THREE MONTHS LATER

Everything was going pretty well. Actually, it has been going perfectly. Mallory and I have been together for three months and she was my world, my sunshine. It was a little rough in the beginning when we told Bruce about us. His fatherly instincts kicked in and threatened me that if I ever hurt his little angel, he would eat me alive. And I hoped he would because if I ever hurt Mallory, I would personally serve myself on a silver platter to him. Sara on the other hand was smiling from ear to ear and her eyes screaming, “I knew it. I knew it! I fucking knew it!”

Mallory stayed with me for two weeks after the incident to make sure I didn't have any slips, but I was fine. I had some nausea and sweating from the withdrawal, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. However, Mallory insisted on staying with me and I didn’t want to fight her. I loved having her around. She took care of me and made me feel so alive that I didn’t even feel the temptation to go back. Although, with her taking care of me I did develop the nickname Cubby because it was while ‘taking care of a baby cub.’ It’s not my favorite nickname, but I’ll take it.

She went back home after those two weeks and it felt lonely. When she wasn't around, I started drawing more, a lot more. I found myself drawing the same thing over and over again. A ragdoll kitten surrounded by ranunculus, hydrangeas and dandelions. Mallory’s favorite flowers. I already knew why I was drawing repeatedly. I was trying to get it perfect so I could get it tattooed on my chest right next to my mother's lion. Right on my heart, where Mallory belonged.

I had already bought a place for my shop. It was in Boston, a few minutes away from Kelly’s Garden, and it was perfect. I still had a decent sum of money left over from the last few years but nothing crazy like I once had. Just the right amount to live a happy life and to provide for Mallory and me until we died of old age.

“Hey, Leo.” I heard Mallory come from the back door.

“You’re late!” I yelled from my office.

“Since when do I have a schedule?”

“Since you decided to use my house as your workplace.”

Mallory stepped into my home office dressed in a black and white striped turtleneck, long-sleeved shirt and black overalls. “Please, you love that I work here.”

I smiled. “What’s behind your hands?”

“A present.”

I sighed. “I said you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't give my boyfriend a present for his birthday? His thirty-eighth birthday.”

“A girlfriend who obeys me.”

We both smirked, knowing she never did unless we were in the bedroom.

“What is it?” Mallory stepped closer to me when she finally got around my desk.

“It’s small and alive,” she hinted.

“What is it?” My words stretched. My curiosity was in high peak.

“Happy birthday! It’s a venus fly trap!” She pulled it out from behind her. “You always seem to draw them, and I figured you should have some other plants in your house.”

I grabbed the pot and looked at the red and green carnivorous plant. Some of the flowers were closed and some were wide open, ready to be fed. I look at it for a while, admiring my new plant.

“If you don't like it, I can just bring it back —”

“Are you kidding me? This is the best present I have gotten in a very long time.” I placed it down and hugged her tight. I would never get used to her touch in my arms. It always gave me goosebumps like it was the first time I felt her in my arms. I kissed her soft lips so hard that I knew I would leave her breathless.

“I have a surprise for you. I have been holding it in for a while, but I can't take it anymore.” I sat down in my chair and pulled out my drawer to reveal a pile of messy papers and a key. I grabbed the small key that felt huge in my hands and presented it to her. “I figured, since you already come here all the time. Would you like to move in?”

Mallory bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. “About fucking time.”

We both burst out in laughter and we got to work. Mallory finished up the last touches to the “White Streak’s Tattoo” shop logo and I was getting everything in order for when we open in about six months.

Everything in life was finally going better than I expected it to. I looked up at Mallory, the tip of her tongue peeking out the corner of her mouth while she concentrated on her computer. If you told me a few years ago that I would be in the same room with a girl dressed like Halloween with cotton candy for hair and a diamond on her bottom lip, I would have told you that you were crazy.

Probably insane.

“What are you smiling at?” her eyes were still glued to her computer screen as she sported a wide smile.

“My life,” I smiled to myself and went back to my work.

“She looked like cotton candy kissed by the ocean …” Mallory quoted me.

“He looked like a dark green forest you wanted to get lost in …” I quoted her.