Happy wife, happy life.
Chapter One.
She walked passed his office and he just caught sight of her. He was about to get up and go after her, but he looked down at the paperwork in front of him and sighed to himself. He knew taking on the job would cause problems, but he didn't realise they would cause this many issues. She'd left his office half an hour beforehand, and they'd had an argument because he mentioned he'd have to stay late again to catch up with his work.
"Fine, if that's what you want to do. But, don't expect me to wait up for you. I've had a tough day too you know." She'd said, as she folded her arms and scowled at him.
"Duffy." He replied, looking up at her from his chair.
"Don't Charlie, just don't." She'd said, as she opened his office door and slammed it roughly behind her.
He sat there and just watched her leave. He sighed to himself and put his hand to head.
"But, it's my job." He was going to say to her, but was unable to.
He knew taking on the job was going to be tough work, but, it's not like he was new to it. He'd done it for years, decades. What he'd forgotten was, Duffy had been there with him when he did have to work longer hours, way after his shift had ended. How he spent more time at work than at home. But, that hadn't been an issue before. He was used to it, in fact that was one of the reasons why he said yes to the position. He knew how to do the job inside and out, he just needed to get back into the swing of things, and then everything would be fine. Surely, she knew that? He sighed to himself again, and looked down at the files in front of him.
"Might as well get on with it." He said to himself.
Then she walked passed his office again, standing near to the window, he could see her talking with Robyn. What about he had no idea. But, he couldn't help but stare at her.
She is so beautiful. He thought, as she giggled at Robyn.
He sighed to himself and realised something. This is what he used to do years ago, just watch her, see her going about her daily duties, talking with colleagues, or patients. He sighed to himself again. She hasn't changed at all, he laughed, neither has he. Spying on her when he had the chance, ha, ha, trying to not let her catch him.
She then looked straight at him, as she had realised he was watching her, he smiled at her, but she just looked away. His face fell. He put his hand to his neck, and shook his head. What am I doing? He thought to himself. She's my wife, and I'm choosing this over her. He looked down at the files in front of him, closing one angrily. What am I doing?
He sighed to himself again. But realised the quicker he got through them all the quicker he'd get home. So, he looked down at the files and proceeded to mark each with post it notes, and moved them into urgent and not urgent piles. He flicked through the urgent pile, marking each file with his notes and signature. He closed the last file, and sighed to himself. Done.
He then got up from his chair, and opened the door of his office. He searched the waiting area for her, but she wasn't there. He closed the door to his office and walked down into cubicles. He looked for her, asked his colleagues no luck. He then walked into the staff room, nothing. No sign of Duffy at all. He then looked up at the clock on the wall. It was already 21:15pm.
Shit. He said to himself, she'll be at home.
He opened his locker, got out his bag, then went into the staff toilets to change. When he returned he stuffed his bag into his locker, grabbed his jacket, phone, wallet and keys, and closed his locker. He then hurriedly dialled Duffy's mobile.
Come on, Duffy.
No answer.
Great! He sighed once again.
-x-
He pulled up to the house, picking up the bunch of flowers from the passenger seat, he sighed to himself.
When he opened the door to the house it was already dark, and quiet, he closed the door quietly.
She must have gone straight to bed. He thought to himself.
He kicked off his shoes, hung up his coat, and began to walk up the stairs, with the roses in his hand.
As he reached the bedroom door he took in a deep breath. He turned the handle to the door quietly, and saw the bedroom light was also off, and he slowly crept into the bedroom.
He lay the roses on top of the set of drawers, then walked around to his side of the bed.
He removed his shirt, then sat on the edge of the bed, and removed his trousers. He then lifted up the duvet, and slowly got into bed next to her. He started by draping his arm over her waist, trying to hug into her. He then kissed the top of her shoulder, as he spoke.
"Duffy, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He whispered to her.
She didn't reply, but, he knew she was awake, as she stirred slightly.
She sighed at him, and said. "Just go to sleep Charlie."
"I get it, I know why you're upset." He replied, as he hugged her again.
"Upset? Pfft." She angrily replied.
"Duffy, I promise I'll not work over my shift, not anymore that is." He said to her.
"Oh really? How are you going to manage that then?" She bitterly replied.
He sighed then replied. "Duffy, just hear me out will you."
"Go on then." Duffy retorted.
"I just needed time to readjust, that's all. It's, it's been a long time." Charlie explained to her.
"Charlie you always worked too much, always put work before yourself. I know how Baz felt now." Duffy angrily replied, still turned away from him.
"Duffy!" Charlie exclaimed.
"Well, it's true. I might as well be single again, I hardly ever see you, you're going in before me, and leaving after me. What do you expect? Of course I'm upset." Duffy explained.
"I see you at work." He replied.
"Pfft, barely." She said, shrugging.
"Duffy." Charlie said, as he kissed her shoulder again.
"What? Charlie?" She barked back at him.
"I'm sorry." He said scornfully.
"Oh good, you're sorry." Duffy replied, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"I realised something today." Charlie said, as he hugged into her again.
"Oh, that you actually have a wife?" Duffy asked.
"Sort of." He replied, as he stroked his fingers along the side of her thigh.
"Charming." She sighed.
"That I have the most beautiful wife in the world." He replied, as he continued to run his fingers up and down the side of her hip and thigh.
"Charlie." Duffy replied.
"And that I need to tell her every day, how much I love her, how beautiful she is, and how very lucky I am to have her." Charlie explained, as he then kissed the top of her shoulder.
Duffy then turned her head towards him, and rolled onto her back.
"Charlie." She said, as she looked into his eyes.
She saw the faint tears that formed in them, and how upset and sorry he really was.
"I'm sorry darling, I really am. Can you forgive me?" He said, as he ran his fingers through her hair, and tucked a few strands behind her ear.
"Only if..." She began to say.
"Anything." He replied hurriedly.
"If you need any help, ask. If it gets too much for you, tell me. I don't want to see you get stressed. I don't want you working too hard. And, most of all..." Duffy said, as she poked her finger on his chest after each sentence.
"What?" He asked, as he looked into her eyes.
"I don't want you to forget you have me." Duffy said, as she looked at him, tears also forming in her eyes.
"I'd never do that, ever." Charlie said, as he looked at her shocked, and worried.
"Good. Because I couldn't cope with that Charlie, I really couldn't." Duffy said, as she looked into his eyes, and placed her hand on his chest.
"Oh Duffy, I'm so sorry. I promise to do all of that. I love you." Charlie said, as he took her in his arms and hugged her close to him, then kissed her on the top of her head.
"I love you too." Duffy said, as she hugged into him just as tightly.
He then released her from his embrace, looked into her eyes and gently kissed her. She kissed him back, her hand curved around his neck as their kiss deepened.
-x-