Chapter Morgan
Morgan
“So, I need honest feedback. How did you feel about today?” Ruby asked once they drove off.
“Good.” He threw her the sweetest of smiles, hand on her thigh and his thumb softly caressing her tights. “Really good.”
“I know it was a lot to take in, but you also looked comfortable. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t push you too hard.”
“It was a lot, but you and your family took a lot of the pressure away. First with the video and then smaller things like reminding Jude to use her voice. You created an atmosphere where I didn’t feel like a bother.”
Ruby dropped her hand to his and laced their fingers together. “I hope I—we—never make you feel that way.”
He let his head roll back, shut his eyes, and let it all sink in. “Funny how things turned out. When you asked me out, I told you not to pity me. Now look at how wonderfully you and your family have accepted me.”
“And I was so scared. I’ve never been the one to take the first step.”
“I’m glad you did. I couldn’t ask for more in a partner than what you have shown me so far.”
“Just wait until we have our first fight,” she giggled.
“You mean when we take off our rose-tinted glasses and return to brutal honest reality?” He rotated his hand, palm up, and accepted the way Ruby’s fit right into it. “How do you want us to handle disagreements?”
“Good question, give me a moment.” He did, taking advantage of the silence to drum up his own response.
“I guess I’ve never had a healthy way of having a disagreement.
In the past we both screamed and said hurtful things, but none of that ended in a solution.
It would always get thrown back in our faces the next time we argued. ”
“So, how about when that happens, we take a step back and cool down. Then we can come back to the conversation with clear heads.”
“Maybe even try a way to figure it out before it even gets heated?”
“Do you have a suggestion?”
“Well, now that I think about it, I always let smaller things slide that I didn’t agree with or that made me feel invalidated. It would pile up and then one tiny thing would snowball into something much bigger. I want to work on addressing things right away.”
“I think that’s a wonderful goal. If you have something on your chest, I’ll promise to listen and work on it. I’m pretty straight forward.”
“Maybe seeing you do it will help me get better at it.”
“Ah, so I’ll be your role model. No pressure there. Would it make it easier if we sat down every now and then to touch base with each other? I mean it doesn’t have to be big but maybe the way I cook your favourite dish isn’t to your liking or you would prefer if we matched outfits more.”
“I like that, but only under the condition that we don’t have to find something negative if there isn’t any.”
His heart fluttered in a way he never wanted to miss again. “Perfect.”
“I also have a question concerning Blue.”
“Shoot.”
“You usually do all the things to take care of him, and I know he is your service dog, but if you ever need me to, am I allowed to do things like walk him or feed him?”
“Of course. I’m sure he’ll enjoy the break from me.”
“I didn’t want to interfere with anything.”
“You won’t and if I feel that you are, we’ll sit down and talk about it without judgement or fear.”
“God, this sounds so dreamy. It makes me realise how toxic everything truly was with Rick.”
“We—what we have—won’t always run smoothly.
There will be times we might take a step back and need a break because we annoy each other.
But I truly hope that even in those days, we return and see eye-to-eye.
It’s hard to always agree, and disagreement doesn’t mean we like each other less.
It’s just an opportunity for us to grow. ”
“You need to stop being so darn sweet because I’m tearing up while driving.”
“Note to self: keep the heartwarming stuff for when Ruby doesn’t need her vision. Got it.”
They did manage to arrive safely and when Ruby offered to take Blue to the pet area, he let her take the lead. Stepping into his home gave him a sense of serenity and safety, and the moment they laid down, he was out like a light.
The next morning, he woke up to find himself being the little spoon. As he settled into Ruby’s arms, he found that he quite enjoyed it. He didn’t move, praying that Blue didn’t realise that he was awake. And like the good boy he was, Blue let them sleep in.
Just as they’d discussed the day before, Ruby offered to take Blue out, so he started on coffee. “What time is lunch?” he asked when they returned.
“I think it’s going to be a late one, but I’ll text Mom to confirm.”
“Perfect, that gives us some alone time.”
Ruby’s arms closed around him, lips kissing his spine and fingers roaming over his bare torso. “Mmhmm.”
He turned in her hold and danced his fingers over her arms. “I have another gift for you, but it was rather inappropriate to give it to you in front of your family.”
That seemed to pique her interest, tone pitching higher. “And what may that be?”
“A boudoir photoshoot.” He could sense her protest in the way her body tensed, so he cupped her cheeks and shushed her with his thumb over her lips.
