Maybe I'm the one who needs to be more careful…..

I almost had a bounce in my step, I was that gleeful. The day went by so fast. Too fast…. The hours just blurred together. We did so much, and I savoured every moment of it. Loid's the easiest person in the world to be around when we're just relaxed and being ourselves. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I was this happy…

Hand-in-hand we walked down the street back towards home, my husband and I. Loid seemed like he had a good time today too; he certainly was more genuine and informal with me. We talked about so many things, learning little odds and ends about each other. I'd never been on a date before, I couldn't help but wonder if this is what they were like. Was this what dating, actual courting felt like? Where you liked being the other person and didn't want the experience to end? I wanted Loid to stay….. I wanted him to stay close by me, even if just for a little while.

As for Loid, he was quietly listening to me blather on about something. There were these occasions where he would just be silent and hear whatever it was that I had to say. It made my heart race a little, if I'm being honest….. He can be so attentive when he wants to be. And how keenly, how softly he glances in my direction…. I sunk a peek to check and see if he was gazing at me that way again. To my astonishment, not only was he staring intently but smiling. His smile was so casual and unreserved, as if he hadn't even noticed that he was grinning that way. It was so striking that it actually made me blush out of the blue. I blushed and raised my hand up to cover my own smile now, making Loid blink in confusion.

"Hmmmmm? What? What is it?" He inquired. "Heh, you're smiling," I responded with a slight giggle. "Huh?" His eyebrow raised more puzzled. "You're smiling again," I clarified, earning a perplexed glance from my husband. "Was I? Oh….. I hadn't…. noticed," he replied genuinely after a short moment. My grin widened, bringing my hand up a little higher and he blinked, still perplexed by the whole matter.

"Why does that make YOU smile?" He continued after another second. "It's nothing, I'm just happy you're happy." "Happy?" Loid's eyes widened in pure shock, like the idea hadn't entered his head once. It made me giggle aloud again, his shell-shocked reaction. "It's just nice to see, is what I mean." "Is it? Huh…. I never…. I never thought about it before, being happy," his eyes moved out into space thoughtfully. I watched him contently, letting my smile grow on its own accord. "Well I'm glad you are. I certainly am," I have lots of reasons to be happy now; namely being taken off the secret service's shortlist. But it's more than that….

Loid studied my expression, indicating that this was all new to him. Perhaps he hadn't realized that he could- or should- be happy; it simply never occurred to him. How sad…. But he was smiling now anyway, something he never did when we first got married. That's something- something special I'd say.

I must have looked pretty pleased myself since Loid blinked back to me, seeming quite unsure what to make of my own face just then. He wasn't grinning anymore, looking more so earnestly baffled by the whole situation. Our eyes reached each other's, and my smile was blossoming on full force. His shoulders stiffened a tad, his back arched. His hand slipped out of mine so he could cross his arms defiantly.

"Wait a minute. So you're telling me that my smiling….. makes you happy?" I nodded steadfast. "Yes, it does." "Happy how?" There was a hint of adorable suspicion in his tone, like he didn't believe me, it was such a foreign concept to my dear husband. I giggled again, shutting my eyes. "I don't know. I suppose… it feels like a real marriage…. a bit," I felt the need to tack on. Course this wasn't a real marriage, but we could still have fun and appreciate each other's company. That's the part that made me happy, I think…. That, and I truly liked seeing Loid happy- I don't know why or where those feelings came from.

Loid, on the other hand, ogled me like I was speaking a foreign language to him. He blinked again and again, like I'd given him an impossible riddle he couldn't solve. It was so precious; this was all evidently so new to him. I doubt he had any real experience with intimacy with women or anyone really. His head cocked slightly. "I don't see how my facial expressions could lead you to such conclusions, and certainly don't understand what they have to do with how you feel." I actually laughed softly, beginning to walk forward again. He doesn't understand; how can I expect him to? I barely comprehend it myself. Truth is, I don't know why I feel so good, or why he makes me feel so safe and contented….. This is new for the both of us, it would seem.

Loid didn't trail me right away, electing to merely observe me from behind instead. He still looked so mystified about everything. This only made me grin more; it was cute to see him being the lost one for once. "Don't worry, Loid; I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just happy now too," my head spun back in such a way so to face him. His lips parted a sliver, still confused beyond words. "We didn't get married for either of our amusement, Mrs. Forger." "But it's a lovely side-effect if it be the case. At least we're not alone anymore," I kept on walking.

My husband didn't reply this time as he kept his eyes cemented onto me. A light, warm spring breeze blew over the both of us, rustling our hair and sending a few strands swaying in the wind. Some cherry blossoms from trees close by fell between us like snowflakes, making the whole scene rather picturesque. I couldn't see it now, but that beautiful, tender, soft, honest smile of his came back as his feet began to follow me.

Happy, huh?

It's true, though; she's right. This is the longest stretch of time I haven't been alone in my adult life. I'm not alone anymore, am I?

Yet even more alarming than that….

Without my ever realizing it somehow…. When did it begin to feel so natural…..?

Having Yor near?