One Shots

AFTER

Matthew was driving home after filming a few videos with the Fine Bros.

He still had tears in his eyes from the try not to cry challenge. He was doing well in the challenge until they played a clip from the movie Up. Of course it was the one that portrayed the lives of Carl and Ellie from the moment they got married until the moment she died. The whole time while he was watching the video he couldn't stop thinking about Stephanie.

They were like Carl and Ellie in so many ways. They met at a young age, though not as young as the characters were, they were married, they had problems with money, started running a business together, they don't have kids, not yet at least. The list goes on and on. Also like Carl and Ellie, they treat life together as a grand adventure. Though unlike Carl and Ellie, Matt and Steph got the chance to see the world and take their dream vacations. Also unlike Carl and Ellie they were still young and hopefully had their whole lives ahead of them.

Luckily for the movie couple they got to grow old together. Matthew hoped to do the same with Stephanie. Also, Ellie got to spend the rest of her life with Carl. Which unfortunately meant she was the first to go, leaving Carl sad and alone. Matthew knew that one day either he or Stephanie would pass on leaving the other one behind. 

    He started thinking about Ellie's death scene and pictured Stephanie and him in that scene. Matthew started crying again. He pictured the scene both ways. He didn't want anything to happen to Stephanie and would sacrifice himself in a heart beat for her. However, he can't bare the thought of leaving Stephanie alone and sad for her remaining years. Just about every couple hopes to go out together, but that doesn't happen very often.

Matthew was so lost in his thoughts that he almost missed the turn onto his street.

Then he pulled into the garage of his house. It was about 9 am in the morning on Sunday so Stephanie was probably still asleep. He wiped away his tears and got out of his car. He went inside and walked up to their bedroom. Sure enough Stephanie was still sound asleep in their bed. He felt the tears coming again. Unlike Carl, Matthew still had his wife alive. He kicked off his shoes and took off his jacket. He climbed into bed with her. She was facing away from him, but he still wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, spooning her. He buried his face in her hair and just reminded himself to enjoy this moment cause they don't know how many of these they have left. Then he felt Stephanie stir and felt a hand be placed over his.

"Matthew? When did you get back?" she asked rubbing her face.

"Oh sorry honey, I didn't mean to wake you. I got back about a minute ago." Stephanie could tell by his voice something was wrong. She turned in his arms to face him and noticed how red and glossy his eyes were.

"Are you okay hon? You seem sad." she asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. They just made me do the try not to cry challenge. I'm still recovering." he said.

"Oh, okay. Do you want to go make breakfast?" she asked.

"Actually." he said starting to stoke the side of her head. "Can we just stay up here and cuddle?" he asked. Stephanie smilied.

"Sure hon." she replied. She instantly nuzzled up to his chest while Matthew held her tightly. He still gave her small strokes on the side of her forehead.

"Stephanie."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too." He kissed the top of her head. They stayed like that all morning.