by Tri Amutia
"I made that years ago. I even didn't remember it. How could you find it out?"
Joshua smiled slightly. "I need to see all the files in your laptop, to see if any of them infected with a virus. And then I found...this."
I exhaled. "I just want to delete that story. Thank you for reminding me."
He raised his eyebrows. "Delete the story? Why don't you try to publish it?"
It was my turn to raise my eyebrows and I burst out laughing. "Oh, please, Joshua. Be serious."
"I am serious, Abby. I think it's a good story," He insisted.
I scoffed. "A woman who tried to save a man's life after he was sentenced to death by marrying him? Yeah, right!"
He pursed his lips. "It's very unique theme. Why don't you try to finish it first and then you can say if this book is worth to publish or not."
I sighed and wrapped my arms to his neck. "How could you be so great all of these years?"
He smirked. "I've told you I have my own way."
"Uh-huh..." I skimmed my nose to his face and I could feel he shudder slightly. "So, what is this plan that you want to talk about?"
"Uh... a what?"
I giggled and leaned back to look to his dark eyes. "You said you want to spend your time with me this afternoon."
"Hmmm..." He wrapped his arm on my waist and one of his hands already sneaked under my shirt. "You know that I will have my intern exam next week, right?"
"Uh-huh."
My husband smiled coyly. "How about if we review the anatomy first?"
*End of Flashback*
Well, I didn't have to review what we did for the 'anatomy' part. I managed to finish the book five months later and I decided to give my book a try. Mr. Smith was so interested in my book and decided to publish it. He asked me to choose my editor and I wanted Josia to be the one who edited my work.
So, here we are now in my own book launching.
I walked with Joshua from the backstage and nodded to Josia as a signal she could start the event. Josia was good as an editor, but also as a master of ceremony. My bosses couldn't be happier about that, because they could press the budget from hiring a MC.
I sat in the front with my husband next to me and I squirmed in my seat when I saw the audience. There were lots of people and I could see some of my authors too. I took a deep breath and silently prayed I could make it to the day.
Joshua sensed my nervousness and he held my hand. I raised my head to look at him. He smiled. "You can do it, Abby. I'm here; your family and all your friends are here."
I exhaled and nodded slowly.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," Josia's voice was heard from the speaker.
My book launching was held in one of the bookstores in town because I thought it was the best place to launch the book rather than in a hotel's hall.
All the guests turned quiet and I could see Josia smiles slightly. "Thank you for your presence in our book launching this time. We've held lots of book launching before, but this time it's more special because of the author. She is also a senior editor in our company and started to write this book years ago. I've met her once and I could tell she is a great woman."
Joshua squeezed my hand gently and I smiled at him.
"Even though she worked with lots of manuscript, but she could finish her book in time. I'm so lucky to know her as a person and as an editor. Please, welcome Abigail Walsh."
All the guests gave me applause while I gingerly rose from my seat. Joshua kissed my temple briefly before I walked to the podium. I took a deep breath while Josia smiled to me.
"Congratulations, Abby," She whispered to me before she stepped away from the podium.
Half of the audience still clapping their hands and I grimaced when I stood behind the microphone. "Thank you. Thank you so much for coming to my first ever book launching."
I could hear soft giggles and I smiled to myself. I glanced to Joshua briefly and he stared back at me. "This book means so much to me. Not only because it's my first book, but also a witness from my relationship with my lovely husband."
Joshua grinned and I pressed the urge to roll my eyes. I cleared my throat. "I'm very much hoping that all of you are enjoying my book and we could learn something from it."
I sighed and locked my eyes to my husband. "Sometimes we already find love from places that we least expected. Love is not always good, but it's also bad, in a way. We have to learn to love in every condition that we have and tell the one that we loved that we care for them and always be by their side." I smiled. "Thank you to my family and my friends for their support and mostly...to my lovely husband. I love you, Joshua. Thank you."
All the audience gave me applause again and I could see my husband smiled at me. He mouthed 'I love you too' from his chair.
I stayed at the stage for some discussions for the book and book signing. It was already night time when the event was over. All my friends were here, Stella, Evan, Kevin, even John, Thomas and Jennifer. They already congratulated me and said goodbye shortly after everything was over. I sat on a chair and relaxing my feet with Joshua gently rubbed my shoulders when I heard someone called my name.
