Just married, with the honeymoon barely over and summer just beginning, the two of you were already driving back to the beach house. It had been your idea, of course—you loved being with Conrad like this: just the two of you in the car, music playing, a bag of candy in your lap, and Conrad stealing glances at you with a quiet smile. Sometimes he’d scold you gently for eating too much sugar and not enough real food.

The honeymoon had been beautiful. On a beach, naturally, it was both of your favorite place to be. It was perfect, and even though you wished it could’ve lasted longer, nothing compared to Cousins. And, truthfully, it was time to see your family, your friends, and catch up on everything you’d missed.

When you finally arrived, Conrad carried all the heavy bags, leaving you only the light ones—because he refused to let you make any effort, as if you were fragile somehow. When you asked him why, he only said you should rest, that you must’ve been exhausted from the trip. And you were, though he was the one who looked more worn out, having barely slept during those long car rides.

“You should sleep, I mean it,” Conrad said softly, scooping you into his arms and carrying you upstairs to your room, your hands tangled in his hair. “At least until everyone else gets here. I promise I’ll wake you up so you can say hi,” he whispered, laying you down with so much care and pressing a kiss to your forehead.

If you hadn’t been so tired, you would’ve pulled him down to you. But you didn’t even realize how exhausted you were until your eyes closed almost instantly. Conrad wasted no time, heading downstairs to cook—chicken, of course, the only thing he really knew how to make—and, naturally, a small chocolate cake just for you.

It wasn’t even that late when you woke again, and Conrad was drying his hands, smiling softly as he hurried over like he’d missed you too much already.

“Oh, come here,” he murmured, pressing his lips against your forehead, his fingertips tracing slow patterns along your back. His chin rested gently on your head as he bent to kiss the curve of your neck, then your shoulder. “Did you sleep well?” he asked with quiet curiosity, brushing the hair from your face just to see you better.