Three Words to Remember

~Jack 

"Oh my god we're finally home!" Alex groaned, falling face first on the couch.

I shook my head and laughed at my boyfriend of five years, "Hate to burst your bubble babe, but it's your turn to get the fuck out."

After we moved in together, about a year into our relationship, we made up this rule. Basically whenever we get home from a long stretch of touring and are spending a significant amount of time at home, one of us has to spend the first week somewhere else. This rule really helps us not get sick of each other. Because seriously, seven days of no contact after months with no time apart helps us not take each other for granted.

"Fuck!" he groaned again, "I hate everything!"

"I hope you don't hate me!" I feigned anger.

He sighed and stood up, "Of course I don't hate you Jack. I love you."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist, "Good. I love you too. But seriously, get out and don't talk to me until next Monday." 

He sighed and kissed me, "I'm getting really tired of this rule. It made sense when the relationship was still new, but now it just sucks. I miss you when you're not with me."

I smiled as the butterflies filled my stomach, "I know, I miss you too. But we've been gone for like eight months; I doubt a little time apart is going to kill you." 

He pouted, "You don't know that. Maybe I'll go through Jack withdraws and die. You'd be so guilty then."

Withdraws, really? How this boy manages to still be so fucking adorable, I'll never know. Seriously, five years into our relationship and he still gives me butterflies. People have told me all about mature love, and how it's more focused on companionship and understanding, rather than raw emotion and passion. And to be honest, that sounds like relationship hell to me. 

I rolled my eyes, "I think you'll be ok. Besides, I bet your parents are looking forward to seeing you."

He sighed in defeat, "I know, I know. I'm leaving. Just know, I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too darling," I responded, "But it's only a week."

"I love you," he said, kissing my cheek.

I felt my cheeks getting warm like they always do when he tells me that, "I love you too."

And with one last smile, he left me alone in our shared house. It probably wouldn't of killed us for him to stay tonight considering it's already so late. But, whatever. 

I trudged up the stairs; leaving my suitcase in the kitchen. Once I made it to our bedroom, I collapsed onto my side of the bed and buried my face in the pillow. It seems I've forgotten how good a bed feels. I don't even bother taking my jeans off before I crawl under the covers for a much needed sleep. 

~

The next morning I woke up to a stream of sunlight hitting my face. Dammit, I forgot to draw to shades and close the door. I glanced over at the clock on the nightstand and saw it was just past 10. In a perfect world I'd roll over and go back to sleep, because seriously, who wakes up before 10? But I'm not one of those people. Once I'm up, I'm up. 

So I begrudgingly roller out of my cocoon of warmth and pad my way to the stairs. I decided to just slide down the railing. I do that a lot because I rarely have enough energy in the morning to actually walk down them like a normal person. It annoys the hell out of Alex- he's always scared I'm going to fall and crack my skull open- but whatever, he knows by now that's not going to stop me. 

After I started a pot of coffee in the kitchen, I took the duffle bag I ignored last night to the laundry room. I started the water on the washing machine and dumped in my bag of dirty clothes. I poured in the directed amount of soap before starting it and then made my way back to the kitchen. 

As I waited for the coffee to be ready, I realized just how silent the house is. The dogs are still at Alex's parent's house and won't return until he does. Meaning I'm all alone in this house made for two adults and two small dogs. 

If I over thought that thought it would be quite sad. But it's not sad at all actually, they're gone for a perfectly good reason and will return very soon. Plus, it's not we were fighting or anything. 

We've never been much for fighting actually; I mean it's defiantly happened before. We've only had one really big, blow out fight before. But that's not something we like to talk about. Basically, we both made some pretty big mistakes, screamed at each other for about an hour straight, didn't speak for about three weeks, talked it out, had some great make up sex and that was that. 

I find it funny that even though we spent three weeks hating each other, neither of us made the move to officially break up. It's almost like we knew we'd make it through. I can only speak for myself, but during the time we weren't speaking I just kept thinking how much I loved him and how I knew he loved me too. It was rough, but we made it threw. And after that, we were both a lot more considerate about the others feelings. We've fought since then, but we've always made up almost right away. 

I'm glad that we've been able to make it for so long. To be completely honest, I don't see myself with anyone else. I plan marrying that boy sooner or later. I'm thinking sooner though. We've definitely been together long enough for me to know how I feel about him. I can only hope he feels as strongly as I do.

I guess if there's one thing I learned from my time with him, is that the most important thing you can say to someone else is "I love you."