"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to minister to each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?"

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔

After four meetings and fifty emails, I am finally off the clock. My day's consisted of asking "what can I do for you, is there anything you need from me" a million fucking times, it's so tiring. Between that, deadlines, and several consultations, I need a goddamn break. Luckily, it's the last day of the work week, but more importantly, the start of my little vacation. Something slight just to celebrate a year of knowing and loving Morgan, you know.

A couple cities over is almost exclusive to regular people, it's like a mini resort town - Bird Valley. Don't ask me why it's called that, I don't know, but it's very historic and rich. There's huge vacation homes, everyone rides golf carts, five star restaurants, and a few nice ass hotels - one of which I managed to book a suite at with little notice, thanks to a buddy from work.

I'm drinking my tea, hustling through the lobby because I can't spare a second, when I'm stopped by Beck Jordan.

"Woah, there, Vaughn, where's the fire?" He asks.

I look him up and down.

"No fire." I admit.

He pushes his phone in the inner pocket of his God awful brown suit and flashes a realtor's smile.

"Any plans for the weekend?"

"Not if I keep standing here talking to you." What I say makes him laugh. I hate his old rich white man laugh.

"You're so funny, Vaughn. Hey, did you meet with any of the partners to review those plans for your little project?"

Can I hit him, I ask myself in my head.

No.

"Garrison's out and Rodney was busy, I-"

Beck winces, bending his knees. "Ooo, yeah no. Could you please do that, like, now?"

I look at the time on my watch. "Yeah, no," I mock him. "I do have plans, if you didn't just hear me two seconds ago."

"Bird Valley, eh?" Beck asks, seeing the brochure sandwiched between my notepad and MacBook.

"Romantic getaway?" He pries. "Who's the lucky broad?"

"Probably my girlfriend?" I say slowly.

"I didn't know you had one, did I?" He snaps his fingers.

Yes he did.

"Morgan, is her name. You met her before."

"Ah, the blonde with the big... personality. Well, we don't want to keep her waiting; you're lucky to have her in the first place, am I right?"

I just stare at him coldly and say nothing.

"Have a good weekend, Vaughn. Don't do anything I would do." He makes himself laugh throughout the lobby.

I full body cringe. It's official, I hate Beck Jordan.

I settle in my Tesla and race to pick up Cleo. I wasn't going to invite her shopping with me but I needed a second opinion. Third, actually, because JB's coming, too, but Cleo's a woman, she might know what she's talking about.

"Get your fucking feet off my dash." I have to talk to Cleo like she's a kid.

"Didn't you miss me?" She bubbles, now sitting correctly in the seat.

"Not really, no."

"Stop lying."

"Cleo, I just saw you last week."

"We used to see each other everyday, though."

I bang my head against the rest behind it and groan, "Things change."

"Obviously. What was that all about last week, anyway, you were going to fight Jasmine?"

I look at her from the corner of my eye.

"No," I make clear. "I don't fight women, let alone my girlfriend's best friend."

"If they're still best friends, why didn't you just ask her what Morgan wants for your anniversary?"

"I can't stand her."

"Me either now that I think about it. JB, though, I would definitely fuck him again."

My face curls in disgust. "Please don't remind me."

"Well, you already know, and I need to talk about it with someone."

"I wish I didn't." I bark, parking outside of Jabari's apartment.

It's true, Jabari and Cleo hooked up one night. They were high, one thing led to another. We were just having a good time and then I went to take Morgan's call, by the time I came back, they were at it. What, I wasn't gonna stop them? That shit almost made me sick so I just left. Don't worry, I held him accountable. JB always looks and flirts with other girls, and I always tell him about himself, this was no different.
He swears he's not attracted to Cleo "in real life" AKA sober, so it's weird when we are all around each other. Anyway, that was, like, a month ago. His secret's safe with me, that's just the code, but I won't let him live it down.

"Get in the back." I tell Cleo, eyes glued to my phone screen.

She sucks her teeth. "I'm sure he'll let me sit up front."

I don't say anything back because I already know that's false.

Seconds later, Jabari taps on the front window and opens the door.

"Get out." He says abruptly, pulling her by the shirt.

I love to be right.

Cleo tries to raise her voice and sound threatening but it's all hot air 'cause she gets in the backseat anyway.

"What's good, bro?" JB greets me with a dap.

"What's up?" I reply, steering away from the curb.

The dynamic between us is weird. I wonder what people think of this trio. Actually, I try not to think about it. That's why I walk ahead of them, not fast like a weirdo, just in front. Jabari doesn't want it to look like he's with Cleo so he catches up to me. Every girl that passes him by, he stares at her ass just because he thinks he can. This is why some women have the issues they do, but I don't say anything. People look, it's natural. Me, on the other hand, I don't ever find much to look at, he just tries to fuck any girl breathing. I think like this: if someone catches my eye she has to look better than Morgan. I haven't seen that ever, so I don't let my eyes or thoughts wander. Well, not too much, unlike Jabari.

