Nini POV
I walk through the empty house slowly, taking in my surroundings and picking up picture frames that rest against the walls that need to be hung. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, but only from nostalgia and happiness. I turn when I hear a voice. "Everything good baby?" I look right into the beautiful eyes of the man that I married only 2 short months ago. I simply nod and smile, desperate to feel his arms around me. Ricky embraces me and I sigh as his arm moves up and down my back soothingly. "I can't believe this house is ours." He says quietly. I pull back and take a look around my new home. I was 26, living in Los Angeles, in a beautiful new home with my husband. I still couldn't wrap my head around it. My emotions were running high and everything seemed a tad bit overwhelming to me. Somehow though, it was still overwhelming in the best way. "I can't believe it either." I whisper back to him. He smiles and when I look into his eyes, I can tell he's getting emotional as well. "I'm going to run out and get some groceries. Maybe stop by the music center and pick up a few papers I might need for the weekend." I nod and squeeze his hand as he pull away to grab his wallet off the table. Ricky and I run a music center here in Los Angeles. It's not fancy, but we have about 500 kids who are desperate to come and learn the art of musical theater, singing, and instrument playing. The energy there is my favorite and the job is unbelievable. "I'll see you in a bit?" He asks sweetly. I smile and kiss his lips as he pulls me closer to his body. "New house ya know. We don't have to worry about being qui-" I cut him off. "Get your ass out of here Richard Bowen." I say laughing. He bursts into laughter himself and pecks my cheek. "See you soon, Mrs. Bowen" I blush and cover my face. This was all so amazing.
I walked through the house, beginning to hang our pictures frames on the wall. One by one, each picture brought another beautiful memory. Staging the production of High School Musical in high school, senior prom with Ricky, graduation with my friends, Miss Jenn's wedding. Every memory brings back incredible feelings and I start to break down. It wasn't shocking to me, I've been so damn emotional lately but it was making it hard to hang the frames and I laugh at myself, shaking my head. My life has turned out pretty great. I pick up another frame and I run my fingers over the glass as I begin to remember the feelings of this day. My wedding to Ricky. That day is so fresh in my mind and I replay it in my head. From my jitters in the morning, to getting ready, to even walking down the aisle. I remember barely being able to say my vows because of my tears and I remember Ricky trying to stop my crying, even as his started. I remember him whispering that I looked beautiful, right as I made it up to the alter and I remember his stance as he stared at me like I was the most important person in the world. In real time, I keep crying. I can't help myself. My best friend since kindergarten married me. I look down at my finger, the amethyst ring sparkles in the light. Now though, it has another band with tiny encrusted diamonds. The same ring went from a promise ring to an engagement ring (when he stole it off of my nightstand thinking I wouldn't notice, let me lose my mind looking for it and then presented it a week later at his proposal) to a wedding ring. This tiny little piece of jewelry evolved with me and Ricky and the tears keep coming, even as I smile down at my finger and the frame in my hand. I hand't realized how long I had been sitting against the wall, reencountering with memories, until Ricky walks in the front door with groceries. I look up at him and I know I must look like an idiot, my cheeks are tear stained and I my hair is a mess. But I don't care. He rushes towards me and his arms come around me and I sit, completely engulfed by his body in peace. I'm not crying anymore but I feel content and happy and our bodies rock together. "Are you okay Nins? I know this is all emotionally draining, in the best way, but still. You just seem..." I look up at him and his thumbs come up to dry the area underneath my eyes. "I don't know. I'm fine for one second and then I'm an emotional mess. I just feel sorta off." I admit. His arms tightens around me and I rest my head against his hoodie, taking in the calming scent of something I could only describe as Ricky. "Maybe it's the move. Like I said, this is all a lot." He says softly, his hands soothing my hair. I smile and tell him I was thinking about our wedding. He smiles and takes the frame from my hand. "Still can't get over how beautiful you were." He says, before resting the frame against the wall. "But whatever type of tears they were, it breaks my heart to see you cry." He says quietly. "They were happy tears." I say with a smile. He brings our foreheads together. "Just promise me you're actually okay." I move myself forward just slightly enough to catch his lips. "I'm better than okay. This is a dream." I say after I pull back. He smiles and sighs, bringing me to relax into him. We don't have to move. We have our life ahead of us. But as I hold him, I can't help but wonder if something is wrong with me.
