The clinking of metal and porcelain was the only sound that broke up the comfortable silence that had settled between us, as we wordlessly performed our usual dish-washing routine with machine-like efficiency borne of long-ingrained habit. She gave the cutlery and dishes a quick rinse, then passed them on to me to slot them into the dishwasher.

It was over almost as soon as it began, which felt somehow... disappointing. I decided not to dwell on it as I watched Alice quickly wash her hands. I did the same, then sidled up to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, feeling giddy for being able to do such a casual thing again after so long.

"That was delicious, Alice. You're a great cook," I told her in a low voice, "but you should've let me help. I would've been more than happy to help you out with lunch, you know?"

Did her face go a bit red, or was the light playing tricks on me? In any case, she smiled at my words, then answered, "I know, Ryan, and I love you all the more for it, but... lately, I feel as if all you've done is give, give and give, while I just accepted it all. You might not mind, but I need to let you know how grateful I feel, to pay you back even a little, and small things like this are all I can do for now, so... please let me do them."

I was a bit taken aback by her words, but if that was what she wished, I had no right to contradict her. So instead I just smiled and nodded my acknowledgement.

"Well, if you're happy with it, then you won't hear any complaints from me. Just make sure to tell me whenever you need some help okay?" I continued, my voice barely more than a whisper; I was now hugging her from behind, my lips against her ear.

"Y–yeah, of course. S–sure thing," she replied, voice shaky and cheeks bright red.

Yeah, definitely blushing. Hehehe, why does that make me feel so giddy? 

"Oh, actually, Ryan... h–how about we put our newly cleaned couch to use?"

"Uh-" With her words given the situation we were in, my mind couldn't help but conjure some... less than innocent images, of past times where we'd put that couch "to use".

Still... she can't be talking that, can she? No way...

"T–to watch some TV, I mean! We broke our backs yesterday to get it clean enough to sit on, after all." she added a moment later, her knowing but slightly embarrassed tone making me wonder whether or not she'd done that on purpose. 

If only I could get a proper look at her face.

Oh well, I guess we'll never know.

I simply nodded in agreement... then realized I was behind her, so she couldn't see it.

With spiking embarrassment, I barely managed to mutter a quick "Sure." before running off to the living room, carefully not letting her see my no doubt crimson cheeks.

 Which meant I could not see the sly grin adorning her face.

---

"Wait, grandma is coming? But she was supposed to be distracting Gerald! What happened!?"

"I don't know either! She isn't answering her phone, and mom is nowhere to be found!"

"But if Gerald gets there before Amanda comes back with the cake, he'll–"

Uh... who was Gerald again? The groom? His brother? Eh, whatever.

I could barely focus on the—admittedly boring—midday film playing in front of me, giddy as I was over the feeling of my hand wrapping around Alice's. Somehow, she had found the time to tidy up the living room considerably , having stashed away most of the boxes and cabinets filled with clothes and toiletries to a corner, leaving only the bare essentials. I would offer to help her move her stuff up to our room soon, though I didn't know when the right moment would come. I didn't want to come off as being too pushy or impatient.

Am I overthinking this? Gosh, I probably am. I swear, I feel like an awkward teen planning his first date all over again.

"–finally connected. She says that–"

"Ryan..." Alice mumbled, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"–can't let her find out! Someone has to–"

"Yeah?" I asked quietly, guiding some stray hairs being her ear.

"–your brother yet? He might be able to–"

"Mm... I love you..."

Hearing that sent an unreasonably strong thrill all over my body, which only intensified as she snuggled up against my side, her shoulder on mine, head slotting perfectly into the crook of my neck.

"–won't get there in time unless we–"

"Me too, honey. I love you too."

We just stayed like that for a while, enjoying the other's presence, until the film ended and took with it our excuse for cuddling.

Before I could stand up and leave the sofa, Alice spoke up.

"Are you planning on going on a run today?"

"Hmm... I hadn't thought about it, but if there's time and you don't need me here for anything, I'll go, yeah."

I feel like I've recovered enough by now. I didn't go completely overboard on my last run like I did with my first exercise session, after all.

I felt her hand clench within my grasp.

