A/N Here's the latest Rax story from me. It's more a collection of oneshots but they run through the story of Max and Rosie's lives together, each chapter marking their next wedding anniversary. I'm not 100% happy with this starting chappie, I assure you the best is yet to come. Anyway let me know what you think, i've loved writing it! Ems x
Chapter One - The First Year
Max slipped back under the covers and wriggled up next to his wife who was still asleep, blissfully unaware of his morning adventures. He pressed a kiss to her head and dropped an arm around her waist, his chest slotting behind her back.
He didn't let himself fall back asleep, instead he just lay there and listened to her breathe. Max didn't want to waste a moment of his time by not being with her, and as she turned in his arms he only smiled to himself. She buried her head into his chest and muttered something incoherent, Max laughed silently to himself and begun to run his hands through her hair.
"Stop it" she grumbled
Max smiled down at her, brushed the hair of her face and kissed her temple.
She slowly peeled open her eyes and found her husband staring back at her.
"Have you been watching me sleep again?" She frowned
"Couldn't help myself" Max winked "my wife of one year",
"Yeah, count yourself a very lucky man" she closed her eyes again, "no one else would be able to put up with you for this long"
"Well one year isn't actually that long" Max pondered, "it's gone really quickly"
"Yeah, we'll see if I'm still around in ten years then" she opened her eyes again to him
"I'm serious though, it feels like yesterday I watched you walk down that aisle" Max's thoughts drifted back to that day, the day he finally married the woman he loved, the best day of his life.
"So much has changed" Rosie joined him in reminiscing, "it's been one hell of a year"
"A pretty good one though eh?"
"The best" she grinned up at him.
"I love you" Max whispered as he lost himself in her gaze
"I love you too", Rosie whispered back before kissing him deeply.
"I have something for you" he murmured as they pulled away
"And what's that?" She raised her eyebrows expectantly
Max smiled and pulled an envelope out of what seemed like nowhere and offered it to her, "just a little something" he added,
She took it, her arms restricted by his hold on her but she opened it nonetheless and read his familiar writing.
To my gorgeous wife,
Happy 1st Wedding anniversary. I am whisking you away to a secret destination for a few days so you better start packing.
All my love, Max xx
PS yes you will need your bikini and high heels
As she read a grin spread across her face, "really?" She squeaked
"Yep" he nodded "wait here" Max quickly swung out of the bed and left the room leaving Rosie alone with her thoughts, she knew he was perfect.
Max returned carrying at tray.
"Sit up" he told her with a grin
Rosie did so and Max placed the tray in front of her
"Who knew you could be so romantic" she said softly having kissed him
"Anything for my wife" he murmured as she eyed up the breakfast items.
They tucked into the breakfast Max had prepared earlier, Rosie was shocked to find that he had already been out this morning to the local bakery to get some fresh pastries. Rosie then gave Max his present, tickets for them to see South Africa play in a cricket test match against Australia. She'd been a bit on edge about buying them seeing as Max was so keen to go he'd nearly bought the tickets himself. He was delighted though, Rosie doubted what she'd let herself in for as not much of a fan herself.
Later that morning they were already on the road to their getaway destination. Max had insisted they had to leave promptly so there was little time to lie in bed together much to Rosie's disappointment. Regardless she couldn't wait for their weekend.
"Max" she frowned as they continued their journey
"Rosie"
"When you said bring your bikini I presumed you meant we were going to the coast" she said noting they were heading notably inland
"Yeah." He smiled "maybe it was just for my own personal benefit"
Rosie gasped and hit his arm playfully
"You've just got to trust me" he exclaimed
"Yeah I've heard that one before" she sighed leaning back in the seat.
Almost two hours after they'd left and the scenery confirmed to Rosie that they definitely weren't anywhere near the beach. Max parked up on the roadside and jumped out the car gesturing her to follow. For miles and miles all they could see was the beautiful green mountains and the coastline far away in the distance.
"It's beautiful" she admitted as he slipped his hand into hers and led her down a path through the trees.
"Sit" he said as they came to a clearing. Max pulled a picnic out of the bag he had been carrying much to Rosie's surprise.
"You really have surpassed yourself Mr Gifthold" she grinned at him
"And that" he pointed out to a large white house tucked into the hillside in the too far distance "is where we'll be staying"
Rosie followed his gaze to the house, noted its idyllic setting, nestled amongst the greenery and the vineyards. She could just about make out a swimming pool, it was perfect.
"I can't wait" she said settling into his side.
"Hotel, vineyard and spa I'll have you know"
"You're too good to me" she looked up at him.
"Only because I don't deserve you" he whispered.
Rosie wriggled out of her position enough to lean up to him and latch her lips onto his.
"You're perfect" she murmured when they pulled away.
"I'm so glad I get to spend the rest of my life with you" Max's low tones brushed past her ear.
"Me too"