Belonging
Sara was lying on the couch, reading, when she heard a key in the lock of the front door. She knew who it was so she didn't look up, instead continuing to focus on her book as she listened to the door open and then shut. She heard his keys clatter on the kitchen counter and his shoes thunk on the floor as he toed them off. He padded through the living room on his way to the bedroom, pausing to drop a kiss on her head as he went.
She paused in her reading, allowing her thoughts to drift back to the time in her life before she had him. She remembered the days when she would longingly think about what it would be like to have someone who loved her desperately. Someone to call her, talk to her, hold her, kiss her. She remembered wistfully listening to friends talk about dates, engagements, weddings…and wishing she could join in their conversation. At her lowest moments, she remembered thinking she was destined to be alone, that there was no man out there who would ever look at her, know her, and love her.
She looked up as Nick came back into the living room. He picked up her feet and sat down on the couch, placing her feet in his lap and rubbing them absently as he flicked through channels on the television.
Then she had met Nick. Sweet, charming, gentle Nick. When they went a while without seeing each other at work or at home, he called her just to hear her voice. He trusted her with all of his deepest, darkest secrets and she, in return, trusted him with her own. When people were looking, and the rules allowed, he held her hand tightly in his own. When no one else was around, and regardless of the rules, he would wrap her in his arms and kiss her sweetly.
He fought with her and for her. He did things that annoyed her and things that made her sigh with happiness. He made her cry and he made her laugh. He loved her for all of her good qualities and in spite of her bad ones.
She didn't understand how someone could be flawed and perfect at the same time.
She let her book rest in her lap and just looked at him. She loved to just sit and watch him, to trace his features with her eyes. She could scarcely believe that this wonderful, handsome man was hers. A sudden wave of emotion welled up in her, bringing tears to her eyes.
Realizing that she was no longer reading, Nick looked over to say something to her and was alarmed to see that she was crying.
"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked her, concerned.
Removing her feet from his lap, Sara launched herself into his arms, holding him tightly. He responded in kind, rubbing a hand soothingly up and down her back.
After a minute she pulled back and cupped his face in her hands. He placed his hands on her waist and looked into her eyes, trying to gauge her emotions.
"I love you," she said sincerely.
Still unsure as to what had prompted this outburst, he responded,
"I love you, too. Sara, you're scaring me. What's the matter?"
She shook her head, laughing softly and wiping her tears away.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm sorry. I just," she shrugged. "I just love you. That's all."
Relieved, he smiled at her, pulling her forward and kissing her tenderly.
"I love you," he said.
She smiled at him brilliantly, returned his kiss with another, and snuggled down into his arms.
"So, what are we watching?"