It felt like the day had lasted forever. College had started at nine that morning, work at two in the afternoon, and now it was almost eight. Trudging through the dark streets, she rubbed at her eyes, which felt as though they were full of grit. Normally, her walk home seemed much faster, and more enjoyable - because he was by her side, laughing and joking, sweetening her mood the way only he could. But tonight, he had called and asked if it was okay if she made her way home alone. He'd sounded distracted and evasive when she'd tried to get any more information out of him...and she couldn't help but be worried. Sighing, Murrue hitched her bag a little further up on her shoulder, and carried on walking. The last few days, she and Mwu hadn't had much chance to be together, even though they shared an apartment. She had spent most of her time at her mother's house...planning her upcoming wedding.
It's strange. Even though we have all that money now, our wedding's really going to cost next to nothing... She planned to tell Mwu all about it - when she got the chance to talk to him. But when she had gotten home last night, it had been pretty late, and when she'd crept into their room, he'd been sound asleep. Never stirring once, even when she had gently run her hand through his blonde curls and leaned down to kiss him. But tonight, she would tell him everything. Looking up, she saw the apartment block at the end of the street all lit up, people no doubt already home, perhaps eating and talking about their day. Smiling a little at the familiarity and comfort of it all, she made her way to the red-painted front door of her apartment, and pushed it open.
The apartment was dim, almost dark, everything within lit only by the light of more than a dozen candles. The sofa was pushed back against the far wall of the room, the space it usually occupied tonight taken up by a small table covered in a white cloth. Two plates and cutlery were laid out neatly on the surface, as well as two candles in decorative holders. Setting her bag down, Murrue gazed around the room, wondering at the rather romantic atmosphere. The apartment smelled of candle smoke and the aroma of food, which only grew stronger when she peeked around the door to the kitchen. "Mwu?"
Her fiance was standing over a couple of pots bubbling on the stove, and jumped a mile when he heard her soft voice. Turning around, he smiled when he saw her, wiping his hands dry on a dish towel and stepping out of the room to greet her. "Hey, sweetheart..." Reaching out, he brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, the gentle touch causing her to blush. "Sorry I didn't come meet you after work..I had stuff to do." He gestured around at the dimly-lit room, and the food cooking in the kitchen behind him. "What do you think?"
"I think...it's a surprise," she replied, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "But a very nice one.."
Mwu beamed, clearly very proud of himself. "Good to hear. Now, can you do me a favour? Dinner will be ready in a while, so can you put on that dress for me? You know, the really pretty red one you wore for your prom.." He shrugged, smiling a little. "I thought that tonight..could be special.."
Murrue pinked, realising how serious he was about all this. "Of course I can.." Noticing for the first time how smart he looked, in a white shirt and black trousers, she kissed him again, and made her way into the bathroom to get a shower and wash her hair.
The blonde man grinned, making his way back into the kitchen to check on the cooking dinner. The vegetables were almost done, as was the paprika and chili spiced chicken roasting in the oven. With that, and the ice-cream he'd bought for dessert, tonight promised to be everything he had hoped it would be - including how it had surprised Murrue. Whistling to himself, he stirred one of the steaming pots, thanking the stars that he'd learned to cook from his dad's housekeeper. Almost ready...
He'd just taken the chicken out of the oven when he heard the bedroom door open and close. Sticking his head out of the doorway, he saw her standing there, clad in her prom dress. The shimmering red garment showed off every curve, and accentuated her pale skin, as did her hair, which was pinned up on top of her head. She looked incredible, and he felt his heart skip several beats. Forgetting how to talk for a moment, he stepped up to her, taking her hands in between both of his. "Y-you look beautiful.." he managed after a moment, and Murrue blushed a shade that matched her dress. "Thank you.." she whispered, letting him lead her over to the table. Pulling out a chair, Mwu let her sit down, and dropped a kiss into her auburn hair before making his way back into the kitchen to finish preparing their dinner (whilst taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart).
She still has this effect on me, even now. We're going to get married soon, and she still makes me feel like we're on our first date..
"Thank you," she murmured, gazing down at her empty plate. Her cheeks were bright red, but she was smiling. "For going to all this trouble," she continued, peeking up at him through her eyelashes. "We never did anything like this before, did we?"
"No," he admitted, taking a sip of his drink. "Odd really. That's why I wanted to do this for you..cook you dinner.." He leaned back in his chair, then grinned as an idea occured to him. "You want to dance?"
Murrue blinked, surprised. "Dance? Here? But there's no music..."
"We don't need any," he replied, getting to his feet and moving around to where she sat. "Just imagine it.." Holding out his hand, he smiled as she took it, letting him help her up into his embrace. She sighed happily, resting her head on his shoulder. Her warmth sent shivers all through his body, and he closed his eyes, letting the scent of roses surround him. At this moment, he felt like the luckiest guy in the world...to have found someone like her. She was his best friend, his fiancee...his whole world. He wanted to tell her all these things, as they danced together slowly in the middle of the room, but he felt sure that...she already knew.
"Thank you...for tonight," she murmured softly, her face pressed close to his chest. "It was just what I needed.." Looking up at him, she smiled, trailing her fingertips over the scar on his face. "I was lonely, you know? When you didn't come to walk me home.."
He smiled back at that, the gentle expression causing her chest to feel tight. Blushing again, she fixed her gaze on his shirt. "I get sad when you're not around.." she whispered. "I don't want...to ever be without you.." It's true. When you're not around, I don't know what to do with myself. I never expected love to feel like this...
"It's the same for me," he replied quietly, causing her to look up at him again. "When you're not here, I miss you like crazy." He pulled her a little closer, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I didn't know..it could be like that.."
Murrue smiled, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent. "Me neither," she admitted. "When I was sick...even though I knew you were coming home in a while, I felt so lonely that I wanted to cry..." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she tugged him down for a kiss, the exchange becoming more passionate as he returned it. He brushed his hands down her sides, the touch sending shivers down her spine, and she moaned softly, thin fingers clutching his shirt. When they broke for air, she managed to gaze up at him hazily, cheeks flushed rose pink. Mwu didn't say anything, just pulled her to him again, his lips beginning to caress her neck. After a moment, he bent and lifted her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.
"What did you talk about?"
She opened her eyes at that question, blinking drowsily. "Hmm? When?" She had been almost asleep, lulled by the warmth of his arms. Stretching out, she yawned, smiling at how sleepy and satisfied she felt. Mwu chuckled, leaning close to kiss her cheek. "When you came round to see Aunt Lily the other day. I was working, and she wouldn't say what you'd been talking about.."
Murrue giggled, reaching out to take his hand. "Wedding stuff," she replied softly, beginning to play with his fingers. "Mom says that there's a chapel near here where we can get married, and that we can have the reception at her house..." She glanced up and backwards at her fiance. "Is that okay?"
"Sure it is," he answered, squeezing the hand that held his. "Sounds better than something fancy. But are you okay with it? We have enough for a bigger wedding, if that's what you want.."
"No," she said, bringing his hand close to kiss his fingers. "This is perfect..." Mom already said that I could wear the dress she wore when she married Dad, and I can't think of anything better. Just a simple day, Mwu, myself, and our friends and family. We don't need anything else...
Smiling happily, still clasping his hand, she fell asleep, slipping into happy dreams. Mwu in turn smiled, cuddling her close and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you so much.." he murmured, even though he knew she couldn't hear him. She was his life, and now he knew...that he was hers. They needed nothing else in the world but each other...
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( I OD'd on fluff again...eheheheheheheheheh :sweatdrops:
Please read and review! And yes, they're getting married next chapter... )
