The corner of the ornate wardrobe hit the ground with a resounding 'crash', one which seemed to shake the sleepy neighbourhood. Standing up in the back of the flat-bed truck, the blonde man regarded his friend with annoyance. "Will you be careful with that?" The other young man scowled, emerald eyes narrowed. "I would be if you lifted your damn end like you were meant to!"

"I did!" the blonde man shot back. Squaring his shoulders, he gestured to the wardrobe. "C'mon, let's get this over with.."

Justin sighed, shaking his head. "Sure..." Rubbing his sweaty hands on his jeans, he bent and lifted his end of the heavy wardrobe, while Mwu struggled with his.

"Where are the girls, anyway?" puffed Justin, bright red in the face from effort. "Shouldn't they be helping?"

"In the kitchen, putting the junk away," replied his friend with a rueful grin. "They decided that since we're guys, and so much stronger than them, that we should move all the heavy stuff.." The two of them carried the heavy wooden object carefully into the small white-painted house, setting it up in the main bedroom. Mwu sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead and leaning against the wall. "It would have been so much easier if we'd taken all the clothes and stuff out of it first..."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "You mean you didn't?" His tone was faintly disbelieving. "No wonder the damn thing weighed so much..."

"Well, she said that since we didn't have all that much in it, we didn't need to bother emptying it.." replied the blonde man, scarred face wrinkled in annoyance. "I tried talking her round..but she's the most stubborn person I've ever known. But when she wins an argument, she just gives me this incredible smile that somehow..makes it all worth it.." His blue eyes were softened with fond memories, and only came back into focus when Justin snickered.

"What?" he defended. "Don't tell me that your girl isn't like that with you.."

The younger man shrugged. "Sure she is. It's just funny to see you all soppy..." Standing up, he looked around the room. It was much bigger than the tiny apartment bedroom, and brighter, the large window letting in lots of sunlight. "This place is a lot better for you two, but how come you moved from the apartment so fast?"

Mwu smiled, walking around the bed to gaze out of the window. Natarle and Murrue were outside in the garden, talking and laughing together. Murrue was holding a bottle of soda, and as she spoke to her friend, she waved a hand around herself, expression becoming so animated and happy that it made his heart skip.

"That's why..." he said softly, gesturing to his wife. He didn't say anything further..he didn't need to.

When all the furniture had finally been moved, involving much cursing, the four young people sat outside in the large garden, chatting and enjoying the early evening sunshine. Murrue sat curled up on her husband's lap, head on his shoulder, thin fingers stroking the petals of the flowers she was closest to. She looked utterly contented, so much so that it made her friends smile.

"Give it a few weeks," said Natarle cheerfully, "and this garden will be totally different.." Mwu nodded, chuckling. Murrue just smiled, closing her eyes and leaning back against her husband. She hadn't said much all day, even to him, preferring to just stare around herself, amber eyes shining in bliss. This was all she had ever wanted, and to finally have it, and share it with him...she was so happy that she could barely talk.

"Where's Callie?"

She looked up at him from where she sat on the sofa, smiling as he hopped over the back of the furniture and sat beside her. "Not sure," she admitted, snuggling into his arms. "She's probably out exploring the neighbourhood, maybe the park..." The cat was a free spirit, enjoying the fuss and pampering she got at home, but equally fond of prowling the neighbourhoods late at night. She'd come home when she was tired, or got hungry..she always did. Mwu nodded, lying down on the blue sofa with her still held in his arms. His warmth made her drowsy and happy, and she smiled, cuddling further into his embrace, comforted like always.

"We didn't have to move here so fast, you know," she murmured after a while. "It's been what, a fortnight since you showed me this house on our walk? And here we are. We could have stayed in the apartment a while longer..."

"I know," he replied, his hands moving to tangle in her dark hair. "But I know how much you wanted a garden, and besides.." He grinned sheepishly. "I remember what you told me about that dream you had...I wanted to make it come true.."

Murrue looked up at him at that, an impish smile curving her lips. "So you planned this?"

"Kinda," he admitted. "I've been looking for ages now..for a house and garden that was like the one you described. Dumb of me, I know, but.." He blinked, startled when she hugged him tightly. "Thank you..so much.." she whispered. "All this..the last three years...I owe you so much I'll never be able to pay it all back.."

"You don't have to," he replied gently, kissing the top of her head. "This is my way of paying you back...for always being with me.." Smiling at that, Murrue closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.

"There must be some way I can say thank you..." she protested, and he chuckled softly. "There is," he replied, still stroking her hair. "Just stay here with me. That's the only thanks I need.."

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( Not so good, really, but it's more a transition chapter lol. Next will be better, promise!

Please read and review! )