Keepsake.
It's been a year since this whole thing began. Well. Not a thing. It's more than that. So much more.
I've gotten used to seeing her smiling face everyday after work. Then going out to eat and talk and just be together. She knows I love her. I've told her. Many times. When she cried, when she slept, when she didn't even want to hear it.
She is precious to me. I hate to call her a keepsake. But I want to keep her. I want to keep her with me, in my heart, in my arms , in my bed...
No we have not gotten to that point yet. But almost. After all, it is a long road from heart break.
"Nomiya" she says my name, yes, it's my name that comes through those pink lips, my first conquest.
"Nomiya san, are you falling asleep while driving?" she pinches my cheek and gives her cute giggle. I lean over to kiss her pink cheek.
"Nomiya-san" she playfully protests.
Thank goodness we're past the violent expressions of affection stage. I've gotten good at countering. Thanks for the tips Miwako Sensei!
We arrive at my semi-permanent residence. Semi permanent because, well, Ayu hasn't picked a studio out yet. I'm hoping I'll have one picked out first... for the both of us.
That being the whole point of this night. Carrying the plastic bags from our usual convenience store run, we wave to the front desk as the concierge tosses me the regular room key. I see Ayu smile as she spies her beautiful pottery out and about the lobby. She's lovely, what she creates is lovely, what we will create... It WILL be... Beautiful.
"Nomiya san, there you go again. Was it a hard day at work? Was Miwako san in one of her extremely hyperactive moods today?"
Her smile. Her smile was mine now. Her smile, not her tears, was mine, now.
I watched her back as she led the way to our favorite place. That brown hair I've loved since the first time I spied it. Through the crowd at that college. With a billion people. I could spot her from a mile away. I opened the door to let her in. Damn! I left the lights on again. But this can be remedied.
She took her jacket off laying it on the chair. She was comfortable. Her shoulders weren't stiff. Her breath was even. It took many moments of bittersweet heart break to come to this point. My reward. she turned towards me with that half corner mouth grin and those sparkling blue eyes.
I turned the lights off and the Ferris wheel lights filled the room. Instantly, the mood changed. I slowly took my jacket off. Moved slowly toward her. I would always move this way to her. Hoping each time she would not run away. At this moment, I had her. She had me. I moved close enough that I could feel the warmth from her body, I could smell that familiar perfume.
Ayumi Yamada. What took us so long?
She looks up at me. Her eyes to me. No longer shy. A little more womanly. Automatic, my hands move to her hips. Her hands touch my face. Removing my glasses and laying them down on the table. I remember falling asleep with them on before her. I would feel her gently removing them while I faked sleep. Then her gentle kiss on my forehead. So sweet.
My arms encircle her waists. She lays her head on my chest.
"Nomiya san I..."
"Marry me... Ayu"
Silence. The longest moment in my life. I hear a sniffle as her body shakes in my arms. Damn! I made her cry. I did exactly what took so long to undo... But...
She looked up at me. Eyes like pools of ocean in Tottori.
"Nomiya... Yes!"
My heart exploded with happiness
"Yes...yes...yes" she said between my kisses. I slipped the beautiful diamond on her tiny finger. Thanks for the help miwako san (silent bow).
The kiss was passionate. Our bodies grew warmer as we pulled into
One another. Be mine Ayumi Yamada, I have always been yours.