Loss and Longing

The next morning Stevie work with a smile on her face. Feeling Grant wrapped around her filled her with a warmth that flowed from the inside out. As she felt his lips on her bare shoulder her smile widened.

“Morning” he said.

“Morning” she replied turning over to face him. And her smiling diming she asked “how do you feel?” She was worried that in the light of day, he might regret revealing so much. But she was relieved to see him smile.

“I feel good” he said “but nothing close to how you feel lying here next to me.”

Stevie laughed and blushed. “This is nice” she agreed.

“Nice” he said “a paint colour is nice. Waking up with you, defies description.”

Stevie smiled and kissed him.

“I could get used to this” he said as she eased back.

She winced. “I’m not sure when I’ll be able to organise it again.”

“I know” Grant said with a smile. “It’ll give me something to dream about.”

Relieved, her smile returned.

“Of course we could always make it a permanent arrangement?” he said and she couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious, nor even what he was asking.

She frowned.

“Not interested?” he asked with a grin.

“In what?” she said.

Grant laughed “what did you think I meant when I said I loved you? I’m asking you to marry me.”

Stevie’s eyes open wide. “What?”

“Will you marry me” Grant said still chuckling.

Stevie felt close to tears. This was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do. “Grant I can’t” she said “my family need me.”