In a spacious room, they lay tightly embraced on a bed. It wasn’t until the sun’s rays touched them both that they opened their eyes simultaneously. Looking at him, Nanci couldn’t help but laugh first. Edward pulled her into his arms and said lazily, “Nanci, good morning.”
“Good morning,” Nanci replied. “Isn’t it really late now? The sun is so bright. When are we going out? It feels like it’ll be too sunny!” Nanci responded, stretching a bit.
Edward tousled her hair and said, “Let’s get up, wash up, and have breakfast first. After we eat, we can take a little rest, and by then, the sun won’t be so harsh. The evening sunset is often much more beautiful, don’t you think?”
“You’ve thought this through. I’ll approve your plan!” she replied playfully.
“Well then, sleepyhead, shall we get up?”
“But I still don’t want to move. You go ahead. I’ll just lie here for a bit longer,” Nanci said, snuggling deeper into the blankets.
Edward got up, then scooped Nanci into his arms, looking down at her. “We’re going together. It’s lonely to go alone.”
Nanci rolled her eyes playfully. “You’ve been alone for decades. Why are you suddenly so needy? Oh, you put my slippers on the wrong feet! Feels like you’re the one who hasn’t woken up yet. Maybe you should sleep a bit longer.”
Edward playfully slapped her foot. “Alright, time to get up and wash up.”
Nanci decided to act stubbornly. “Nope, you have to carry me!”
Edward did just that, carrying her like a sloth hanging on him. “How can you carry me so easily? I feel like I’ve been eating a bit too much and put on some weight lately. You won’t mind, will you?”
“I could never mind that! The more you eat, the healthier you’ll look. A little extra weight just shows I take good care of you,” he replied with a grin.
“Okay, then. Put me down. I need to brush my teeth. I’m starving!”
After they both washed up, Edward leaned in and kissed Nanci, saying proudly, “Good morning kiss.”
“I’ll give you one too.” She tiptoed to return the kiss, but Edward, seeing her struggle, leaned down and deepened the kiss, careful not to make her breathless.
“Why do I feel like you’re just taking advantage of me?” she huffed, pretending to be angry.
Edward smirked. “Want to do it again? I’ll bend down for you this time.”
“No, let’s eat. Hmph, you’re such a bad boy!” With that, she stomped her way downstairs.
“Ms. Ross, you’re awake! It’s already past noon. What would you like to eat?” Jenny asked.
“Let’s have noodles! I want something quick. I’m a bit hungry,” Nanci replied eagerly.
“Sure, I’ll make you some right away,” Jenny said as she moved to the kitchen.
Edward joined Nanci at the table.
“Ms. Ross wants noodles. Mr. Clarkson, what would you like?”
“Make me a serving too, but no green onions, please,” he said.
Nanci suddenly remembered she had forgotten to mention that. She glanced at Edward but still didn’t want to talk to him.
“Don’t be upset,” Edward said, trying to smooth things over. “I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn. Just let it slide this time since I mentioned no green onions for you.”
“Hmph! It’s not like I asked you to say that,” Nanci shot back, still feigning annoyance.
“Please forgive me. To make it up to you, how about we go to the amusement park today? I heard they’re having a fireworks show tonight. Do you think it’ll be beautiful?”
The idea of the amusement park excited Nanci, but she pretended to be aloof. “I don’t know. How could I if I haven’t seen it?”
“Actually, I bought two tickets already. Since you don’t want to go…” he started.
“What? Did you buy the tickets? We can’t waste them! We should respect every penny spent. Since you really want me to go with you, I’ll reluctantly agree,” she blurted out, urgency in her voice.
“Thank you for joining me,” he said, smiling.
“Ms. Ross, Mr. Clarkson, the noodles are ready!”
Nanci dove into her meal, her hunger evident. Edward reminded her, “Slow down! Don’t burn your tongue.”
“I’m just too hungry! You eat quickly too. We need to finish and head to the amusement park,” she said between bites.
“It’s still sunny outside. We could go in the evening to enjoy the fireworks, right?” Edward suggested.
Nanci asked with concern, “But will some rides still be open at night?”
“Of course! Everything will still be operating. You can choose whatever you want to do once we get there. If anything is closed, I’ll take the blame!” Edward assured her.
Nanci laughed, “Is the amusement park yours? Why are you so confident? If I can’t go on those rides, I won’t talk to you anymore. That would be a real waste of money!”
“Deal.”
After they finished eating, Nanci lay on the bed, watching videos. “Edward, what do you think about getting a cat? It could keep me company when you’re not around. I just saw the cutest cat in a video!”
