The next day I woke first, about 7:30. Beth was sleeping so peacefully, there was no way I wanted to wake her up. But there were things I had to do. I had to go to my apartment, get some clothes and other things, and my mail must have been piling up. Like everyone, most of it was probably junk, but there were a couple of bills there, and I'm a little obsessive about paying my bills on time. I just couldn't wake her up, though. My heart wouldn't allow it. So I left her a note on the fridge like she had done for me previously and drove over to my old apartment.
I got what I needed, emptied my mailbox and was about to leave when I said to myself I'm not going to be living here any more. I knew in my heart that things with Beth were going to work out for the long run. So I went to the building managers office and gave my notice that I'd be breaking my lease and I'd be vacating the apartment on the first of the following month, so I'd have the apartment for 6 more weeks, plenty of time to get moved out. It was that easy. I was now committed to moving in fully with Beth. It was actually a relief to have made the decision, except I hadn't discussed it with Beth first. Impulsiveness was becoming a common trait with me since I met her.
I headed back to Beth's place (I had to start thinking of it as our place) when my phone rang. "Hi honey. Good morning."
"Good morning to you too, baby. I didn't like waking up to find you gone."
"I'm sorry. I needed some clothes and things from my place, had to get the mail. I figured I'd take care of it while you slept. Oh, I have to stop to get some half and half. I keep forgetting it."
"When will you be home?" Home. She also thought of it as my home.
"About 20 minutes, maybe a half hour. Do you need anything while I'm out?"
"I'm kind of hungry. Would you get some fresh bagels?"
"Certainly. Do you want some cream cheese? Maybe some lox?"
"A fancy breakfast. I love bagels and lox! Get some orange juice too, please?"
"No problem. Anything else?"
"Just you. And your hugs and kisses."
She just made me all mushy inside. "That's the first thing you'll get when I get there. Give me about an hour?"
"That's a long time without you. I'll be waiting, baby. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye for now."
I stopped at a bagel store, picked up the bagels, fish, cream cheese, orange juice and even some pastries. It was a very Jewish breakfast/brunch. Except I forgot the half and half, and had to make another stop.
I got home and called out "I'm here! I've got breakfast!" Beth was watching a morning news show, wearing a short lavender robe that showed off her fantastic legs, and having her coffee. She got up and came to me and hugged me tight in her arms.
"I missed you. Wake me next time, though I appreciate why you didn't. But wake me, please, baby. By the way, good morning and I love you" Beth said as we shared a long kiss.
"I'll think about it on a case by case basis. You looked so peaceful sleeping. I just couldn't wake you. And I love you too, honey."
She looked at all the bags in my hands and said "So, what did you get from home? Better yet, tell me while we eat. I'm starving! We worked up a huge appetite last night" she said giggling.
"Yes, we did. Come into the kitchen with me, I have some news to share with you."
"Good news, I hope?"
"I guess that depends. Let's sit and eat and I'll fill you in."
While I cut bagels and Beth spread cream cheese and I got the fish, I said "While I was at my apartment, I stopped by the management office." I paused as Beth looked at me. "Honey, I gave them notice I was breaking my lease. I'm officially out as of the first of the following month, in 6 weeks."
Beth was very quiet and still. I was terrified that I had fucked up royally. Beth stood up and she stepped over to me, brushing my hair from my head as she loved to do. She sat down across my lap, kissed me and said "That's the best news I'll hear all day. I don't want you to feel like you aren't a permanent part of this home, or that you need an 'out'. I want you here with me permanently. This is your home from now on, baby, until we decide we need or want to buy a home together."
That last part floored me. "Honey, it almost sounds like you're asking me to marry you. Were you?"
"I wasn't. Two people can buy a home together without being married. But would that be so bad? Getting engaged and eventually married?" She looked at me nervously.
"No, that would be wonderful, actually. When we're ready. Are we?"
"Eric, I never thought I'd be able to say that about someone I've been with for such a short time. I always figured it would take a year or two to get to that point with anyone. Even to get to the living together point would take six months, minimum. Yet here we are after a very short time, a matter of days and we're living together, and honestly, if you asked me to marry you, I'd say yes, and I'd be ecstatic. I love you, Eric. More than I ever imagined I'd love anyone."
"I love you too, honey. I never thought this would happen for me. But I'm not sure I'm ready for that final step just yet. Please don't be upset with me, Beth."
"I'm not upset, just a little disappointed." She got off my lap and sat back down in her chair.
"Beth, honey?"