Author's Note: Tumblr prompt of "Don't you ever do that again!"
Alone
Richard smiled as the sun peeked through the haphazardly-drawn curtains. He hadn't slept in this bed in months. It had been even longer since he'd slept in this bed with his wife. Just to make sure she was real, he rolled over and gently brushed her hair away from her sleeping face.
Emily stirred at the movement. Her eyes blinked open. "You look happy," she noted.
His grin widened. "I am happy."
"So am I."
Richard opened his arms to her and she snuggled up against his bare chest. He stroked her soft shoulders, reveling of the feel of her skin on his. "I can't believe it's been so long. I've missed this."
"Mmm, me too," Emily agreed, leaning up to place a gentle kiss on his neck. "The time apart was for the best, I think, but it did drag on a bit."
"I quite agree. I think it gave us time to really miss one another. See what life alone might be, and how much better we are together."
Emily nodded. "Quite right." But a thought crossed her mind. She let it ruminate for a minute before she voiced it. "You must have liked some things about being on your own."
"Some things, yes, I suppose," he admitted.
"What was one thing you liked about living alone?" she asked out of sheer curiosity.
Richard chuckled. "Well, I suppose I did enjoy smoking my cigars whenever I wanted."
Emily made a noise like a half-growl. "We're going to have to air out the pool house for a month to get rid of that cigar stench. Actually, we'll probably have to reupholster the furniture and repaint the walls."
He shook his head and gave her an affectionate squeeze. "And what about you? You must have liked aspects of living without me."
"Well, I won't say it was a perfect experience, but I did enjoy the summer that Rory and I spent in Europe."
"Yes, that's right, we didn't really get to talk about that, did we? You had a good time?"
Emily giggled softly to herself.
"What?" Richard prompted.
"I was very popular with the European men."
"Emily!"
"I suppose that's what happens when a woman travels alone. I know I had Rory, but the attention I got from those men, I can't even tell you."
Now it was Richard's turn to scowl and grumble. "I can't say I like that one bit."
"You weren't supposed to like it. That was sort of the idea," she pointed out.
"I mean it. Don't you ever do that again!"
She patted his arm lovingly. "Alright, Richard. I won't ever do that again."