17.

Wren

I used to think that I would end up alone. That I would never find someone that I liked. I used to think that ever since I started pretending like I had no interest in people, in anything really, that it was who I was. I got so used to lying that I had been able to convince myself that it was true. That I had no interest in anyone and for that I spent most of my adult years by myself.

The nightstands I had were simply. . . a test. To see if I had really broken myself and after the second trial, it started feeling. . .empty. Not right and that almost broke me. Almost being the key word. I know how to pick myself up, dust myself off and act like I was alright and that was what I did. That is what I have always done.

I have always been on my own. My sibling left me by myself after teasing me and making my life miserable. My father left me to myself and what little friends I had grown up were scared away or bullied away by my siblings. Lena and Mark, even though they are my brother and sister, were the worst people I have ever met.

I was fine deluding myself until my ball of self- deceit was cracked open.

I was having problems with one of my cars and was already late for an important meeting, so I decided to take the train that day. I got into the first train car but it was already full, so I decided to walk further in. I wasn't in the mood to stand so I trudged in further. I finally got to the last cart, sighing in relief when I saw a free seat.

On my way to it, I happened to look up and. . .there he was. Sitting there, clad in a thick brown coat, black turtleneck and a matching brown sweater. He was smiling at his phone and I took a step forward and ended up stumbling. He swept me off my feet and he hadn't even looked my way. I had been so relieved that he hadn't seen that spectacle I had just made.

The first thought I had, when I had looked at his face was. . . imagine if we were to start talking and along the line, he becomes my boyfriend.

The first time I saw him and that was my first thought.

My other thought was to know what his name was.

I could not stop staring at him. He carried himself so gently, held onto his face so gently, even the smile on his face was soft and all. . . gentle. Yeah, he took all the words away from my head and I could not make up a meaningful sentence.

My admiration went on but I stayed my distance. He was all I could think about. And even though my car had gotten fixed that same day, I kept taking the train. The short rides were what made my day. They made me happy. They made me yearn. They made me begin to want to do something right out of my comfort zone.

The first time I found out Bailey couldn't hear, I took it upon myself to watch tutorials online. Yes, it was interesting to learn but I also did it because I wanted to talk to him.

When I had seen Bailey being cornered by some men and being threatened, I did not even hesitate or even think about my own safety. I was just scared he was going to be hurt.

When I found out his name, I was so happy.

When I walked into a book store just mere streets away from where I worked and found him there, it was like fate was on my side for once in my life.

It snowballs from there and I suddenly have him in my life, in my home, at my side. It did not even take me two weeks into our relationship to know that he was the one. I could not stop drawing him. Neither could I stop myself from designing and making jewelry pieces for him. And I haven't given him any of them yet. I was surprisingly a little insecure about it. What if he does not like them?

I had also texted my father, giving him little updates about my life. It seemed like he wanted to know more and no matter how hard I stop myself from saying too much about Bailey to my father, I could not help it. Everyone who sees us together would know just how smitten I was by him. They would know that I was in love with the man whose hand I cannot stop holding in mine.

I had met the love of my life.

I met my boyfriend on a train.

And ever since that day when Bailey told me about how he called me his husband in my head, I had begun to do the same thing as well. And I find myself mulling over ring designs, playing with his ring finger. Thankfully, he has not caught on yet but Desmond seems to be catching up.

And then my father decided to visit Bailey at his place of work. It was not a move that I liked but after talking to him and hearing about his side, I could understand that he was a bit desperate. When Bailey had signed to me, asking me to hug my father, after he had signed that it was something we both needed, I had tried to resist. To tell myself no, that I could deny what Bailey had asked but how could I say no to him. He has never led me astray and he must have seen something or known something because, though I told myself not to. I was already moving, taking one step in front of the other until I had my arms around my father and breathing in his familiar smell.

Being with Bailey made me want to try harder, to not hold back. To share with him, to hold his hand and follow him to wherever he may lead me because he cares about me and wants only the best for me. The exact same way I feel about him.