“It is for you to use as you please. There is no time limit, nor any restrictions. You can go by yourself, and don’t even have to show me the pictures if you don’t wish to.
I picked a body-positive photographer with great reviews.
Even if you never use it, that’s fine. You don’t even have to tell me you did it. ”
Ruby inhaled a shaky breath, then exhaled around his thumb. “Thank you.”
“Now, let’s have breakfast and then I was hoping you’d let me run you a hot bath.”
“I would love that very much.”
Thirty minutes later, he was pulling towels from the closet. “What else would help you relax? I have some candles and I’m sure there’s a gift basket somewhere with some bath oils.”
“What if I asked you to join me?”
“I would start stripping right away.”
She giggled, and the water splashed as she settled into the water. “Well, you better put on a good show.”
He couldn’t be that patient. He shoved his sweats to the floor, then slipped into the bath behind her. Morgan spread his arms wide, tugging her onto his chest. She was running her hands through the water, breath calm in his hold. The moment was so overwhelmingly intimate that Morgan shivered.
“Do you mind if we stopped at my place tonight so I can grab some clean clothes?”
“We can spend the night there if you like. You can just drop me off tomorrow before you head into work.”
“That would be wonderful.”
“Blue and I will pack an overnight bag before we head out.”
Then she giggled, her shoulders vibrating against his skin. “You’ll be camping out on the couch for half an hour so I can make sure the floor is clear.”
“You don’t want to spend the evening with me in the emergency room?”
She turned her head and kissed his throat. “Sorry to disappoint.”
The morning was spent with lazy tasks, with Ruby working on a commission while he focused on Hogwarts. He thought it would be an easy morning, until frustrated sighs and groans echoed throughout the room not long after they’d gotten comfortable.
“What’s the matter, darlin’?”
“I don’t like how this is turning out.”
“May I see?”
The couch groaned when she stood, before a tablet appeared in front of his face. “I don’t even know why.”
“Have you asked your client what she thinks?”
“It’s too rough of a sketch to show.”
“Is that what they told you?”
“No, what I think.” She sighed and took the tablet back. “I’ll show her and take a break.”
“I didn’t mean to be intrusive.”
“You weren’t. I’m just frustrated with myself.”
“Snack time?”
“I believe so. Do you want me to bring you something?”
“Skittles, please.”
Ruby returned with his treat, but instead of returning to the couch right away, she stood behind him and massaged his shoulders. Once her client confirmed she liked the sketch, Ruby worked away until it was time to leave.
At her parents’ house, Ruby let herself in and called out to announce their arrival.
“I must disappoint the both of you,” Angela said from further away. “Jude demanded that everyone leave the house for a bike ride to the park and they haven’t returned yet.”
“I’m sure they’ll get hungry soon enough.” Ruby took his hand and led him down the hallway. “Where do you need us?”
“Nowhere, you two love birds just relax.”
He couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he was tightly hugged. “Thank you for having me back.”
“Oh, sweetheart. How could I not, you’re part of the family now.”
“I’m pretty sure you could show up here at any time without me,” Ruby said, “and she would have a slice of cake in your hand before I even knew about it.”
“Of course!”
“That means the world to me, Angela.”
A squeeze to his bicep, and then she mischievously asked, “So when will I get my second grandbaby?”
“Mom! We just met!”
“Well, a mother has to at least try.”
“She did warn me you wanted a football team of grandkids.”
“So, you two have talked about it. That is wonderful.”
“Oh, Mom you’re so embarrassing,” Ruby groaned.
“What was the verdict? How many children are you two contributing and when can I start knitting socks?”
He opened his mouth, only to be silenced by Ruby’s hand. “Don’t encourage her. We are doing this on our own terms.”
“Well, just know that we have lots of baby clothes all neatly packed away, and your old crib is in the attic.”
“That is a very generous offer,” he managed to say behind Ruby’s hand.
Once everyone returned and Ruby was whisked away, a soft hand found his arm, and Angela’s tender voice spoke. “If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I know you two have only just met, but I’ve never seen her like this. With Rick it always seemed like she hid part of herself, but not with you.”
“I was not uncomfortable by any means and I’m glad that she can be herself around me. It means a lot coming from you.” A gentle squeeze, one that Morgan was learning to enjoy. “Thank you for welcoming me with open arms.”
“You are a wonderful man, and I hope you two will have many beautiful years together. There will be ups and downs and times you can’t stand each other, but know you both have a place to come and people to talk to.”
Morgan thanked her and as she walked away, he couldn’t help the pressure that built behind his eyes.