Glass Box:

Now that Mike and Ginny had gone public with their relationship, every New Years Eve party around wanted them in attendance. They had their choice of where to go, from Malibu, to LA to their backyard in San Diego. They debated going out, dressing up and making a big spectacle. Showing off. But they just didn't feel like if frankly. Another time and occasion.

Tommy and his wife were having a few people over for dinner. It was low key, they didn't need to dress up, and no cameras. After dinner they planned to go to a local bar with a few of the other players, to ring in the New Year, but headed home instead. After a year of hiding their relationship, they had become homebodies. It was their safe place, their comfort zone.

They still had an hour until midnight, snuggled on the couch. Mike got up and went upstairs to the office and came back down with a legal paper sized envelope, about an inch thick with a bow on it. He placed it in her lap.

"We said no gifts." Ginny looked at him puzzled by the dusty envelope in her lap. The edges of the envelope were a little worn, definitely had been sitting around for a while.

"Hear me out. I learned a few things in my divorce from Rachel. Everything I own before we get married belongs to me in the event we get divorced. And when I divorced Rachel and bought this glass box, it was the exact opposite of anything she would ever want in a home. This was my bachelor pad that I paraded women in and out of. Then you moved in. You joke occasionally about this being that bachelor pad, but you've never really complained. But since we're not getting married until next Thanksgiving, which is almost a year away, I wanted to offer you a few choices."

"Is one of those choices shaving of the furry creature on your face?" Ginny tried to lighten the mood.

Mike shot her a look. "Seriously, do you like living here?"

"Yes, beats the hell out of the hotel I was living at!"

"Those are the title papers for this house." And he looked down at what he had just placed in her lap. "We can sell it and move someplace more to your liking. Or, if you want to stay, I want to put your name on the title, so it really is your house, too. Not just you living in my house until we buy our first house together."

"Wow… umm. Can I think about this? I just never really thought about moving."

"Take as much time as you need. We're in no rush."

Ginny set the papers on the table in front of the couch. About 20 minutes later they rang in the New Year, kissed and headed off to bed upstairs. They walked up the stairs together, Ginny one stair ahead of Mike. Mike had his hands on her waist, tickling her a little. On the way up, Ginny said softly, "Mike, talking about your divorce from Rachel, I'll sign a pre-nup if you want."

He stopped, holding her waist still and stood right behind her. "I don't need a pre-nup, not gonna ask." And kissed her neck.

She turned around to look at him. Now slightly taller then him because she was still one step up from him. "I know you would never ask. That's why I'm offering. After that messy divorce with Rachel, I don't want you to have to worry."

"I said no pre-nup, unless it's something you want. Besides, with the way you're going, if we ever get divorced – which better never happen Baker! – You may be the money maker in the family and I could be the one to make out in a divorce." And Mike flashed a smile.

"Nope, I don't need one."

"So no more talking about pre-nups… But we do need to discuss how you have way to many clothes on to start the New Year." And Mike began to chase Ginny to their bedroom.

The next morning, Ginny came back from her normal run to Mike making breakfast.

"I know what I want." Ginny announced.

"I hope its pancakes, because I already started."

"Mmmm… you know I love those… but that's not what I'm talking about." And she pointed over to the coffee table where the title papers sat from the night before.

"Yeah, we moving or what?" Mike had fully prepared himself to move. What woman would want to stay in this bachelor pad he had brought so many women home to prior to Ginny? It was gorgeous modern architecture, but very masculine looking. He just assumed she would want to get out of this place and was surprised when she didn't start looking for houses last night.

"I hate moving. I hate interior decorating. And as much fun as Evelyn would have decorating a new place for us, I'm fine here… for now. But this place is definitely not kid friendly, and I'd like to change up a few pieces of furniture."

"So you want to make this house more kid friendly?" Mike asked.

"No… sorry, when we have kids, we're moving to a new place that is better for babies, nothing like that," and waved her hand towards the ultra modern stairs. "And that living room set has to go. It is sooo not comfortable., it can still be black leather, just something you don't mind sleeping on in the middle of the afternoon. And throw pillows. Not only do the look nice, they are great for those mid-afternoon naps."

"Anything else?" Mike asked.

"I want a new mattress in our bedroom, one that only you and I have slept on. And to paint the walls in there, anything but grey."

"That it?"

"That's it." She said with finality.

"But I'm putting you on the title to this house."

"Fine, but only after I get to make my changes." She said like she'd just lost an argument. But she kissed him anyway, then took her plate and began to inhale her pancakes.

xoxo

Two weeks later they were in the title office adding Ginny Baker next to Mike Lawson's name.