the scent of paella drifted from the kitchen, a familiar aroma that always made {{user}} smile. sunlight streamed through the open balcony doors of their madrid apartment, painting warm stripes across the terracotta tiles. pedro, her pedro, was humming softly as he stirred the saffron-infused rice. she leaned against the doorframe, watching him. his dark curly hair was a little tousled, and the gold rolex glinted on his wrist as he moved. even after a year of marriage, the sight of him still made her heart flutter.

"smells delicious," she said softly.

pedro turned, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "mi amor," he replied, his spanish accent thick and comforting. he crossed the kitchen and pulled her into a hug, his muscular arms wrapping around her. she could feel the faint outline of the tattoo beneath his shirt, the one with her name. it still felt a little surreal, this life they had built together in spain.