Marital Bliss(16)
They made it inside and collapsed on the couch. She lay there for a long moment just breathing him in. He was so solid, her rock in life. They fought and had arguments just like everyone else, but they never went to bed mad. Never. They had time together and time separate where they could hang out with friends. They respected each other and had agreed from day one that they would always listen and hear the other person out when it came to the big stuff.
The little stuff was different. When they couldn’t agree on a movie or a place to eat or even what television show to watch, they had a system. It was pretty simple. They took turns, which meant sometimes he won and sometimes she did. And if things ever got heated, they had a code word. This was to signal to the other person that things were going a little far and that they both might need a time out. So far all this worked.
She wasn’t naïve and neither was Clint. They both understood that marriage and their relationship were something they had to work at and maintain. It wouldn’t always be easy or smooth sailing. But then, the important things in life rarely were.
She glanced up at him and smiled. Someday she hoped they had a little boy who looked just like him, all shaggy blond hair and big green eyes.
He dropped a kiss on her brow. “I love you, Mischa.”
“I love you too.”
They just stayed there for a while, content to sprawl half-dressed across one another. She wondered if Clint even realized that he continuously ran his hand over her skin, just soothing and touching. Probably not. He was just one of those people who liked to touch. He was always hugging, kissing or rubbing on her. She loved it.
“I can’t decide if I want to collapse on the bed for the rest of the night or not,” Clint said as he stretched and shifted.
“I’d say we could snuggle and watch a movie or two, but there’s the whole no-television thing.”
“So, how much trouble would I be in if I admitted that my laptop is hidden in the car?”
Mischa laughed. “Depends on why it’s hidden in the car.”
“Well, I thought it would be great to have just in case we needed it.”
“No work?”
“No work.”
“Don’t suppose you have any movies hidden with it that we might want to watch.”
“I may have bought a few newer releases that we both mentioned wanting to see and haven’t gotten around to.”
“There’s popcorn in the kitchen.”
“So I’ll go grab the laptop and movies and set it up in the loft? You make the popcorn?”
“I’m glad you thought of it. I’ll meet you up there!”
Clint kissed her softly then pushed to his feet. “Do I know my wife or what?”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her and made her laugh harder. Yeah, he knew her pretty well. She pushed to her feet and pulled the top of her dress up and tied it real quick. It definitely needed to go upstairs and find its way into the bag she’d brought along just for their dirty clothes. She snickered. There certainly wouldn’t be a lot of laundry to do when they got home.
She heard the door open and close and Clint yelled out as he headed toward the loft. She got the popcorn popping and opened the fridge to grab some bottles of water. After searching a few cabinets she found the perfect bowl to use for popcorn and rinsed it out. She could hear the shower as she headed up the stairs. Just the thought of all those showerheads drenching her in hot water made her sigh in anticipation.
They really needed to check into getting shower like that for home. Maybe for their next anniversary.
Chapter Eight
They spent the next day hiking all the different trails. It was fun to be out and about just exploring with no real agenda. It was so easy to get caught up in work at home and forget that there was a whole world out there that didn’t involve their jobs. They ran and played and took pictures of everything.
In lieu of a picnic basket, Clint had stuffed everything in the backpack his laptop had been in and carried that with them. They spent the entire day out and enjoyed every moment of it. By the time they got back, they were both ready for a shower and dinner. Afterward, they cuddled and talked for a bit and then fell sleep.
Mischa stretched and yawned her way into wakefulness, she couldn’t help but smile. Today was their anniversary. This was the day they’d married and committed to spending the rest of their lives together. In sickness and in health. Good times and bad. She still recalled perfectly how she’d felt looking into his eyes while they repeated their vows.
Clint was already up, and from the smells, she knew he was busy in the kitchen making breakfast. He was such a great cook. She hurried into the bathroom, eager to start this day. She had something special planned for today. They’d had a nice relaxing day yesterday, so they should both be up for playing out a fantasy today. She’d even go first.