1 He's home early

The gentle autumn breeze brushed against my glistening skin, I had just finished tilling the soil of my favorite pumpkin patch, and just resting on the porch to my home.

"Pumpkins should be ready in a few days, I'm sure the town's folks would love their share of the harvest, especially my good friend Abigail, she goes nuts for those haha" I chuckled to myself while I was catching my breath.

"But most importantly"

I remember my husband loves his fill of pumpkin soup, a recipe his mom taught me some time ago, I had also made it for him fall of last year and he didn't stop smiling for an entire day!

How nostalgic, It's been more than 3 years since I moved in, I had already gotten close with everybody in town and even settled down.. I wonder what'll come next for me—

I heard the crust of dirt as someone's footsteps seem to get closer, It was Sebastian, it's only 6pm but he's already back from visiting his mom, Robin.

I caught him taking a leer at the pumpkins, I smiled

"Good evening Sebastian, why are you back so soon, my love?"

He usually gets home after 8.

His eyes and lips curved into a warm smile as he sat behind me at our porch, just one stair above where I sat, holding out his arms as the soft cloth of his sleeves brushes against my shoulders and his arms rested on my dirt-smothered lap, his thick warm sweater pressing against my sweaty back

"Sebastian, I'm kind of filthy from the work today.." I said, my face flushed from embarrassment.

I heard him chuckle. He leans his head forward and rests his chin on my shoulder. His hair brushes against mine

"Before you married me, I was living in my mom's basement and my room smelled like.. I don't know— dirty laundry?"

He nuzzles his nose into my crinkly shirt

"So you smell very nostalgic right now, dear haha"

"Hey!" I turned to face him, sorta embarrassed, but he breaks into laughter, holding his stomach and tapping the wooden stair with his feet.

"Hahaha I'm messing with you, love. Come here", he pulls me close and tightens his arms around me for an embrace

"You smell like sweet pumpkin leaves.. (he sniffs) and sunflower oil"

"Oh yeah I've been handling a bunch of sunflowers today at the oil maker"

He nuzzles closer, "You've been working hard today, can't I embrace my wife who's been tilling and watering the pumpkin patch because I know she's looking forward to making my favorite autumn soup?"

My face turns red, "I.. I quite like your mom's recipe too."

"Dear.." He calls

"Yes Sebastian?"

"You've done a lot of things for me.. when I thought I would just settle for being nagged and unappreciated for the way I am."

"Sebastian—"

"You truly gave me a place to call home, thank you for making me feel welcome."

I broke from his embrace, turned to face him and held both of his hands.

"Sebastian, you're more loved than you think, I'm sure there are many others who appreciate you. Don't doubt that. And I'll always be here for you no matter what"

I wonder if the visit from Robin's made him remember a lot of unpleasant memories.. but nevermind, I love everything about this man who is looking at me with a gentle smile. I will do everything to make him happy and stay that way.

"Hey" I called, "Wanna hit the bathhouse? I feel bad for getting you all dirty"

His eyes lit up, "Would I want to see my wife in a bathing suit? My my how you've gotten bold."

"Maybe."

His eyebrows raised, he looked a little surprised.

"Or maybe I want to see my husband flutter about cause he still doesn't know how to swim!"

Ha! I jogged slowly ahead tryna get the slowpoke up on his feet.

"Come on! Don't want it to be too dark when we get back"

He stands up from the stairs and runs to me to hold my hand.

"I do know to swim, for your information" he pouts.

We walk together to the bath house just a little ways past Robin's place. The breeze was getting colder, I can't wait get my head under that warm bath water.