Don't get me wrong, since Ann and I met I've slipped, there were girls in my phone before, like Madi. There's also Sabrina but that was just because Morgan was gone and I was trying bad to get her out of my head. Clearly it didn't help, and Sabrina needs some lessons.

Seeing how little JB cares for Jasmine — while I don't blame him, she's a bitch— makes me appreciate what I have so much more. That's exactly why I'm going out of my way to make this unofficial official one year anniversary so special. Plus, I can't lie, this is my first real relationship, too, I kind of like doing this kind of shit, makes me feel good that I'm going to make her happy.

"Okay," I snap my fingers at Dumb and Dumber. "I need to get Morgan something nice. And I don't mean, like, Victoria's Secret, I mean— I don't know what I mean but, something nice."

Cleo laughs. "Well that narrows it down, buddy!"

Jabari laughs, too, looking around. We're right in front of the directory, locating the best store to begin with.

"Let's just buy the most expensive thing here!" Cleo's idea makes me not want to hear from her again for the rest of the day.

"They got a Cartier in here." Jabari mentions.

I stare at him blankly. "Oh, what, you think I'm rich?"

"You bought a Tesla." Cleo reminds me.

"And you got a townhouse on Main." JB adds. Cleo nods.

"You look like you have good credit." Cleo says, squinting her inquisitive eyes at me.

I curl my face, lost as to how this conversation got to my credit.

"He does." Jabari tells her.

"What is it?" Asks Cleo. "I have a four hundred."

"Seven-eighty-five." I mumble.

"Damn." They say in unison.

"I got a six-twenty," J smacks his lips, following me away from the directory. "help a brother out."

7:40pm

One giant teddy bear, Apple Watch, and a whole new wardrobe's worth of clothes and shoes later, I'm done. I wanted to do something heartfelt but couldn't think of anything.

"Damn, Chris, I like shopping with you." Cleo pats my back.

I'm not proud of how much I've spent, I don't even wanna know the exact number. Although, that doesn't really matter as long as Morgan likes her gifts.

"What time is it? I need a drink." My complaint stirs an agreement from Jabari.

Cleo looks at us with a judgmental eyebrow raise.

"You've been drinking a lot lately, buddy." She says it like it's a bad thing.

"I've been stressed." I claim.

"It's a bar in the Friday's in the food court." Jabari suggests. He is the 'devil' on my shoulder.

I don't let him have to tell me twice. Jabari leads the way and I follow, trailed by Cleo who just complains with every step.

We're seated at the bar and it doesn't take long for the bartender to take our orders and fix them.

"Cleo, what are you even going on about?" I'm tired and you can hear it in my voice.

She rolls her eyes. "You have to drive later, duh."

Jabari laughs at her. With a nudge he says, "Like you haven't drank and drive before." She just scoffs.

I thank the bartender and slide a glass to both Jabari and Cleo, so she can lighten up.

"It's just one drink, Cleo..." I tell her, raising the glass to my lips.

~~~

Alright, it was two drinks, and a whole meal. It's still early — 9:34pm— when I drop Cleo and JB off so I rush home to finish packing for the weekend before meeting Morgan in Bird Valley.

She's texting me, worried, but I assure her I'm fine and on the way finally. Really, she mostly cares about the dogs, if they're okay. They are, I dropped them off at an overnight pet spa. I didn't think I'd miss them so much, they really are like our kids. Huh.

Anyway, I stop and yawn at a red light where I quickly get distracted by a picture message from Morgan. She's in the hotel, teasing me. I can't wait to get my hands on her.

Her blonde hair is wild, fluffy with these loose curls how I like it. She's posed with a plump smirk, long, wispy eyelashes, a bare face, and in a dark blue thong she's holding up over her hips. Her manicure is fresh, she's also waxed and glowing in the picture, it's driving me wild. Her eyes are captivating, alluring, I can hardly bring myself to stop staring. Though, I practically foam at the mouth seeing this white baby tee not fitting over her breasts, they're sitting perfectly and spill from under the shirt, just hardly covering her nipples that are poking in the fabric.

How lucky am I?

A horn honks behind me and I'm reminded that I'm not in the comfort of my home, but in a car in the middle of the city.

I gulp and tear my eyes away from the photo I saved to open the 'Maps' application and see how far I am from the valley.

That picture fucked me up, I'm sweating, and can't get to her fast enough. Oh, but when I do. . .

~~~

It's past eleven o'clock when I finally arrive at the hotel. It's nice, worth it.

I park and carry my one suitcase inside.

