I'm just finished putting away the leftovers from my catering job when Ren gets home.

"What were you working on so late?"

Ren yawns and asks "Do you really want to know?"

"Of course I do! It must be important to you."

He smiles and starts telling me about the new species of plant that he discovered in the yew family and how it could revolutionize medicine. I pepper him with questions about the differences between current treatments and the new medication and he excited explains.

During a brief lull in the conversation I notice how quiet it is outside.

"What time is it?" I look at the clock to see that it is well past midnight and only Ren and I are still awake. "I'm so sorry, I've kept you awake this whole time and you haven't even had dinner."

He hugs me to his chest and whispers, "You're more important today. I had a lot of fun talking with you. You're a great listener."

He stands and stretches and starts putting snacks on his plate and I snicker as he picks around the broccoli in the roasted vegetables. When he looks down, I quickly apologize "It's just so you, Ren." Then he picks up a few pieces, saying "These ones are for you."

As we eat on the floor, Ren smiles happily, even eating the broccoli I keep sneaking back onto his plate.

We hold hands as we walk to our bedroom together. Cuddling together on the bed, I hear him whisper in my ear before falling asleep "You are amazing."

The next morning, I wake to see his gentle eyes fixed on me. I blush a little as I gaze back, "What do you mean I'm amazing?"

"Well, you were genuinely interested in our conversation and didn't just tune out. Your questions helped me think about things a little different, too."

"But that's easy because it's you Ren. I can't be that confident with other people."

He pets my hair and says, "Then you just have to keep talking to people until you find the right ones."

Laughing, I respond "That's rich coming from you. You never talk to anyone."

With a quick kiss to the cheek he says, "Not true. I just only talk to people who care about trying to understand me."

I think about how close he is with all the guys at Long Island and realize he is telling the truth. And we talked so much last night when he was obviously tired.

I lie there cuddling with Ren, absorbing his warmth while I consider his words. "How did you know I was feeling down?"

"I love you. I can see when the light in your eyes is dimming. In my heart, you are always a shining beacon, and I want to remind you of that at every opportunity."

"I think we need to get up to go to work."

"Nope" and he fakes sleeping, holding me close to him.

After a while, my stomach growls and I sheepishly smile at him "I think it's time."