I stoked Suruga's cheek as she lay next to me, no words able to convey how I felt came to mind. We had spent many years together, and there were so many more ahead of us. We accomplished so much together and were so proud of what our daughter had accomplished. We felt complete…
Our little garden grew with lovely fruits and vegetables, and we wanted for nothing. The world had advanced so much, yet we were happy with our small library, our preferred reading spot the loveseat in the center, so we could be together as we enjoyed the same books we had when we were living on the edge of life, each day bringing a new battle.
Now, there were no concerns about life and death, and though I nearly lost her…. Suruga was still beside me. Nothing could tear us apart. I needed nothing else in my life, because I had her. We would cook together, clean together, and even in those moments where we needed isolation… we would do it together.
We were asked many times to speak publicly, or to support a political candidate… we refused every offer, no money nor status would sway us back into a life of stress and obligation. Eventually, the message was understood, and we were never bothered about such trivial matters again.
We lived in a peaceful world, and would travel privately from time to time to visit our old friends, or our daughter. Seeing Spee or any of my adoptive daughters was always welcome, old friendships rekindled in an instant for a few days of reminiscence and ultimately a parting with a promise to visit again.
Yet, every day would end the same, just like it was now. Suruga and I together, a hair's breadth apart as sleep knocked. This was my dream, and I had been living in it for as long as I was with her.
How many more words can I write to express my love, my devotion, my affections, and my desire for my singular shipfu, my wife… my everything!
I will love you always and forever, my Suru…
"I love you, Kohiko, more than anything," Suruga said, breaking the silence.
"I love you too, Suru, more than I can even explain," I replied.
Her tender kiss caressed my lips as I pulled her closer, her arms comfortingly tight around me as we looked forward to dreaming of the other. Tomorrow would be another day, much the same as today and yesterday, but every day would be special, because I will spend every single one of them with my Suruga~.