He pulls me into a warm embrace in his big arms, leaning on his bulky chest our breaths were one. Running my small hand down his muscular arm to his big hands, intertwining our fingers. His breath tickles my ear, as we both take a deep breath. Listening to his heartbeat I look up at him, at his beautiful amber eyes, his delicate smile.

" Andre... kiss me again, like our first time." I say with a soft and gentle voice staring into his loving eyes.

" Of course, my love." He says in his baritone voice, lifting my chin, brushing his gentle soft lips against mine. Backing away I bite my bottom lip, leaning once again on his chest.

" I'm happy... I want to stay like this for the longest time. I remember the first time I laid on your chest, three years ago, do you remember why?" I ask remembering the happiest moments.

" I do, your fish just passed away and I bought you a new one. You were so happy, you were making the cutest face." He runs his fingers through my hair.

" Yes, you brought it to school with you, and after lunch time we were on the playground. You told me to lay on your chest so I wouldn't get wood chips in my hair." I giggle at how persistent he was about it.

" And we came up with a name, Mr. Bubbles. Because he was a blowfish, and every time he blew up he would make bubbles." He giggles as he holds my hand again.

" And you were the one with wood chips in your hair, and I had to pick them all out. You were so flustered, I still can't believe people thought we were dating then." I say with a big smile, I look in the distance at a maple tree.

" But where are now, and I wouldn't doubt it for one second. Our second-year anniversary... I love you." His words ring in my ears, I look up at him, kissing him again.

" I love you too." Kissing, again and again, we get up from our little picnic that we were having to celebrate our anniversary. We pack everything up and we get into his car, opening the sunroof he shoots me a smile. Our plan today was to have a picnic and go to the movies and go out for dinner.

We love the cinema. Even though were only 16 we still felt like an excited ten year old when we walked through the door and saw the big screen. We'd get there early enough to snag our favorite seat, then we'd sit there hugging our family sized popcorn until the film began. We'd allow ourselves a few slurps of soda in the trailer, but other than that we just waited.

Sam had suffered a lisp as a child, but after years of speech therapy he was finally rid of it and he spoke his lines with confidence and clarity. He could deliver his words on the stage and still be heard in the cheap seats. After a lucky break one winter performance, he was heard by a fellow who made radio advertisements and was offered work. He loved the stage but the adverts kept him off the breadline. He counted himself as one of the lucky ones, he could finally describe himself as a professional actor. My eyes drip with tears. Such a touching film, the way how it ended, so emotional. The ending sort of reminded me of Affair to Remember, I wipe away my tears as the lights slowly came back on lighting the vast theater.

" That was so touching, I almost cried." Andre said taking the last sip of the drink.

" I agree, Sam finally got what he wanted he worked so hard to get what he wanted." I say as I look around at everyone getting up from their seats, no tears just no emotion. " Why are we the only ones who really understood his feelings?"

" Because we are writers, we understand where the actors are coming from, how the actors put so much emotion into the words." He says as he throws our trash away, and takes my hands in his. " Are you hungry my sweetheart?" I nod my head and we head back to the car.

" Is our favorite couple on a date?" A familiar voice says behind us, looking around we see Alvapriya and Keon our best friends since middle school.

" Anniversary actually." Andre says as he pulls me into an embrace, my hand automatically goes to his chest. I look up at him and a smile crosses my face. I bit my lip as our faces come closer, our soft lips come into contact, our slow soft kisses start to come to an end.

" Okay thank for the show you two, how are ya'll so happy?" asks Keon, with a big smile.

" Yeah, your so happy." Alvapriya says. " We were so jealous of you two when we hooked up." She kisses Keon's cheek, then she holds his hand.

" Well, you two seem happy." I say then they nod. " Wait don't we have a reservation?! We have to go, well see you Monday bye." I say remembering our dinner, saying our goodbyes we getting his car and leave.

The restaurant was full. I looked around at the busy tables. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their gray suits lighting up cigars. American tourists, trying to decipher the menu. A family and their teenage children. The noise level was high. The smoke level, too. But it didn't bother me. I was used to it.

His callused skin was oddly juxtaposed to the crispness of his suit, tailored to perfection, likely in a high end London taylor's shop. His eyes had a look of long yearned for mischief beneath heavily wrinkled lids. He walked with a slight stoop, yet moved swiftly into the marbled lobby of the restaurant. He greeted the stiff maitre d' with nod and a handshake, faltering somewhat when the greeter became mannequin-like instead of mirroring his joviality. The waiter sat us down at the table and asked us if we wanted appetizers, like usual I froze up and just said nothing.

" Onion rings and two sprites, please." Andre said as the waiter the waiter writes it down.

" Okay, it will be here in a few." He says then walks away.

" I don't know why I freeze up like that, I did that when I was young too..." I say as I rub my hands together as if I was nervous.

" It's okay, don't worry. Do you see anything you like?"

" Yes, the Hachis Parmentier." I say pointing to it.

" It does sound good, I think I'll go with the Navarin D'Agneau." The waiter comes back with our drinks and appetizers. Andre gives him our order, we eat the onion rings and start talking about how happy we are together and our history. When the waiter comes back he places down our food and takes the plate.

" Thank you." I say then the water leaves. I brought the fresh, warm bread to my nose, inhaling deeply. It smelled rich, promising a delightful taste. Picking up a knife, I applied copious amounts of thick, creamy yellow butter. I spooned out a dollop of sweet, tangy blackberry jelly. I slathered the sweet mixture onto the spongy white bread. I ripped off a chunk, stuffing the piece into my mouth. It was soft and warm. The pleasant smoothness of the butter blended perfectly with the bitter-sweet taste of blackberries.

" It looks delicious, may I have a bite?" Andre says as he opens his mouth, I giggle as I take a fork full, feeding him. " I was right, you always have a great job picking great food." he says as he smiles after swallowing. People start leaving, without their tables getting refilled. Not too soon later our date ended. With ankles crossed and my knees leaning against the center console, I watch Andre slide into the driver's seat, starting the engine with the push of a button. I want to touch him and run my fingers through his hair. Rubbing my hands together, I force them into submission. Observing his movements, a sigh escapes my lips. I adore the subtle tilt of his head when he turns onto the road. Every movement seems as though he's planned it out ahead of time. Feeling a chill, I rub my arms.

" I had fun today..." I say feeling a bit flustered.

" I did too. What was your favorite part?" He asks as he makes another turn.

" I guess our picnic if I just had to pick one part." I say looking out the window looking at the same old scenery.

" Mine too, your homemade snakes are delicious." He smiles as he pulls up to my house.

" I hope so... Happy anniversary!" I say kissing his cheek.

" Happy anniversary." he holds my hands and kisses me, again and again. " I'm sorry, you should go." he says in embarrassment.

" Don't apologize babe. I love it when you kiss me." I say kissing him back before we say our goodbyes and part our separate ways. I reverently rubbed my fingers along the silken mattress. I pressed my cheek to the cool, velvet pillows. The comforter was thick and irresistibly soft, like a billowing cloud. I toppled into it, relieved to rest my weary feet. Warmth and darkness enveloped me. I soon succumbed to the call of sleep.