And she was, in my opinion, too far away from me at the moment.
I slid from the bed, silently walking up behind her. I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her back to my chest. I dropped my head to her neck, scattering small kisses on her skin.
She nestled into me, fitting against me perfectly. “Hi.”
“What are you doing out here?”
“Just looking. Watching the city come to life.” She tilted up her head. “There is so much I want to do and see!”
“And you’ll get to see and do it all. I promise.”
She sighed. “I know.”
“Come back to bed,” I murmured in her ear, flicking my tongue over the sensitive lobe.
“In a minute. I want to watch the sun rise over the Thames.”
“Fine.” I rolled my hips into her. “Then I’ll show you something else rising over the Thames.”
She gasped, then she giggled.
“I love my honeymoon.”
I tightened my arms around her. “I love you.”Two years laterI pulled up to the house, the sight of it never failing to put a smile on my lips. I parked the car and went into the house, not surprised to find it empty. I knew I would find my wife in one of two places—by the water or by her trees.
I stopped in the kitchen and shrugged off my suit jacket, draping it over a chair. The sun glinted off the water in the pool in the backyard. It was still and serene-looking, but I knew this weekend, as usual, it would be full, with lots of people laughing and splashing.
I walked through the family room, the inviting colors soothing and welcoming. Sunny had decorated the entire house with a beachy, warm vibe. Lots of blues and greens with ivory and gray undertones. Comfortable, well-used furniture. Fireplaces, both inside and out, that were used year-round since she loved to watch the flames dance. Lots of pictures were scattered around—of us, our family and friends. Memories of our life together. She had all my mother’s paintings on the walls, even a few we had found in secondhand shops. Each one we recovered was a treasure for me. Mementos of our travels were sprinkled throughout the house. A print from London, a sculpture from Greece, a thick tartan blanket from Scotland. All of the additions made the place eclectic, warm—and us.
She made the house a home.
I walked out of the open doors, spying Sunny under her tree. I made my way over, studying her as I went. Sitting on a blanket, she rested against the trunk of the tree, her legs outstretched. She faced the water, the light breeze lifting her hair. I knew she had been to the bakery today. I had watched her come and go, resisting the urge to go find her and kiss her in the storeroom. Now that she only went in on occasion, I didn’t see her as much in the daytime, and I found myself missing her.
With my gentle encouragement, Sunny had given up the day-to-day running to Mack. He still controlled the kitchen, but he had lots of help. Lori and Shannon were still there and fulltime, along with three other staff members. Sunny handled all the marketing and finance and developed many of the new products they offered. She went in from time to time and helped out during the busier tourist time, but she now had a desk in the office here at home and worked in the kitchen a lot.
I was the official guinea pig for her attempts, and I loved it.
She volunteered at the community center fairly often. We had added a day care into the plans, and she loved spending time with the little ones, as well as talking to the teenagers. She was a favorite with many at the center—both staff and kids.
I was thrilled, knowing her life was easier now. I took my job as her husband very seriously. The caveman in me wanted her at home all the time, relaxed and stress-free, but I knew she would hate that. This was a good compromise for now. The day she decided she wanted something else, I was ready.
Emily now lived in Mission Cove, teaching at the local school. She also assisted at the community center, offering her services as a tutor. She lived in Sunny’s old apartment and loved to help out at the bakery. Sunny was thrilled to have her close. Hayley was in nursing school. I had paid off their student loans and financed Hayley’s continuing education. As their only “brother,” I felt it was the least I could do. Sunny had cried, the girls cried, but none of them objected. I was pleased to be able to look after my family, and I took my job as brother as seriously as I took my husband role.
Sunny glanced up, her smile warm and welcoming. I dropped to the blanket beside her, leaning over for a kiss hello.