There's nothing more beautiful than seeing Sophie all dressed up, a smile on her face and an air of confidence exuding from her. Granted, she's beautiful all the time but tonight, it's different. It's the first time in months that I've seen her so carefree and not worrying about everything else.

Since the wedding, Sophie's been stressing over all manner of things; if it wasn't work playing on her mind, it was her frantic search for the perfect kitchen for the country house that kept her awake at night. On top of that, there was the baby thing.

Sophie's been dying to get pregnant ever since we married and although we knew it wouldn't be easy for us to conceive, she's taking all the hits to heart. Every month, when her period comes, she gets so disheartened that it will take her days before she can look at me again. Secretly, I think she believes that she's let me down because we're not pregnant yet. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I couldn't give a flying monkey if we have children naturally or if we need to do a few rounds of IVF. We could adopt. A surrogate would be fine, just so long as Sophie starts to smile freely again. I can't bear to see her upset when it's not in her nature to be like that. The only joy she gets is when Alfie and Hetty comfort her on her down days.

But for tonight, we're putting all that aside so we can have fun at the Ball that Sophie and Sam have been busy organising. So much effort has been put into making this Ball even better than the inaugural one last year that I want it to go off without a hitch. Evie has helped out a lot, too, and I know Sam's assistant became involved in the planning recently but tonight was all about Sophie. This was her moment and I would make damned sure that she was the centre of attention. All I ask for in exchange is a glimpse of that smile of hers. 

"Do you think I look ok?" Sophie's voice brakes through my thoughts. I look up and see her in a champagne coloured, beaded vintage gown that was fitted in all the right places, hair styled neatly into waves that frame her face and dramatic make up that gives her an air of Vivien Leigh, circa Gone with the Wind. Her best accessory, however, is that smile. As I said, I've never seen her look more beautiful. "I know it's a little bit tight over my stomach because I've put weight-"

"No!" I snap abruptly. It sounded harsher than it was intended and I instantly felt guilty. Standing from the armchair that's in the corner of the walk-in closet, I close the gap between us and wrap my arms around my wife's waist, pulling her into my chest. "You, Sophie Whitaker, look devastatingly stunning this evening. You always look wonderful to me, my love."

A pink blush flushes her cheeks. Her hands creep up my arms and tickle the back of my neck, a clear sign that she's about to move in for a kiss. And it won't be any just kiss. No, this is one of those that holds within it more than just a kiss. "I'm so glad I married you," she whispers against my lips before hers connect with mine. It's only a brief kiss but I can feel the words that Sophie longs to stay hidden in the sweet gesture. "You know, you look pretty handsome yourself."

I scoff at her choice of words. Pretty handsome? No, darling, I'm always bloody handsome. "I had a great stylist."

Sophie rolled her eyes in a way that I had missed. These past few months, she had almost become a stranger to me but tonight was the one night where we could forget all our woes and just enjoy everything. A night off from disappointment to bask in the amazing time we were sure to have. Plus, Sophie's ovulating which always puts her in an excitable mood. I won't complain. 

It takes another fifteen minutes before Sophie is ready to leave the house. While she was busy finding her earrings and forcing her phone into a 1930s clutch bag that wasn't designed to hold more than lipstick, I went down to the kitchen to make sure that Alfie and Hetty were ok. While I never really wanted dogs, Alfie had certainly made me change my mind and then when Sophie impulsively brought Hetty home, I could no longer imagine my life without them. If anyone was ever having a bad day, all they'd have to do is spend a few minutes with these two tiny balls of fluff and everything would be right in the world again. After the way they've comforted Sophie, always rushing to her side and smothering her with kisses when she broke down crying, Alfie and Hetty became my little heroes. 

Unfortunately, these heroes couldn't come with us tonight. Instead, they had to stay home with the doggy sitter who would make sure that they were ok if any fireworks went off and scared them. When the doggy sitter gets here, I'll have to read her the riot act, telling her that if anything should happen to either dog while in her care, I will sue her to the moon and back. 

Alfie looks up at me when I walk into the kitchen, not bothering to come and greet me. Hetty, on the other hand, wags her tail impatiently, her big brown eyes begging me to pick her up. While I'm dying to do just that, if I got any dog hair on my tux, I'd be a dead man. 

"Daddy wants to pick you up, baby, but he can't because Mummy will get angry," I explain to Hetty as if she were a real person. In my mind, she understands me perfectly, as demonstrated by the big huff she gives me as she turns her back on me and slowly makes her way back to the bed that's next to Alfie's. He stares at me. "Stop with the judgmental looks, Alfred."

I hear a laugh behind me. "The first sign of madness is talking to dogs, you know."

"Well, at least I don't pretend as if they're answering me back and then proceed to have a full blown conversation with them," I say, reminding Sophie of the time when she spent a good five minutes talking to the dogs. When I see Sophie in all her regalia, jewels and shoes, the whole kit and caboodle, I can't help but stare. "I am the luckiest man in the world."

"Obviously," my wife sasses me, her personality shining bright this evening. The doorbell rings. "That'll be Shaunna. Are you ready to go, Mr Whitaker?"

I nod. "Lead the way, Mrs Whitaker."

Sophie heads for the door before stepping aside so I could hold it open for her. Despite telling me more than once that she is perfectly able to do stuff for herself, there were some things that she liked me to do for her- holding doors open was just one example. She liked chivalry when it suited her but I didn't care; as she slipped out of the house, I was rewarded by that mischevious smile of hers and I'd open all the doors in the world if it meant she looked at me like that. 

"Let me get this door for you as well," I whisper in her ear as we reach the town car that was waiting for us. Again, Sophie grinned. Before she lowered herself into the car, I held her wrist and brought my lips down to her ear. "You look wonderful tonight."

Sophie giggles. "You said that already."

"It was worth repeating," I assert. When she's safely inside, I round the car and jump in, pulling the seatbelt around me carefully so that my tux doesn't crease. The driver pulls into the street and starts to navigate across London to the museum where the Ball was being held. Due to the traffic, we had a few minutes extra in the car, giving me more than enough time to spring a surprise on Sophie. Reaching into the breast pocket of my jacket, I feel around for the velvet box I've been keeping safe and present it to my wife. When she narrows her eyes at me, I say, "I wanted you to know that we are forever."

Taking the box in her hand, Sophie opens it carefully, peering inside warily. Sophie doesn't always react well to gifts but I knew she'd love this one. "An eternity ring?" Sophie gasped, seeing the gold ring that was dotted by tiny sapphire, ruby and emerald stones. It would compliment her engagement ring and wedding band perfectly. "Daniel, you needn't have."

"Why not?" I question, reaching over to kiss her lips. My hand lingering on her cheek, I press my forehead to hers. "Our love is infinite, remember?"

Sophie's Dress

https://youtu.be/vUSzL2leaFM

Chapter Song - Wonderful Tongiht ~ Eric Clapton