Marcie and Leo

One of the most difficult things to do sometimes is allowing the one you love to have some time away. I'm not saying Marcie left me because that sounds wrong on so many levels. I am saying that when her sisters live a few hours away, it's difficult not to let her visit without me. She had done it plenty of times. The only difference is that the visit would last a little longer. It also made sense that she drove by herself to their apartment as well. So, it was with a bit hesitation on my part that I hugged her tightly before she drove away.

"Are you going to be okay, Romeo?" she asked.

I nodded my head. She looked up at me.

"I dunno, Leo. I'm kind of...."

I kissed her before she could finish her statement. It was a long kiss. It felt like the kind a couple would share before one of them boarded an airplane or something. As we released the kiss, she smiled at me.

"You are being strong for me."

"I need you to spend time with them. They need you. I'll be alright."

"You're going to miss me like crazy. I can tell."

I smiled.

"Well, you know me that well. Just be careful getting there."

"I will, baby."

"Call me whenever."

"Yes, Master."

I melted a little when she said that. I followed up with a kiss on her forehead.

"I got you."

She smiled back.

"I know. You always do, Leo. See you in a week."

I stepped back as she slipped into her car. I stayed there until she started to back out of the driveway and drive away. I stood there next to the driveway for a little bit before I started feeling the bite of cold reminded me that it was that time of year. As I walked towards the door, my phone started to ring already. I looked at the display and saw Matt's name.

"You okay, Bro?" I asked.

"I would be if my business partner was going to work from home this week."

I smiled.

"She's only visiting with her sisters. It's not like she's doing something worse."

"I get it, Leo. I just think it's a better idea to work from home this week. Aubrey will keep you posted if something comes up and it'll help to be in familiar surroundings."

"I'll do it just so it seems like I am listening to you."

"I got you, Bro. It'll be fine."

I walked back into the house and started to make myself more coffee. I knew the week would be rough just because we've never spent longer than a few days apart since we started being with each other. That week was going to be a challenge. As I finished mixing my cup, I was headed to my laptop when my phone rang again. That time, it was Aubrey.

"Do you need anything?" my assistant asked.

"I'm okay for the moment."

"Marcie told me to warn you that you can only have take out three times this week."

"Really?"

"I am supposed to come check on you when I get back from the office to enforce it."

I shook my head.

"Figures."

"Did that mess up your plans?"

"Not really. I was planning on no takeout this week."

I could hear the shocked silence on the other end.

"Okay, sounds good," she said. "I'll message you if anything comes up at work."

Content that everyone was done being concerned, I drank my coffee while checking my emails. For the most part, the first day was normal. There were not many issues at work, and I was relaxed for the most part. Aubrey came by after work and witnessed me eating some pasta and sauce I put together. She smiled before texting Marcie it looked like. It was soon after Marcie called, and we spent about twenty minutes talking. It seemed like her sisters were doing alright. They haven't found many prospective suitors in the last couple of months. June hadn't heard much from her husband since he was still rotting in jail pending his outstanding warrants. Mon finalized her divorce papers a month ago and was working on rebuilding her life a bit.

As I lay down to sleep that night, I thought about the last time I lay in that bed by myself. To be honest, I didn't remember it. Luckily for me, I fell asleep quickly that night and slept in a little the next morning before starting the cycle that was to last four more days. There were highs and lows of course. The calls from Marcie helped as did Aubrey and Matt checking on me. Of course, the thought of the last day was what motivated me.

As I received her text letting me know she was ten minutes away, I grew impatient and bundled up to go back outside. I stood in the same spot I was at when she left until her car pulled up. I saw her impatience as she fumbled with her seatbelt before opening her door. She sprung up after and popped right into my arms before she squeezed me tight with her head pressed against my chest. My arms went around her and held her. We stayed like that for a few minutes before she moved enough to look into my face.

"I missed you so much," she said.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"I missed you too, Amor. Let me help you get your stuff in the house, and we can catch up."

As we unpacked her car, I felt warm. I felt better because my love was home, and we could catch up with each other. I was unsure what we were going to do when we stepped back into the house. In my mind, it didn't matter because she was home.

She was mine.