Flash Fic Friday

**The prompt this week: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. This is what I came up with. Enjoy!**

It had been the kind of day that made a person long for a reset button. Everything had gone wrong, and I’d spent my entire day putting out fires and fixing disasters. But it was done, and I was home, and that was the best feeling. I pushed into the house, dropped my bag and toed off my shoes right there at the door, and then sighed in relief as the scent of warm, spicy soup permeated the air. My man was home, and he’d cooked his mother’s laksa. That was the best news after the day, hell the week, I’d had. It was my favorite dish.

I was so focused on that, for a minute I didn’t realize the lights were off and the flickering illumination came from dozens of candles lining the hallway.

“Kevin?” I called, not too loudly, as I walked further into the house.

As I turned the corner, I saw the easel holding a poster board. Even more curious, I walked closer. There was a picture of a bookstore, the one where Kevin and I had met three years ago, and underneath in his precise block lettering.

“The first time ever I saw your face

on this day, exactly three years ago, we met by accident at the bookstore, and I knew I was looking at the man who would capture my heart.”

Speaking of hearts, mine thumped, and adrenaline rushed through my veins. I couldn’t stop the grin. We’d never celebrated anniversaries, but it was wonderful that he remembered.

The line of candles continued, and I followed them into the dining room, where another poster made my breath catch. This picture was of the Willamette River, and our favorite place to stop and enjoy the scenery along the river walk.

“The first time ever I kissed your mouth

the next night we went on our first date, and I couldn’t get enough of you. I knew I was falling in love, no matter how improbable that seemed.”

I’d known it that night too, but it took me a lot longer to even acknowledge it, let alone admit it out loud. Kevin had been better about that then me.

Eager now, I followed the candles into the living room and burst out laughing. This board was sitting righto on the couch, no picture attached.

“The first time ever I lay with you

right here on this couch, even though you made me wait until the third date, I knew I was making love to the last man I ever would.”

It had been magic, and for the first time, I knew what people meant when they said it was different with someone you were made to be with, with someone you loved.

Not stopping, the candles led me into the kitchen, where Kevin waited. On bended knee. With a rose in one hand, a huge smile on his face, and soup simmering on the stove. It was the perfect picture. It was the best thing I’d ever seen and what I wanted for the rest of my live.

“Marry me?”

I grinned, even wider, and nodded. I pulled him up and into my arms, clutching him to me. Kevin fit perfectly into my arms, always had. And always would.

“Yes.”