Shourtney AU - Loving So Hard (Mature)

#79 - Next Stage

*Courtney*

The months rolled by, and as always, I was loving my life. Being a married woman was so much more special than I ever imagined it to be, and it was all because of Shayne, my Shayne.

The two of us were revelling in our marital status, taking each day one step at a time and immediately wanting to do it all over again. Some Smosh fans were even requesting for the two of us to get our own show in which we would simply discuss our lives together, including the day we met. I was not opposed to the idea at all, but strangely enough, I noticed something was bothering Shayne.

In fact, over the duration of a couple of weeks, his boisterous behaviour began to decline slightly, and he almost seemed a little bored at work. Of course, his beautiful smile remained ever-present when I was around, but the others had begun to recognise his uncharacteristic behaviour too, even going to the extent of questioning me over whether we had fought over something.

I decided to confront him about what was on his mind, wanting nothing more than to make him happy. Since I wasn't entirely sure as to whether his sudden drop in mood was the fans' suggestion or something existential to Smosh, I realised I should take my approach slowly and not jump to any conclusions. Perhaps he was just burnt out. After all, a lot had happened in the past year or so.

Shayne was located upstairs one night. He was sprawled across our bed, reading one of his many paperback books, enticed in the small print planted upon the thin, translucent canvas. After examining the cover, I interpreted the lettering as 'The Catcher In The Rye,' by J.D. Salinger. Shayne always saw himself as Holden Caulfield, the novel's protagonist. The character was a symbol for teenage rebellion, and it was a fitting description for what Shayne was like when we first got together. He even made reference to that particular inside joke in our skit from a while back, 'Every High School Ever,' when I played the nerdy shy girl and Shayne the stereotypical arrogant, hot jock.

My husband's intellect was indisputable, and he was so incredibly well-read, together with a superior general knowledge of the world and cultural animosity, he was open to almost anything. This coupled with his unprejudiced nature and warmheartedness, and it was one of the many reasons for why I loved him to a proliferate degree.

"Shayney?" I announced myself quietly, not wishing to startle him.

Those diamond blue eyes of his immediately escaped the confines of the book, progressively meeting mine and complimenting a small smirk on the corner of his lips.

"Hey baby," he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Meandering over to him slowly, I didn't break our gaze for a second, before planting myself bedside him and taking his book a few feet away, placing it on his bedside table, beneath the effervescent yellow hue originating from the lamp attached to the wall.

"What's on your mind?" Shayne quizzed.

His voice was as warm as always, inviting me in and lulling my mind into that same sense of security of which I associated with no one other than my husband. Delicate yet strong fingers found their way to my face, and they brushed loose strands of hair behind my ear for me, seemingly anticipating my every thought.

"You're what's on my mind, Shayne," I whispered, resisting the urge to kiss him right then and there, knowing I had to learn what was bothering him.

My husband smirked, cupping my cheek and beaming a sexy grin my way, "Touché," was all he said.

I giggled, easing my nerves a little, before patting his chest thrice and clearing my throat.

"I actually need to talk to you about something though," I vocalised seriously, removing any lecherous tones from my voice.

Shayne frowned and sat up cross-legged, gripping my hands, "What's wrong?"

I sighed with the smallest quiver in my voice, before inquiring, "Is everything okay? With you? I can't help but notice how fed up you've looked lately. It's as though you're tired of Smosh."

Shayne's eyes flickered with anxiety and he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing was emitted, and so I continued.

"People at the office are asking me whether we've fought because you look so out of it. Are-Are you fed up with me?" I asked quietly, cringing at my stuttering and unmistakable vulnerability.

My husband's countenance flared with sadness and what looked like shame, "No! No baby! I'll never be fed up of you! You know that!"

Shayne continued to reassure me of this until I indulged him with a small smile and a couple of stray tears. He kissed them away and pressed his forehead to mine.

"There is a... problem... though," he whispered.

I pulled away and locked my gaze with his, encouraging him to vent to me. He sighed and ran a shaky hand through his luscious blonde hair. The dim moonlight outside glistened upon his impeccably complexioned skin and fragility-laden face, accompanying two sparkling diamond-blue eyes and a slight, ice white grin.

"What's wrong?" I inquired quietly, hearing my breathing hitch.

Shayne laughed subtly to himself and shook his head, wiping away tears, "I don't know why I'm crying, this is so dumb."

I cupped his stubble-bearing cheeks and held his gaze with determination, "Whatever it is, it isn't dumb."

Shayne nodded and kissed me again, rubbing his nose against mine quickly, and then, without opening his eyes or moving an inch, he stated, "I think we're ready to have a kid."