I wouldn't be so lonely," I replied as I quickly made him a bowl of food and gave him some water.

"So, what do you want to do?" I smiled as I watched him make his way into the small living room area.

"Want to watch a movie?" He asked quietly, sounding more uncomfortable than I was.

I nodded and followed behind him to the living room where I kept all of my movies. I named a few flicks, until Marshall decided on The Godfather. It was never one of my favorites, but it held a special place in my heart because it was one of my father's favorites.

After popping some popcorn, and putting the movie in, we settled together on the couch and turned on the movie. Marshall looked over at me and smiled.

"I'm really happy I decided to stay a few more days."

"I am too," I replied as I watched him grab some of the popcorn to put in his mouth. I rested my head on his shoulder, and to my joy, felt him place a kiss to my head.

Halfway through the movie, we had given up on the popcorn, and pretty much the movie itself. Robert Duvall's voice played softly in the background of our conversation. We just couldn't stop talking and laughing with each other.

"So, how many years have you been sober?"

Marshall smiled, "Eight years. April 20th 2008. It's been one hell of a journey, but it's all been worth it."

"I can only imagine what you've been through. Seeing the parents of children I sponsor is tough. They just keep struggling, even after they get sober."

"That's part of the journey, I guess. I just keep busy with my kids, and working on my music is always a productive thing to do."

I tossed my shoes onto the floor and crossed my legs before turning my body to face him. He looked so handsome this evening, like he always did. He wore an olive colored long sleeved shirt with dark black jeans and sneakers. The dark colors against his pale skin really brought out the blue in his eyes. Marshall was just the epitome of good looking, and I was blessed enough to call him mine. When he caught me staring at him, I couldn't help but blush and become a little embarrassed. It was like I couldn't control myself around him, just like the way a 13 year old girl acted around her first crush. Being around Marshall wasn't like being around any of the other guys I had ever dated. Granted, I didn't date a lot, but I had significant relationships in the past. None were as significant as this one.

"Blushing like that only makes you cuter," he chuckled, touching my flushed cheek with his fingers.

I raised my own hand and pressed it to his, the one that was still holding my face.