Binding You To Me Like Cursive

Winter Moreau- It Started With A Note

"Babe?" Kaiden- my fiancé- called from the back. We'd been together for 6 years when he proposed 7 months earlier. We met freshman year of college and when we left, we left together. At 24 my life was perfect, everything perfectly aligned, everything made sense and all was good in my world. We planned for the wedding to be in a few short months but Kaiden's job relocated him from Nevada to California so we got a head start on our move. It was still early morning, and the trip down was long and exhausting. We arrived at our new apartment around 6ish and now it was after 8 and we were still unpacking.

"Yeah?" I replied, unpacking in the kitchen. It had to be my favorite room in the apartment. It was modern and sleek in white and gray. The island had three tall chairs with a higher bar on the outside, and the overhead globe lights were picked by someone who clearly had elegant vision. The appliances were all shiny and silver and brand new. Just how I liked.

"Where's our toothbrushes?" He asked, I sighed.

"In the box labeled 'Bathroom', hun!" I would think that was obvious, that's why I labeled them before we left. Something slid across the floor and when I looked around I seen a note by the front door. I went to it and examined it. It was a white square cut card and the handwriting was cursive and beautiful. It read in bold ink;

Welcome!
I'm Phoebe, your new neighbor. Sorry I couldn't stop to chat face-to-face but I had a very important meeting to attend. I just wanted to say welcome and happy unpacking. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate. We're a very friendly building and I think you'll love it here.

- Apt #5683 ~Phoebe

"What's that, babe?" Kaiden stalked from the bedroom, clad in his dark ripped jeans and white T. He had thick brown hair, honey eyes, stood at 6'2', and had very masculine bone structure. Yeah, he could cut metal with his jawline. He was a catch in college and I still didn't know how I was the lucky one to snatch him. I flashed him the card.

"New neighbor." He read it quickly.

"She seems nice, and I think she's right. We will like it here." He kissed me on my temple and proceeded to the kitchen to fetch a water bottle. The fridge wasn't at all stocked and I'd be sure to run to the store later. For right now, we'd order in. I sat the card neatly on the counter and turned to face Kaiden.

"So, are you hungry?" He rolled his eyes inside his head and threw it back dramatically.

"Starving." I laughed at his goofiness and he swooped me up into his burly arms. I squealed as he twirled me around until I was dizzy.

"Kaiden! Put me down!" I screeched as he attacked my hips with his fingers, tickling me. "Ah! Kaiden!" He swiftly settled me down and I smacked his left pec.

"You're going to get us in trouble with our nice new neighbors!" I scolded him, half joking.

"I'm sorry, we just don't get this time together that often. I wanna make it fun." I held his hands and got on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

"I know, it's nice, but you said you'd talk to Nahmir about giving you at least 3 days a week." Kaiden was a Junior Executive for Nahmir Naikru- courtesy of John Man, Kaiden's father. Nahmir was a big deal in Japan and had expanded his business to the US. It's a big deal for Kaiden, and I was so proud of him, but between him traveling from Japan to Nevada and staying late at the office every night we rarely seen each other. We've been apart for months at a time before and it wasn't ideal. At least not for me.

"And I will. Should I order out?"

"Yeah, pizza, please." My mouth watered just thinking about it. He found his way to our bedroom and I finished unpacking the kitchen and hanging up art. Well, his art. They were beautiful pieces but I wasn't much of a connoisseur. I accidentally bumped the card from the neighbor and got an idea to write one back. I took a clean paper from the copying machine and wrote it out.

Hello Phoebe, I'm Winter. I wanted to thank you so much for your welcome letter. I, too, think me and my Fiancé will like it here. Everyone's very friendly. I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

- Apt #5681 ~Winter&Kaiden

I folded up the paper and headed to her apartment. I almost knocked first but decided against it as I remembered she was at work. Instead, I slid it under her door. I wondered if her husband was home? Or if she was unmarried? Back inside I finished hanging our art and going through boxes. When I finished I went to find Kaiden passed out on our new four poster bed. He was sprawled out on the white comforter and snoring lightly. I took off his shoes and then headed to the door when I heard someone buzz our intercom.

"Delivery." The gruff voice said over the speaker. I buzzed him up and waited impatiently, my stomach twisting and turning on nothing. When he finally knocked I swung the door open so fast he was startled.

"Thank god, I'm starving." He handed me the box and smiled, bobbing his head. "Thank you!" I sat the box down before running and jumping onto our bed, waking Kaiden. I was excited to spend the day with him and I couldn't contain it. "Pizza's here!" I shouted as he grunted.

"Jesus, Winny!" He yelled, tackling me down beneath him. I looked up at him innocently.

"Pizza is here." He carried me to the front and we sat and ate together.

"You should call your parents, let them know we made it." He suggested. I held back my eye roll and stuffed my face instead. I hated how they all treated me like a child. I think they thought that's why I'd gotten with Kaiden so quickly- so to have someone take care of me. I didn't know. My parents coddled me so extensively growing up it's possible I looked for that in my partner subconsciously. Like I said, I'm unsure.

"Tomorrow. I just want to chill tonight."

"I have to go in," he started. "Nahmir needs me for a prep." I groaned, exasperated.

"Seriously? Kai, we just barely got settled. You took a 30 minute nap and drove 10 hours. You need rest." I explained, getting heated that Nahmir wouldn't give him one damn day. He worked to the hour until we set off to move, I packed with the help of Trice and my mother. He wasn't even there for that.

"Babe, I now. But he needs the work done, he needs me there." I exhaled, completely losing my appetite.

"Whatever."