I'm walking inside hoping I don't smell like the weed I just smoked in this nice establishment. I sprayed but am just paranoid. I'm not that high, though.

Well, when I look in the mirror, my eyes say otherwise, they're low and more red than usual. Shit. That was some good weed, though, I got it from JB, wonder who he copped from—

"Can I help you, sir?" Asks the receptionist.

I remove myself from the mirror and walk over to the desk.

"I have a reservation under Vaughn. My wife already checked in, I'm just picking up the second key." I clear my throat.

I don't mean to lie, "wife" just comes out naturally, plus why put off the inevitable, we're practically married now?

There's some of those Lifesaver mints in a dish so I take a couple for my pocket and pop one in my mouth while I wait.

"Ah, yes, she checked in earlier. Your anniversary, I see, congratulations!"

I give a simple "thanks" and then wander around. Sorry, I just hate small talk.

"Here you go, sir." She speaks up after a couple of minutes.

I walk back over and grab the brochure and room keycard from her brown-skinned hands.

"I'm sure you don't want to keep her waiting so I'm not going to bore you with all the information, but everything you need to know is on the brochure. Enjoy your stay, call down if you need anything. Thanks for booking with us." She sends me off with a polite wave and I manage a quick smile that falls the second I turn my back to the desk.

The elevator moves so damn slow, I'm wondering if it's broken.

"Goddamn." I yawn again.

I look at the time on my watch and mentally kick myself because I should've been here hours ago.

Finally, though, I'm on the top floor and start searching for the "deluxe suite."

I make it all the way down the hallway and then it hits me: I forgot her gifts.

"Motherfucker." I hiss to myself and turn around.

~

Phew.

I'm outside of the deluxe suite for real this time, hauling a luggage cart for all of Morgan's gifts and my suitcase.

I use the keycard and am granted access inside.

As I push the cart inside I'm surprised Morgan doesn't come running to the door like she does at home when I return from work.

"Honey!" I yell, sounding like my father. That's all he ever used to call Mom.

"Hey— oh," she giggles, closing her robe. "what's all this?"

I unload the cart and then push it outside the door before greeting my girlfriend properly.

"This," I enunciate, "is for you. Happy anniversary."

She smiles softly. "Happy anniversary. Thank you. I love you, and I've been waiting for you all day."

I wrap my arms around her tiny waist and rest my head on her shoulder.

"I know, I know." My voice is muffled by her robe.

"How was work?"

"Don't ask. How'd the, uh, shit with the center go?" I yawn.

I start to have a look around the suite but park on the couch.

There's liquor on the coffee table so I help myself, knowing it's a bad idea. I'm about to be knocked the fuck out.

Morgan is talking and I'm listening for the most part. I'm interested in her work, I swear, it's just that she has a soothing voice and this liquor's gone down smooth.

"—So we'll have to get that signed, then everything is done, but enough about that." she regains my attention.

Morgan sits down on my lap and helps herself to the second shot I poured myself.

Her head rests on mine and I shut my eyes, drifting further into comfort.

For minutes, we just sit in silence and I'm twirling my fingers in her hair as she rubs my ears. This sends me into even more of a relaxed state, I'm edging sleep.

"Babe?" Morgan coos.

I slowly crack my eyes open. "Yeah?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm, like, really tired." Her confession brings me peace. I didn't know if I'd be able to perform if she wanted to have sex tonight.

Relief. Sweet relief.

"I was this close to falling asleep." I make her laugh.

"Come on, let's go to bed. We can play tomorrow." Her words are music to my ears, spoken like an angel but so sexy and fulfilling.

She stands first and grabs my hand, trying her hardest to lift my body, but I'm cemented to the seat to purposefully give her a hard time.

After she struggles and we laugh before I stand finally, taking hold of her dainty hand.

Morgan slips out of her mini white robe and gets cozy in the bed first.

My eyes are heavy as I strip out of my work clothes and shoes.

At long last, I lay down. An "ahh" even slips out of my mouth.

I feel like rubbing my feet together and sniffing the sheets, this bed feels like a cloud and a dream together - a sweet dream on a heavenly cloud, if you will. And trust, if I go to sleep now and get my eight hours it'll be early still so I can even sleep in since I'm on vacation and get more than eight hours. I'm not ashamed to admit how much this sleep and these next eight to twelve hours will mean to me.

This is how you celebrate an anniv— wait.

I grab Morgan's leg and pull it over mine. Now I'm ready for bed, the ultimate comfort, I can't sleep any other way.

She giggles at me murmuring how she should know the routine/sleep position at this point.

"I love you," she whispers. "so much."

My voice husky, I say, "I love you more," and clap the lights off.

"Not possible." Morgan breathes over my chest.

Now this is how you spend an anniversary.