“I assure you, no Viagra. Just heavy-duty pain meds. I didn’t hear you complaining either.”

“I never will.” I got up and retrieved the robe from its hook. The closet seemed barer somehow, like it was waiting for my things.

As I crossed the living room, I nodded at how lovely it was in the daytime. I smelled the coffee brewing. I followed my nose into the kitchen, noticing there were no flowers.

“Oh sweetie. I was supposed to pick up your flowers yesterday. But with all the commotion over this business with Jane and the stove and this fucking back pain … ”

“Elliott. We’re here together. That’s the most important thing. Besides, maybe you should cut back on the flowers a little bit.” I remembered the check. I had deposited it in my account and written one to Elliott as Griffin suggested.

“Are you saying I can’t buy my baby flowers?” His question had a bite to it.

“Of course not. Just cut back on buying your baby flowers.”

“Stop being so bossy, Bailey!” He grimaced as he handed me a cup of coffee.

I felt reprimanded and nodded in an effort to back off before I went to my bags, which were still in the hallway. “I am also enterprising and resourceful!” I handed him the check. “I expect to be thanked properly.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“My God, Bailey. You are full of surprises. I knew you had saved some money, but wow!” It amazed me that he thought I had that kind of money. I was grateful he wasn’t more curious. “Yes, you will be thanked properly and often.”

Even Elliott’s scrambled eggs with tarragon were perfect. We settled into easy conversation. With frequent touches. Frequent gazes. Frequent I love yous folded into conversation as effortlessly as “pass the brioche.” We ate our breakfast heartily, not bashful to show our large appetites for food or each other.

We both cleaned our plates, happy to be together and in a food coma. We settled onto the couch with our coffee.

“Would you like to open your New Year’s present now?” He went into the bedroom to retrieve it. As was our custom, Elliott handed me his card first.

My love,

And so, we begin a new year. And we begin it together. That is enough for me. Your love is gracious and plenty. Your spirit sparks my life’s ambition. You will always have my heart. I will always be the luckiest person in the room with you by my side.

“I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the Heart’s affections and the truth of the Imagination.” —John Keats

My heart and your imagination.

Yours,

E

He leaned over and kissed me and handed me the blue box. I just looked at him in amazement. I opened it to find a strand of intertwined sea pearls with a heavy gold clasp.