"Abby! Congratulations, honey!"
I turned to see my mom half running to my chair with my dad and Joshua's parents behind him. My mom enveloped me on a hug while I laughed lightly. "Thank you, Mom."
My mom released her hug and grinned. "I can't believe it. This is your first book."
I grinned. "Yeah, me neither. I need to say thank you to Joshua, though. He was the one who insisted for me to publish my book."
Joshua smiled coyly and leaned to whisper in my ear. "You can thank me later, honey."
My eyes widened while from the corner of my eyes I could see my mom grinned and my dad along with Joshua's parents cleared their throat. Trust my husband to make them uncomfortable.
"Anyway..." My dad tried to clear the situation. "We just want to say goodbye. We’re all going back to Long Beach after this."
"Oh...don't you want to stay for the night?" I asked my dad.
My dad raised his eyebrows. "Well...we loved too, but I don't think your husband is fond with the idea."
I blushed and they all chuckled.
"I'll come back to the hotel and go back to Phoenix on first flight," My mom said to me. Her eyes glinted and I froze. This is not good.
"And maybe after this first book, you can start to think about the new addition for your family."
"MOM!"
This time they all laughed.
"Thank you for coming. We will visit you soon after I settled back at the hospital," Joshua said to our parents.
Our parents nodded and after several hugs and kisses, we were saying goodbye. I settled some things with my boss and Josia and then I went home with my husband to our house.
Yes, our house.
Joshua and I bought it few weeks after he finished his last semester in UNC. It was not big, with four bedrooms, one study room for Joshua and me, two bathrooms, garage, kitchen, living room, dining room and a warehouse; also with heaters and other appliances. Joshua also brought his piano and he often played for me. I fell in love with the house the moment I saw it and then after some discussions we bought the house. It took nearly two months for the renovation and now the house was homey enough for us.
My husband parked his car in the garage, next to his other ones and my Audi. Joshua bought the car as a wedding present for me. It was dark blue because he said I looked good in blue.
Ha ha!
He opened the passenger door for me and I walked with him to our house. I stopped dead on my feet when I saw our living room. Flower petals were all over the room with soft light from the candles. I blinked several times and before I could say anything, my husband hugged me on my waist and kissed my neck softly.
"Happy Anniversary, my dear wife," He whispered in husky tone.
I smiled and turned around to face him. Today was also our 4th wedding anniversary. I still couldn't
believe I've been married for four years. I always wondered why I detest the idea of marriage before. Marrying Joshua was the best thing that ever happened in my life.
"I can't believe it's been four years," I said to him.
He smiled coyly and started to kiss my neck and my collarbone. I knotted my fingers on his hair and my body surged with desire. Joshua lifted his head and kissed me passionately. I kissed him back with the same passion and I wrapped my arms tightly on his neck. He moaned lightly and lifted me up, so I was straddling him. He broke the kiss and looked at me with hungry eyes.
"Let's continue this to our bedroom, shall we?" His voice was hoarse.
I nodded dumbly. "Happy Anniversary, dear husband. It's been a wonderful year," I managed to say before my brain clouded with lust.
My husband smiled. "We still have many years to come, dear wife." One of his hands already touched may bare skin on my leg. "And maybe we could start with the additional part in our family."
I smiled back. I couldn't argue with him. I knew I wanted to have children soon and I was glad that my husband felt the same way too. I leaned down and whispered in his ear. "Then, what are you waiting for?"
He growled lightly and started to carry me up to the stairs while I giggled.
My husband opened our bedroom door and kicked it shut with his foot. He lay me down gently on the center of the bed. We stared at each other for a moment and I stroked his cheek. He leaned lightly to my touch. I smiled and kissed him softly. "I love you, Joshua Walsh."
Joshua smiled coyly and kissed me back. "I love you too, Abby Walsh. Forever."
Forever.
I had everything that made me happy now.
I had a lovely home and a lovely husband.
I have a great family and the great job.
Hopefully I could still feel happy in more years to come.
End.
Thank You
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