"Then... I want to go with you. Please let me accompany you," she said resolutely, and I recalled her words earlier that day.

"As long as I'm with you, everything will be alright."

I couldn't help but smile at the thought. "If that's what you want, and you feel ready, I'd be honored to have you with me. Just... no pressure, okay? Don't feel obligated or push yourself or anything, I'm in no rush. Take it at your own pace."

"Of course," she said, her free hand moving towards mine and coming to rest on it. Her palm was warm.

 "But don't worry. I'm ready. Anyway!" she continued, her gentle tone suddenly replaced by one full of vigor as she suddenly stood up, "let's get changed, shall we?"

After taking a second to clear my head of weird thoughts, I replied with a smile.

"Yeah, let's."

---

 

I opened the door, and the cold air of the great outside made me shiver slightly as it hit my exposed face, despite it being considerably warmer compared to how it was in the mornings. Maybe because it was a cloudy day, and even colder than normal for mid-winter.

Well, a little cold ain't gonna stop me from letting Alice conquer her fears. Let's get a move on.

I stepped out, holding a hand out towards the house, where my lovely wife stood, clad in a woolen beanie and scarf combo, a thick, fluffy coat, similarly thick sweatpants and even mittens. Half of those items had been put on at my insistence.  I refused to let Alice suffer out in the cold.

I felt the soft wool on my palm as she leaned forward and took my hand, then stepped forth with almost no hesitation, closing the door behind her. I was taken aback, having expected her to at least dither for a moment, but the surprise was a pleasant one.

I quickly locked the door, then got ready to begin running. However...

"Umm, honey? We... can't really jog with our hands held, can we?" I asked, giving a small, experimental tug to free my hand from her grasp only for her to strengthen her grip.

"I... can we really not?"

Her distressed tone game me pause, more so than the words themselves. She was not joking around or being flirty, she was genuinely dreading the idea of letting go.

I turned around and, in a smooth swooping motion, embraced Alice with my free arm, keeping my other hand at my side, holding hers.

"Alice... if you need to hold my hand to be able to face the outside, I will absolutely not let go of you for even a second,” I whispered into her ear, trying to sound reassuring. I felt her calm down at my words, her sharp, shallow breaths slowing down slightly, so I continued.

“However… I’m not sure if that’s for the best. Being so dependent on somebody else isn’t healthy. What if you have to go out in the future while I’m not around?” She looked up at me as I said so, and I could see my own concerned expression reflected on her large, contact-clad eyes. Her own face showed a complicated mix of emotions, which quickly gave way to resolve.

“You’re right,” she said, then, with a deep breath, she withdrew her hand from mine. I smiled and undid out half-hug, staying right next to her.

“Are you alright, love?”

Alice looked at her covered hands, then st me, and nodded resolutely.

”Actually… yeah. It isn’t as bad as I’d thought. Just a bit chilly!”

I grinned. “Well, if you’re in the mood for complaining about that, then you’re fine. Some running should chase that chill out. Shall we get going, then?” I asked, already begging to run in place

”Yeah!” she exclaimed, and shot off like a bullet.

"Hey, slow down! This isn't a sprint; you're gonna burn out in a minute at that pace!"

"Hahaha, sure, I'll slow down for you, you slowpoke!"

"Oh, come on, you know that's not that I– whatever. I won't fall for your bait."

Seriously, this woman will be the end of me.

---

 

Our strides were slow, too much so for me to really get winded, but I wasn't about to leave her side for a second, not even to run ahead for a bit then back. Efficiency could very well go up in flames for all I cared, my wife mattered infinitely more.

As if sensing my thoughts, she turned her head to face me and shot me a dazzling smile, which made me realize I'd began staring at her at some point.

Embarrassed, I turned away, and we once more fell into a comfortable silence as had been the case since the start of our run.

I was glad to see that almost all the traces of fear were gone from her expression and body language, though I hoped it wasn't just her masking them. I knew she was only fine because I was right next to her, but we had all the time in the world to ease her off that dependency. For now, I was happy with the big step forward we had made. She was no longer confined to four walls all day, every day.

Such pleasant thoughts filled my mind as we continued to eat up the miles.