Instead of being on guard when I am with him, my resolve crumbles and it's like I am a different person. I am the me that had been hidden far away and I loved it. I was smiling more, talking more, laughing more. These things that I hadn't ever thought I would do. These things I had thought that I would never do because I had no reason in my life to do them.

But Bailey. . .

He makes me so happy. He makes me strive to be a better man.

The day after the meeting with dad, we both decided not to go to work that day. I still had a lunch thing with dad and Bailey was going to stay home and relax.

"Relax?"

"Yes. I will pamper myself today. Do a little mask, drink a tall glass of cranberry juice, give myself a manicure and pedicure, maybe wax?" Bailey said as he slid back into bed. He had gotten up to brush his teeth and wash his face but he was now back beside me. I reached out, chuckling at him as I brushed his hair back.

"Now you make me want to stay home and do those things with you." I said and Bailey laughed and laughed. He had gotten used to always leaving the hearing aids on and had gotten really comfortable with them. I make sure to pay attention to him though, especially when we are outside. If he scrunches up his nose or fiddles with the hem of his shirt, tapping the sides of his thigh, I instantly turn it off. Sometimes it gets overwhelming for him. Sometimes he just doesn't want the noise.

"Go and have fun with your dad and when you get home, I can then pamper you." Bailey said. To hide just how much bigger my smile had gotten, I rested my weight on my elbow as I began peppering Bailey's face with kisses. He let out a little laughter of joy and I wanted to hear them again and again.

"I want the same treatment."

"I know. I'll make you your own glass of cranberry juice, make you your own avocado mask and even paint your nails for you." Bailey said, grinning at me.

"Was that why you bought that much avocados the other day?" I asked as I trailed my finger down his face, over the smooth plane of his nose.

"Yup."

"Alright, my love. We will have Bailey's home spa day today." I said and Bailey cheered, his smile still ever present. He was so adorable, it never fails to make me stop and stare at him.

We ended up getting up from bed when my alarm for eleven went off. No matter what I said, I could not convince Bailey to share the shower with me but I did ask him to pick out something he would like me to wear out and he had hopped off the bed with glee.

After showering, blow drying my hair and using some of the moisturizer Bailey had bought for me and made me promise, pinky swear and all, to always use it before going out. I wrapped my towel around my waist and walked out.

Bailey had picked out gray pants, and a round neck, long sleeved button up shirt and black sneakers.

"Let me make you a little snack before you are on your way." Bailey said. He rushes up to me, places a hand on my chest and goes on his toes so he could press a kiss to my lips. Then he was gone. It did not take me a long time to get ready and soon I was walking out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen, fingers adjusting the watch I had strapped on my wrist.

"You look very handsome."

"And you look absolutely beautiful."

Bailey chuckles, playfully slapping my arm as he shakes his head. "I haven't even showered yet, you weird man." he said and I chuckled. I wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer to me. I leaned down and trailed my nose up his neck, breathing him in. He smelt like sleep, he smelt like sunlight on skin, he smelt like fresh apples. His usual scent. One of my favourite things about him. He smelt like summer.

"You love this weird man."

"I do." Bailey replies breathlessly as he tilts his neck to the side. "I love you."

"I love you too, Bailey. So much." I said, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

I tightened my grip around him, not wanting to let go. I was so tempted to stay home and spend more time with him. To never stray far away from his hold and just have him in my arms.

"You have to go now or you'll be late, Wrennie."

I really liked it when he called me that. It makes me feel all soft, gooey and stupid. He could ask me for anything while calling me that and I would give him. A house, a car, private jet, my father's company, my heart. Everything.

"I don't want to leave you."

"How about you leave and I spend the day pampering myself, getting myself ready for you. I can even put on those things you bought for me." Bailey said and I took in a quick breath, pulling back so I could look him in the eye. He was serious. He was actually serious.

"We have a deal and maybe I will also do a little something for you as well." I said, pressing a kiss to his forehead. I could already imagine it. Bailey naked and spread out on my bed, white thigh high stocking on with little red bows at the top.

Oh, we have a fucking deal.