Jeff has never considered himself to be particularly enthusiastic. About anything. He puts more effort in to nonchalance than his syllabus, classes and socialising combined. He'd pick sarcasm over baring his soul, let people scratch at the surface forever rather than admit that maybe, just maybe, there might be something a little deeper to him. He's resigned himself to superficial relationships, to nights that lead nowhere, to sex that means nothing. To never, ever, proving to himself that he might have made a better father than his own.
But there's something about The Annie of it all.
She doesn't judge his indifference as bitterness, doesn't ever stop trying to make him the best he can be. She's all coloured throws and late night talks and planning and early mornings and self-improvement that shows nothing in the mirror or on the scale.
It would be infuriating if it weren't so endearing.
She teases laughter out of him without sarcasm, coaxes worries out of him without judgement, kisses with all the zest of someone with their whole life ahead of her instead of having her best moments in the past. Years ago, he would have been so sure that his best days were in a courtroom, or a bar or an office, when money wasn't an issue and he didn't have to worry about things like family or friends or having people to lose. She shows him how wrong he was every time she greets him, kisses him, tucks her compact body in to his lap to hold him and ask how his day has been. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and more and more he's finding daily little things to enjoy about the life, titbits to notice and relay to her in the evening.
Each time he thinks that this is it. This is the moment to top all moments. And then she surprises him in the morning by still being there, still challenging and helping and pushing him. Still striving and loving and caring.
Still, he's pretty sure that this moment- stood at the front of a room and watching her float down the aisle, with a small hand pressed in to his palm and a matching mini-waistcoat that's making him feel things he never thought he'd feel- this moment is the happiest he will ever be.
And I'm officially finished! Thanks for reading!