𝚍𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 - 𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚍𝚢 𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚌𝚑 (on hold)

00:37

rodrick wayne

i snapped out of my sleep long before india. i looked at her and she had already rolled over to the other side of the bed. the sun wasn't up yet, i couldn't imagine what time it could be. i quietly rolled out of bed, mindful not to wake india up. i grabbed my phone as i walked into the bathroom. it was 3:45 am, and my phone was about to die. that's tough, i thought to myself and walked to the bathroom.

the effects of last night's party were finally starting to catch up to me as i felt a throbbing headache creep in. i felt a bit of relief when my feet touched the cold marble floor in the bathroom. i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realized i looked just as bad as i felt. i relieved myself before returning back to the mirror to examine my features. my facial hair was finally starting to grow in. india's never seen it before, i wonder if she'll like it. i laughed to myself and left the room. the house was dead silent, but also completely spotless. i was impressed; it didn't even look like there was a party here a few hours before. i grabbed a bottle of water and found a bottle of tylenol, downing two pills. as i mindlessly wandered into the backyard, i realized it was even quieter outside. you couldn't hear any type of wildlife. i was fascinated. i stepped up to the hot tub and stopped for a minute. the water was so still and clear, i almost didn't want to disturb it. i dipped a toe first before making the decision to step in. i slid down the wall and sat down. i laid back and let the water soothe me.

it wasn't long before i heard india tiptoe down the stairs. i listened as she walked to the kitchen and stopped for a moment. "baby?" she whisper-yelled as she looked around aimlessly.

"out here!" i whispered back. she turned towards the back door and walked out. she flashed a small smile and sat next to the hot tub. "did i wake you?" i asked.

she shook her head. "not really, you just weren't there and i got concerned. shoulda known you would be here."

i laughed. "i told you i was getting in this hot tub," i slid over, making space for her, "you don't wanna get in?" she stood there and contemplated for a second before stripping out of her clothes, leaving her in her bra and panties. i extended my hand in her direction and helped her into the hot tub. i pulled her into my arms almost immediately and we laid back, admiring the desert sky. it was so quiet, and so serene. it felt like we were the only two people in the world. i've never felt peace like this before. i could have went right back to sleep with her in my arms. i lost my train of thought as i admired the view in front of us. i looked down when i felt her looking at me. "you okay?" i asked her.

she nodded, mindlessly picking up her left hand and admiring her ring. i can't even begin to imagine how many times she's done that tonight. "i wish we could stay like this forever." she played with her ring some more. i took a moment to look at it too. it fit her so well, and i just loved seeing how happy it made her. i smiled and threw my head back.

i stayed quiet for another moment. she laid her head back down on my chest, and i listened closely as she took slow breaths. "i think we should get a house together." i finally confessed. she met my gaze again, but she didn't say anything; instead she waited for me to continue. it's not that i have any issue with my house, i love my house in fact, but i don't want her to feel like she's obligated to leave her space and move into mine. i want it to be our space. "i know it sounds crazy but--"

"it's not the craziest thing we've said or done today," she stopped to laugh, "but buying a house? did something happen?" she probed.

i reached for a towel and started to get out of the hot tub; it was starting to get cold outside. "we got married. and yeah my place is cool or whatever, but i want us to have something we can call our own." i looked up at her and she was smiling again. i wonder what she's thinking about right now. i grabbed another towel and extended it in her direction. she hopped out of the hot tub and took it from me. we walked into the house together. "we don't have to do it immediately, but some time in the near future would be nice." i continued. i closed the back door and we both ended up on the couch.