Checking Every Box

We fell into a bit of a daze for a while, just snuggling, and being together. I realized that the ability to be comfortably silent was another thing that my list had been missing, yet Steve and I were already there.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

* Steve *

It took me a moment to be able to move. I’d never come that hard in my life, and somehow the deep meaning behind it made everything more intense.

After we caught our breath and cuddled for a bit, I murmured, “If you’d like to spend the night, we can bundle you up in my track pants and a t-shirt. You’ll look so cute in my clothes.”

She nodded, her cheek moving against my chest. “I guess maybe, if I’m going to stay over sometimes, I could leave a few things here? Like a toothbrush?”

“There’s already a brand new one in the washroom for you. Mine is blue, yours is pink.”

“Thanks,” she giggled, looking up at me. Then Heather sat up straighter, wearing the strangest little smile. “Everyone laughs at how much I enjoy making lists–”

“I don’t laugh, sweetheart,” I said quickly. “I think it’s both clever and adorable.”

“Okay. Well, if you really want to make room for me to stay here sometimes, we’ll be making our first list together.” Her eyes held mine, waiting for my reaction.

I kissed her softly, deeply, then grinned. “Hold on.”

I darted to the washroom to dispose of the condom and wash my hands, then came back to grab my pants from the floor and dig in my pocket. Crawling back into bed with my phone, I opened my note-taking app.

“Oh! That’s the same one I use,” she giggled.

Making a new note, I hit the microphone button so that I could dictate. “Project Heather in my home. One – get her a key first thing in the morning. Two – give her the login and password for the grocery service so everything she needs will be here.”

“Whoah, you’re giving me passwords already?” she laughed, incredulous.

Dropping the phone, I took her hands. “Sweetheart, as I’ve already told you, we’re a done deal. This is permanent. On the timeline of our lives, I can already see down the path where we’re married and having children.”

Her bottom lip began to quiver.

“I love you, Heather. You’re already everything to me. From here on in, it’s simply a matter of sorting out the details. Right?”

Her lovely eyes became glassy as she nodded. “I love you.”

Kissing her softly, I picked up my phone again, hitting the dictate button. “Three – save as much room as she needs in the closets and drawers. Four – get her a credit card so that I can be certain that she has the warmest coat and boots well before winter sets in, and anything else her heart desires.”

Heather’s hair fell in her face as she shook her head. “I can’t take–”

“Shush, darling, I’m making a list.” She giggled, giving me a tiny smack on the shoulder. “Five – pick up as many jewelry store brochures as possible so that she can begin choosing a ring.”

Her pretty little mouth fell open in shock.

“Don’t worry,” I grinned, “I’ll wait until we’re together at least a few weeks before I actually propose. But I do like to stay ahead of things.”

She stared at me, completely stunned. After a long moment, she nodded. After a slow breath, she asked, “Can I bring my spare teapot here? I like tea on the weekends.”

“Sweetheart, you can bring anything here. Or order it on your new credit card. Hell, you can paint the kitchen orange plaid if you like. Anything that makes you feel more at home here, please just go ahead.”

Heather took my phone from my hand, setting it behind me, then she curled into my arms. “This,” she whispered. “This is home now.”

EPILOGUE

* Steve *

** Two Years Later **