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Ross comes home

Today was the day. He was glad, really glad. They couldn't have a marriage if they weren't living in the same country. They couldn't have any kind of relationship if they weren't together, which was why he had wanted to marry her in the first place. He loved her and he wanted her with him and never to leave. They had to be together.

Now was the real beginning of their married lives, the beginning of the future and all that he hoped for. His first marriage had brought him Ben, and he was reconciled with Carol, but that had just been making the best of a bad situation. Carol was not the ideal - Emily was. She could be everything.

He knew that he and Emily did have one or two things to get past first, but they could overcome it, if they were both willing to try. He knew he was the one who had caused the problem but he was sorry, he really was. If things were going to work out, she would have to forgive him. He could do ninety five percent of the mending but if she wouldn't do her five percent, the percentage of forgiveness then they could got no further. There was nothing else he could do to mend the damage already done if she would not forgive him.

He hoped things would be all right when he got home and they wouldn't have an argument, today of all days, their first proper day of marriage. What he wanted most of all was for her to forget everything and just welcome him. If they could just start again and remember how good they were together, then they could get past their problems, and she could see that she had nothing to worry about. He wanted so badly to have her smile at him and put her arms around him

As soon as he opened the door, Emily flung herself into his arms.

You're home!' Overwhelmed, Ross dropped everything and wrapped his arms about her.

Yes, I'm home.' He could hardly believe it. It was so good to have her in his arms again and he pulled her tight in an embrace that made her squeak. Taking hold of her and holding her back, he looked in her lovely face, smiling back at him.

Oh I love you!' Emily said, kissing him.

I love you too,' he said. He wanted to tell her to believe that so that she could relax. Relax, don't worry it will be fine. His heart was suddenly light. Maybe what he had hoped would happen, would happen. It certainly looked that way.

But come on, don't stand out there,' Emily said, pulling him in, taking off his coat before he had realised what was happening. Come and sit down, rest, you must be tired after a hard day at work.' She almost pushed him into the chair and kneeling on the floor, started pulling off his shoes.

Hey I can undress myself,' Ross said, bewildered at her speed. She had really missed him. He started unbuttoning his shirt and watched as she pulled off her own clothes. He had really missed her, he just hadn't expect her to throw herself on her back as soon as he arrived. He had no complaints about that plan though, tired as he was, because he realised that he was quite ready to deal with her, on her back or anyway she chose, very quickly. He attended to the business of reacquainting himself with her.

I'd better check on the dinner,' she said afterwards.

Do you have to?' Ross said lazily.

No, but the dinner will burn in a minute if I don't,' Emily said languorously. He could smell the aromas wafting in from the kitchen and his stomach rumbled.

Actually, that wouldn't be a good thing.'

Oh you poor darling, you're hungry,' Emily said, sounding concerned. There was a long kiss and then she reached for her clothes. He had already glimpsed the underwear she'd chosen for his homecoming and was very appreciative. Everything was going to be just fine.

Don't dress so fast,' he said lazily. He hadn't really got a good enough look at that underwear before it was thrown on the floor. The sight of her dressing was almost perfect – it was just that the movements were round the wrong way. She slowed down with her dressing and he lay watching her.

Do you want me to get you some clothes to sit around in?' she asked as she started picking up his clothes.

No Emily, that's fine, I'll pick out something myself,' he said and went into the bedroom to dress, thinking what a lucky man he was.

When he came out he found Emily in the kitchen bringing their meal out of the oven.

Oh wow, that smells good,' Ross said. I didn't know you could cook like this.' It would have been a shame if it had been ruined.

I hope you like it.' He hadn't expected her to do anything at all and had been thinking of organising a takeaway for tonight. This was better than any takeaway. She was no Monica but he had no complaints

You didn't have to work so hard on your first day. You must be tired after your flight,' he told her giving her a hug. I can't believe you went to all this trouble.'

Don't mind me, I'll be all right,' Emily assured him. Just you sit down and I'll bring it out.'

Are you sure you don't need a hand?' Ross asked, not used to the idea of doing nothing.

Positive.'

The rest of the evening was also wonderful. He didn't even have to set the table, and afterwards she refused to let him wash up or dry.

I want to do it all,' she said, Please don't do anything, I want to look after you. You've been working all day. You must let me do it.' So he sat back in his armchair trying to take it all in.

She was really trying hard, Ross thought. He liked being waited on hand and foot, not that he expected this to last. In fact it would feel quite weird if it did. She hadn't done anything like this before they were married. Still he wasn't arguing about the way she was in bed that night, which began with the striptease he'd asked her to do.