I watched Abby get up from the bed as she sauntered towards me. She tossed her phone back on the bed before she threaded her arms around my neck. Our foreheads connected as she nuzzled her nose against mine, then captured my lips in the sweetest little kiss that weakened me at my knees.
“I married you, and for all the stress we’ve encountered, I could never regret that one detail.”
I held her in my arms as we swayed together in our room. I peppered her neck and cheek with kisses as she giggled lightly in my ear. Never in my life had I felt so complete. Never in my life had I felt so lucky and full of life. I held Abby close to me and buried my face in her shoulder, breathing in her scent as we slowly danced around in the space we had claimed as our own.
“So?” she asked. “What’s the plan?”
“Next Saturday at four o’clock, we have our vow renewal at The Alexandria Ballrooms. Afterwards will be a reception with an open bar, music, a dance floor, and no shellfish. I told them to give us the bakery’s specialty for the wedding cake, and I booked out the bottom three floors of the hotel near the venue. The keys will be reserved for anyone who wants to claim one for the night, and I booked us a nice honeymoon suite through Monday.”
“Won’t we have to work Monday?” Abby asked.
“I figured we could bring a change of clothes and go straight from the suite right on into work,” I said.
“Sounds—perfect,” she said. “I’ll send it all off in the email.”
“Who all are you sending it to?”
“My parents, people at work that we interact with regularly. Maggie and Ted, of course. A couple of girls from H.R. I’ve gotten to know. I don’t have emails of any of your friends or even your mother, though, so you’ll need to give me those.”
“Just send me the email and I’ll forward it on to those I want to send it to. I’m gonna call my mother and tell her right now though.”
“You think she’ll be happy for us? I mean, I haven’t even met her.”
I kissed Abby’s worried little lips before I gazed into her eyes.
“I think she’ll be ecstatic,” I said. “But—can I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” Abby said.
“Why did you originally move into the apartment? I mean, I know you wanted your space, but I felt like there was something more.”
I saw that cloud of guilt darken Abby’s eyes again.
“Hey, hey, hey. Look at me. We’re married, Abby. I love you. All I want to do is to clear the air a little bit. To open up lines of communication and show you that you can talk with me without the repercussions you think are going to be there.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m just still reeling a bit from all the excitement.”
“And you have every right to be. Right now, all I’m doing is talking with my wife,” I said, grinning.
“Wife. I like that,” she said.
“I’m kind of fond of it myself.”
“Honestly?”
“Honestly.”
“I was getting cold feet,” she said.
“Would it shock you if I said I figured that was the reason?”
“Not really,” she said, giggling. “You’ve always been able to read me better than I liked at times.”
“I wouldn’t have to if you’d just talk to me.”
“I know, I know. Consider that part of my personality a work in progress.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got some things to work on myself,” I said. “But if it’s any consolation, I knew you’d come around.”
“Oh, you knew? Just like that?” she asked with a grin.
“Just like that,” I said.
“Just how did you know this would all come about?”
“Well, it’s like you said. I can read you better than you would like.” I scooped Abby up close to my body and gazed deeply into her eyes. I took in the specks of honey that punctuated her breathtaking brown eyes. I watched her eyes crinkle with her smile as she nuzzled her nose against mine again, creating a grin across my cheeks. I loved the feeling of her in my arms. I loved the feeling of her against my body. She collapsed into me entirely when I held her like this, relinquishing to me all control and her complete trust. I wasn’t sure if she knew she did it, but it made me feel powerful. When I was holding Abby close to me, I felt like I could do anything. She was my muse. My solace. My rock and my foundation. She was the person that could clear my head and stop my world from spinning with just the sound of her voice.
“Colin? Earth to Colin?”
“Huh? What? Sorry—what was that?” I asked.
“Where did you go?” Abby asked. “I lost you there for a second.”
“I lost myself in you,” I said.
“Ah, ever the romantic. I was asking what you wanted to do for the day. You know, since the ship heads back to port over the next couple of days.”
“I figured any decent marriage ceremony should be followed with a day of rest and relaxation. Why don’t we venture to the spa floor and see what we can get ourselves into?” I asked.
We got dressed into some comfortable clothes and made our way out onto the ship. Every corner we turned there were more people to congratulate us on our marriage. People were shaking our hands and wanting to take pictures. They were asking Abby questions that she answered with poise and grace. Instead of clinging to me for support and strength, she stood strong at my side, with her shoulders rolled back and her smile easy and relaxed.
She was better at this than she knew, and I was so proud of her.
We made our way up to the spa floor of the ship and booked a full
