Untameable (BWWM)

Chapter 23

I didn't think me moving out would have any effect on Ruby Jean's physical health. Learning that she hadn't been sleeping the whole time scared the living shit out of me. I moved back in the exact same day and didn't regret it one bit.

I missed my wife those few nights I spent elsewhere. I haven't slept without her by my side for years and I never did take to a cold bed at night. Admittedly, it wasn't easy getting any rest without her.

It was still relatively early within the evening. Zane agreed to close the store for her so that she could get some rest. It wasn't even seven o'clock yet. We snuggled up to one another in bed, each having had our showers beforehand. We were nice and cozy under the sheets. Ruby Jean held onto me contently with her arms around my torso and her scarfed head laying on my pectoral. She looked so cute holding onto me that I couldn't help but smile at her peaceful expression as my thumb rubbed at her shoulder.

"G?"

"Hm?" I answered while looking down at her.

"You know that I'm not the best at verbally expressing my love for you. But I want you to know that I love you more than I can say, really. There's not much about you I don't love. Even when we're fighting, I still acknowledge how much I love you. You make me feel warm. And safe. I have never been more happy in my life than I have been with you. I'm sorry that I don't tell you enough how much you mean to me. And I'm sorry about all of the horrible things I've said to you in the past. I'll try to do better."

My arm around her tightened as I pulled her closer, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, Mama. I know how much you love me whether you verbalise it or not. You wouldn't be willing to put up with me if you didn't. But it's nice to hear it every once in a while."

She snuggled into the crook of my arm and soon drifted off into a deep sleep. Her legs tangled up in mine and her arm wrapped securely around my chest. Ruby Jean made sure I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon and I held her just as earnestly.

She slept well into the next afternoon. I informed my folks I would be late and I let Z know that she wouldn't be in for another few hours. We had a lunch date the same day and she cooked a wonderful dinner later that night.

From there, things had been looking good for us. We both started putting in the effort to strengthen our marriage as well as our friendship. Ruby Jean had started cooking again every night and while dinner was late, we still sat and enjoyed it together. We talked more. We each did our part to get a better understanding of one another and with these discussions came clarity and a lot of sweet moments.

It was almost perfect. We were on the same page again and started settling into our newly found coherence.

But we still had our marriage counselling session as a couple. Neither of us were too much looking forward to it. We each had a certain respect for the Doctor but the woman was so outwardly rude and bluntly opinionated that her sessions almost felt more like an attack which I didn't too much care for and neither did Ruby Jean. But she told the truth about everything and her wisdom and guidance was desperately needed for us both.

Our folks weren't aware of me and Ruby Jean seeking counselling. My Mom suggested it, but I never told her that we'd actually been making regular visits. Just a way of keeping people out of our business as much as possible.

Sunday had finally arrived. Typically our Sunday itinerary would consist of a couple of hours at church followed by a luncheon at either my parents' or Ruby Jean's.