quintis + “Thanks for marrying me.”
Toby found his wife curled up on the sofa out in the office. It was deserted and silent, save for the hum of the air conditioner and distant traffic. She looked peaceful, calm - the crook of her arm was rested on her knee, and a small slip of paper was held at her eye level.
He approached idly, letting his feet crunch lightly on the cement to announce his entrance. She briefly glanced up, acknowledging him before her irises looked back at the paper that distracted her. He took a seat beside her, grabbing a pillow off the edge and cradling it in his lap.
From this angle, he could perfectly analyse the object in Happy’s fingers. He had deduced correctly that she was holding paper, but what was on it didn’t even enter on his list of ideas.
It was a photograph - slightly creased from being folded and tucked away one too many times. The picture wouldn’t make much sense to any passer-by, but they could both make out the curve of the crown, the button of the nose, and the small circles that made 10 toes.
It was a photo of their daughter. Daughter. She was still growing inside Happy’s stomach. But on that ultrasound, she couldn’t look more alive.
He heard, and felt Happy’s sigh through his cotton shirt. She placed the photo to her chest, like a comforting embrace. Toby watched as her eyes closed, and her shoulders hunched. He sighed too, bringing up his arm and gently lowering Happy, till her head is nestled comfortably on the pillow that covers his legs.
He plays with a strand of her hair - her forehead feels warm to his touch, and he can feel her heartbeat against his left knee. He has his other hand stuffed in the cushions of the couch with his fingers crossed, hoping this moment will last - that they can stay like this till morning, without any distractions or phone calls to break their peace.
“Mmm, Toby?”
He looks down, startled by the softness of her voice. He hums back.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“… for marrying me.”
It’s almost like he can feel her cheeks blush through his jeans. “You don’t have to thank me for doing something i wanted to do.”
“I know” she mumbled against his leg. “But I don’t think I could’ve come this far without you.” She paused, as the heavy words set in. “Honestly, I would’ve given up so many times by now.”
“I would never let you” Toby said, brushing off a tear slowly descending from her lip. “And you wouldn’t let me either.”
“Exactly. That’s why we make the best team.”
His answer got caught in his throat - all he could do was swallow and duck his head to place a tender kiss to her temple.
