Sean finally keyed into the apartment around 11:15. He stripped down as soon as he walked in and threw his stuff into the washer. He walked into his room, and Emma was sitting in bed reading a book.

She giggled, "You smell that bad?"

Sean didn't even speak; he just nodded and walked straight into the bathroom. He turned around and said, "Five minutes."

"Okay." Emma continued to read her book while Sean showered. When she heard the water shut off, she placed her book on the table next to the bed. Sean dried himself off and walked into his room.

"Hi, babe." He leaned down and kissed her.

"My poor baby. You looked exhausted."

"I am." He put on a pair of boxer briefs and crawled into bed next to her. "I'm all ready for bed and ready to pass out."

Emma turned to face him and tucked some hair behind his ear. "Your hair is getting longer."

"Yeah. I feel like rebelling against the Army and growing it out to my shoulders again."

She smiled, "You did look awfully cute with long hair." He pursed his lips, and she kissed him.

"You're not tired?"

"I am. I just need to brush my teeth and wash my face. I'll be right back."

"Okay."

Emma walked into the bathroom and brushed her teeth first. Once she finished, she washed her face and put some moisturizer on. When she walked out of the bathroom, she giggled. Sean was passing out already. She shut off the light, climbed into bed, snuggled against him, and he sighed, "Goodnight, Em."

"Goodnight, babe."

The next morning Emma woke up before Sean. He looked like he was in a deep sleep, and she didn't want to disturb him, so she went straight into the shower.

She giggled when she walked out of the bathroom, and he was still sleeping. Emma smiled at the sight of Sean, knocked out. He looked younger, with no stress on his face.

She got up and looked in the closet but wasn't sure what to wear. She was holding up two blouses, and Sean said, "You will look beautiful in whatever you wear."

She turned around in her bra and underwear, "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No. You're fine."

She turned back toward the closet. She put away the two blouses, then held up a floral printed wrap dress, "How's this?"

He smiled, "That's pretty."

"Okay. I'll wear this."

Sean sat up and leaned back against the headboard. "I'm sorry I passed out right away last night."

"Don't be sorry. You were exhausted."

"I'll probably go back to sleep for another hour or two after you leave."

Emma put the dress on and modeled it for him. "What do you think?"

"I think I'm lucky to have such a sexy fiance."

"I could say the same thing." She leaned down and kissed him.

When she pulled away, Sean was smiling and said, "So, Antarctica."

"Yes! Put off until after the New Year, and I'm glad. That means we have more time to spend together."

He asked, "Would you want to get married before the New Year?"

"I'll do whatever you want to do."

"That's funny because I'll do whatever you want to do."

Emma laughed, "We should have a serious discussion about this when we have time to spend together."

"So Saturday night?" Emma pouted, and Sean said, "I know it sucks that I'm working so much."

"It's fine. You are successful at your job, and that's a good thing, Sean." He smiled, and she put on her shoes. She posed one more time for him, "So, do I look okay?"

"Gorgeous, as usual."

"Thank you." She went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and finish putting on her make-up. A, she walked into Sean's room, grabbed her work bag, her phone, and made sure she had everything.

Sean said, "That ring looks perfect on you."

She smiled, "I know." She walked over to him. "Have a good day at work."

"Thank you. You too." They kissed.

"Bye."

"Bye." Emma grabbed her coat and left while Sean got back under the covers. He needed more sleep.

Manny texted Emma just before 11. "Hey, can we meet for lunch? I can come downtown if you can't go far from the office."

Emma answered, "That would be great, thanks. I can meet you outside of my building at 12."

Manny texted back, "Perfect. See you then."

Emma went back to work. She was preparing some numbers on Nunavut's endangered animals and the melting polar ice.

Sean texted her right when he got to work, "I was nearly late for work because I slept too long. Oops."

Emma giggled when she saw Sean's text. "My poor baby. I'm going to take good care of you this weekend."

Sean smiled when he saw Emma's text and typed back, "Can't wait."

Emma looked at Sean's message and got back to work.

Manny and Emma met for lunch downtown.

Emma asked, "So, how's everything with you and Jay?"

Manny rolled her eyes, "He's obsessed with nailing that guy who stole the money from him, which I get, and it's understandable, but my God, it's all he talks about."

"Why isn't he getting the police involved?"

Manny shrugged, "Maybe he doesn't trust them? I don't know."

"Did he come up with any plans yet?"

"No. Well, yes, but none were good or legal." Emma nodded, and Manny said, "Okay, forget that. How was the rest of your Sunday with Sean?"

"You mean the rest of Sunday and early Monday morning?"

Manny smiled, "Really?"

"We're still not out of the 'we can't keep our hands off each other' phase yet."

"Well, you are making up a lot of wasted time."

"True." Emma smiled, thinking about it.

"Oh, boy, you can't stop smiling."

She blushed, "I can't help it. It's just so good. Sean makes me feel things I've never felt before."

"That's good."

"And it just gets better and better."

Manny asked, "How's work going for him other than being busy? Does he like his promotion?"

"So far, so good. I'm so proud of him."

