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“Do you want another cup?” Tim asked Anne as he sat next to her on the sofa.
“No, thank you.” she said staring blankly at the empty cup between her hands.
“So, tell me, why do I feel like you're upset? Or am I wrong?”
During the last months, The Princess and her mother's equerry have become friends. Since then, Anne would confide to him about her marital problems, and tell him all her troubles. He was a shoulder to cry on for her, and was always ready to listen to her or try to help her solve any problem if she has one. And today she needed him too. And as the devoted friend he was, as soon as she called him, he quickly joined her to her office.
“I don't know, Tim... I mean... I know I shouldn't but it's just...” She trailed off.
“Is it about him? Did you fight again?”
“No, it's not about him. Haven't you seen the newspapers? Tim, I'm killing myself for my work, I'm always away, leaving my children alone, I'm trying my best to help people and make a difference and the only thing they care about is my fucking style. It's been less than a month since I'm back from my trip with Save the Children and they barely said a thing about it, and now they're comparing my style to my brother's wives. I'm so fucking tired of this...” She spat, trying so hard to keep it together.
Tim's heart ached to see her in that state “I know...” he whispered as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She instantly relaxed in his arms.
They sat like that in silence, until Anne lifted her head and smiled at Tim, who was for the last few minutes, kissing softly her hair every now and then, trying to bring her some comfort but probably not even noticing it. Looking down at her, he smiled softly back at her.
They both had been turning around each other a lot lately, both had feelings for one another even though they were trying to dissuade themselves of the opposite, not to forget the sexual tension that was becoming quite unbearable sometimes...
Still smiling at him, Anne lifted her hand to stroke his cheek, something she never did before “I feel safe in your arms” She whispered shyly.
Tim was pleasantly surprised by her move, were they on a new level of their friendship, or there was more than that in what she did? He surely hoped it to be the later one.
This time it was his turn to reach out for her cheek, he gently caressed it with his thumb, looking her into the eyes “I'll always be here for you. No matter what. Whenever you need me, I'll be here, I promise.” He gently told her as she nodded smiling at him. Soon enough, his eyes were looking at her full, half parted lips, he couldn't tear his eyes off them. He wanted so to kiss them, taste them, but he was afraid of crossing the line. Tilting his head down a little, he brushed her lips with his thumb, and felt her kiss it lightly, and tilt her head upwards. Now their faces mere inches from each others, their noses brushing, their hearts beating faster than ever, Tim was still a bit hesitant... “Anne...” He sighed, nuzzling his nose into hers, waiting for her approval.
“Please, Tim...” She whispered nodding her head.
And that was all what he needed to close the gap between their mouths and to capture her soft lips in a long tender kiss.
After what felt like an eternity, they pulled away, looking shyly at each others but with smug smiles on both their faces.
Feeling that they both needed more than just one kiss, Tim asked her again “Can I kiss you again? I feel like I'm already addicted to your lips...” He smiled coyly.
Nodding, this time she was the one to capture his lips first. The first kiss was tender but this one was more passionate. Teasing each others mouths with their tongue, exploring them, discovering new sensations, her hands running though his thick soft black hair, and his on her tiny waist, bringing her closer to him, familiarizing with this new spot...
Eventually, they had to pull away to catch their breaths, but they didn't let go, still holding each other close, foreheads touching, eyes still closed, soft smiles adorning their faces.
After those kisses they shared some more, with both of them leaning on the sofa, holding hands, his arm around her shoulder, holding her close, they confessed their love for each other, Tim told her that for him, it was love at first sight, and since then he couldn't stop thinking of her and had to try really hard not to show her that. Anne was deeply touched by that, and had confessed in return, that it wasn't long after that she was starting to have feelings for him too.
Before departing, they had shared some more kisses, and Tim felt he had to make, a promise, to comfort her, especially after what she was going through.
“I'll always be here for you, you can trust me, I love you.”
“I know, I'll always be here for you too, you can trust me too, I love you more.”
~35 years later~
12 December 2022.
35 years have passed and they're today celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. Anne woke up the first, and the first thing she saw as she slowly opened her eyes, was him, her husband, yes, her husband, she could never get tired of calling him that. He has been her strength for all these years, he kept his promise and never left her, he was there for her at her best but also at her worst. It wasn't always easy for them, they had been through a difficult time at some point, like all the couples do, but their love was stronger than anything, they survived, and they were now, after 35 of being together, still madly in love.
Smiling at him still sleeping and snoring lightly, she reached for his face and gently stroked his cheek. Feeling her hand on his cheek, he began slowly to wake up. A small smile appeared on his face as he wrapped his arm around her waist bringing her closer to him.
“Happy 30th wedding anniversary, darling." She whispered, pressing herself even closer to him while kissing his cheek. He didn't answer, just his smile grew broader. “Wake up sleepy head.” She whispered this time playing with his hair, but still nothing, he didn't open his eyes he just smiled and made a little noise, enjoying the attention he was getting from her. "Tim, I swear to God, if you don't open your eyes now, you're getting nothing tonight.” She said threateningly. At that, he instantly opened his eyes, making her giggle “That's better.”
Flipping her on her back and hovering over her, envelopping her petite frame with his much larger one, he whispered chuckling, looking into her eyes before kissing her softly “Happy 30th wedding anniversary Mrs. Timothy Laurence, my darling wife. You surely know how to wake me up, don't you?”
“I do.” She nodded, a very smug smile on her face before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him once again.
Rolling on his back by fear to crash her with his weight, he brought her closer to him again, and she snuggled into his chest.
Due to the recent events and the weather they decided to postpone their sailing trip to when the weather gets better, and Anne too. They would just celebrate their wedding anniversary with their family and friends for now, their private celebration will be for later. No matter what, they were glad to be with each other.
For a long moment they talked about all the years they spent together, from the sad moments to the happier ones, both feeling so lucky to have found the other. After that they sat in a compagnable silence, just relishing in their closeness until Anne spoke again.
“The same feeling...” She quietly said.
“Hm? What feeling, darling?” Tim gently asked while playing with her hair.
"Remember the first time I told you I feel safe in your arms? It never changed, I still feel it.”
“I hope you will always feel safe in my arms.” He said smiling at her.
“I'm sure I will.” She smiled up back at him before kissing him softly and snuggling further into his chest.
Sometimes and even after all this time, she still couldn't believe that they got to marry, that he was still there for her, just like he promised. She couldn't even believe that this man was real. But then he would do something to make her heart swell from love and she would realise that he was real, and she was grateful for that.