Not Today, Satan... Not Today

Persephone spent most of Tuesday walking through the streets of Seattle with no particular destination. She simply existed and enjoyed having the freedom she always longed for when she worked a stifling eight-to-five. She hated feeling like a fish stuck in its bowl that could only watch people come and go while she was dependent on the tether of necessity that kept her there for the sole purpose of surviving.

Since she was no longer reliant on a paycheck in exchange for her time, she filled her days doing what she wanted to do and when she wanted to do it. Today she was exploring businesses around the city, even signing up for a few classes she thought were interesting, one in particular that Chris would probably enjoy, she mused, looking forward to the following week when that specific class began.

Thoughts of travel snuck into her mind as well, she acknowledged that had Chris not come into her life, she would have likely spent the holidays overseas in France, Italy, or England - really seeing Christmas done right as she had always wanted.

Maybe next Christmas, she thought hopefully.

With Chris is her life as a partner, she had to consider his schedule when it came down to vacation plans. She wouldn't mind traveling on her own, but he may have an opinion which she gave him a right to when she chose to let him in.

Alas, she couldn't complain about that particular tether.

Chris managed to sneak into her heart and bring her happiness after she had shunned any notions of love. Not for the first time today, she found herself smiling at the thought of her man. A small pull in her heart made her see how much she was missing him.

As the day neared its end, she picked up an overpriced sandwich from his favorite fancy sandwich place and made her way back home trying to time it so that she arrived just before he did. Once home, she showered, afterward dressing in faded blue jeans and a thick off-the-shoulder brown sweater. The day had been nippy, and lonely, and it made her look forward to cuddling with her man, so much so, she paced the entryway anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Chris walked in a little later than usual carting in two brown paper bags from the nearby grocery store. He smiled as soon as he saw her, quickly placing the bags on the floor and opening his arms to her.

"Hi!" She walked up to him, immediately wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his lips briefly. She placed her forehead against his as she felt his arms wrap around her waist. "I missed you so much today, you have no idea." She whispered.

She felt him sigh.

"I missed you too, babe," he said against her temple.

They held each other in silence a few moments longer before she finally released him, bending over to pick up the grocery bags. She began walking toward the kitchen while keeping her gaze on him as he followed her. "I brought you your favorite sandwich, so you can eat in a hurry and then you and I can..." she bit her lower lip and wiggled her eyebrows playfully, mimicking the expression he used to insinuate he was feeling a certain way.

Chris chuckled. "Babe," he growled as he pulled her against him, the front of his pants rubbing against the back of hers. "You're speaking my language."

She twisted her torso to place a kiss on his lips, but he didn't even try for mouth-to-mouth contact.

Instead, he ran a hand through his hair. He sighed. "Mom and Aunt Micaela are coming over for dinner," Chris announced as he looked at his watch. "They should be here soon."

Once the words seeped into her brain, she felt like she got slapped in the face with a large slimy fish.

Chris took the bags from her hands and carried them to the kitchen.

Micaela was one thing, but she did not want to see Maggie. "Why are they coming tonight?" Persephone asked walking to the kitchen, stopping as she stood across the island where Chris was unpacking the grocery bags.

He shrugged. "Mom wanted to come over."

Persephone exhaled. "Is your mom inviting Michelle, too?" She blurted without thinking.

Chris halted his actions. He placed his hands against the island top and slowly looked at her. He didn't say anything, he didn't have to.

She shook her head slowly and spun around. "No offense, Chris, but I really don't think I will be able to hold my tongue against your mom tonight so I'm not going to be here." She said as she went to the entryway closet in search of whatever shoes she had in there, she found a pair of navy-blue winter boots.

"No offense?" He asked behind her. "How do you not want me to take offense to that?" Chris asked.

Persephone ignored him. She grabbed her purse from the coffee table where she had left it earlier and began walking out, ignoring him when he called her name.