Seeking Love *completed*

All Roses and Smiles

Edith

"What are we going to do today?"

I jumped onto Zander's bed to wake him up. He rolled over with a lazy smile cupping the back of my neck to pull me down for a kiss.

"Stay in bed?" He mumbled out between kisses.

"We did that yesterday."

I rolled my eyes then got out of bed to pull back the curtains. At the sight of sunlight, Zander rolled back over and buried his face in the pillow.

"Come on. Get up Zander." I teasingly said.

After a few more minutes of pestering and kisses he finally pulled himself out of bed and got in the shower. I hurried down the stairs and began making breakfast for us.

I was jamming with the radio while scrambling eggs when Zander came from behind and snaked his arms around me. I breathed in his intoxicating smell. Chills ran up my spine and I shivered slightly. I could barely concentrate on what I was doing as he rubbed his hands over me while gently nibbling at my neck and ears.

"Cut it out Zander. We are leaving the house today."

He pulled away lingering his fingers on my lower back flashing his gorgeous smile. After we ate we gathered our things and headed towards the car.

---

Zander

"Have you ever done this before?" I gave her a questionable look.

"Yes." Edith lied while fumbling awkwardly with the bowling ball.

"Well so far you've done nothing but drop the ball on some guys foot and roll it through the gutter." I couldn't hold back my laughter any longer.

Edith glared at me and she finally held the ball correctly getting ready to send it off.

"Remember, it was your idea to go bowling."

"Don't remind me." She mumbled under her breath.

I chuckled to myself as she threw the ball into the gutter once again. It wasn't until the end of the game that she started to get better. I took every moment of it that I could to appreciate her beauty and happiness. I was happy that I could bring this happiness back to her.

After we left the bowling alley, we grabbed a pizza and went back to the house. There we did our usual route of finding good TV shows to watch while stuffing our faces with food. I got up briefly to throw the pizza box away before coming back to snuggle down with her in the couch. I wasn't too concerned if Larc would come through the door or not. Lately he doesn't come home everyday. Who knows what he's doing or with who but it's probably nothing good. I didn't care about all that though. I didn't care if he ever came back. Our days were peaceful without Larc. Edith was happier and most importantly she wasn't being abused.

"Zander."

I stirred in my sleep and reached my hand out to find Edith's body to snuggle in closer.

"Wake up Zander."

Edith shook me harder this time and I began to wake up. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes while stretching out my back.

We need a more comfortable couch. Or maybe I'm just getting old.

When my eyes finally adjusted I noticed the sun streaming through the windows.

"Was I on the couch all night?"

"We were on the couch all night." Edith looked down at me and smiled before going back to the kitchen.

The aroma smelt mouth watering good as she scooped the pancakes out of the skillet and placed them on plates accompanied by bacon. I sat down to eat and she joined me.

"Larc didn't come home last night?"

When I questioned her I could see her smile fall slightly before she quickly readjusted her face. She just quietly shook her head with her polite fake smile on her face. She tried her best to mask the disappointment but I saw right through it. It did hurt me a little that she still cared for him deep down. I just had to keep remindin g myself that he is her husband after all. I had to learn to share her heart which was easier said than done.

"It'll be okay Edie I promise. He's just an idiot that's why he's doing this."

I took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before we returned to our meals.

Edith
One day later...

Relief washed over me as I saw Larc coming down the driveway. He had been gone for three days this time. I couldn't help but to be worried sick over him. I had no idea of knowing if he was okay or not. When he goes off on these binges of his, he refuses to take any of my calls and ignores my texts. What did I do to deserve this type of behavior? I tried to keep my true feelings hidden from Zander but I'm sure he saw through it. I don't think it's far to him that I care for both of them. I can see the hurt on zandwr's face. He does well at hiding it, but there's tiny moments where his true emotions come to the surface. After all Larc is still my husband, but at this point I don't think it's by choice anymore. It feels more like trap than a marriage. I know if I try to leave him I'll end up dead or he'll do everything in his power to bring me right back here.

I've sold my soul to the devil and I'll surely never get it back. Only if I had fully known what I was signing up for, but it's too late for regret now.

I quickly glanced at my appearance before running down the stairs to greet him. By the time I reached the bottom stair the door flung open. Larc slowly shuffled his feet inside. As we walked by me the strong odor of whiskey and sweat hit me causing me to scrunch my nose. He didn't look like his usual put together self. He looked tired and disturbed. So many emotions played in his eyes. I couldn't help but to stare at them as I wished deeply that I knew everything he was going through and what he was trying to process from all of it.

It didn't take long for his eyes to go from puzzling to anger. He twisted his face into a wicked smirk as the fire danced in his eyes. He slowly turned my way and came so close that he's hot whiskey stained breath was invading my nostrils.

"How's my favorite whore?"

All the warmth and happiness that was in my face fell at his remark. When he saw the hurt come across my face he turned his head up to the ceiling and laughed a deep wicked laugh. He shoved me hard causing me to lose my balance and fall onto the hard floor. Tears began to fill my eyes as I watched him go up the stairs.

"Did you miss me bitch?" He called 9 very his shoulder as he disappeared into the bedroom.

I didn't respond back. I only sat there at the foot of the stairs as tears poured out of my eyes and tumbled down my cheeks.

I thought I did.

I hated how easily I was hurt by the words and actions Larc took against me. Part of my tears was rage at myself while the other half was the pain he caused me. I glance up as a dark figure stood over me to see Zander. He quietly bent down and wrapped his arms around me. This only made the tears fall faster.

"It won't be like this forever." His soothing voice cooed out as he pressed his lips against my forehead. "I promise you that."