Page 46 of Courageous Yearnings

“I haven't exactly professed love to you either, you know…” she smiled. “Besides, love is not something you say – it’s something you do. You were there when I woke up at the hospital, and to me, that meant the world. You set up our home, made dinner, and we’re discussing marriage… something that once terrified you. Those are big steps that we are taking toward each other.”

“Still does.”

“But for the same reasons?”

“No.”

“It’s a word, Lance… that’s all. A single four-letter word that represents everything else surrounding us. The smiles, the holding hands, the laughter, singing Foo Fighters at the top of my lungs…”

“Oh yeah?” he chuckled, feeling immensely better.

“Yeah,” she smiled, nudging her shoulder against his. “I think it’s those small moments in-between that fall into a very generalized word that is tossed about easily by some people. If I blurted out ‘I love you,’ does it change anything in either of us… or would you rather sing and dance around in the living room in our underwear listening to loud music?”

“Oh man, tell me that’s an option,” he begged softly, grinning at her.

“See what I mean?”

“You are amazing,” he began, realizing he meant every word of it and felt so much better. “And I think I’m a very lucky guy.”

“I think I’m a very lucky girl,” she whispered, smiling at him. “So, how good are you with the guitar? Do we need a huge amp so I can feel the music in my teeth?”

“Uh oh…”

“What?”

“I’m thinking of a four-letter word that begins with ‘L,’” he chuckled playfully, leaning toward her. He blindly strummed the intro to another song to see if she recognized it.

“Lame? Lazy? Looney… oh wait, that’s six letters,” she teased softly and felt her laughter against his lips as he leaned in to steal a kiss, realizing he was ready for all of this. If this is what marriage could be like with Blythe, it could really be incredible.

He tasted her warm lips, treasuring the softness and simplicity of such a gentle kiss given so easily between them. It didn’t have to be a bunch of groping and panting, even though that was fun and heady, but this was beautiful in its own way. He pulled back slightly, breaking the kiss and was stunned to hear her sing the lyrics softly between them of the song he was playing – and joined in, looking at her like she was truly a miracle.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Why don’t we have dinner, and I’ll play for a while,” he invited softly, feeling stupidly romantic at the idea of serenading his girl, who enjoyed the same music he did.

“Now you are talking,” she smiled. “Do you take requests?”

“Possibly. Does this mean I might have a fan?”

“Definitely,” she chuckled softly.

“You know, the real fans of musicians throw their bras on stage,” Lance grinned, winking at her as she threw back her head laughing. “No judgment if you want to do that. I mean, I’m not picky either. You can toss a bra, panties, whatever…”

“Laaaance!” she protested, laughing and blushing shyly as he followed her from the bedroom to the kitchen, strumming idly on the guitar.

13

BLYTHE

Blythe was making her coffee and chatting with customers in the waiting room, when her boss walked past her.

“Your guy is sitting in your office giving me the stink-eye,” Jack grinned. “Can you shoo him off and take your next customer?”

“Lance is here?”

“Is that his name? Sheesh. It’s more like Godzilla or He-Man. Are you bringing him to dinner at the end of the month as your plus one? Cause I’m betting your buff beefcake can eat enough for three people. Maybe Mark won’t bring his wife, and we can afford the meal.”

“Oh, funny, Jack. Ha ha ha. You are just hysterical,” she said dryly, rolling her eyes and she saw Jack wink at her. “I’ll get my next customer in just a few moments.”

---