Ticklish

Six Months Later:

Matt had just walked out of the shower and noticed that his pretty wife was still asleep. She had been so tired lately with her work that it was a wonder she could even stay awake. As he observed her, he thought of the previous times when they would have such situations when they both lived alone.. he would be busy with his work and she would be busy with hers and they would schedule their meetings...Matt smiled a bit and felt this was better. Even if they were not having sex regularly, it was enough to hold Jianan and fall asleep. He actually liked it when she came back tired and let him pamper her. Matt was no green behind the ears boy, he knew what he had started to feel and he was happy for that...Feeling an intense stare on her, woke Jianan up from her sleepy state and she blinked confusedly at her husband who stood there with glittering eyes starting down at her. Seeing her awake, Matt leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead. But before he could move back, he was pulled onto the bed. To prevent himself from crushing her, Matt supported himself on his elbow and gave her a smirk.

Trailing down a finger over her cheek, Matt asked, "Are you feeling hungry?"

Jianan grinned at this and both her hands moved to the sides of Matt's naked chest as she whispered, "Uh huh..I feel like hearing you laugh.."

With that Jianan wiggled her fingers and Matt was assaulted with 'unmanly' laughter at being tickled.

Jianan giggled at this sound, her heart filling with happiness and contentment. However this momentary feeling gave Matt the chance to turn the table and then Jianan was being tickled wildly. Only after being tickled mercilessly, did both their laughter stop and they fell away from each other on the bed, breathing hard, their hands still entwined. Jianan and Matt looked into each other's eyes and smiled before Matt moved to his side and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose, "I have to go now. The final preparations are almost done and then there is a press conference. Are you going to come in the evening?"

Jianan nodded before saying, "I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Satisfied, Matt nodded and replied, "Good! I even have a surprise for you. And now I am going to leave before you tempt me to stay here with you, in bed, you little siren. Have your breakfast wifey once you are ready to get out of bed.. Your breakfast is in the microwave."

Having given his instructions, Matt quickly put on his jeans and a white shirt before walking out while Jianan had buried herself under the blanket. Sleeping some more was a good idea!

But hiding now was to stop herself from telling him that she had a surprise for him too.. a wonderful one. Not even he could prepare such a surprise.

Matt drove to the exhibition gallery with a small glint in his eyes and whistling a happy tune. The exhibition hall was well lit and the paintings positioned as he had asked. The assistant there came running to him at that moment and said, "Sir the preparations are all done and the private viewing room has also been set up..

Matt nodded and went to check inside. The private room was usually kept for VIP guests but today Matt had reserved it for himself. While the exhibition displayed the six paintings from the series called 'Unfulfilled Longing Dreams', the painting in the last room was called, "Cherished". It was a life size painting of his wife Jianan. The painting held a two fold meaning to him and he hoped that she would be able to see that. His biggest problem when painting a person was the ever changing expression in their eyes but then he noticed that whenever she glanced at him there was only a loving expression in them, making him feel cherished. Matt wanted her to know, with this painting that he cherished the love she showed him and he loved her in return.

Tonight he would confess to her.

As Matt stood in front of the painting, he could feel the anticipation running through him. He patted the small pendant set he had prepared for her to commemorate today and nodded in satisfaction. Happy with the world and himself, in general, Matt rubbed his hands in excitement before walking out for the press conference.

The press was seated in the small room adjoining the exhibition hall waiting for the ceremony to begin and the paintings to be unveiled... and for their favorite painter to return after a long hiatus.