“Alright, Nana, you win. Romantic Comedy it is.” I declare to the quiet room.
Amy is tucked in against me with her head in my lap, and Bitsy is up on the back of the couch near my head. Amy’s eyes roll up to me in question, wondering what I’m fussing about, so I smooth back the fur above her big chocolate eyes. She closes them, eating up the attention and huffs in appreciation. This right here is heaven. Only one thing is missing. More like just one person.
As if my mind magically conjured him to me, I hear the front door open. Amy lifts her head but doesn’t get up to go see. I enjoy the sound of his keys landing on the table and the rustling of him kicking off his shoes. The soft padding of his feet toward the living room is a music unto itself, so welcome that it needs to be a permanent thing in this house.
“There’s my girls. It was so quiet when I walked in, I was scared you’d fallen asleep.” Colin bends over the sidearm of the couch to kiss my cheek and uses both hands to pet Amy and Bitsy simultaneously.
“Those snuggles good, Amy? You didn’t even come to greet me at the door! I don’t blame you one bit though. My turn.” He scoots Amy off my lap and she huffs in exasperation before climbing up in the big chair across from us to lay down. Colin flops down on the couch and lays his head in my lap, sighing deeply with contentment. I graze my fingers through his hair repeatedly, and he hums happily with his eyes closed.
“How bad was the call?”
“Bad,” his voice drifts out on a long sigh. “A little girl’s dog got off its leash and got hit right in front of her. I tried everything I could, but the dog flatlined during surgery, and I couldn’t get him back. You could hear her crying her eyes out the whole timeI was working. It broke my damn heart. Brynleigh and I made a paw print keepsake for her before helping get the dog into a suitable state to bury. The dad and I had to load the pup in the back of the truck. I’m pretty sure we were both holding back tears by that time. I’ll likely be hearing that little girl’s wails in my dreams tonight…Fuck,Sydney, I hate nights like this.”
I lean down and kiss his forehead, hating that it was such a rough call. I can’t imagine the feeling of having to tell a family their beloved pet isn’t going to make it or that it passed despite all of your best efforts.
“I’m so sorry the outcome wasn’t a happy one. I know you tried your best. I’m sure the little girl will cherish that keepsake.”
Colin pinches the bridge of his nose, his eyes likely tired from the stress of the evening.
“You hungry?”
“You don’t have to cook me anything.”
“I already did, silly. It’s on the stovetop keeping warm. There’s a change of clothes in my room for you. Go get cleaned up, and I’ll get your food ready.”
“You truly are the best. What did I ever do that made God decide to send you to me?”
Emotion lodges in my throat, and I just have to kiss him. So I do. I take the moment to savor the softness of his lips, the feel of his tongue sliding against mine, the slight tremble of his lips betraying his need for me. That can wait. He needs to eat.
“The feeling is mutual,” I whisper against his lips before rubbing my nose back and forth across his affectionately. He chuckles at the light-hearted action. “You need food. I heard your stomach growl when I mentioned it a few minutes ago.” I pat his stomach and stand which makes him sit up. He stands and stretches, looking a little weary. I’m going to fix that too. Food first.
???
Colin
Seriously, what did I do to deserve this woman? I watch her skitter off to the kitchen before walking over to the chair and stroking Amy a few times. Nights like tonight remind me that Amy’s only with me for a short amount of time. I wish they lived forever. They give so much.
I climb the stairs, thankful that Sydney thought ahead and grabbed stuff for me. I step into the bathroom and take a super quick shower, just in case I still smell like the clinic or that dog. She even remembered fresh boxers. I love her. I’ve already almost told her that twice since I’ve walked in the door. I’m not going to be able to bite my tongue for much longer. My toothbrush is in the holder next to hers. I pause and just stare at it. The joy that simple act causes to course through me is exhilarating. I’m going to tell her. Tonight. Like now. Maybe. But how? Gah…Soon.
I walk downstairs feeling refreshed and lean against the entryway of the kitchen just watching her prepare my meal. It smells good. She fills two bowls and grabs spoons from the drawer, which she closes with a bump of her hip. I smirk. She looks up at me and smiles while carrying them over to the table.
“Thank you for grabbing all of my things, taking care of Amy, and cooking me dinner. It means a lot to me.”
I stalk up to the table and pull her into my arms and look down at her, soaking in the way she feels beneath my fingers. I kiss her with a fierce appreciation and feel her melt in my arms.
“Mmmm…that smells heavenly.”
Sydney snickers against my lips.
“Eat first, love on me afterwards.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I whisper back against her lips, loving the way she said “love on me”.
We sit, and she scoots over the salt and pepper toward me and a bowl of shredded cheese.
“I wasn’t sure how you liked yours doctored, so I didn’t add a lot of salt and pepper to the recipe. I suggest salt and pepper then taste before you add cheese, unless you are like me and cheese is always a yes. Don’t judge.”
She adds a healthy bit of cheese to hers and stirs it in. She takes a big ol’ bite, letting out a moan of appreciation that has me biting back a laugh. I love that she loves food. She isn’t nervous to just go for it and dig in. I take a bite and can’t help but be lost in the gooeyness and comfort it provides.