"I am too." Manny smiled, "We've known Sean for a long time."

"We have."

"And it's good to see him doing this well in all aspects of his life."

Emma nodded then said, "I think he's afraid he's going to lose it all."

"Well, you have to reassure him that he won't."

"I know." Emma said, "Oh! Antarctica was pushed back until after the New Year."

"That's good! Maybe you can get married before you leave."

"We will be talking about that this weekend."

"Oh yeah?"

Emma nodded, "I think he likes being engaged for now."

"He just wants you to show off that ring as much as possible."

"Thanks again for the help. It's gorgeous." Emma smiled and looked at it. "I'm always staring at it in disbelief."

Manny smiled, "I'm a little envious. I want a ring."

Emma looked at her and asked, "Didn't you already have a ring?"

Manny cringed, thinking back to high school and said, "Oh, God. Let's not talk about that."

Emma laughed, "Okay."

"So, are you moved into Sean's yet?"

"Getting there. He wants to go out and buy stuff to make the apartment look like we both live there."

Manny shook her head, then asked, "Is there anything wrong with that guy?"

Emma laughed, "He's not perfect."

"He sure seems it."

Emma scoffed, "No one's perfect."

"True, but you have to admit he's pretty close."

Emma nodded, "You're right. He is."

Sean keyed into the apartment just before 10 p.m., and Emma was sitting on the couch watching TV.

"You're home early!"

"Yep." He started stripped down by the washer and dryer.

She giggled, "You are so funny."

"Em, I'm disgusting right now. I was running around all day. We have new seafood dishes, and people kept ordering them."

Emma stood up, "I'll put your stuff in the washer. Go into the shower."

"I'll do it. You don't need to smell it. I'll be out to greet you properly when I don't stink of seafood anymore."

"Okay."

Sean threw his stuff into the washer and walked straight into his bathroom. He was in the shower for more than 10 minutes. When Sean walked into his bedroom, he apologized to Emma, who was waiting for him on the bed. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure I didn't stink."

She giggled and said, "I'm sure you're fine."

He put on his underwear and climbed into bed. "Just make sure."

Emma sniffed his hair, "Yes, you're good."

"Oh, good." He cuddled up against her, resting his head on her chest and wrapping his arm around her waist.

She asked, "You're that tired?" He nodded. "Well, I'm bummed."

He asked, "Did you want to fool around?"

"Don't I always?"

Sean laughed, "Do you?"

"Um, yes."

"Oh." Sean looked at her, "I think I'm getting my second wind."

Emma smiled, "Don't tease me."

He sat up, "I'm not." He took her book and placed it on the nightstand. "I'd never tease you." Emma raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe I would." He kissed her and helped her get her t-shirt off. "But it's a fun way of teasing."

"Uh-huh."

He leaned over her and smiled, "I'm sorry I couldn't do this last night or this morning."

She giggled and said, "It's okay. You needed sleep."

"I promise to make it up to you." Emma smiled, and they started kissing. Soon they were rolling the bed making out and grabbing at each other's underwear. Once they were off, Sean kissed his way down Emma's body. When he reached his destination, he looked up at her, "I told you I'd make it up to you."

She smiled down at him and grabbed his hair as soon as he started licking her, "Oh my God, you're the best."

It didn't take Sean long to make Emma come, and as soon as he did, he raised himself and slipped inside her. She whimpered as he started moving because she was still coming down from her orgasm. He kissed her, and Emma kissed him back hard, sucking on his tongue and lips so she could taste herself. He pulled away from the kiss to rest his forehead on hers, and she grabbed onto his biceps. They smiled at each other, and after a few moments, they kissed again.

Sean lasted a while, and they switched positions, so he was behind her. He knew Emma liked that position, and that position made both of them come the hardest. And sure enough, they collapsed in exhaustion. After a few minutes of catching their breath, Sean pulled out, rolled over, and said, "I'm gonna need another shower."

Emma laughed, reached out, and held his hand.

After their shower, Sean and Emma got ready for bed. Emma changed the sheets while Sean watched. She asked, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"I can watch you do just about anything and enjoy myself."

She smiled and said, "Now you know how I feel when you're cooking."

Sean laughed and walked around to the other side of the bed to help Emma with the sheets. "These are nice. Are they new?"

Emma nodded, "Do you like the color?"

"I do."

"Good."

He asked, "What is it?"

"Peacock blue." Emma smiled, put the comforter back on, and patted the bed, "There. All done."

"Oh, good." Sean climbed into bed and opened his arms, "I'm ready for sleep now."

Emma shut off the lights and snuggled up against him. "I'm glad you got your second wind."

"So am I."

She asked, "Can I say something that might sound weird?"

"You can say anything. You know that."

"It's just that I never knew sex could be this good."

Sean smiled and said, "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, don't get me wrong, it was nice having sex with you all those years ago, but we were both young and didn't know what we were doing, and we weren't as adventurous as we are now."

"That's true. The sex, while nice for an 18 and 19-year-old, was pretty vanilla."

Emma laughed. "I also think it's better now because we love each other so much."

"I agree."

"And we trust each other."

