He was more than happy to join her in doing crazy things and sharing a drink. In his eyes, no one could compare to him.
Warren asked, “If some other guy treated you as well as I do, would you like him?” He carried her to the house on his back.
“I wouldn’t,” she replied, laughing.
“Really?” Warren asked.
“Of course not! I’m your wife, and I won’t be tempted by anyone else ever again!” she declared with conviction.
Warren smiled. Her way of expressing love might be a bit wild, but it always delighted him. He led her into the bathroom.
She asked, “Where’s the wine?”
Warren explained, “The wine should be decanted for a while. Why don’t you take a shower first?” He bent down to adjust the water temperature.
“Okay,” she agreed, taking off her shirt and tossing it aside. When she noticed him looking back, she glanced at him and said, “I’m not even drunk.”
He adjusted the showerhead and directed the water toward her. Penelope shivered and huddled, her shoulders pulled in.
“Come closer,” he invited after ensuring the water temperature was right.
“You can go first,” she responded.
She stayed crouched in the shower, watching him cautiously.
He stepped closer and lifted her up. “You smell pretty bad right now. Do you think I’d want to do anything with you in this condition?”
Penelope stuck out her tongue.
After about five minutes, she turned to him and asked, “Aren’t you doing anything?”
He had removed his clothes and stood with her under the water.
He kissed her neck and whispered, “We’re both naked anyway. It would be a shame not to do anything.”
An hour later, they were sitting on the sofa with red wine in front of them. Penelope adjusted her robe and blushed. He smiled and poured the red wine into two glasses.
As he handed her a glass, he asked, “Do you know what day it is today?”
“We’re married,” she replied, lifting the glass.
“Today, one year ago, do you remember?” He smiled and ran his fingers along the glass.
A year ago… Penelope glanced at the cradle next to the bed, where Chris should have been. They had returned home too late, so he slept with Mrs. Jones. A year ago, they had a one-night stand, and now they had Chris.
Time had flown by, and it was quite unbelievable.
“Cheers,” he toasted with a glass of wine. “I feel privileged to have met you.”
She turned back, tears in her eyes, and smiled. “Me too.”
She raised her glass and drank it all.
At that moment, sweetness was the only taste she knew. She emptied her wine glass, tossing it aside, and it rolled across the floor.
She rushed to the man in front of her and passionately kissed his lips. The two of them embraced, and she shed her clothes without restraint. Straddling him, she held his face and said, “I love you.”
He also discarded his glass, caressed her smooth waist, and held her tightly. The moon was full, the red wine was fragrant, and they were immersed in sweetness.
****
After they got married, Penelope had to visit his family. Whenever she was around old Mrs. Duncan, she felt uncomfortable. So, for safety, she brought along her ‘body armor’ – Chris, their son.
Lately, Penelope had been trying to get Chris used to responding to his name. She called his name a lot, and sometimes, it annoyed him, even to the point where he would slap her.
As they sat in the car, Penelope said to Chris seriously. “Baby Chris, you can’t be unkind to mom when we visit your grandmother’s house, okay?”
“Why does he sleep so much?” Penelope turned to look at Warren.
“He’s growing up, and growing kids need a lot of sleep,” Warren replied, focusing on his iPad and checking his work schedule.
Penelope pouted and glanced down at the boy in her arms.
When they arrived at the Duncan’s house, the atmosphere wasn’t as tense as Penelope had expected. At least the old lady wasn’t paying much attention to her. Her focus was all on her grandson as if Penelope were just the nanny holding the child.
The old lady chatted with Warren. When they talked about the wedding, the old lady finally glanced at Penelope, who immediately sat up straight. “You’re the eldest son of our family, and it’s your first marriage. You should have a big wedding.”
The old lady looked at Penelope.
Warren put his hand on her waist, seeming to support her, and asked her, “What do you think?”
Penelope looked up at the sharp-eyed old lady and nodded, saying, “I agree with your mother.”
She decided to be obedient in this situation. The old lady looked away and said, “Well, I’ll arrange your wedding.” The old lady had never been a fan of these elaborate things. In the past, when she was younger, she had hired three or four consultants to handle it, rarely getting involved personally. But this time, she seemed eager to start.
“Thank you very much,” Warren replied.
“It’s not a big deal. I’m happy for the sake of my grandson,” the old lady smiled and gently rocked the cradle in front of her. The baby inside opened his eyes and looked around.
“Oh, my baby grandson is awake,” Penelope stepped forward and picked up Chris. She checked his diaper and was relieved to find it wasn’t wet.
“Let me hold him,” the old lady set down her teacup and reached for him.
Penelope carefully placed Chris in her arms and said, “He’s a bit heavy; I hope your arms won’t get tired.”
The old lady held her soft and sweet-smelling grandson. How could she feel tired? She shook her hand with a smile, looked down at Chris, and said, “Baby Chris, grow up to be a healthy young man. Grandma has a lot of treasures for you.”
Warren turned to Penelope, sat her down, and whispered, “Her dowry.”
Warren had forgotten to mention to Penelope that their company wouldn’t have developed so quickly if his father hadn’t married his mother. After all, his grandfather was a very wealthy businessman. Therefore, his father hadn’t divorced in his life.
Penelope didn’t want to dwell on the old lady’s dowry. She would find out how many treasures there were soon enough. Instead, she looked at the chubby little boy drooling in the old lady’s arms.