The next morning, as the sky began to lighten, Tom and Agnes stirred awake almost at the same time. They’d slept soundly, their positions unchanged from the night before-his arm tucked under her head, her body nestled comfortably in his embrace.
Opening their eyes, the first thing they saw was each other. That simple moment felt like pure, unfiltered happiness.
“Morning,” Tom murmured, his lips curving into a soft smile. His voice was warm, still rough with sleep, and it sent a little shiver through her.
Agnes felt like her heart was melting, sweet and slow, like honey. She smiled back, her voice soft. “Morning.”
“I had a dream last night,” Tom said, his gaze lingering on her face like he was memorizing every detail.
Her eyes sparkled, and her smile widened. “Funny, I had one too.”
“I dreamed we got married,” he admitted, his tone light but his eyes serious.
“No way!” Agnes laughed, a little breathless. “I dreamed I took you home to meet my parents. We talked about the wedding, and they were totally on board. No drama, no fake engagement mess-just… support.” She sighed, like a weight had been lifted.
Tom pulled her closer, his voice steady. “We’ll get their approval. I promise.”
“I know,” she said, her confidence unwavering.
They were heading back soon, and this was the first hurdle they’d have to face. But with Tom beside her, Agnes wasn’t worried. She’d let things unfold naturally.
Her sister had been engaged to Ming and was about to marry him when she’d found her own happiness. Compared to that, Agnes’s situation felt straightforward. Besides, it was just an engagement.
After they got up, they noticed Mrs. Brown hadn’t returned yet.
“How about breakfast out today?” Tom suggested as they finished washing up. “Mrs. Brown’s not coming over.”
“Sounds perfect,” Agnes agreed easily. As long as she was with him, it didn’t matter where they ate.
They headed downstairs, and Jeffery was already waiting by the car. He hadn’t been there long, and his face lit up when he saw them. “Morning, Tom, Miss Campbell.”
“Morning, Jeffery,” Agnes said, walking toward him. “You can call me Agnes, you know. No need for the ‘Miss Campbell’ stuff.”
She’d always thought Jeffery was a little too formal with her, especially since he called Tom by his first name.
Jeffery glanced at Tom, who gave him a small nod, and then smiled. “Agnes,” he said, testing the name like it was something new.
“Morning, Jeffery,” Tom chimed in. “Had breakfast yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Join us,” Tom offered. “We’re hitting up a spot nearby. Haven’t eaten either.”
“Sure thing,” Jeffery said with a grin, watching them climb into the back seat before sliding into the driver’s seat. He knew all the best breakfast places around.
The three of them ate together, chatting easily, before Jeffery drove them to the lab building.
As they got out of the car, Jeffery watched them with a quiet, almost fatherly pride. Seeing their relationship grow so steadily made him happy. He could almost picture the old lady’s face when she saw them together.
Since Tom had found Agnes, he’d changed. He smiled more, laughed more. A good relationship really could do wonders for a person.