Page 39 of The Vow

Pulling away, her lips swollen with desire, she spoke the words I needed to hear, “It’s about fucking time you kiss me.”

Fourteen

I want to give you all of my yesterdays. I want to take back the seconds, minutes, and hours without you. I want to erase the cacophony of what was, to revel in what never was. I promise all of my tomorrows to you. I give you my heart, for it is you that made it beat.

I fucking love it, baby! Keep writing! – P.

“What are you reading?”

It’s been weeks since the big fight, and during that time, we’ve lived in our own happy bubble. I remember the day that I finally asked Alex about her tattoo. It was a series of Chinese symbols, elegant, and poignant. “It means love conquers all.” When I asked her if she still believed it, she told me that love’s power is infinite.

“I’m not. I’m studying,” she said, holding up her book.

“Italian for Beginners?”

“I want to learn your language.”

I haven’t spoken those three words out loud, but I ached to say them. Instead, I told her, “God, you’re amazing.”

“Amazing, amazing, amazing...” she said flipping to the front of the book. “Ah. Here it is... incredibile. Sei incredibile, amore mio. Is that right?”

She was leaning against my shoulder with her legs stretched out on the couch. Kissing her in her hair, I asked, “Are you saying that to me?”

“Yes. Did I say it right?”

“Do you know what ‘amore mio’ means?”

“Of course I do. I’m already past that part of the alphabet. I just couldn’t remember how to say ‘amazing.’”

She tossed the book on the floor and rested her head in my lap. “You know you’re the master of suspense?”

“Am I?”

“Yes,” she said, playfully pinching my arm.

“You said it right, baby.”

“Grazie. What do you want to do tonight?”

Taking my hand, she placed it on her breast. “Is this a hint of what you want to do tonight?”

The first time we made love, she cried. I wanted to stop, but she begged me not to. Afterwards, as I held her and stroked her hair, she explained that the powerful emotions she was feeling were indescribable, and when words are not enough, her body speaks for her.

“Is that even a question? But I meant dinner. We haven’t discussed it yet. What do you want for dinner?”

Leaning over, I kissed her. “Do you want to go out?”

“No. I want to stay home.”

“What are you in the mood for?” I’ve gained ten pounds since my last fight, mostly because I haven’t been to the gym regularly, but the extra weight I’m carrying is worth it because cooking and eating with Alex is one of my greatest joys. We’ve even adopted the Italian tradition of discussing the next meal while eating the one we just prepared.

“Nothing too heavy.”

“Then how about pan seared Halibut served over a basil pesto base, topped with sauteed cherry tomatoes and asparagus spears?”

“Are you kidding? You sound like Julia Child. Yes!” she said, sitting up. “Unless...”

“Unless?”