Prologue
The idea had just dawned on Mamoru Chiba at 4:32 in the morning, just as the first rays of sunlight peered out from the horizon. The morning light crept out from between the skyscrapers, through the glass wall of the penthouse bedroom, and hovered above the glorious mane of his lover like a protective halo. She lay there on her side with her milky white skin peaking out of the sheets, head nuzzled comfortably into his bare chest, golden locks spread out around them like fire. It was quite possibly the most beautiful sight he had ever laid eyes on, and he questioned whether it was possible that she could look even more angelic in her sleep than she did awake. Then, from the deeper regions of his mind, two more questions emerged; "Could you bear to live another day without this? Can you ever wake up and not have her by your side?" He could only envision it for a split second: a cold, sad reality in which he was never loved as much as she had loved him last night and would continue to love him for eternity. The loneliness and apathy, it was all behind him now that he had his Usako. And he wouldn't go back. He refused.
"No"
A gentle stirring broke his silent thoughts, and a warm breath tickled the spot where God pulled a rib from Adam to create his Eve.
"Mamo-chan... what time is it? Do I have work today?"
Her small arm reached over their tangled bodies to the nightstand and began haphazardly feeling around for the clock on the nightstand. A small smile came to his face, a smirk maybe if you will. His Usako never failed to surprise him. He loves her clumsiness and childlike innocence, but he appreciated this mature, responsible side of her that would occasionally make an appearance. He caught her by the hand, pulled it to his lips, and kissed it.
"No Usako. It's Saturday and much too early for you to be awake. Go back to sleep."
He received only a grunt in reply as she let her heavy eyelids droop shut and her sweet cheek rest on his stomach as she gathered the sheets around them and cuddled closer to his body for warmth. As she slowly drifted back to sleep, he examined her limp hand, still held in his. He had been noticing things about her lately, things that he loved about her body. At first, it was simple things- her long, shapely legs (when she stood on the tips of her toes to reach for a jar on the top shelf of the pantry) and her silky, golden hair that, if he put his nose close enough, held the faintest scent of vanilla and lavender from her shampoo (when he helped her dry and brush her hair after a hot shower). But then, it became how flat her stomach is despite consuming enough food to feed an entire army (when they had a picnic lunch in the park and were gazing up at the clouds), how red her checks could become (whenever he mentions their lovemaking), and even how small and delicate her feet were (when he pulled one of her socks from the laundry). But now that he had her left hand, he realized how long and slender her fingers are and how one in particular looked a bit bare. He rubbed his thumb up and down the ring finger and smiled when he realized soon it would (hopefully) hold an engagement ring and eventually a wedding ring as well.
A.N. A little shout out to JadeEye, the author of The Size of Her Socks, whom I used as inspiration for the part where Mamoru realizes her feet are small and delicate. I really enjoy her stories, and I highly recommend you check them out as well.