“A cat? Aren’t you one already?” he teased.
“I’m serious! What do you think? Since you’re a bit of a neat freak, I wanted to discuss it with you first. I promise I’ll take good care of it. When you come home, I’ll just keep it in one room, away from you.”
“Let’s go pick one out together in a few days. What kind do you like?”
“British Shorthair or an orange tabby… They’re all so cute! I can’t decide. Have you ever seen a particularly adorable cat?”
“British Shorthair sounds nice.”
“Okay, then let’s check out the pet store for British Shorthairs. I don’t know much about animals, so it’s better to see them in person before choosing.”
Edward kissed her forehead.
“Alright, I’ll go put on some makeup. We’re off to have fun soon, and I want to look good today. I haven’t dressed up in a while. You can use the computer to pick a movie while you wait for me.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be waiting to see your transformation.”
Nanci smiled. “You better be ready! I can be quite the beauty. You’ll be blown away when I’m all dressed up!”
“What kind of look haven’t I seen before? Hurry up, just don’t keep us late for the fireworks show. If we miss it, don’t come crying to me.”
“You’re the one talking! I’m hurrying!” Nanci said as she washed her face and sat at the vanity. She rummaged through her makeup, only to find many accessories that weren’t hers. She looked over at Edward on the bed.
Edward, knowing what she was about to ask, replied, “I saw some beautiful things and thought of you. It’s time to put them to use. Pick out a few you like. I’m not very good at this.”
“They’re all nice! Thanks a lot.”
“Don’t ever mention that to me again. Just keep going with your makeup. I’ll rest a bit more.”
Nanci looked at him, saying, “After sleeping together for so long, I’m so energetic, and you want to rest? You’re such a pig!”
“Resting doesn’t only mean sleeping. Want me to help you with your makeup?”
Nanci’s face turned pale at the thought. “No, you should rest. You’re a big guy, and you can’t do this! I might not even make it out the door!”
Edward laughed. “Is it really that hard? It’s just some coloring. I’ll watch a video to learn, and then I can help you!”
“Just learn it first. Try it on your own face successfully before offering to help me.”
About an hour later, Nanci looked in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance. She grabbed a light yellow dress from the wardrobe and changed in the bathroom. Stepping out, she asked Edward, “How do I look?”
Edward’s gaze took in her youthful appearance enhanced by the dress. He quickly looked away. “You look great, but we’re going to the amusement park to have fun. Are you sure you want to wear that?”
“I didn’t think about it. I’ll change again.”
When Nanci returned, she was wearing a more ethereal outfit with puffed sleeves that highlighted her playful charm and the pants perfectly showcased her figure. Edward frowned. “Are you going to play or show off your figure? Do you know what other men will think when they see you like this?”
Nanci pouted. “I can’t wear pants either? What should I wear then?”
Seeing her look so wronged, Edward realized he might have gone too far. He quickly reassured her, “You’re just too beautiful. I’m worried other men will have thoughts about you. I didn’t mean to scold you. Let’s stick with this outfit, alright?”
Nanci jumped onto the bed and hugged him. “I have you. I won’t be with other men. Let’s just have fun, okay?”
“Okay, it’s already evening outside. Shouldn’t we pack up and get ready to go?”
“Right! What should we bring? Water and snacks, right? The food at the amusement park can be expensive!”
“Does your man look like he’s short on money?”
“If you’re not short, then you can give me some?”
Edward chuckled, “Feel free to take it all.”
Nanci laughed, responding, “Then I’ll need several lifetimes to spend it all!”
“No worries. It’ll always be yours.”
“Stop being cheeky! Hurry up and let’s pack. Can you go downstairs and grab some drinks for me?”
“Don’t I have everything in my car? Do you think we’re missing anything?”
“Haha, I forgot you had a bunch of snacks in your car. Let’s go then!”
In the car, Nanci kept stuffing her backpack with snacks. Edward asked, “Should we have dinner before going in? Otherwise, you’ll just think everything is too expensive inside and refuse to eat.”
Nanci nodded in agreement. “You really think ahead.”
“Then you don’t need to bring so much food, right? We’ll be busy having fun. Won’t it be tiring to carry it all?”
“Then you will carry it.” Edward suddenly had a full backpack slung over him, looking a bit out of place, causing Nanci to burst into laughter.
“If you keep laughing, you can carry it yourself.”
Nanci quickly stopped laughing and said, “Let’s go to that restaurant ahead and grab a bite.”