"That we do." He kissed her hair, "I'm just glad I'm making you like sex so much."

"You had nothing to worry about, but I do have a question."

"Yes?"

She looked up at him in the dim light of the bedroom and asked, "How did you learn to do all that if you didn't have sex for so long?"

"Porn." Emma laughed. "Hey, I had to get off somehow."

"Did you watch it overseas?"

"God, no. When I got back, I was depressed and lonely, but I couldn't go out and have sex with just anyone, so I would order porn."

"Really?"

"Yes. It wasn't even fun for me. I was angrily jerking off, then falling asleep even angrier and more depressed."

"I have another question."

"Okay."

"Were you able to, um, relieve yourself while you were overseas?"

"Yes, at night, or sometimes in the showers, if I was alone but very quietly." Sean laughed, "That's why I'm so loud now. I can get away with yelling during my orgasms."

"I love it when you yell because I love that I can get you there."

Sean yawned, "Sorry. You're not boring me. I'm drained."

"It's perfectly okay." Emma also yawned and then kissed him. "Let's go to sleep."

"Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Sean woke up before Emma the next morning and decided to make her breakfast. Emma smiled as she woke up and stretched. Emma grabbed Sean's robe and walked out of his bedroom. "Good morning."

"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?"

"Well, you?"

"Very well." She sat down and watched him. He said, "I'm making you chocolate chip pancakes."

"Oh my god, you are the best guy ever."

He smiled and said, "I know." Sean grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee for Emma, "Here you go."

"You are way too good for me."

"You need some creamer?"

"I can get it." Emma got up and walked to the refrigerator. "How does your day look?"

"Long and busy." Emma pouted. "But hopefully, that will make it go by faster."

She put some creamer in her coffee and walked over to Sean. She leaned against the counter and watched him work. "Thank you for doing this."

"You know I love doing this for you. Plus, it gives us more time to spend together."

Emma smiled, "That's true." She took a sip of her coffee.

"By the way, my boss said he's fine with us having our wedding reception at the restaurant."

"Yeah?"

Sean nodded, "Yep. And I decided I'm just going to buy a new suit. I think I'd feel kind of weird wearing my dress uniform with my hair growing out."

Emma smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. "Have I ever told you how jealous I am of your curls?"

Sean nodded, "I believe you did back in the day."

"I'm glad you're growing it out again."

Sean raised an eyebrow, "Oh yeah?"

"I love your long hair. You can pull it off. Some guys can't." Sean smiled, "And, it's thick and nice. Not stringy."

"I promise I won't let it get to that point."

Emma smiled, "Good."

"Okay, your pancakes are ready." He handed her a plate, "And don't forget. There's whipped cream in case you want to go nuts."

"Ooh. Yes." Emma walked back to the fridge, "I forgot we had this." Sean smiled, and Emma asked, "What? Why are you smiling at me like that?"

"You said, 'I forgot we had this.' I think that's the first time you referred to something in this apartment as ours."

Emma smiled.

Sean made some pancakes for himself and sat down next to Emma. "I have to get to work early. We have some deliveries arriving, and I need to go through everything before we open."

"You have a lot of work to do, huh?"

He nodded, "Yeah. But I like it. Makes the day go faster."

"I know, but it also makes you more exhausted."

"I just have to get used to the schedule. We'll be fine once that happens." He bumped his shoulder into hers, and she smiled.

"We still had fun last night."

"We did."

Emma looked at him, "Let's make a promise that we never let it get to the point where we're not intimate for long periods. And that we always talk if something is bothering us."

Sean nodded, "Of course."

"I always hear about couples drifting apart because they're not intimate anymore."

"I don't think we have to worry about that yet. But I agree. We should make sure that we are intimate as much as possible, and that doesn't have to mean sex; it could be just holding hands and cuddling watching TV."

Emma nodded, "Exactly."

He leaned forward and kissed her, "I know I say it all the time, but I really can't wait to be your husband."

Emma smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder, "And I can't wait to be your wife."

Emma was in the middle of proofreading a document when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Spinner, "Wedding this Sunday at Jane's family's house in Mississauga. I know it's last-minute, but I hope you and Sean can make it. Everything starts at 2."

Emma typed, "It should be okay. Sean's off on Sundays. What's the attire?"

Spinner typed back, "Not exactly black tie but suits and dresses and stuff. Haha."

Emma laughed at Spinner's response and wrote back, "Okay. See you then." She texted Sean next, "We have a wedding to go to on Sunday."

Sean was checking a discrepancy when his phone buzzed. He quickly looked at Emma's message then put his phone back into his pocket. He needed to figure out what was missing.

"Hey Jose, can you come here?"

"Sure, man, what's up?"

"I cannot figure out why this isn't matching."

Jose held out his hand, "Let me take a look." He scanned the paper and nodded, "Here."

Sean looked at it, "Ugh, why didn't I spot that? I must have looked at it three times."

"It takes a little while. This stuff happens more often than not. You will get the hang of it. I promise."

Sean smiled and said, "Thanks, man."

"No problem." Jose put his hand on Sean's shoulder, "You got this."

Sean nodded.